Background: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that should have similar results than classical surgical treatment.
Aim: To report the results of a prospective study of laparoscopic antireflux surgery in patients with gastroesophageal reflux.
Patients and methods: Thirty two patients with gastroesophageal reflux and without Barret's esophagus, were subjected to endoscopy, manometry and measurement of intraesophageal pH before and after laparoscopic surgery.
Results: There were no postoperative deaths or complications. Gastroesophageal sphincter pressure and abdominal sphincter length increased from 9.1 +/- 3.9 to 13.0 +/- 3.5 mm Hg and from 8.1 +/- 6.2 to 13.5 +/- 5.4 cm after surgery (p < 0.01). There was a decrease in acid reflux in 82% of patients.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery reproduces exactly the results of open surgical procedures.