LAPAROSCOPIC ROSETTI FUNDOPLICATION

Early experiences with laparoscopic fundoplication using the Rosetti technique are presented and compared with retrospective results from conventional fundoplication procedures. A 360-degrees floppy fundoplication was laparoscopically constructed without division of short gastric vessels. We have performed 60 consecutive procedures. Conversion to open surgery was done in seven cases due to anatomical reasons and in two due to progressive subcutaneous emphysema and CO2-retention. The complication rate was low. The range of postoperative hospital stay is 1-4 days for non-converted patients. Symptomatic follow up has hitherto been performed in 41 patients with a follow-up time of 3-9 months. Regurgitation and heartburn had disappeared in all but one patient. The follow-up results do not differ from those achieved in patients operated upon with the conventional open Nissen (N = 41), Toupet (N = 9) or Rosetti (N = 36) technique. Pre and postoperative control of 24h pH and lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) in 19 laparoscopically treated patients showed normalisation of LESP in all cases and postoperative 24h pH < 4 ranging between 0 and 3%. Assessment of quality of life showed postoperative results in accordance with normal population for all treated groups.