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Updated: Sep 3, 2026
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Published on: August 11, 2023
Laparoscopic fundoplication in children--an audit of fifty cases
Insights
Laparoscopic fundoplication in children is a viable surgical option. This audit of 50 pediatric cases shows encouraging outcomes with manageable morbidity and recurrence rates, supporting its use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Minimally invasive procedures
- Gastrointestinal surgery
Background:
- Laparoscopic procedures in pediatric surgery require critical evaluation.
- Fundoplication is a common surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit the outcomes of 50 laparoscopic fundoplications in pediatric patients.
- To assess the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of this minimally invasive approach.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective audit of 50 laparoscopic fundoplications in children aged 6 months to 13 years.
- Evaluation of financial implications, hospital stay, analgesia, operative morbidity, and symptom control.
- Median follow-up of 31.8 months.
Main Results:
- A conversion rate of 8% to open surgery was observed.
- Operative morbidity was 8%, including respiratory infection, pneumothorax, and esophageal perforation.
- Recurrence rate was 6% with a median opiate requirement of 1 day and a median postoperative stay of 2 days.
Conclusions:
- Laparoscopic fundoplication in children demonstrates encouraging results.
- Further prospective randomized trials are needed to meet evidence-based medicine standards.
- The procedure appears safe and effective for managing pediatric reflux.
Unlabelled:
Critical evaluation of new laparoscopic procedures in childhood are essential. The aim of this study was to audit fifty laparoscopic fundoplications in children.
Method:
Evaluation of the financial implications, hospital stay, analgesia requirements, operative morbidity and symptom control was undertaken.
Results:
50 laparoscopic fundoplications were performed on children (6 months to 13 years) with a median follow-up period of 31.8 months. The conversion rate to an open procedure was 8%. The median length of opiate requirement for opiate analgesia was 1 day (range 1-5), post-operative stay 2 days (range 2-15). The operative morbidity was 8% (respiratory infection, pneumothorax, two patients, oesophageal perforation one patient). The recurrences rate was 6%. Whilst a prospective randomised trial is essential to satisfy the requirements of evidence-based medicine, the results of our review of laparoscopic fundoplication are encouraging.
