A recent study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery states that laparoscopic partial fundoplication successfully offered effective symptom control in gastroesophageal reflux without further worsening dysphagia in patients with esophageal dysmotility.

In this study, a total of 40 patients were enrolled, out of which 36 had undergone anterior partial fundoplication and 4 Nissen fundoplication. The study population was matched with 708 patients having normal motility on the basis of age, gender, and fundoplication type. Symptoms like heartburn, dysphagia for solids and liquids, regurgitation were assessed using the prospective symptom assessment questionnaires. Furthermore, outcomes and satisfaction with surgery were compared.

It was observed that during the follow-up period, the patients having worse dysphagia pre-operatively showed no significant difference in dysphagia scores postoperatively (adjusted mean difference 1.09, p = 0.048). Also, no overall difference in patient satisfaction was reported.

The authors concluded that the laparoscopic partial fundoplication technique is effective for the management of symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux, but dysmotility needs surgical management.