The Outcomes of Performing Partial Fundoplication Based on Endoflip Versus Manometric Findings.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) involves extensive diagnostic studies and sophisticated surgical techniques. The workup should be comprehensive and purposeful. High resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) provides valuable information regarding peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. The disadvantages of HRIM such as intolerance or inability to pass the catheter led to its selective use or even omission especially in laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with partial fundoplication. This pragmatic approach risks missing motility disorders in patients with secondary reflux symptoms related to achalasia or scleroderma. Endolumenal functional lumen imaging probe (endoFLIP) can fill this void as it evaluates the dynamics of the esophagogastric junction under sedation. This study aims to compare the outcomes of preoperative use of HRIM vs endoFLIP for laparoscopic repair of hiatal hernia with partial fundoplication.

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study for consecutive patients who underwent antireflux surgery with partial fundoplication between July 2018 and February 2021. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared between two cohorts of patients: those with preoperative HRIM and those with preoperative endoFLIP.

RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were evaluated, 41 had preoperative HRIM and 31 had endoFLIP. There was no statistically significant difference in their age, sex, BMI, duration of GERD symptoms, or proton pump inhibitors use. The endoscopic findings of esophagitis, hiatal hernia, and Hill's grade were comparable. There was no difference in the American Society of Anesthesiology classification or the choice of antireflux surgery. The improvement of postoperative GERD scores and dysphagia subscore was similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: Performing partial fundoplication based on endoFLIP evaluation of the dynamics of the esophagogastric junction is safe and does not increase postoperative dysphagia compared to preoperative manometric use. Randomized prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings of this study.