Outcomes after Pediatric Fundoplication: Defining the Redo Population

Abstract

Objective:The aims were to compare outcome variables in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and one Nissen fundoplication to children with redo fundoplications and define the pediatric redo population. Methods:After IRB approval (#5100277), a case control study was conducted of children younger than 18 years, from two children's hospitals, with one Nissen fundoplication (control group) or a redo performed between January 1995 and March 2011. Complete data were collected by phone calls to caregivers in December 2012. Only redo operations performed after recurrence of GERD symptoms and wrap herniation into the mediastinum confirmed by contrast radiograph were included. To define the redo population, variables present before initial fundoplication, and outcome variables identified in December 2012, were compared. Continuous variables were analyzed by t-tests and categorical variables by chi-square tests. Logistic regression evaluated variable independence. Results:The families of 212 children were contacted (54% male), 181 had one fundoplication (85.4%) and 31 had redos (14.6%). The median follow-up time for controls was 3.6 years (range: 0.9-16 years). The median time to first redo was 17 months (range: 1-108 months) and to second redo for 3/31 (9.7%), it was 32.5 months (range: 23-69 months). A significantly greater number with redos, could not feed orally prior to undergoing their first Nissen fundoplication (p=0.003). At follow-up evaluation, children with redos had significantly more hospital admissions for pneumonia (p=0.02), vomiting and retching (p=0.01), gastrojejunal feeding tubes (p=0.01) and wrap herniation on contrast radiograph (p=0.01). Logistic regression revealed vomiting, OR: 3.4 (95% CI: 1.4-8.3) and retching, OR: 3.8 (95% CI: 1.6-9.2) were independently associated with the redo population. Conclusion:At follow-up evaluation, vomiting and retching are independent factors that define the redo population. Significantly more children with redos are fed by gastrojejunal feeding tubes because the redo fails to control their GERD symptoms. Abstract

Short and long-term outcomes after pediatric redo fundoplication

“…Almost all patients and parents were satisfied with the outcome of the RF. In contrast, the only other study that has addressed satisfaction after RF in children, found that only 17% of parents were satisfied [13] . One explanation for the discrepancy may be the definition of satisfaction.…”

“…Only one previous study has assessed outcome after RF beyond retrospective chart reviews. In this study including 31 children, family members reported that 61% of the children were back on anti-secretory drugs, and 45% vomited regularly median 3.6 years after the RF [13] . Even more concerning was that only 17% of the parents were satisfied with the outcome of the RF [13] .…”