Outcomes of laparoscopic nissen fundoplications in children younger than 2-years: single institution experience

Outcome a decade after laparoscopic and open Nissen fundoplication in children: results from a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing long-term outcome after laparoscopic (LF) and open fundoplication (OF) in children are lacking. Here we report recurrence rates and time to recurrence, frequency of re-interventions, use of antisecretory drugs, gastrointestinal symptoms, and patient/parental satisfaction a decade after children were randomized to LF or OF.

METHODS

Cross-sectional long-term follow-up study of a two-center RCT that included patients during 2003-2009. Patients/parents were interviewed and medical charts reviewed for any events that might be related to the fundoplication. If suspicion of recurrence, further diagnostics were performed. Informed consent and ethical approval were obtained.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov: NCT01551134.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight children, 56 (64%) boys, were randomized (LF 44, OF 44) at median 4.4 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.0-8.9] years. 46 (52%) had neurological impairment. Three were lost to follow-up before first scheduled control. Recurrence was significantly more frequent after LF (24/43, 56%) than after OF (13/42, 31%, p = 0.004). Median time to recurrence was 1.0 [IQR 0.3-2.2] and 5.1 [IQR 1.5-9.3] years after LF and OF, respectively. Eight (19%) underwent redo fundoplication after LF and three (7%) after OF (p = 0.094). Seventy patients/parents were interviewed median 11.9 [IQR 9.9-12.8] years postoperatively. Among these, use of anti-secretory drugs was significantly decreased from preoperatively after both LF (94% vs. 35%, p < 0.001) and OF (97% vs. 19%, p < 0.001). Regurgitation/vomiting were observed in 6% after LF and 3% after OF (p = 0.609), and heartburn in 14% after LF and 17% after OF (p = 1.000). Overall opinion of the surgical scars was good in both groups (LF: 95%, OF: 86%, p = 0.610). Patient/parental satisfaction with outcome was high, independent of surgical approach (LF: 81%, OF: 88%, p = 0.500).

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence rate was higher and recurrence occurred earlier after LF than after OF. Patient/parental satisfaction with outcome after both LF and OF was equally high.

Current issues of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease surgical treatment in children

Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) disease is one of the most common diseases amongst a wide range of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children of all ages, significantly impairing the quality of life of the child and posing a serious threat to the health of the patient. From 2008 to 2019, 134 patients aging from 6 months to 12 years were hospitalised at the Scientific Center for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery including 69 (51%) infants. Of them, 51 (38%) were the patients with persistent manifestations of regurgitation, despite an outpatient course of conservative therapy; 29 (22%) patients with recurrent reflux-associated pneumonia; also, 35 (26%) children with GER in the structure of the main pathology of the central nervous system, as well as 19 (14%) patients after surgery of the anastomosis of the oesophagus with its atresia. One hundred and seven (79.8%) patients underwent surgery. Nissen oesophagofundoplication was traditionally performed in 41 (38%) patients, in combination with Stamm gastrostomy in 14 (34%), with Mikulich pyloroplasty in 9 (22%) and in combination with gastrostomy and pyloroplasty in 12 (29%) children. Laparoscopic Nissen oesophagofundoplication was used in 16 (15%) cases. Thall oesophagofundoplication was performed in 48 (45%) patients, while in two (2%) cases, Boerema gastropexy was conducted. The immediate results were studied in all 107 patients. Complications in the form of gastric distress syndrome were revealed in four (3.7%) patients who did not undergo pyloroplasty, which in two (1.9%) cases required additional surgery of the stomach draining, whereas in the other two (1.9%) patients, the distress syndrome was stopped conservatively. A dumping syndrome was identified in two (1.9%) patients. Timely recognition of the pathological process, its nature and prevalence determines the indications for the use of various methods of operation, which are based on an individual approach to each patient.

Current issues of GERD surgical treatment in children

INTRODUCTION

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common diseases among a wide range of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children of all ages, significantly impairing the quality of life of the child and posing a serious threat to the health of the patient.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2008 to 2019, 134 patients aging from 6 months to 12 years were hospitalized at the Scientific Center for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, including 69 (51%) infants. Of them, 51 (38%) were the patients with persistent manifestations of regurgitation, despite an outpatient course of conservative therapy; 29 (22%) patients with recurrent reflux-associated pneumonia; also, 35 (26%) children with gastroesophageal reflux in the structure of the main pathology of the central nervous system, as well as 19 (14%) patients after surgery of the anastomosis of the esophagus with its atresia. One hundred and seven (79.8%) patients underwent surgery. Nissen esophagofundoplication was traditionally performed in 41 (38%) patients, in combination with Stamm gastrostomy in 14 (34%), with Mikulich pyloroplasty in 9 (22%), and in combination with gastrostomy and pyloroplasty in 12 (29%) children. Laparoscopic Nissen esophagofundoplication was used in 16 (15%). Thall esophagofundoplication was performed in 48 (45%) patients, whereas in two (2%) cases, Borema gastropexy was conducted.

RESULTS

The immediate results were studied in all 107 patients. Complications in the form of gastric distress syndrome were revealed in four (3.7%) patients who did not undergo pyloroplasty, which in two (1.9%) cases required additional surgery of the stomach draining, whereas in the other two (1.9%) patients, the distress syndrome was stopped conservatively. A dumping syndrome was identified in two (1.9%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Timely recognition of the pathological process, its nature, and prevalence determines the indications for the use of various methods of operation, which are based on an individual approach to each patient.

Concomitant gastrostomy tube insertion during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastro-esophageal reflux disease: analysis of risk factors for fundoplication failure

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) and gastrostomy tube (GT) placement may be performed concomitantly in children with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and failure to thrive. We aimed to evaluate the rate and risk factors for LNF failure in children undergoing concomitant LNF/GT.

METHODS

A retrospective multi-institutional cohort study was conducted, reviewing patients that underwent LNF (2005-2014). Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, and type of GT (laparoscopy- or endoscopy-assisted). The primary outcome measure was LNF failure. Data was compared using contingency tables or Mann-Whitney tests, when appropriate. An exploratory analysis by Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to determine predictors of time to LNF failure after LNF/GT.

RESULTS

Of 189 children that underwent LNF, 99 (52%) had a concomitant GT (55% laparoscopy-, 45% endoscopy-assisted). LNF failed in 15% after LNF/GT and in 17% after LNF alone (p = 0.84), at a median age of 23 months (IQR 8-41). Using univariate analysis, we found that a younger age at the time of surgery (p = 0.05), prematurity (p = 0.0018), esophageal atresia (p = 0.01), and endoscopy-assisted GT (p = 0.02) were potential predictors of LNF failure after LNF/GT. After multivariate regression analysis, prematurity (p = 0.007) remained significantly associated with LNF failure after LNF/GT. No predictive factors for LNF failure after LNF alone were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant GT insertion and LNF is a common practice, as half of the children that undergo LNF also received GT insertion. Children born preterm or with esophageal atresia comprise a fragile population at high-risk of LNF failure after LNF/GT. Prospective, multicentric studies are needed to evaluate the best GT technique to use in children undergoing LNF.

The Nissen Unwrapped: Predictors and Outcomes of Nissen Fundoplication in Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) often require the placement of a gastrostomy button to ensure proper nutrition. Some also require a Nissen fundoplication (NF) to further improve nutrition capabilities in the setting of reflux, however, the clinical and diagnostic imaging characteristics that support NF are variable. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) identify the factors associated with NF in patients with CHD and (2) determine the incidence of NF complications in patients with CHD.

METHODS

All patients with CHD who underwent cardiac repair and subsequent creation of a gastrostomy at a single institution between 6/1/2013 and 9/1/2018 were included. We then identified which patients underwent NF.

RESULTS

Two-hundred fifty-seven CHD patients who had a gastrostomy button placed after CHD repair, with 17% undergoing a simultaneous NF or an NF at a later time. The presence of acyanotic heart disease, neurologic comorbidities, and vocal cord dysfunction was not univariately associated with a higher likelihood of NF. On multivariable model, only prematurity was significantly associated with NF (P = 0.022). Abnormal findings on imaging studies (upper gastrointestinal series, gastric emptying studies, motility studies, upper endoscopies, swallow studies, and pH probe studies) were not associated with an NF (all P's > 0.05). The overall complication rate was 23%.

CONCLUSIONS

Prematurity was the only factor associated with an NF. Surprisingly, cyanotic heart disease, neurologic comorbidities, age at first cardiac surgery, and vocal cord dysfunction were not associated with an NF. We identified an area for quality improvement at our institution given the lack of standardized work-up for the NF in this high-risk population.

Boix-Ochoa (Partial Fundoplication) Treats Reflux, Even in Neurologically Impaired Patients. Can it Take the Title of "Gold Standard" from Total Fundoplication?

BACKGROUND

In 4-5% of cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), surgical treatment is required. The aim of the study was to evaluate the success of Boix-Ochoa antireflux surgery, which is considered more physiologic with a higher failure rate (need for reoperation) than Nissen fundoplication, which is believed to be the gold standard operation.

METHOD

In the 13 years from 2005 to 2018, the medical records of all children who underwent Boix-Ochoa in a single institution by pediatric surgeons were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 133 fundoplications were performed, of which patients were divided into four groups: neurologically impaired, structurally impaired, neurologically and structurally impaired, and neurologically and structurally normal; there were 64, 8, 34, and 27 patients in each group, respectively. Structural impairments included hiatal hernia and esophagus atresia, having previously had a gastrostomy and esophageal stenosis. The most common short-term complication was distal esophageal stenosis (13%), which caused vomiting and dysphagia, and was treated by dilatations. There were six (4.5%) recurrences of GER, one in the neurologically and structurally impaired group with a hiatal hernia and five in the structurally impaired group (three esophagus atresias, two caustic esophageal strictures). The mean follow-up period was 5.27 ± 3.43 years. Neurological impairment did not affect the success rate.

CONCLUSION

Although there has not any literature demonstrating significant benefits of one procedure, we detected with this largest study in the pediatric literature about Boix-Ochoa fundoplication (more physiologic and easily performed) that it was successful (95%) in protecting reflux even in neurologically impaired patients (98%). We consider Boix-Ochoa (partial fundoplication) to be an alternative method to Nissen (complete fundoplication), and it can be done safely with a high success rate.