High-resolution Manometry in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Before and After Fundoplication.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The study aimed to determine pre- and post-fundoplication esophagogastric junction (EGJ) pressure and esophageal peristalsis by high-resolution manometry (HRM) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
METHODS: Pre-operative and post-operative HRM data from 25 patients with GERD were analyzed using ManoView version 2.0.1. with updated software for Chicago classification and pressure topography. The study involved swallowing water boluses of 10 mL in the upright position.
RESULTS: Significant increase of mean basal EGJ pressure and minimal basal EGJ pressure was found in post-operative as compared with pre-operative patients (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) reached higher values in post-operative patients than in pre-operative patients (P < 0.001). Intra-bolus pressure (IBP) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) and contractile front velocity (CFV) was slower (P < 0.01) in post-operative patients than in pre-operative patients. Moreover significant increase of distal contractile integral (DCI) was found in post-operative patients (P < 0.05). Hiatal hernia was detected by HRM in 11 pre-operative patients. Fifteen out of 25 post-operative patients complained of dysphagia.
CONCLUSIONS: Fundoplication restores the antireflux barrier by reinforcing EGJ basal pressures, repairing hiatal hernias, and enhances peristaltic function of the esophagus by increasing DCI. However slight IRP elevation found in post-fundoplication patients may result in bolus pressurization and motility disorders.

Introduction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disorder that significantly deteriorates the quality of life. Treatment options include either long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or antireflux surgery. Post-operative high-resolution manometry (HRM) examination may enable control of antireflux procedure effectiveness.1–4 We believe that the Chicago classification of esophageal motility would be useful to understand the post-fundoplication HRM patterns, because this surgical procedure is common and it is associated with a significant number of post-operative symptoms that might relate to esophageal motility. Most of the study results on this subject have been presented either as pre-operative or postoperative data which do not include paired analysis of individual changes of the Chicago classification parameters in the same patients before and after fundoplication.1–3 Scheffer et al5 found increased intra–bolus pressure (IBP) and increased esophagogastric junction (EGJ) relaxation pressure in patients after fundoplication. Recent studies conducted by Marjoux et al6 included pre- and post-operative analysis of Chicago classification parameters which showed mainly EGJ resting pressure improvement with frequent EGJ relaxation impairment leading to simultaneous motility disorders in post-fundoplication patients.

Effective esophageal motility determines esophageal clearance, which is of particular significance for patients with GERD qualified for antireflux surgery. The International HRM Working Group suggested using distal contractile integral (DCI) cutoff values to evaluate peristaltic contractions. According to the very recent update of the Chicago classification of esophageal motility disorders v 3.0, both failed (≥ 50% of swallows with DCI < 100 mmHg · sec · cm ) and weak (≥ 50% of swallows with DCI between 100–450 mmHg · sec · cm) peristaltic contractions are defined as ineffective esophageal motility (IEM), representing minor disorders of peristalsis with impaired esophageal clearance.7,8 Previously Goldani et al9 demonstrated, that DCI was significantly lower in pediatric patients with feeding difficulties, dysphagia or in those who were considered for fundoplication, than in children with no peristaltic dysfunction.

Fundoplication is the “gold standard” for GERD treatment as an alternative to pharmacological therapy in PPI non-responders, or when PPI long term therapy is not suitable.5,6,9 By re-establishing successful EGJ resting pressure and hiatal hernia repair, fundoplication eliminates mechanical factors responsible for reflux events, providing effective and long-term heartburn control in 90% of the patients. Fundoplication not only enhances the EGJ barrier but also alters esophageal motility. However, in spite of good reflux control results, up to 90% of post-fundoplication patients report dysphagia during the first 3 months after surgery, which resolves gradually within 5 years following the surgery.5,6,10,11 Clinical relevance of HRM findings in post-operative patients with complications still remains poorly understood. It was suggested that the disordered esophageal motor function can be an underlying cause of dysphagia and chest pain.8

This present study is one of the very first to report on the Chicago classification of esophageal motility disorders v 3.0 for the analysis of esophageal peristalsis, including percentage of IEM in patients with GERD before and after fundoplication. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate HRM profile of GERD patients before and after antireflux surgery to give insights into esophageal motor dysfunctions and their clinical implications.

Materials and Methods

Patients

Twenty-five consecutive patients of Caucasian ethnicity (15 women, 10 men; mean age 46.8 ± 14.2; range: 25–73 years) with chronic GERD were included in this prospective research. All patients suffered from typical refractory symptoms of GERD, eg, heartburn and/or regurgitations despite PPI therapy. The patients were administered PPI once daily or periodically twice daily at least 6 months before participation in the study. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy was performed in all patients before antireflux surgery. Eighteen patients had sliding hiatal hernia, 12 had reflux esophagitis (7 of those grade A, 4 of those grade B, and 1 grade 3) of Los Angeles Classification, and 6 had Barrett’s esophagus. All of these patients underwent HRM examinations at the Section of Gastrointestinal Motility at Multidisciplinary Hospital in Jaworzno and were classified for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. HRM examinations were performed in each patient twice: before fundoplication and from 3 to 5 months after the surgery. Seven additional patients were excluded from the study due to difficulties in HRM catheter positioning, no consent to participate in a study and suspicious of malignancy. The information regarding symptoms (heartburn, epigastric pain, regurgitations, dysphagia, gas bloating syndrome, and non-cardiac chest pains) applied treatment, and medical test results taken from pre- and post-operative patients were gathered in a questionnaire. Patients were also informed to discontinue a minimum of 72 hours before HRM examination any prokinetic drugs, H2-blockers, PPIs, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and anticholinergic drugs. The research was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Silesia (approval No. KNW/0022/KB1/105/I/10) on 12-OCT-2010. All subjects gave written informed consent and the study was performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki.

High-resolution Manometry and Study Protocol

All patients underwent high-resolution manometry (Sierra Scientific Instruments, Los Angeles, USA) using solid-state catheter with 36 circumferentially incorporated sensors spaced at 1-cm intervals. The data were analyzed using ManoView Z version 2.0.1. with updated software for Chicago classification and pressure topography.

To assess adequately the EGJ relaxation pressure, the integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) was computed within swallow-induced for 4 continuous or non-continuous seconds of the lowest mean pressures, while evaluation of antireflux barrier efficiency was done by measuring the resting EGJ pressures during the period without swallowing (minimal and mean basal EGJ pressure). Esophageal body function was evaluated by DCI (complex parameter integrating length of distal esophageal segment, contractile pressure and duration of contraction), IBP, contractile front velocity (CFV) and percentage of double-peaked waves. DCI was calculated at 20 mmHg isocontour in the rectangle area spanning from the proximal to distal pressure troughs or EGJ, encompassing esophageal smooth muscle peristaltic contraction.

The evidence of hiatal hernia in HRM was dual high-pressure zone (DHPZ) presence in the area of EGJ characterized by 2 high pressure bands corresponding respectively to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the crural diaphragm contraction separated by distance.

Studies were done in the upright position in a fasting state. After trans-nasal catheter positioning, a 5-minute period of adaptation was required, and then the gastric and esophageal baseline pressures were recorded during 30 seconds without swallowing (Landmark). The manometric protocol included registration of 10 consecutive swallows of 10 mL of water administered by a syringe every 30 seconds.

The normal values ranges for all esophageal motility parameters and EGJ pressures were established as a consensus between the manufacturer’s recommendations and Chicago classification criteria.

Statistical Methods

The data gathered from 25 patients before and after fundoplication were expressed as median with interquartile ranges and minimum and maximum values. Variables from pre- and post-operative patients were compared using the Wilcoxon test for paired samples and also the McNemar’s test was done to evaluate if the surgery had influenced the values normalizations. Also, the Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare HRM data in post-operative patients with and without dysphagia. P-values < 0.05 was considered significant for all statistical tests. Also, Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was done to determine correlations between DCI and mean basal EGJ pressures or between DCI and minimal basal EGJ pressures in post-fundoplication patients.

Results

The most common symptoms reported by patients with GERD before and after fundoplication are gathered in Table 1. Control follow-up examination was performed in all patients 3–5 months after antireflux surgery.

Table 1

Clinical Symptoms in Pre- and Post-operative Patients

Symptoms	Pre-operative patients (n = 25)	Post-operative patients (n = 25)
Heartburn	23	2a
Epigastric pain	15	4a
NCCP	4	2
Nausea/vomiting	8	6
Regurgitations	4	-
Dysphagia	-	15a
Gas bloating syndrome	-	5

P < 0.01; McNemar’s test.

NCCP, non-cardiac chest pains.

Statistically significant improvement of GERD symptoms (heartburn, epigastric pain) was noted in most patients after the surgical procedure. None of the patients complained of dysphagia before antireflux surgery, however 15 out of 25 patients reported its presence after fundoplication. Post-operative dysphagia was graded in four-point Likert- like scale. Nine patients complained of mild, five of moderate, and one of severe dysphagia. Post-operative HRM data of 15 patients with dysphagia were compared with those of 10 patients without dysphagia and gathered in Table 2. No statistical significance was found and no post-operative manometric parameters were related to post-operative dysphagia. After fundoplication upper GI endoscopy was performed in all patients. Neither esophagitis nor hiatal hernia was observed in post-operative patients. Later on, one patient with severe dysphagia (associated with elevated IRP in HRM) was qualified for endoscopic dilatation.

Table 2

Comparison of High-resolution Manometry Data in Post-operative Patients with and Without Dysphagia

	Post-operative patients with dysphagia (n = 15)median (IQR) [minimum-maximum]	Post-operative patients without dysphagia (n = 10)median (IQR) [minimum-maximum]	P-valuea
IRP (mmHg)	6.0 (3.4–12.1) [1.8–38.9]	5.5 (1.2–11.0) [0.1–12.3]	0.192
IBP (mmHg)	13.6 (11.7–24.6) [3.7–49.9]	14.4 (12.5–20.8)[4.2–27.9]	0.890
DCI (mmHg · sec · cm)	1452.3 (877.7–2321.5)[278.0–4439.0]	821.3 (658.6–1008.6)[528.6–3395.0]	0.142
CFV (cm/sec)	3.0 (1.9–4.5)[1.3–105.3]	2.9 (2.7–4.0)[−12.6–4.8]	0.760
Double–peaked waves (%)	10.0 (0.0–27.0)[0.0–78.0]	10.0 (0.0–20.0)[0.0–45.0]	0.798

The Mann-Whitney U test.

IRQ, interquartile range; IRP, integrated relaxation pressure; IBP, intra-bolus pressure; DCI, distal contractile integral; CFV, contractile front velocity.

Esophagogastric Junction Pressure Profile and Esophageal Pressure Topography Analysis

Esophagogastric junction

In post-operative patients mean basal EGJ pressure was significantly higher than in pre-operative patients (P < 0.05; Wilcoxon test). Moreover, a trend to normalization (normal values range: 10–35 mmHg) of this parameter was observed after fundoplication (P = 0.070, McNemar’s test).

Minimal basal EGJ pressure was also significantly higher in post-operative patients as compared with pre-operative (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test, Fig. 1). Moreover, referring to normal values range, fundoplication caused normalization of this parameter (P < 0.05, McNemar’s test).

Figure 1

Individual changes of minimal basal esophagogastric junction (EGJ) pressure in pre-operative (pre-op) and post-operative patients (post-op): in 22 patients increase while in 3 patients decrease of minimal basal EGJ pressure were shown after fundoplication (normal values range: 4.8–32.0 mmHg).

LES relaxation pressure expressed as IRP was significantly higher in post-operative than in pre-operative patients (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test, Fig. 2). This parameter was always within normal values range in patients before fundoplication while after the surgery it was elevated in one patient. However, McNemar’s test did not show that fundoplication significantly impaired the LES relaxation.

Figure 2

Individual changes of integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) in pre-operative (pre-op) and post-operative patients (post-op): in 19 patients increase while in 6 patients decrease of integrated relaxation pressure were shown after fundoplication (normal values range: < 15 mmHg).

Abnormal high values of minimal EGJ pressure (41.9 mmHg) and IRP (38.9 mmHg), seen in Figures 1 and 2, refer to one patient who was further qualified for endoscopic dilatation.

Intraoperative diagnosis confirmed the presence of hiatal hernia in 23 patients but after fundoplication no hiatal hernia was detected by HRM. The presence of a sliding hiatal hernia was confirmed in 11 out of 25 patients by HRM before the surgery.

Esophageal motility

Distal contractile integral (DCI) was significantly higher in post-operative as compared with pre-operative patients (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon test, Fig. 3), however based on the DCI threshold (450 mmHg · sec · cm), only a trend from ineffective to effective esophageal motility was observed (P = 0.070, McNemar’s test). According to the most recent update of the Chicago classification,7 ineffective esophageal motility with minor disorders of peristalsis (impaired clearance) was present in 11 (44%) pre-operative patients as follows: 2 (8%) patients had ≥ 50% of swallows with failed peristalsis (DCI < 100 mmHg · sec · cm), 3 (12%) patients had ≥ 50% of swallows with weak peristalsis (DCI 100–450 mmHg · sec · cm), and 6 (24%) patients presented ≥ 50% of swallows with both weak and failed peristalsis. Before fundoplication 14 (56%) patients had normal esophageal peristalsis (IRP normal and > 50% effective swallows with DCI > 450 mmHg · sec · cm but < 8000 mmHg · sec · cm). After fundoplication ineffective esophageal motility was present in 6 (24%) patients as follows: 1 (4%) patient had ≥ 50% of swallows with failed peristalsis, 3 (12%) had ≥ 50% of swallows with weak peristalsis and 2 (8%) patients presented ≥ 50% of swallows with both weak and failed peristalsis. Eighteen (72%) post-operative patients met the criteria of normal peristalsis. One post-operative patient had EGJ outflow obstruction (IRP ≥ upper normal limit and not type I–III achalasia). EGJ and esophageal motility parameters are presented in Table 3.

Figure 3

Individual changes of distal contractile integral (DCI) in pre-operative (pre-op) and post-operative patients (post-op): in 19 patients increase while in 6 patients decrease of distal contractile integral were shown after fundoplication (normal values range: 500–4300 mmHg · sec · cm).

Table 3

Esophagogastric Junction Profile Pressures and Esophageal Motility by High-resolution Manometry in Pre- and Post-operative Patients.

	Normal values range	Pre-operative patients (n = 25)median (IQR) [minimum-maximum]	Post-operative patients (n = 25)median (IQR) [minimum-maximum]	P-valuea
Mean basal EGJ pressure (mmHg)	10–35	10.0 (5.7–15.6)[−4.8–39.9]	15.8 (10.2–23.7)[5.2–57.0]	< 0.05
Minimal basal EGJ pressure (mmHg)	4.8–32.0	1.8 (−1.1–6.5)[−11.2–11.0]	7.3 (4.6–13.9)[−0.3–42.0]	< 0.001
IRP (mmHg)	< 15	2.0 (0.0–3.3)[−2.9–10.9]	6 (2.9–11.4)[0.1–38.9]	< 0.001
IBP (mmHg)	< 15	10.0 (6.2–14.1)[0.3–33.3]	13.9 (11.7–20.8)[3.7–49.9]	< 0.05
DCI (mmHg·sec·cm)	500–4300	859.0 (430.0–1574.0)[94.0–3204.0]	1008.0 (725.0–1968.0)[278.0–4439.0]	< 0.05
CFV (cm/sec)	2.6–5.3	4.3 (3.1–5.4)[2.4–16.5]	2.9 (2.0–4.0)[1.1–7.5]	< 0.01
Double-peaked waves (%)	≤ 15	0.0 (0.0–0.0)[0.0–22.0]	10.0 (0.0–20.0)[0.0–78.0]	< 0.01
Mean wave duration (sec)	2.7–5.4	3.1 (2.6–3.9)[2.2–5.3]	3.5 (3.2–4.7)[2.3–8.0]	< 0.01
Hiatal hernia by HRM		11 (44%)	0 (0%)

Wilcoxon test.

IRQ, interquartile range; EGJ, esophagogastric junction; IRP, integrated relaxation pressure; IBP, intra-bolus pressure; DCI, distal contractile integral; CFV, contractile front velocity; HRM, high-resolution manometry.

Slightly increased DCI value (4439 mmHg · sec · cm) seen in Figure 3 pertains to one post-operative patient with normal: mean EGJ pressure, minimal EGJ pressure, IRP, and IBP values.

In patients after fundoplication the intra-bolus pressure (IBP) was also significantly higher than in patients with GERD before fundoplication (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon test; Fig. 4). Nevertheless, the McNemar’s test did not show that antireflux surgery might significantly deteriorate bolus transport and abnormal IBP values. IBP was elevated (> 15 mmHg) in 6 pre-operative patients (all with hiatal hernia confirmed by HRM) and in 10 post-operative patients.

Figure 4

Individual changes of intra-bolus pressure (IBP) in preoperative (pre-op) and post-operative patients (post-op): in 19 postoperative patients increase while in 5 patients decrease of intra-bolus pressure were shown, in one patient IBP wasn’t altered after fundoplication (normal values range: < 15 mmHg).

Contractile front velocity (CFV) was significantly lower in post-operative than in pre-operative patients (P < 0.01, Wilcoxon test). However, referring to normal values ranges, the antireflux procedure did not statistically influence the normalization of this parameter which was assessed by the McNemar’s test. CFV results in 14 pre- and 13 post-operative patients were within normal values ranges (2.6–5.3 cm/sec).

One post-operative patient with abnormal high IBP (49.9 mmHg) seen in Figure 4 had -increased percentage of double peaked waves (78%) with normal EGJ relaxation and resting pressure profile.

Double-peaked waves were more frequent in post-operative as compared with pre-operative patients (P < 0.01, Wilcoxon test). Moreover, it was shown that fundoplication significantly induced the percentage of double-peaked waves (P < 0.05, McNemar’s test). This parameter was elevated (> 15%) in 3 patients before surgery and in 10 patients after fundoplication.

Distal contractile integral and mean basal esophagogastric junction pressure or distal contractile integral and minimal basal esophagogastric junction pressure in post-operative patients

Only a trend for correlation between the DCI and mean basal EGJ pressure was observed (Spearman’s rank correlation; P-value = 0.066 and correlation coefficient r = 0.37).

No correlation was found between the DCI and minimal basal EGJ pressure in post-fundoplication patients.

Discussion

In our study we have managed to show that Nissen fundoplication restored resting EGJ pressures (minimal and mean basal EGJ pressures) together with a trend to normalization or significant normalization of the EGJ pressure profile, respectively (in GERD patients before fundoplication the minimal basal EGJ pressure was more frequently below the normal values ranges than the mean basal EGJ pressure). Thus the heartburn symptoms present in preoperative patients with GERD enrolled in our study, were eliminated in 21 of 23 patients after fundoplication. Similarly, Marjoux et al6 described increased EGJ resting pressures in patients after fundoplication and successful GERD symptoms relief. Also, Tatum et al2 showed that the effectiveness of fundoplication procedure is related to higher mean LES resting pressure. Moreover, the presence of DHPZ in post-fundoplication patients corresponds with intra-thoracic or slipped fundoplication, predicting fundoplication failure and GERD symptoms recurrence.2,3 However in post-operative patients examined by HRM in our study, no DHPZ was found.

Integrated relaxation pressure as the most adequate parameter describing EGJ relaxation was within the normal values ranges in all GERD patients examined in our study before fundoplication (hiatal hernia was detected by HRM in 11). Consequently, normal IRP values in all our patients with GERD corresponded with proper swallow-induced EGJ relaxation. In post-operative patients IRP was significantly higher than in pre-operative patients, however, IRP was elevated only in one patient after surgery indicating a mechanical obstruction (patient qualified for endoscopic dilatation). Exceeding the IRP cutoff value of 15 mmHg in post-fundoplication patients reflects consequences of the antireflux barrier reinforcement with EGJ outflow obstruction. Increased EGJ relaxation pressure, expressed often less precisely by the residual EGJ relaxation pressure, was previously described by many authors in patients after fundoplication.3,5,6 Undoubtedly, IRP is more comprehensive in evaluating EGJ relaxation as it integrates measurements of all the components affecting bolus transport across EGJ, LES, crural opening, and IBP.12 Fundoplication may reduce hiatal opening leading to restricted deglutitive EGJ relaxation, and as a consequence to considerable IRP values alternations.5 In this study together with IRP increase and also IBP increase was shown in post-fundoplication patients, indicating possible functional outflow obstruction either at the EGJ level or along the esophagus. Moreover, in 4 out of 6 pre-operative patients with elevated IBP values, hiatal hernia was also present, while in the remaining 2 patients besides hiatal hernia spastic disorders were found (CFV > 8 cm/sec). In post-operative patients increased IBP (10/25) corresponded with impaired LES relaxation (1/10), and abnormal percentage of double-peaked waves (3/10). In 6 out of 10 post-operative patients with elevated IBP no accompanying serious alternations in motility parameters were found. Increased IBP in patients after fundoplication have been commonly described by other authors.5,13 The presence of fundoplication wrap can be a region forming resistance to flow which enhances the forces to drive the bolus passage (higher DCI).6,14

In this study, significant DCI rise in post-fundoplication patients was also shown as compared with pre-operative patients, together with a trend from ineffective to effective esophageal motility (applying the cutoff value for DCI of 450 mmHg · sec · cm as the optimal threshold to predict ineffective esophageal motility). In our study 11 (44%) pre-operative patients had IEM (≥ 50 % of swallows with weak and failed peristalsis) and 6 (24%) after the surgery. IEM is a minor motility disorder characterized by impaired esophageal bolus transit.7 Neither achalasia nor major disorders of peristalsis was observed in our pre- and post-operative patients. IEM was previously reported by other researchers as the most prevalent esophageal motor disorder in GERD, found in 21–38% of patients in a large series, and its presence was associated with the severity of acid exposure and reflux symptoms.15 Minor motility disorders that meet the criteria for IEM are probably the least studied manifestations of esophageal dysfunctions due to apparent lack of therapeutic options. There is no pharmacological treatment that reliably restores smooth muscle contractility and esophageal function.15

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is the most common surgery performed for GERD. The results of the studies on tailoring the degree of the operation (eg, complete Nissen wrap versus posterior Toupet wrap) to the esophageal motility pattern have inconclusive results. Thus the relation between pre-operative IEM and surgery outcome should be interpreted with caution.15 Many patients with pre-operative minor disorders of peristalsis (impaired clearance) may actually benefit from Nissen fundoplication since the esophageal motility improves post-operatively, as it was demonstrated in this study. We believe that tailoring the operation to the degree of IEM is often not required to achieve a successful symptomatic and functional post-operative outcome.

Improvement of distal esophageal segment contraction is of special significance for GERD patients, and it is probably due to adaptive mechanisms induced by post-fundoplication rise of the mean basal EGJ pressure. DCI cutoff values were previously established in determining rare primary hypertensive peristaltic disorders such as the “nutcracker esophagus” or hypercontractile disorders such as the “jackhammer esophagus.”9,16 The International HRM Working Group recently clarified that at the other extreme of DCI values scale, abnormal high DCI values between 5000 and 8000 mmHg · sec · cm have no apparent clinical significance.7,8,17 DCI ≥ 8000 mmHg · sec · cm is thought to be clinically relevant since it is associated with chest pain and dysphagia indicating hypercontractility.7,17 None of pre- and post-operative patients in this study demonstrated DCI values exceeding 8000 mmHg · sec · cm.

Furthermore, in patients after fundoplication examined in this study the frequency of double-peaked waves was significantly increased as compared with patients before surgery. Clouse et al18 previously suggested that double-peaked waves may be associated with inadequate inhibitory nerve function of the distal esophagus. Abnormally high frequency of multipeaked waves often goes together with increased distal waves amplitude, prolonged wave duration characteristic for diffuse esophageal spasm or “nutcracker esophagus.” 18,19 Double-peaked waves can also be found in diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy.20 In our study, it was shown that fundoplication induced increased the frequency of double-peaked waves (40% of post-operative patients vs 12% of pre-operative patients with elevated double-peaked waves). According to Sampath et al21 double-peaked waves are the result of respiratory-related movement of the distal esophageal segment which moves with inspiration and expiration in respect to stable pressure sensors of the HRM catheter. In the presence of prolonged contraction duration or slower velocity of peristalsis (both constituting fundamental abnormality of multipeaked waves), several respiratory phase reversals may occur, generating more double-peaked waves.21 This hypothesis is quite convincing because in post-operative patients examined in our study, prolonged contraction duration as well as slower contractile front velocity were found. Moreover, it was also suggested that increased frequency of double-peaked waves may be manifested by the most common post-fundoplication symptom-dysphagia.18 In our research 60% of patients complained of dysphagia after the surgery but none before fundoplication. Previously, Marjoux et al6 established that post-operative dysphagia was associated with higher values of IRP. However, we did not find any statistical significance comparing HRM profile between post-operative patients with and without dysphagia. Moreover, other studies demonstrated that preoperative esophageal manometry is not sufficient to accurately predict post-operative dysphagia.6

Our results are in line with studies done by other researchers showing that dysphagia can affect up to 90% of post-fundoplication patients.5,10,11,22 In patients after antireflux procedure there can be other factors contributing to dysphagia, such as individual lower sensory threshold during bolus distension, surgery-related factors like degree, tightness, and length of fundoplication wrap.5,9,11 The most precise measuring methods of HRM still do not result in better understanding of correlation between motility, bolus transport and symptoms like dysphagia.8 Even in patients with complete absence of peristalsis -symptoms may be absent. On the other hand, one can find patients who complain of severe dysphagia but who have completely normal esophageal peristalsis and EGJ function.15

The impact of fundoplication on esophageal motility and EGJ pressures and its clinical implications is very a sophisticated matter. In our study post-operative evaluation was performed relatively early after antireflux surgery, which may explain the high number of our patients who complained of dysphagia. This corresponds to other studies which reported dysphagia in up to 70% of patients six months after surgery.23,24

Undoubtedly, the small number of recruited patients is the limitation of our study. Thus further research on a more representative population should be continued to establish clear HRM values corresponding to successfully performed procedures, effectively controlling refluxes, or values indicating the need of re-operation. Another limitation of this study is the lack of pre-operative pH esophageal monitoring to confirm pathological esophageal acid exposure.

In conclusion, HRM is a valuable tool for EGJ characteristics in GERD patients before and after fundoplication. Fundoplication restores the antireflux barrier by increasing EGJ resting pressures, repairing hiatal hernias, and enhances peristaltic function of the esophagus by increasing DCI. However, even a moderate increase of IRP may contribute to motility disorders and bolus pressurization in some patients after fundoplication. Our prospective study is one of the first to provide a comprehensive evaluation of esophageal and EGJ parameters of HRM in the same patients before and after fundoplication. The results of this study illustrate that pre- and post-operative HRM assessment of esophageal motility and EGJ pressure profiles should be the aim of further prospective research to expand our knowledge about surgical GERD treatment effectiveness.