Comparison of Partial Endoscopic vs Surgical Fundoplication after Hiatal Hernia Repair.

Background: The concomitant hiatal hernia repair with endoscopic fundoplication (c-TIF) is a novel anti-reflux procedure that addresses the hiatus and the gastro-esophageal flap valve for surgical candidates with GERD. We aim to compare the outcomes of a hiatal hernia repair with endoscopic fundoplication (TIF) vs surgical partial fundoplication (anterior and posterior) with regards to quality-of-life scores at 12 months after surgery.

Study Design: Following IRB approval, a prospectively maintained anti-reflux database was retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who underwent a c-TIF procedure or a surgical hiatal hernia repair with partial fundoplication. The primary endpoint was QoL scores at 2, 6, and 12 months from surgery with attention to bloating and dysphagia scores. Secondary endpoints were PPI use, 30-day outcomes, OR time and costs, re-operation within 1 year. The three groups were compared using analysis of variance for continuous variables and Pearson's Chi-square test for categorical variables. P-values < 0.05 were considered indicative of statistical significance.

Results: Demographics between groups were similar except for age, PPI use, and presenting symptoms. There was no difference between the three groups with regards to post-operative QoL scores, PPI use, dysphagia, or bloating. All three types of fundoplication are associated with significant improvement of all symptom types and 65-80% of patients are no longer using a PPI at 12 months.

Conclusion: There are no differences in outcomes between the c-TIF and a surgical partial fundoplication. QoL scores significantly decrease with all partial fundoplications and there are no differences in dysphagia or bloating between the three types of fundoplication. Long term data is necessary to see if either technique provides superior control of symptoms while minimizing dysphagia and bloating.