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Laparoscopic fundoplication surgery can relieve symptoms of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In this prospective study, U.K. investigators compared this procedure with medical treatment in patients with documented evidence of GERD (i.e., by endoscopy or by 24-hour pH analysis) and more than 12 months of associated symptoms. The study comprised two groups: One consisted of 357 patients who participated in a randomized trial, and the other consisted of 453 patients who participated in a patient-preference trial (i.e., they received the treatment they preferred).
Of 178 patients who were randomized to surgery, 62% actually underwent fundoplication. After 12 months, 38% of patients who were randomized to surgery (14% of those who …