Outcomes of fundoplication: causes for concern, newer options

Antireflux surgery has been a mainstay of treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children for some 40 years. In recent years, enthusiasm for antireflux surgery seems only to have increased, despite its often poor outcome, and the availability of highly effective medical therapy in the form of proton pump inhibitors ( PPIs). Reports show that many children undergo surgery without reflux disease as the demonstrable cause of their symptoms/signs, and without evidence of having failed optimised medical management. Very few studies report objective testing postoperatively - those that do show high rates of failure within the first 1 - 3 years following surgery. Treatment with PPIs is an effective and safe alternative to surgery in many cases.