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Clinical Trial
. 2006 Oct;140(4):491-8; discussion 498-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2006.07.001. Epub 2006 Sep 6.

Outcomes of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair in elderly and high-risk patients

Noopur Gangopadhyay  1 , Juan M Perrone, Nathaniel J Soper, Brent D Matthews, J Christopher Eagon, Mary E Klingensmith, Margaret M Frisella, L Michael Brunt
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Outcomes of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair in elderly and high-risk patients

Noopur Gangopadhyay et al. Surgery. 2006 Oct.

Abstract

Background: This study examines the impact of age and comorbidities on complications and outcomes of laparoscopic (Lap) paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively on all patients who underwent Lap PEH repair from January 1995 through June 2005. Pre- and postoperative variables including complications were analyzed. Patients were stratified by age (Group [Gr.] 1, <65 years; Gr. 2, 65 to 74 years; Gr. 3, >/=75 years) and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class (1 and 2 vs 3 and 4). Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way ANOVA, chi-square, and Fisher exact test.

Results: Overall, 171 patients underwent Lap PEH repair. Mean patient age was 65 +/- 15 years, mean ASA class 2.4 +/- 0.5, gender 72% female, and mean operating time 173 +/- 49 min. Patients in Gr. 3 had a significantly higher ASA class (Gr. 1, 2.3 +/- 0.6; Gr. 2, 2.5 +/- 0.5; Gr. 3, 2.6 +/- 0.5) and longer postoperative length of stay (LOS) compared with Gr. 1 (P < 0.05). Esophageal lengthening was required in 10.4% of patients in Gr. 3 versus 2.6% in Gr. 1 and 2.1% in Gr. 2 (P = 0.079). Total complication rates were 17.1% in Gr. 1, 22.4% in Gr. 2, and 27.7% in Gr. 3 (P = not significant [NS]). Most complications were minor; grade 2 or higher complications occurred in 10.5% of patients in Gr. 1, 8.3% in Gr. 2, and 8.5% in Gr. 3 (P = NS). There was 1 death (Gr. 2) on postoperative day 18 due to a myocardial infarction (mortality rate = 0.6%). Mean follow-up was 25.3 +/- 20.6 months. Postoperative symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation were similar between groups as was antisecretory medication use. Anatomic failure of the repair occurred in 23.7% of patients with adequate follow-up: 26.7% in Gr. 1, 15.4% in Gr. 2, and 27.8% in Gr. 3 (P = NS). Reoperation was performed in 1 of 32 (3.1%) failures.

Conclusions: Lap PEH repair is safe in elderly and properly selected high-risk patients, although complication rates are higher than in younger patients. Most patients have a good symptomatic outcome irrespective of their age, but the anatomic recurrence rates remain a concern for all age groups.

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