Intraoperative esophageal manometry and early postoperative esophageal pH monitoring in children.

Intraoperative esophageal manometry has not been correlated with early postoperative extended esophageal pH monitoring (EEpHM) in children with gastroesophageal reflux. Twenty-seven children were studied with the following design: (1) abnormal preoperative EEpHM; (2) intraoperative measurement of lower esophageal high pressure zone (LEHPZ) pressure and length prior to and upon completion of an antireflux procedure; and (3) EEpHM seven to ten days postoperatively. Sixteen had a Nissen or modified Thal fundoplication and eleven a Boerema gastropexy. The postoperative EEpHM was normal in patients with fundoplication regardless of the increase in LEHPZ pressure (-4 to 36 mmHg) or length (0 to 2.5 cm). Four of the patients (36%) who had a gastropexy had abnormal EEpHM. The postoperative frequency of reflux was related inversely to the elevation of LEHPZ pressure (-3 to 39 mmHg), but not to the LEHPZ length (0 to 4.5 cm). Duration of reflux was independent of observed intraoperative manometric changes. In conclusion, early postoperative EEpHM in children having a gastropexy correlates with intraoperative increases in the LEHPZ pressure. There is no such correlation in children having a fundoplication procedure.