Abstracts
2002 Digestive Disease Week

# 107910 Abstract ID: 107910 Does Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Surgery Lead to Chronic Bowel Dysfunction?
Mehran Anvari, Christopher J Allen, Hamilton, Canada

A number of GI complaints such as diarrhea, bloating and nausea have been reported in patients that have had anti-reflux surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate five GI symptoms before and at six months, two years and five years after laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery. Methods: A retrospective review of the symptom score evaluation completed in 742 patients (48.8?0.49 years, 62% M) before and at 6 month, 2 year and 5 years after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Five symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and nausea were evaluated. Results: Many patients experienced a variety of nonspecific GI symptoms prior to surgery and these often persisted after surgery, and in some improved over time. Conclusion: Patients with chronic GERD also experience a variety of non-specific bowel symptoms. While in most patients these symptoms persist, overall, there is a significant improvement over time. There is no evidence to suggest that anti-reflux surgery causes bowel dysfunction.