Laparoscopic revision of failed antireflux surgery: a systematic review.

Background: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is an accepted treatment for persistent gastroesophageal reflux but about 4% of patients will eventually require revision surgery.

Methods: We searched The Cochrane Collaboration, Medline, and EMBASE databases, augmented by Google Scholar and PubMed related articles from January 1, 1990, to November 22, 2010. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 930 surgeries.

Results: The mean surgical duration was 166 minutes and conversion to open revision fundoplication was required in 7% of cases. Complications were reported in 14% of cases and the mean length of stay varied between 1.2 and 6 days. A good to excellent result was reported for 84% of surgeries and 5% of patients required a further revisional procedure.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic revision antireflux surgery appears to be feasible and safe, but subject to somewhat greater risk of conversion, higher morbidity, longer hospital stay, and poorer outcomes than primary laparoscopic fundoplication.