Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is more effective in treating patients with GERD-related chronic cough than Stretta radiofrequency.

AIM: Chronic cough is the most common extra-esophageal manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aimed to retrospectively analyze outcomes in patients with GERD-related cough following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) and Stretta radiofrequency (RF) respectively. METHODS: Medical charts of 83 patients with GERD-related cough that underwent LNF or Stretta RF between 2007 and 2012 were retrieved. Symptom scores (heartburn, regurgitation and cough) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) usages were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients with GERD-related cough underwent LNF (N.=35) and Stretta RF (N.=48), and were followed up 36.78 ± 16.12 months (range 13-55 months). During the follow-up, the post-treatment scores were statistically lower as compared with the pre-treatment scores in both groups, while the cough improvement after Stretta was significantly lower than that after LNF (P<0.001). Besides, 27 (77.1%) patients achieved complete PPI therapy independence after LNF, comparing with 27 (65.1%) after Stretta (P<0.05). No significant differences in post-treatment complications were observed except for the abdominal distention. CONCLUSION: Even though laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and Stretta are capable of controlling GERD-related cough effectively and safely in selected patients, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication could improve more in symptoms and PPI elimination.