The role of laparoscopic Nissen, Hill, and Nissen-Hill hybrid repairs for uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Publication Title
Minerva chirurgica
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-23-2018
Abstract
There are several elements that constitute the lower esophageal barrier against reflux. What characterizes the abnormality seen in GERD is the loss of an effective barrier combined with refluxed gastric contents. Several techniques including those described by Nissen, Toupet and Hill have become options for reconstructing the physiologic barrier. In this paper, we describe our technique of performing laparoscopic Nissen, Hill and a combined Nissen + Hill hybrid repair for the management of uncomplicated GERD. In a randomized study comparing 46 laparoscopic Nissen to 46 laparoscopic Hill repairs, subjective and objective short term and long term (13 months) outcomes including use of antisecretory agents were equivalent. The number of failures requiring reoperation were also the same but the difference in failure types prompted us to examine the two techniques and fuse them into one to maximize the integrity of the lower esophageal barrier. A comparative study of the Nissen, Hill and hybrid repairs with 15-month follow up showed similar subjective and objective outcomes and specifically no increase in dysphagia for the combined repair. There was also a trend towards less recurrence the hybrid group. More recently, we studied our Nissen repairs and compared them to hybrid repairs over a 22 month median follow up period. Quality of life outcomes were superior for the hybrid group in all domains. For the subset of patients with a mean follow up of 60 months the anatomic recurrence rate was 5% in the hybrid group compared to 45% in the Nissen group. These data strongly suggest that the anchoring of GE junction with Hill sutures reduces the axial stresses on the Nissen wrap to maintain its integrity. The laparoscopic Nissen, and laparoscopic Hill procedures have been proven to have excellent results for the treatment of GERD. Larger studies are underway to demonstrate the long term durability of the hybrid Nissen-Hill procedure in the management of GERD.
Area of Special Interest
Digestive Health
Specialty/Research Institute
Gastroenterology
Specialty/Research Institute
Surgery
