The value of multiple rapid swallows during preoperative esophageal manometry before laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Surg Endosc. 2012 Dec;26(12):3401-7. doi: 10.1007/s00464-012-2350-0. Epub 2012 May 31.

Abstract

Background: When multiple swallows are rapidly administered, esophageal peristalsis is inhibited, and pronounced lower esophageal sphincter relaxation ensues. After the last swallow of the series, a robust contraction sequence results. The authors hypothesize that multiple rapid swallows (MRS) may have value in predicting esophageal transit symptoms in patients undergoing laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS).

Methods: Records of patients undergoing esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) before LARS were evaluated. The evaluation of MRS included adequate inhibitory response during swallows and the contraction pattern after MRS. Dysphagia was scored based on a product of symptom frequency and severity using 5-point Likert scales. A composite dysphagia score comprised the sum of scores for solid and liquid dysphagia, and a score of 4 or higher was considered clinically significant. The normal and abnormal MRS responses of patients with preoperative, early, and late postoperative dysphagia were compared with those of patients with no dysphagia.

Results: In this study, 63 patients (mean age, 60.3 ± 1.7 years, 48 women) undergoing HRM before LARS successfully performed MRS (median, 5 swallows; longest interval between swallows, 3.2 ± 0.1 s). After MRS, 14 patients (22.2%) had an intact peristaltic sequence. Complete failure of peristalsis was seen in 21 (33.3%), and incomplete esophageal inhibition in 25 (39.7%) of the remaining patients. When stratified by presence or absence of dysphagia, 58.3% of the subjects without dysphagia had a normal MRS response, whereas 83.3% had formation of peristaltic segments after MRS. In contrast, only 14% of the subjects with dysphagia had a normal MRS response (p ≤ 0.003 vs. the subjects with no dysphagia). Abnormal MRS responses were more prevalent in the patients with any preoperative and late postoperative dysphagia (p = 0.04 across groups) and in those with clinically significant dysphagia (p = 0.08 across groups).

Conclusions: High-resolution manometry with MRS helps to predict dysphagia in subjects undergoing preoperative esophageal function testing before LARS.

MeSH terms

  • Deglutition*
  • Female
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / physiopathology*
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Male
  • Manometry / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Preoperative Care
  • Prospective Studies
  • Time Factors