Gastric fundus tension before and after division of the short gastric vessels in a cadaveric model of fundoplication.

Short gastric vessels (SGV) division is a controversial topic in antireflux surgery. Some surgeons do not divide the SGV routinely to perform a fundoplication; however, excessive tension of the gastric fundus (GF) forces this procedure necessary in some cases. This study aims to evaluate in a cadaveric model of Nissen fundoplication: (i) the correlation of GF tension with anatomic parameters; and (ii) the effect of SGV division on GF tension. In total, 23 fresh cadavers (18 men, mean age 62 years) were studied. The abdominal esophagus was dissected, and the GF transposed to a limit of 3 cm to the right border of the esophagus. A dynamometer was attached to the GF and the tension recorded. Cadavers were grouped according to the presence or absence of tension. SGV were divided and GF tension measured again. The presence or absence of initial GF tension was correlated to: (i) number of SGV; (ii) length of the GF; (iii) distance between His angle and the first SGV; and (iv) size of the spleen. The mean GF pressure was 0.5 N +/- 1.0 (0-2.5) before SGV division and 0.1 N +/- 0.3 (0-1.5) after SGV division (P= 0.002). Initial tension was absent in 12 (52.2%) cases. GF tension did not correlate with any of the anatomic parameters. Our results show that: (i) GF tension does not correlate with anatomic parameters; and (ii) SGV division affects GF tension significantly.