Clinical Research
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2007; 13(5): 740-747
Published online Feb 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i5.740
Influence of age on outcome of total laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease
F Pizza, G Rossetti, P Limongelli, G Del Genio, V Maffettone, V Napolitano, L Brusciano, G Russo, S Tolone, M Di Martino, A Del Genio
F Pizza, G Rossetti, P Limongelli, G Del Genio, V Maffettone, V Napolitano, L Brusciano, G Russo, S Tolone, M Di Martino, A Del Genio, 1st Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Second University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Francesco Pizza, MD, Via Villa Albertini, 39 bis, 80037 Nola, Naples, Italy. francesco_pizza@libero.it
Telephone: +39-333-8275449 Fax: +39-81-5666721
Received: May 1, 2006
Revised: August 4, 2006
Accepted: December 27, 2006
Published online: February 7, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To demonstrate that age does not influence the choice of treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We hypothesized that the outcome of total fundoplication in patients > 65 years is similar to that of patients aged ≤ 65 years.

METHODS: Four hundred and twenty consecutive patients underwent total laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD. Three hundred and fifty-five patients were younger than 65 years (group Y), and 65 patients were 65 years or older (group E). The following elements were considered: presence, duration, and severity of GERD symptoms; presence of a hiatal hernia; manometric evalu-ation, 24 h pH-monitoring data, duration of operation; incidence of complications; and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS: Elderly patients more often had atypical symptoms of GERD and at manometric evaluation had a higher rate of impaired esophageal peristalsis in compari-son with younger patients. A mild intensity of heartburn often leads physicians to underestimate the severity of erosive esophagitis. The duration of the operation was similar between the two groups. The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was low and the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups. An excellent outcome was observed in 92.9% young patients and 91.9% elderly patients.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is a safe and effective treatment for GERD even in elderly patients, warranting low morbidity and mortality rates and a significant improvement of symptoms comparable to younger patients.

Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Esophagitis; Impaired peristalsis; Hiatal hernia; Laparoscopic total fundoplication