Laparoscopic antireflux surgery in neurologically impaired children

From May 1996 to April 2002, 48 laparoscopic fundoplications were performed after failure of medical treatment in 47 neurologically impaired infants and children affected by gastroesophageal reflux. Indications for surgery included vomiting, recurrent upper airway infections, failure of medical therapy, feeding difficulties with failure to gain weight, and instrumental (barium swallow and pHmetry) diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux. A standard approach was adopted, with minimal access modifications according to the patients' characteristics. In two patients, laparoscopic surgery had to be converted to open surgery because of severe kyphoscoliosis and accidental left emidiaphragm perforation. In another patient undergoing a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, a re-do laparoscopic operation was performed. Postoperative analgesia was administered during the first 12 h, and fluid intake and feeding were begun on days 1 and 2, respectively. All patients clinically improved except two; a paraesophageal hernia developed in one, and a stenosis developed in the other. We strongly believe that laparoscopic fundoplication can be successfully adopted in neurologically impaired children as well as in pediatric patients as a whole, with the same advantages and far fewer drawbacks than are expected in adults.