B Sarani1, J Scanlon, P Jackson, S R T Evans. 1. Department of Surgery, George Washington University Medical Center, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects a substantial proportion of the American population. The diagnosis and treatment of GERD has advanced tremendously over the past 30 years. However, there remains a lack of understanding about the differences and advantages that laparoscopic antireflux surgery offers and a lack of agreement on the ideal surgical candidate. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a significant difference exists in the practice habits and selection criteria for surgery between gastroenterologists and laparoscopic surgeons. METHODS: Surveys were sent to 1,000 randomly selected members of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and to 1,000 randomly selected members of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). As a result, 20% of the AGA surveys and 33% of the SAGES surveys were completed and returned. RESULTS: The AGA group considered patients whose symptoms are not well controlled, those who have complications of disease, and those who require significant lifestyle changes to control their symptoms as the best candidates for surgical evaluation. As a group, gastroenterologists remain somewhat hesitant to refer patients for laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Surgeons considered patients whose symptoms have been well controlled with medical therapy, those who have complications of disease, and those who require significant lifestyle changes to control their symptoms as ideal candidates for fundoplication. CONCLUSION: A consensus should be reached between surgeons and gastroenterologists in establishing criteria for surgical intervention to manage GERD.
BACKGROUND: Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects a substantial proportion of the American population. The diagnosis and treatment of GERD has advanced tremendously over the past 30 years. However, there remains a lack of understanding about the differences and advantages that laparoscopic antireflux surgery offers and a lack of agreement on the ideal surgical candidate. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a significant difference exists in the practice habits and selection criteria for surgery between gastroenterologists and laparoscopic surgeons. METHODS: Surveys were sent to 1,000 randomly selected members of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and to 1,000 randomly selected members of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). As a result, 20% of the AGA surveys and 33% of the SAGES surveys were completed and returned. RESULTS: The AGA group considered patients whose symptoms are not well controlled, those who have complications of disease, and those who require significant lifestyle changes to control their symptoms as the best candidates for surgical evaluation. As a group, gastroenterologists remain somewhat hesitant to refer patients for laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Surgeons considered patients whose symptoms have been well controlled with medical therapy, those who have complications of disease, and those who require significant lifestyle changes to control their symptoms as ideal candidates for fundoplication. CONCLUSION: A consensus should be reached between surgeons and gastroenterologists in establishing criteria for surgical intervention to manage GERD.
Authors: Marco Catarci; Paolo Gentileschi; Claudio Papi; Alessandro Carrara; Renato Marrese; Achille Lucio Gaspari; Giovanni Battista Grassi Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: A N Dalvi; P M Thapar; A A Deshpande; S A Rege; R Y Prabhu; A N Supe; R S Kamble Journal: J Minim Access Surg Date: 2005-06 Impact factor: 1.407