Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication versus Thal fundoplication in children: comparison of short-term outcomes

The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes, including intra- and perioperative complications following laparoscopic Nissen versus Thal fundoplication.

From July 1998 until April 2007, 175 patients were recruited. Patients were prospectively randomized to either a Nissen wrap or a Thal wrap. Observation period was 6 weeks after surgery.

89 Nissen and 86 Thal were performed. The mean age at the time of operation (OP) was 5.2 years. Demographics were similar, although weight at OP was significantly less in the Nissen group. Intraoperative complications during a Nissen included bleeding from a liver laceration in 2 patients (1 required conversion) and small bowel perforation during open port insertion in 1 patient. There were two conversions in the Thal group, due to bleeding from the omentum in 1 patient and equipment failure in the other. In a third patient the colon was perforated during insertion of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and repaired laparoscopically. Post-OP dysphagia was similarly distributed among both groups, but was significantly more severe after a Nissen (P = 0.018). There were two early deaths: in the Nissen group, 1 child died from peritonitis after the gastrostomy tube fell out, whereas one death in the Thal group was caused by respiratory failure associated with the patient's underlying condition.

There was no statistical difference in the short-term outcomes between laparoscopic Nissen and Thal fundoplication, apart from a higher rate of esophagoscopy for severe dysphagia in the Nissen group. The higher number of postoperative complications in the Nissen group was largely due to gastrostomy-related problems.