Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in disabled infants and children

During a 16-month period, 15 neurologically impaired infants and children for whom medical treatment failed underwent laparoscopic fundoplication. The indications for surgery included feeding difficulties, vomiting, and recurrent chest aspiration. The patients' weight range was 3.9 to 42 kg (6 weighed less than 12 kg). Access was modified according to each patient's size and shape. The average operating time was 2.2 hours (range, 1.4 to 3) for fundoplication and 3.1 hours (range, 2.3 to 4.1) for fundoplication with gastrostomy. Two patients had conversion to open surgery because of hypercarbia or perforated oesophagus. Use of postoperative analgesia was limited to the first 24 hours, and fluid intake and feeding were begun on days 1 and 2, respectively. Gas bloating was common postoperatively, and diarrhoea developed in three children. Twelve patients had clinical improvement, and a recurrent hiatus hernia developed in one. Laparoscopic fundoplication can be successful; however, awareness of the differences in technique for paediatric (disabled children in particular) and adult patients is essential. The technique deserves further investigation. (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company