Gut
-
A prospective audit of the diagnostic yield and management benefit of laparoscopy was undertaken in 220 consecutive patients. The procedure was performed electively in 180 patients and as an emergency in 40. The indications for laparoscopy in the elective group were suspected hepatic disease, staging of intra-abdominal malignancy, diagnostic problems, and chronic abdominal pain. ⋯ Clinical management was significantly influenced by laparoscopy in 15 of 21 (71%) patients with liver disease, 10 of 30 (33%) with intra-abdominal malignancy, 5 of 19 (26%) with uncertain diagnosis, 32 of 40 (80%) with acute abdominal pain, and 15 of 110 (23%) patients with chronic abdominal pain. A wrong assessment of the nature or stage of the disease was made by laparoscopy in 3 of 220 (1.0%). There was no morbidity or mortality attributed to laparoscopy in the study.
-
This study evaluated the effect of the 270 degrees Belsey Mark IV fundoplication on 24 hour ambulatory pH metry variables. Thirty seven patients with confirmed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease who had a Belsey Mark IV antireflux procedure were evaluated preoperatively and three to six months postoperatively including endoscopy, lower oesophageal sphincter manometry, and 24 hour ambulatory pH metry. In 30 of 37 patients the Belsey Mark IV fundoplication was judged successful based on symptom relief and healing of oesophagitis. ⋯ A surgery. A successful 270 degree Belsey Mark IV fundoplication was associated with a significant increase in basal lower oesophageal sphincter pressure, in contrast with the failure group. Restoration of a sufficient lower oesophageal sphincter barrier is an important aim in antireflux surgery.