Outcome of Nissen fundoplication using intraoperative manometry in children.

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative manometry is useful in performing Nissen fundoplication (NF) in children. Long-term clinical outcome information after use of this method is lacking.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the outcomes of 62 consecutive NFs using intraoperative manometry was performed. The follow-up period was 3.4 years. Approximately half of the patients were neurologically normal (NN) and half were neurologically impaired (NI). All patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) did not respond to an adequate trial of medical treatment.

RESULTS

The NF was tailored to result in a twofold increase in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and a 75% increase in the LES length (LESL). An accelerated growth rate in 40% of "failure to thrive" (FTT) patients was demonstrated. Eighty-four percent of caregivers reported improved quality of life after NF. There was a twofold reduction in the number of hospital admissions and a sixfold reduction in total inpatient days for both NI and NN children. The early and late mortality rate was 13%, and the complication rate was similar to other series reported in the literature, with more complications occurring in NI patients. There was a 2% incidence of wrap herniation. An improvement in long-term outcomes after NF was seen in 89% of NN children and over half of NI patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative manometry is useful in standardizing the tightness of the wrap in NF. There was a low incidence of complications, dysphagia, recurrent emesis, and GERD in this series. Long-term outcomes using this technique were deemed very good based on caregivers' responses.