Skip to main content
RACS ASC 2024

Does fundoplication improve outcomes in patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) who do not have concurrent Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) – a systematic review

Poster

Poster

Disciplines

Upper GI Surgery

Presentation Description

Institution: St George Hospital - New South Wales, Australia

Purpose: LPR continues to challenge management due to its uncertain underlying pathology, variable clinical manifestations, and inconsistent treatment outcomes. Fundoplication is a well described in the literature for patients who fail lifestyle modification and medical therapy with a wide range in reported success. Patients with upper aerodigestive tract symptoms attributed to LPR but who do not have evidence of GORD are a particularly challenging subset to provide a durable and reproducible treatment. This review aims to assess if fundoplication is effective at improving symptoms or curing patients with LPR who do not have underlying GORD. Methodology: A systematic review was performed using Pubmed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane databases in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Studies which did not report on patients with isolated LPR were excluded. Results: Five studies from 736 initial records were included; four single centre prospective studies, and one single-centre retrospective study, involving 114 total fundoplications. Treatment effect was measured using Reflux Symptom Index or multichannel intraluminal impedance. Follow-up ranged from 12-60 months. 45-100% of patients reported postoperative symptoms and overall quality of life improvement. 12-100% of patients reported a symptom cure rate. Conclusion: The current evidence does not show a clear benefit in fundoplication for the treatment of isolated LPR. In fact, majority of studies with patient series >30 reported only 40-60% of patients reported benefit. Further study on the pathophysiology of LPR in this specific population is required to better identify patients who would benefit from fundoplication.

Speakers

Authors

Authors

Dr. Ramesh De Silva - , Dr. Amy Hort - , Dr Mina Girguis - , A/Prof Michael Talbot -