Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in children

Laparoscopic surgery for the definitive treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) has become an accepted alternative to conventional techniques in adults. Although relatively rare, GOR in children represents an important clinical entity with symptoms including failure to thrive, nocturnal dyspnea, and vomiting. This paper details our experience in eight children who have undergone a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for failed medical treatment of severe GOR. Particular attention is paid to technical aspects of the procedure and the differences between adult and pediatric techniques are emphasized. The preliminary results suggest that a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe procedure which significantly improves reflux symptoms in children and that these results are comparable to those obtained with conventional surgery.