Esophageal digital videofluorography with water siphon test in the post-operative evaluation of the anti-reflux laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract

Background: In recent years digital videoefluorography (VFG) with water siphon test (WST) has been proposed just for diagnosing biatal bernia and/or gastroesophageal reflux. Patients and Methods: Fifteen patients undergone Laparoscopic Nissen (LN) for complicated GFRD associated to biatal bernia, were referred for VFG and WST in order to evaluate the functional results of surgery. At one- month videofluorographic control thirteen patients had just a minimal prolonged esophageal transit time hut only six of these had an early postoperative dysphagia, whereas at six montJh control the prolonged esophageal transit time was present in three patients two of which complained a very light dysphagia. One patient at one month control had a severe dysphagia, her videofluorography showed a very prolonged esophageal transit time and she had to redo surgery. She had a complete resolution of dyspagia and at the six months videofluorographie control she had a normal esophageal and esophagogastric transit time. One patient, underwent surgery in another hospital complained a persistent and moderate dysphagia and at one month videofluorografic control was evident a malposition of wrap around the upper part of the stomach and a WST positive for reflux and at six months control clinical finding was worst. He will be evaluated for further endoscopic or surgical treatment. Conclusions: hi our experience we believe that VFG is a valid test to identificate the postoperative outcomes giving the surgeons a visual evaluation of their work.