Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of Belsey Mark IV 270 degrees (partial) and Nissen 360 degrees (complete) fundoplication on proximal stomach function, transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) elicitation and the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) pressure profile during TLESR to further elucidate the mechanism of action of fundoplication.
Methods: Ten patients after partial and 10 patients after complete fundoplication were studied. High-resolution EGJ manometry and pH recording were performed for 1 h at baseline and 2 h following meal ingestion (500 mL/300 kcal). Three dimensional (3D) ultrasonographic images of the stomach were acquired every 15 min after meal ingestion. From the 3D ultrasonographic images, proximal gastric volumes were computed.
Results: Postprandial proximal to complete gastric volume distribution ratios were larger among patients after partial (0.42 +/- 0.028) compared with patients after complete fundoplication (0.37 +/- 0.035; p < 0.05). Partial fundoplication patients had a markedly greater postprandial rate of TLESR (1.7 +/- 0.3/h) than patients after complete fundoplication (0.8 +/- 0.2/h; p < 0.05). The axial EGJ pressure profile was minimally affected by partial fundoplication but instead markedly changed after complete fundoplication.
Conclusions: Patients after partial fundoplication exhibit a larger meal-induced increase in proximal stomach volume, a higher TLESR rate, and a minimally affected axial EGJ pressure profile compared to patients after complete fundoplication.