Gastroesophageal fundoplication for reflux following repair of esophageal atresia. Experience with nine patients.

Esophageal dysmotility and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) are common sequelae that may persist for many years in infants and children who have undergone repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). The slow clearance of refluxed gastric contents appears to cause a high incidence of aspiration, a high incidence of esophageal anastomotic stricture or leak, and a slow response to dilation of esophageal anastomotic strictures. Nissen transabdominal gastroesophageal fundoplication was performed in nine children (seven who were less than 4 months of age) subsequent to repair of esophageal atresia because of recurrent severe symptoms due to regurgitation. On the basis of this favorable experience with nine infants and children, we believe that an aggressive surgical approach should be taken in the management of symptomatic GER in patients at a young age following repair of esophageal atresia and TEF who fail to respond to an adequate trial of medical treatment.