Background - Total fundoplication used in gastroesophageal reflux treatment, may be performed according to two techniques: laparotomy and laparoscopy. Aim - To study the lower esophageal sphincter in rabbits submitted to open and laparoscopic fundoplication. Material and Methods - Electromanometry studies of esophagus were carried out in 40 male rabbits, through the pull trough technique and infusion of the catheters with distilled water. The pressure width (mm Hg) and the length (cm) of the lower esophageal sphincter were measured in basal conditions (moment 1). The 40 animals were divided into four groups of 10 animals, according to the following surgical procedure: group 1: open total fundoplication; group 2: median laparotomy and dissection of gastroesophageal junction; group 3: laparoscopy total fundoplication; group 4: pneumoperitonium and dissection of the gastroesophageal junction. In moment 2 (1 week after the surgery) the manometry of the esophagus was performed in every animals. Results - In groups 1 (open fundoplication) and 3, an increase of pressure width and length of the lower esophageal sphincter was observed. In groups 2 and 4, the pressure width and length of the lower esophageal sphincter presented no significant alteration. Conclusions - The fundoplication affects the antireflux gastroesophagic barrier and it becomes more efficient, because the pressure and the length of the lower esophageal sphincter increased after the pos-operated step of the surgery. This effect was observed in the two studied techniques, the laparotomy and the laparoscopy.
Esophagogastric junction; Esophageal motility disorders; Manometry; Fundoplication; Laparoscopy; Rabbits
