Short-Term Outcomes Predict Long-Term Satisfaction in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation.

Introduction: Laparoscopic magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) has been shown to be efficacious therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refractory to maximal medical management. Herein, we present our experience with this procedure and an analysis of our outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed of 98 patients who underwent laparoscopic MSA for GERD at a single institution from 2012 to 2016. Symptoms were assessed with gastroesophageal reflux disease-health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire. Objective testing included pH testing, manometry, endoscopy, and upper GI series. Postimplantation interventions were recorded. Median follow-up was 46 months.

Results: Median preoperative DeMeester score was 32 (interquartile range 21-46). Esophagitis was present in 18%. Hiatal hernia was present in 59%. Operation required full hiatal dissection in 16%. There were no intraoperative complications. Mean hospital stay postimplantation was 18 hours. Reoperative intervention with device explant was necessary in 5 cases, one of which was for intraluminal device erosion. Median GERD-HRQL scores were 25 preoperatively, 8 in short-term follow-up at median 1 month, and 5 in long-term follow-up at median 46 months. Improvement in GERD-HRQL scores was statistically significant with both short and long term compared with preoperative (P < .05), but no different between short- and long-term follow-up. Daily bothersome dysphagia was present in 19 patients preoperatively and in 9 at long-term follow-up.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic MSA is associated with excellent outcomes with decrease in GERD-HRQL scores in short term that are durable to longer term follow-up, and with low rates of new-onset dysphagia.