Comparison of patient satisfaction after redo and primary fundoplications

Background: Although much has been written about the results and patient satisfaction with fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, the reports have focused primarily on surgical successes. With the growing number of fundoplications being performed, more patients are requiring reoperation because of recurrent symptoms or side effects. Reports of success rates for reoperation are available, but information regarding patient satisfaction is limited. Methods: All the patients undergoing fundoplication at our institution were sent short-form health surveys (SF-12), Gastroesophageal reflux disease–specific quality-of-life questionnaires (QOLRAD), and queries regarding long-term satisfaction. Results: Between November 1992 and July 2000, 221 patients (198 primary and 23 redo) underwent fundoplication. There were 19 open cases (3 primary and 16 redo). In the primary group, 173 patients underwent Nissen, 23 underwent Toupet, and 2 underwent Collis fundoplications. In the redo group, 12 patients underwent Nissen, 9 underwent Toupet, 1 underwent Collis, and l underwent Belsey fundoplications. Follow-up surveys were completed for 130 patients (112 primary and 18 redo) at a mean of 32.6 months (range, 0.8–98 months). In the primary group, 87% of the patients were satisfied with their operation, as compared with 75% in the redo group. There was a trend toward higher SF-12 mental scores (46 ± 12 vs 40 ± 14; p = 0.07) and QOLRAD scores (6.2 ± 1.3 vs 5.2 ± 2.0; p = 0.07) in the primary fundoplication group. There was a significant difference in the SF-12 physical scores between the groups (32 ± 13 for the primary group vs 18.5 ± 11 for the redo group; p = 0.0002). Additionally, 61% of the patients in the redo group were again using antireflux medications, whereas only 24% of the patients in the primary group were using medications again. Conclusion: Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptom scores and quality-of-life scores for patients undergoing redo fundoplication are lower than the scores of patients having primary fundoplication. Quality of life is similar between primary and redo fundoplication patients in the mental component. However, redo patients do not do as well physically more than 2 years after surgery.