Laparoscopic Nissen's fundoplication: preliminary report on ten cases.

We present our experience with ten cases of laparoscopic Nissen's fundoplication. Reflux esophagitis is a very common disease and is associated with a lack of response to medical treatment in a significant number of cases, yet the rate of referral to a surgeon is extremely low. We believe that the endoscopic treatment of this disease is much less invasive and more cost-effective and is associated with lower rates of complications. Indeed, our patients left the hospital at 24-48 h post-surgery and were involved in their regular activities at 4 days to 1 week thereafter. Neither mortality nor complications associated with the procedure were encountered. We believe that the feasibility and the benefits of this procedure will lead to earlier referral and hence to avoidance of long-term complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease.