Laparoscopic gastrostomy: the preferred method of gastrostomy in children

We present a paediatric institutional experience with laparoscopic gastrostomies (LG) and evaluate its appropriateness as the recommended method for gastrostomy placement. We also sought to evaluate the efficacy of a simple technique for LG and collected information on long-term follow-up after LG. LG was performed in 112 children over a 6-year-period. The procedure involves visualization of the stomach through an umbilical port and a second epigastric gastrostomy site to select and anchor the stomach with sutures prior to the placement of a low profile gastrostomy feeding device (LPGD). The follow-up details of the patients were analysed. A review of literature was done to compare LG with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The median operating time for the procedure in 112 patients was 48 min. There was one open conversion. Median postoperative length of stay was 6 days. Other complications were vomiting (11%), peri- gastrostomy leak (26%), granulation tissue (42%), accidental dislodgement of the LPGD (4%), faulty device requiring replacement (10%), gastric mucosal prolapse (2%) and localized infection (2%). Follow-up ranged from 6 to 75 months with a cumulative gastrostomy usage of 2,352 months. The advantages of the described technique are virtual feasibility in all patients, primary placement of a LPGD, simplicity with requirement of minimal laparoscopic expertise and safety. Comparison with reports of PEG in the literature indicates that LG should be the preferred method of gastrostomy placement in children.