Mid- and long-term quality of life assessments after laparoscopic fundoplication and refundoplication: a single unit review of more than 500 antireflux procedures

Background. For the evaluation of surgical interventions, quality of life data are being increasingly used as an efficacy endpoint. Aims. To evaluate impact of laparoscopic fundoplication and laparoscopic refundoplication on quality of life as well as on patient satisfaction with the procedure for at least 5 years after surgical intervention. Patients. After more than 500 laparoscopic antireflux procedures, quality of life data have been prospectively reviewed and data compared with healthy individuals, untreated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients (n=150) and successfully treated patients (n=84) under adequate omeprazole therapy. Methods. Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index has been used in all patients and evaluated the day before surgery and 5 times after surgery. Moreover, the SF-36 questionnaire has been used up to 2 years after surgical intervention, but only in patients who underwent laparoscopic redo-surgery (n=49). Results. In both surgical groups, mean preoperative Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index showed a significant (p