Experience with gastroesophageal reflux in patients without prior operations has yielded understanding of pathophysiology, surgical techniques, and results. Less is known about patients with failed antireflux operations. This report of 61 patients undergoing repeat antireflux procedures addresses this issues. Not included are patients with gastroesophageal reflux after ulcer operations or with inappropriate antireflux operations for motility disorders. Group A patients (n = 34) had only one previous operation, Group B (n = 19) had two, and Group C (n = 8) had three or more. Group C had significantly (p less than 0.05) more dysphagia and less heartburn than Group A. This observation correlated with findings from manometry, pH testing, and endoscopy, which showed progressively worse esophageal body function and a greater incidence of severe esophagitis and esophageal leak, but less gastroesophageal reflux, in Group C than B and in Group B compared to A. Operative mortality was 4.9%. Repeat antireflux operations in the 58 survivors were as follows: Group A included 25 standard antireflux procedures and seven bowel interpositions, and 75% were transthoracic. Group B included 16 antireflux procedures and one bowel interposition, and 82% were transthoracic. Group C included four antireflux procedures and three interpositions, and all were transthoracic. Clinical results were excellent or good in 85% in Group A, 66% in Group B, and only 42% in Group C (A versus C, p less than 0.05). Surgical complications increased from 27% in Group A to 75% in Group C (p less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with one prior operation and recurrent gastroesophageal reflux are similar to patients with no prior operations. Results of repeat antireflux operations deteriorate with increasing operations because of impaired esophageal function and progressive tissue destruction. Therefore, second reoperations must be definitive and resection and reconstruction with healthy tissue considered. A transthoracic approach is preferable for first reoperations and mandatory after multiple antireflux procedures.