Acid Reflux Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acid Reflux, including details on diet, gerd (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), treatment, symptoms.

Altered esophageal sensory-motor function in patients with persistent symptoms after Nissen fundoplication.

Remes-Troche JM, Maher J, Mudipalli R, Rao SS

Section of Neurogastroenterology, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Dr, 4612 JCP, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms after antireflux surgery is unclear. We assessed esophageal sensorimotor function in patients with GERD before and after Nissen fundoplication (NF). METHODS: Sensory and biomechanical properties were evaluated before surgery using impedance planimetry in 17 GERD patients and 16 healthy volunteers. All patients underwent standard laparoscopic NF. Eight GERD patients with persistent symptoms after surgery underwent repeat evaluations at least 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: At baseline, GERD patients had lower thresholds for first perception (P < .001), discomfort (P < .001), and pain (P < .001) compared with controls. The esophagus was more reactive (P = .001) and less distensible (P = .04) in patients than controls. After NF, in patients with persistent symptoms, the sensory thresholds were unchanged (P > .05) but esophageal wall reactivity decreased (P = .001), and distensibility improved (P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: NF improves esophageal biomechanical dysfunction but not the underlying hypersensitivity. Visceral hypersensitivity of the esophagus may explain persistent symptoms after NF.

Published 22 January 2007 in Am J Surg, 193(2): 200-5.
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