Retching and vomiting in neurologically impaired children after fundoplication: predictive preoperative factors.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In neurologically impaired children, retching and recurrent vomiting are common after Nissen fundoplication. The aim of this study was to identify whether there are preoperative factors that predict their occurrence.

METHODS

Twenty neurologically impaired children (8 boys, 12 girls; age range, 3 months to 8 years) were studied prospectively by taking a detailed history of behaviors and symptoms associated with feeding before and after Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, children could be classified into 2 groups. Children in group A had symptoms suggestive of only gastroesophageal reflux (effortless "vomiting" or regurgitation), whereas children in group B exhibited one or more features associated with activation of the emetic reflex (pallor, sweating, retching, forceful vomiting). Postoperatively 0 of 8 in group A retched compared with 8 of 12 in group B (P <.005, Fishers Exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

Children at high risk of retching, and ultimately vomiting, after antireflux surgery may be identified clinically preoperatively. They have symptoms that are specifically caused by activation of the emetic reflex rather than to gastroesophageal reflux. In these cases, antireflux surgery could be considered inappropriate and hence be avoided.