Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery in New Zealand: A trend towards partial fundoplication

Background: The advent of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery has generated considerable debate regarding the best technique. The present study was undertaken to determine the trends and current technique in laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery in New Zealand. Methods: A confidential nationwide postal survey was sent to all general surgeons in New Zealand; it was repeated after a month, and followed up with a telephone prompt, if necessary. Results: Of the 146 questionnaires sent out, 126 were returned (response rate: 86%), and 104 were excluded (no anti-reflux surgery performed (n = 96); surgeon retired (n = 5); paediatric surgeon (n = 3)). The number of operations performed by the 22 (16%) adult general surgeons who had performed laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery increased 4.6 times from 1991 to 1997 (474 open and 1218 laparoscopic operations). The median number of cases per surgeon was 30 (range: 5-300). In 1997 there were 208 (60%) total fundoplications (TF) and 135 (40%) partial fundoplications (PF) performed. Variations in the technique of TF included the Nissen-DeMeester (10 surgeons), the Nissen-Rosetti (nine surgeons), division of short gastric vessels (10 surgeons), and routine cruroplasty (14 surgeons). A PF had never been perfomed by six surgeons, was preferred by six surgeons, and four other surgeons were performing it more often. Variations in the technique of PF included posterior (12 surgeons) and anterior (four surgeons) forms. Conclusion: There is significant variation in the technique of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery in New Zealand. A TF is preferred by 16 surgeons, but there appears to be a trend towards PF among the more experienced surgeons.