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No study has reported an association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or its therapies and gallbladder function. We compared pre- and postoperative gallbladder function in patients undergoing fundoplication to determine the following: (1) whether patients with chronic GERD have preexisting gallbladder motor dysfunction; (2) whether medical or surgical therapy alters gallbladder function; and (3) whether division of the hepatic branch of the anterior vagus nerve is detrimental to gallbladder motility. Nineteen patients with documented GERD consented to a preoperative cholecystokinin-stimulated technetium hepatobiliary (CCK-HIDA) scan to quantify the gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF). All patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. One month after fundoplication, 12 patients completed a repeat CCK-HIDA scan for determination of GBEF, with comparison to the preoperative GBEF. Among patients with preoperative GERD, 11 (58%) of 19 met the scintigraphic criteria for gallbladder dysfunction (GBEF <35%), which is a ratio comparable to that in patients undergoing a CCK-HIDA scan for presumed biliary dyskinesia during the same time period (31 [60%] of 53; P = NS, chi-square test) and exceeds the rate of abnormal GBEF reported in healthy volunteers (3%). Six of seven patients with a low preoperative GBEF who underwent repeat evaluation postoperatively had normalization of the GBEF (P < 0.05, paired t-test). In the 12 patients who underwent postoperative CCK-HIDA scanning, there was no association between preservation or division of the hepatic branch of the anterior vagus nerve and postoperative gallbladder dysfunction (P = NS, chi-square test). Unexpectedly, 58% of patients with GERD demonstrated gallbladder motor dysfunction prior to fundoplication, with improvement to normal occurring in most of those studied postoperatively. These data support controlled trials to determine the effect of chronic GERD and antisecretory therapy on gallbladder and global gastrointestinal smooth muscle function. Preservation of the hepatic branch of the anterior vagus nerve during fundoplication offered no clear benefit with regard to early postoperative gallbladder function.

Background: Wrap disruption or intrathoracic herniation of a fundoplication is a dreaded complication of laparoscopic foregut surgery. This problem may often be related to postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of PONV and its management in patients undergoing laparoscopic foregut procedures., Methods: Between January 31 and May 23, 2000, 104 patients undergoing laparoscopic foregut procedures (fundoplication, myotomy, or paraesophageal hernia repair) were followed prospectively. Their postoperative course was documented along with the occurrence and management of PONV. All laparoscopic foregut surgery patients are managed postoperatively with a uniform clinical pathway, and their care is focused on a nursing unit with skill and experience in postoperative management., Results: Nausea was documented in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for 30.1% of the patients, and for 59.6% of the patients during their nursing unit stay. Antiemetics were given to all the patients with documented nausea. Emesis was noted in 1.9% of the patients in the PACU, as compared with 3.8% of the patients on the floor. In one of the patients with nursing unit emesis, an acute wrap herniation into the chest occurred, necessitating a return to the operating room for correction. The patients with a history of postoperative nausea did not have a higher rate of PONV than in those with no history of postoperative nausea. The use of preoperative or intraoperative antiemetics did not appear to alter the occurrence of PONV. Postoperative nausea occurred in 60% of the patients administered preoperative antiemetic, as compared with 64% of the patients who received no preoperative antiemetic. The average length of hospital stay was longer in those with PONV than in those with no PONV (2.6 vs 1.8 days)., Conclusion: Nausea after laparoscopic foregut procedures is common, occurring twice as often on the nursing unit as in the PACU. The occurrence of PONV leads to a longer hospital stay, and can result in significant sequelae requiring reoperation. The use of preoperative or intraoperative antiemetics does not alter the frequency of postoperative nausea, suggesting the need to develop effective preemptive regimens for patients undergoing laparoscopic foregut procedures. The high rate of PONV and its potential risk of damage to a fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair should lead surgeons to consider whether laparoscopic foregut procedures should ever be performed on an outpatient basis.