Minimally invasive Roux-en-Y reconstruction as a salvage operation after failed nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND

Conversion of Nissen fundoplication to Roux-en-Y (RnY) anatomy may be indicated in patients with post-surgical complications or who fail to achieve durable control of their disease. Herein we describe the largest series of patients at a single institution who underwent minimally invasive conversion of Nissen fundoplication to RnY reconstruction.

METHODS

All patients with prior Nissen fundoplication which were converted to RnY anatomy at our institution from March 2009 through November 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients were identified based on CPT codes and the description of the operation performed. All cases with attempted minimally invasive approach were included for analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty patients underwent conversion from prior Nissen fundoplication to RnY anatomy during the study period. The cohort was 84.0% female with a mean age of 53.5 years and a median body mass index of 36.7 kg/m. Thirteen patients (26.0%) had multiple prior foregut operations. Complications from fundoplication that warranted revision included recurrent hiatal hernia (n = 16), post-surgical gastroparesis (n = 10), and mechanical complications from the wrap (n = 8). An additional fourteen patients underwent conversion to RnY for metabolic disease. The mean operative time and estimated blood loss were 266 min and 132 mL, respectively, with all but one (98.0%) completed with a minimally invasive approach. The median length of stay was 5 days. Complications included marginal ulcer (n = 2), superficial surgical site infection (n = 2), anastomotic leak (n = 2), and one case each of pulmonary embolism, small bowel obstruction, and gastrointestinal bleeding. There were no mortalities at a median follow-up of 12.4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Conversion of prior Nissen fundoplication to RnY anatomy is technically challenging, although it is safe and feasible even in the setting of multiple prior foregut operations. A minimally invasive approach should be offered to patients by surgeons with experience in revisional foregut and bariatric surgery.