Published online May 21, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i19.3546
Peer-review started: November 4, 2016
First decision: January 10, 2017
Revised: January 21, 2017
Accepted: February 17, 2017
Article in press: February 17, 2017
Published online: May 21, 2017
Processing time: 197 Days and 15.6 Hours
To compare the outcomes between laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) therapy in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and type I hiatal hernia diagnosed by oropharyngeal pH-monitoring and symptom-scale assessment.
From February 2014 to January 2015, 70 patients who were diagnosed with LPR and type I hiatal hernia and referred for symptomatic assessment, oropharyngeal pH-monitoring, manometry, and gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled in this study. All of the patients met the inclusion criteria. All of the patients underwent LNF or PPIs administration, and completed a 2-year follow-up. Patients’ baseline characteristics and primary outcome measures, including comprehensive and single symptoms of LPR, PPIs independence, and satisfaction, and postoperative complications were assessed. The outcomes of LNF and PPIs therapy were analyzed and compared.
There were 31 patients in the LNF group and 39 patients in the PPI group. Fifty-three patients (25 in the LNF group and 28 in the PPI group) completed reviews and follow-up. Oropharyngeal pH-monitoring parameters were all abnormal with high acid exposure, a large amount of reflux, and a high Ryan score, associated reflux symptom index (RSI) score. There was a significant improvement in the RSI and LPR symptom scores after the 2-year follow-up in both groups (P < 0.05), as well as typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Improvement in the RSI (P < 0.005) and symptom scores of cough (P = 0.032), mucus (P = 0.011), and throat clearing (P = 0.022) was significantly superior in the LNF group to that in the PPI group. After LNF and PPIs therapy, 13 and 53 patients achieved independence from PPIs therapy (LNF: 44.0% vs PPI: 7.14%, P < 0.001) during follow-up, respectively. Patients in the LNF group were more satisfied with their quality of life than those in the PPI group (LNF: 62.49 ± 28.68 vs PPI: 44.36 ± 32.77, P = 0.004). Body mass index was significantly lower in the LNF group than in the PPI group (LNF: 22.2 ± 3.1 kg/m2vs PPI: 25.1 ± 2.9 kg/m2, P = 0.001).
Diagnosis of LPR should be assessed with oropharyngeal pH-monitoring, manometry, and the symptom-scale. LNF achieves better improvement than PPIs for LPR with type I hiatal hernia.
Core tip: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease is often associated with hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although the role of oropharyngeal pH-monitoring in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux is clear, little is known regarding the anti-acid and anti-reflux therapeutic outcome by pH-monitoring and symptom-scale diagnosis. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux and type I hiatal hernia. Nissen fundoplication shows better symptom relief than PPIs administration, and it also controls body mass index of patients. Our findings shed new insight into diagnosis and management for patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.