A new antireflux procedure at the esophagogastric junction: experimental and clinical evaluation.

In posterior fundoplasty, a derivative of Nissen fundoplication, the fundus is passed behind the abdominal esophagus and fixed to the anterior aspect of the stomach, thus modifying the angle of entrance of the esophagus, creating a posterior gastric reservoir relatively inaccessible to the cardia. In dogs, it was a successful as a Nissen fundoplication in reversing esophagitis caused by reflux and daily administration of histamine. In another group of dogs, a cylindrical resection of the last 4 or 6 cm of the esophagus and a posterior fundoplasty were performed simultaneously. In spite of the daily administration of 30 mg of histamine, none of the dogs developed esophagitis. Posterior fundoplasty has proved effective in 14 patients with hiatal hernia observed for three years. In five patients undergoing a Heller myotomy for achalasia, it was used successfully to prevent postoperative regurgitation.