Quality of Life and Symptomatology Before and After Nissen Fundoplication

BACKGROUND Post surgical quality of life (QOL) plays an important role in the decision making process for patients. This study evaluated the subjective opinion of those that underwent Nissen fundoplication to correct their symptoms of hiatus hernia. This study was to evaluate the quality of life and symptomatology before and after in those patients that underwent Nissen fundoplication over an 8-year period. METHODS A questionnaire that graded the severity of symptoms and quality of life pre- and post-operatively was sent out to those patients that had undergone Nissen fundoplication. RESULTS After the operation the symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, burping and difficulty lying down were markedly decreased (P < 0.0001). There was however an increased incidence of flatulence associated with the procedure (P < 0.0001). Despite this the quality of life was significantly increased in those that underwent Nissen fundoplication (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Nissen Fundoplication has a positive impact on quality of life and is effective in reducing symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, burping and difficulty lying down associated with a hiatus hernia. There is however an increase in the incidence of flatulence associated with the procedure. In spite of this, 94% of patients would recommend the procedure to someone else.