Quality of life data and patient´s satisfaction to estimate outcome of laparoscopic antireflux surgery ( LARS ) is nowadays an important issue. Long-term outcome has not gone wide attention yet. Aim of the present study was to evaluate prospectively quality of life data of 150 patients who underwent laparoscopic "floppy" Nissen fundoplication in our surgical unit three years after surgery. Quality of life was evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI ). Additionally, subjectivity and objectivity of the quality of the procedure and possible side-effects were evaluated with a questionnaire. Three years after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication patients quoted their quality of life (GIQLI) in an overall score of 123.7 points. This is comparable to 122.6 points of a healthy population. There was no difference detectable in the subdimensions of GIQLI. 97% of the patients estimated their satisfaction with the procedure with "excellent" or "good" and would undergo LARS again if necessary. Eight patients suffered from minimal side-effects of the procedure but had no decrease of their quality of life. None of the patients needed antireflux medications after surgery. Laparoscopic redo-surgery was performed in two patients 3 months after initial surgery because of persisting dysphagia. Both patients were free of symptoms three years after surgery. We conclude that the efficiacy and long-term outcome of treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease with laparoscopic "floppy" Nissen fundoplication can be evaluated by objective testing, but also with subjective judgement of the patient and with evaluation of quality of life.
Gastrointestinal Quality of life Index 3 years after LARS
GIQLI Healthy Preoperative 6 weeks 3 months 1 year 3 years
after LARS after LARS after LARS after LARS
General score 122.6 91.9 115.8 125.0 123.9 123.7
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