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The use of fundoplication for prevention of apparent life-threatening events

Patricia A Valusek1, Shawn D St Peter, Kuojen Tsao

  • 1Department of Surgery, The Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Fundoplication surgery effectively prevents recurrent apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) in infants diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This surgical intervention significantly reduces ALTE recurrence rates, offering a valuable treatment option for affected infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequently implicated as a cause of apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) in infants.
  • Limited literature exists on the surgical management of GERD for preventing recurrent ALTEs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of fundoplication in preventing recurrent ALTEs in infants with GERD.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of infants who underwent fundoplication between 2000 and 2005 for ALTE prevention.
  • Collected preoperative, operative, postoperative, and follow-up data.

Main Results:

  • 81 infants underwent fundoplication post-ALTE; most had failed medical management.
  • Only 3.7% of patients experienced recurrent ALTE after fundoplication.
  • Recurrent cases required further surgical intervention with no further recurrences.

Conclusions:

  • Fundoplication is an effective surgical treatment for preventing recurrent ALTEs in infants with GERD.
  • The procedure offers a significant reduction in ALTE recurrence compared to medical management alone.
Abstract

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