Respiratory symptoms and dysphagia in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a comparison of medical and surgical therapy

 Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition and may frequently lead to dysphagia and respiratory symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of medical and surgical therapy to control these symptoms. Methods: Eighty GERD patients with either dysphagia or respiratory symptoms were studied by means of a detailed symptom questionnaire, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, 24-h esophageal pH monitoring and a barium esophagogram. All patients had been receiving medical therapy with proton-pump inhibitors and cisapride for 6 months. After withdrawal of medical therapy and relapse of GERD, 62 patients decided to undergo anti-reflux surgery (laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in 19 and laparoscopic partial posterior fundoplication in 43 patients). Symptoms were assessed prior to treatment, at 6 months following medical therapy and 6 months after surgery. Results: Heartburn and esophagitis were effectively treated by medical and surgical therapy. Dysphagia was improved in all patients following surgery but only in 27% of patients following medical therapy. Improvement of respiratory symptoms was found in 86% of patients following surgery but only in 14% following medical therapy. Improvement of regurgitation was registered only following surgical therapy. Conclusions: Since medical treatment is likely to fail in GERD patients with complex symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation and respiratory symptoms, the need for surgery arises in these patients and may be the only successful treatment in the long term.