Background and Study Aims: Quality of life data are becoming widely accepted as a measure of surgical outcome, but the multifaceted symptoms in patients with gastrointestinal disorders are a challenge for this type of evaluation. The aim of the present study was to determine any potential differences in quality of life, specifically in patients undergoing either laparoscopic „floppy” Nissen fundoplication or Toupet fundoplication.
Patients and Methods: Using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), the quality of life data for 175 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic „floppy” Nissen (n = 107) or Toupet (n = 68) fundoplication at our department of surgery over a period of 30 months were evaluated prospectively. The patients included 97 men and 78 women, with a mean age of 52 years. The GIQLI creates a general score for quality of life by classifying five different subscales: gastrointestinal symptoms, emotional status, physical and social functions, and stress of medical treatment. This questionnaire was given to the patients preoperatively, and on three occasions after surgery - at six weeks, three months, and one year.
Results: The analysis showed that the patients had a low GIQLI preoperatively in comparison with healthy individuals (mean 90.4 vs. 122.6 points), with all subscales being affected. The general score improved significantly six weeks postoperatively (mean: 118.2 points; P < 0.05), showed further improvement at three months (mean: 124.2 points), and remained stable at one year (mean: 123.1 points; P < 0.01) postoperatively. There were no differences in the quality of life or side effects between patients with a Nissen or Toupet fundoplication, except regarding the frequency of mild, transient dysphagia.
Conclusions: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease suffer from a poor quality of life. After laparoscopic fundoplication, the quality of life improves and becomes comparable to that of healthy individuals. In our view, quality of life data should be evaluated as a major factor in determining the role of surgical interventions. Patients should receive consultation and advice regarding quality of life questions prior to surgery.
References
Gastrointestinal surgery. In: Spilker B (ed). Quality of life assessments in clinical trials. New York; Raven Press, 1990: 333
Pathophysiologie. In: Fuchs KH, Stein HJ, Thiede A (eds). Gastrointestinale Funktionsstörungen. Berlin; Springer, 1997: 495-513
Gastroesophageal reflux disease: surgical options, choice of operations and outcomes. In: Katz PO, DeVault KR, Hinder RA (eds). GI in the next century - AGA postgraduate course. Bethesda, MA; American Gastroenterological Association, 1999: 29-32
Side effects of laparoscopic antireflux surgery: a one year follow-up. (SWSC 51st Annual Meeting). San Diego; Southwestern Surgical Congress, 1999 [in press]
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