The Angelchik prosthesis in the surgical therapy of reflux oesophagitis. Short and long term results
Fornaro, R.; Ferraris, R.; Ruffo, A.
Acta Chirurgica Belgica 93(4): 135-139
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5458 PMID: 8237224 Document Number: 415154
The authors report the results acquired from 1981 to 1985 using the Angelchik prosthesis in 22 patients with reflux oesophagitis resisting medical therapy for more than 6 months. Clinical evaluation has been done using Visick scale, as modified by Deakin. Clinical and instrumental controls have been done at 1 month, 12 months and 5-10 years after the operation. Intraoperative mortality and morbidity were zero. Complications directly related to the operation were: transitory dysphagia in 4 cases, persistent dysphagia in 3 cases, transitory gas bloat syndrome in 1 case and persistent gas bloat syndrome in another, persistent stenosis in 1 case and prosthesis dislocation in 6 cases. Clinical results were satisfactory (success rate: 90.9%) only in patients with a short term follow-up (30 days). The full rate of success has come down to 84.2% and 66.6% in patients having follow-ups respectively of 1 year and 5-10 years. The results are truly disappointing and the authors conclude that this procedure is not to be employed.