Quality of life and surgical outcome after laparoscopic antireflux surgery in the elderly gastroesophageal reflux disease patient.

BACKGROUND

Generally, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the elderly follows the same principles as for any adult patient. Currently laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) has not been clearly established in the elderly patient. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the surgical outcome including quality of life after LARS in patients older than 65 years.

METHODS

Since 1993 more than 500 patients underwent LARS in our institute. A total of 72 patients, older than 65 years, has been treated with laparoscopic 'floppy' Nissen (n = 51) or Toupet (n = 21) fundoplication. The patients included 23 women and 49 men, with a mean age of 71 years (range, 66-79 years). Quality of life was evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). The GIQLI was evaluated prior to surgery, and 3 months and 1 year after surgery, with 24-h pH monitoring and esophageal manometry being performed.

RESULTS

Intraoperative complications occurred in two patients (both injury of the spleen), successfully managed laparoscopically. Conversion to laparotomy and mortality were 0%. Postoperative complications occurred twice: one patient had a perianal thrombosis; one had an epileptic seizure. Three months and 1 year after surgery 24-h pH monitoring (mean DeMeester score: preoperative, 61.4+/-23.7; 3 months, 8.4+/-6.4; 1 year, 7.8+/-7.2) and esophageal manometry (mean: preoperative, 2.3 = 1.8 mmHg; 3 months, 13.9+/-3.7 mmHg; 1 year, 12.3+/-3.2 mmHg) showed normal values in all patients. GIQLI increased significantly (mean: preoperative, 86+/-9.7 points; 3 months, 120.1+/-8.9 points; 1 year, 119.3+/-10.1 points) after surgery and is comparable to healthy individuals (118.7 points). One patient suffered from severe dysphagia and required dilatation. In two patients laparoscopic refundoplication was necessary 1 year after the initial procedure because of a 'slipping Nissen' and a 'telescope phenomenon'. Three years after LARS (n = 32) data are comparable to I year after surgery.

CONCLUSION

As our data show, LARS can be a safe and effective procedure that significantly improves quality of life in the elderly patient suffering from GERD. Age should no longer be a contraindication to LARS.