Safety and efficacy of PTFE-mesh in laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux and hiatal hernia

Background: Hiatal hernia favors recurrence of reflux symptoms after fundoplication and mesh might prevent recurrences. Hernia repair using PTFE-mesh was carried out in a pilot study. A cohort of carefully audited patients with hernia and fundoplication without mesh served as control group. Patients and methods: Fifteen patients (Table) underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for symptomatic reflux and hiatal hernia ≥3. Hernia repair comprised inlay application of PTFE-mesh. All subjects were followed up at regular intervals. Time to recurrence of reflux symptoms was the investigation's main end-point and w…