Pub Date : 2003-03-01DOI: 10.1177/107155170301000103
John D Mellinger
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy occupies a predominant position in the diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management of foregut disease. The safety, anatomic refinement, and tissue sampling capabilities offered by endoscopic examination support its use as a premier diagnostic tool. An increasingly diverse and ingenious set of endoscopically delivered tools are available to expand the diagnostic capability, and extend the therapeutic application of esophagogastroduodenoscopy to a wide range of pathology, both benign and neoplastic. Comparative outcome data support the utility of therapeutic esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and the palliative management of foregut neoplasia. Endoscopically delivered therapies may have an increasing role in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the future, and the development of endoluminal ultrasound has added a whole new dimension to endoscopic diagnostic and, potentially, therapeutic capability. This review highlights the current status of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the diagnosis and management of upper gastrointestinal pathology.
{"title":"Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: current status.","authors":"John D Mellinger","doi":"10.1177/107155170301000103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/107155170301000103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Esophagogastroduodenoscopy occupies a predominant position in the diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management of foregut disease. The safety, anatomic refinement, and tissue sampling capabilities offered by endoscopic examination support its use as a premier diagnostic tool. An increasingly diverse and ingenious set of endoscopically delivered tools are available to expand the diagnostic capability, and extend the therapeutic application of esophagogastroduodenoscopy to a wide range of pathology, both benign and neoplastic. Comparative outcome data support the utility of therapeutic esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and the palliative management of foregut neoplasia. Endoscopically delivered therapies may have an increasing role in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the future, and the development of endoluminal ultrasound has added a whole new dimension to endoscopic diagnostic and, potentially, therapeutic capability. This review highlights the current status of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the diagnosis and management of upper gastrointestinal pathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"10 1","pages":"3-12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/107155170301000103","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22340739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Laparoscopic surgery, robots, and surgical simulation: moral and ethical issues.","authors":"Richard M Satava","doi":"10.1053/slas.2002.36464","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1053/slas.2002.36464","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 4","pages":"230-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22191439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
It is a basic premise that laparoscopic procedures are an integral part of the practice of general surgery. Currently, general surgery training programs as a whole are failing to provide residents with significant surgical experience in advanced laparoscopic procedures. The teaching of advanced laparoscopic procedures can and should be incorporated into the 5-year surgical residency. The challenge for Program Directors is that it is time to restructure general surgery training so that additional fellowship training is not required to provide an adequate experience in this fundamental part of general surgery.
{"title":"Surgical endoscopy training is integral to general surgery residency and should be integrated into residency and fellowships abandoned.","authors":"Michael S Nussbaum","doi":"10.1053/slas.2002.36463","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1053/slas.2002.36463","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is a basic premise that laparoscopic procedures are an integral part of the practice of general surgery. Currently, general surgery training programs as a whole are failing to provide residents with significant surgical experience in advanced laparoscopic procedures. The teaching of advanced laparoscopic procedures can and should be incorporated into the 5-year surgical residency. The challenge for Program Directors is that it is time to restructure general surgery training so that additional fellowship training is not required to provide an adequate experience in this fundamental part of general surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 4","pages":"212-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22191435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fellowships in minimally invasive surgery: a fait accompli.","authors":"John G Hunter","doi":"10.1053/slas.2002.36466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1053/slas.2002.36466","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 4","pages":"216-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22191436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medical technology itself, including minimally invasive surgery, has no morals; our morality revolves around when and how we use technology. This often involves the individual clinician's assessment of their own abilities and an awareness of two aspects of the technology: its proven efficacy and its safety. Is technology outpacing knowledge? Or do physicians adopt new technologies in a responsible way with good motives? No one knows for sure. Technological progress in medicine has been a mixed blessing. The only ethical element involved in the use of new technologies over which individual medical practitioners have control, is that of user proficiency with the device, procedure, or drug, and the related information they provide to their patients when obtaining their consent for its use. New technologies fall into two broad categories: evolutionary, the most common, and revolutionary, which occur sporadically and may completely change the face of medical care. The learning curve for all new technologies can be steep. So, when should physicians be permitted to use these new technologies without supervision? Who is responsible for setting and monitoring standards for new technologies? With the moving target of medical technological innovation, individual practitioners are primarily responsible for the ethical use of new (to them) technologies. It is physicians' ethics that govern their use of new technologies, being certain that they have the requisite training and experience to use the modality, and that the intervention is safe for their patients. Institutional practitioner credentialing at the local level, despite its faults, will often be the primary control over a technology's use. What will ultimately govern the use of new technologies is the ethics (if they exist) of healthcare institutions and individual practitioners, as well as patient need. This is simply another reason why ethics education is vital for physicians-and other health practitioners and healthcare administrators.
{"title":"The ethics of applying new medical technologies.","authors":"Kenneth V Iserson, Patrick M Chiasson","doi":"10.1053/slas.2002.36465","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1053/slas.2002.36465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Medical technology itself, including minimally invasive surgery, has no morals; our morality revolves around when and how we use technology. This often involves the individual clinician's assessment of their own abilities and an awareness of two aspects of the technology: its proven efficacy and its safety. Is technology outpacing knowledge? Or do physicians adopt new technologies in a responsible way with good motives? No one knows for sure. Technological progress in medicine has been a mixed blessing. The only ethical element involved in the use of new technologies over which individual medical practitioners have control, is that of user proficiency with the device, procedure, or drug, and the related information they provide to their patients when obtaining their consent for its use. New technologies fall into two broad categories: evolutionary, the most common, and revolutionary, which occur sporadically and may completely change the face of medical care. The learning curve for all new technologies can be steep. So, when should physicians be permitted to use these new technologies without supervision? Who is responsible for setting and monitoring standards for new technologies? With the moving target of medical technological innovation, individual practitioners are primarily responsible for the ethical use of new (to them) technologies. It is physicians' ethics that govern their use of new technologies, being certain that they have the requisite training and experience to use the modality, and that the intervention is safe for their patients. Institutional practitioner credentialing at the local level, despite its faults, will often be the primary control over a technology's use. What will ultimately govern the use of new technologies is the ethics (if they exist) of healthcare institutions and individual practitioners, as well as patient need. This is simply another reason why ethics education is vital for physicians-and other health practitioners and healthcare administrators.</p>","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 4","pages":"222-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22191438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
There is an opportunity to improve the training of practicing surgeons in minimal access techniques. Such improvement is desirable because it would allow for the introduction of innovation in a way that maximizes the benefit for patients while minimizing the harm that can result from the introduction of new techniques after inadequate training. This goal is consistent with basic biomedical principles that govern the behavior of surgeons. Individuals who place themselves in the role of a teacher of surgeons accept another level of responsibility and are governed not only by biomedical ethics but also by the ethics of teaching. Adherence to these two different governing ethical principles compels these teachers to apply the best educational principles in the development of educational courses. Review of motor skill learning theory would suggest that effective feedback and adequate practice opportunities are essential for the acquisition of motor skill and should be integrated into all skills-type continuing medical educational courses. The present trend is toward more objectivity in skill evaluation although evidence that this actually improves evaluation is lacking. Curriculum development and evaluation of this specific type of training course should follow those general principles proposed for the development of effective continuing medical education.
{"title":"Ethical and educational considerations in minimally invasive surgery training for practicing surgeons.","authors":"David A Rogers","doi":"10.1053/slas.2002.36467","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1053/slas.2002.36467","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There is an opportunity to improve the training of practicing surgeons in minimal access techniques. Such improvement is desirable because it would allow for the introduction of innovation in a way that maximizes the benefit for patients while minimizing the harm that can result from the introduction of new techniques after inadequate training. This goal is consistent with basic biomedical principles that govern the behavior of surgeons. Individuals who place themselves in the role of a teacher of surgeons accept another level of responsibility and are governed not only by biomedical ethics but also by the ethics of teaching. Adherence to these two different governing ethical principles compels these teachers to apply the best educational principles in the development of educational courses. Review of motor skill learning theory would suggest that effective feedback and adequate practice opportunities are essential for the acquisition of motor skill and should be integrated into all skills-type continuing medical educational courses. The present trend is toward more objectivity in skill evaluation although evidence that this actually improves evaluation is lacking. Curriculum development and evaluation of this specific type of training course should follow those general principles proposed for the development of effective continuing medical education.</p>","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 4","pages":"206-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22191434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Minimal access surgery is a good example of medicine in the postmodern era. It embodies the problems we see in both medicine and society that affect the way physicians and patients interact. The purpose of this article is to evaluate and assess the impact of these factors on the focused relationship between the physician and patient. We will discuss how minimal access surgery may be the start of a "new medicine" to benefit both patient and physician.
{"title":"Does minimal access mean minimal relationship? Defining the physician-patient relationship in postmodern culture.","authors":"Daniel A Beals","doi":"10.1053/slas.2002.36469","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1053/slas.2002.36469","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Minimal access surgery is a good example of medicine in the postmodern era. It embodies the problems we see in both medicine and society that affect the way physicians and patients interact. The purpose of this article is to evaluate and assess the impact of these factors on the focused relationship between the physician and patient. We will discuss how minimal access surgery may be the start of a \"new medicine\" to benefit both patient and physician.</p>","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 4","pages":"218-21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22191437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current training in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is inadequate given the demands of patients on practitioners and the number of surgeons and residents who still need to be trained. The training that is provided is neither widespread nor is it standardized, resulting in graduate surgeons with a wide range of competence. There is little guidance in what a training program needs to be effective. We provide a brief review of the state of the art of MIS training with some emphasis given to training methods including perceptual motor training, MIS learning laboratories, virtual reality, evaluation and assessment, cost, simulation fidelity, credentialing, certification, privileging, and ergonomics. We conclude that the state of the art is left wanting.
{"title":"Training and educational approaches to minimally invasive surgery: state of the art.","authors":"Adrian Park, Donald B Witzke","doi":"10.1053/slas.2002.36468","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1053/slas.2002.36468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Current training in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is inadequate given the demands of patients on practitioners and the number of surgeons and residents who still need to be trained. The training that is provided is neither widespread nor is it standardized, resulting in graduate surgeons with a wide range of competence. There is little guidance in what a training program needs to be effective. We provide a brief review of the state of the art of MIS training with some emphasis given to training methods including perceptual motor training, MIS learning laboratories, virtual reality, evaluation and assessment, cost, simulation fidelity, credentialing, certification, privileging, and ergonomics. We conclude that the state of the art is left wanting.</p>","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 4","pages":"198-205"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22191433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We review our experience with gastrostomy techniques in neurologically impaired (NI) children, with or without a Nissen fundoplication. The records of 130 NI children who had a gastrostomy tube (GT) placed between January 1999 and October 2001 were reviewed. Data collected included: demographics, neurological status, operative time, time to first feed, postoperative stay, analgesic requirements, follow-up, mortality and complication rates. Open GTs were placed using the standard Stamm gastrostomy technique through a midline incision and were combined with a standard open Nissen fundoplication when indicated. Laparoscopic GTs were placed after institution of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum using a 2-port technique, a Mic-key G device of appropriate size and anchored to the anterior abdominal wall with 2 "U" stitches. The laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) procedures were performed using a 5-port technique. Patients were divided into 4 groups: group I (n = 12) laparoscopic GT alone, group II (n = 44) open GT alone, Group III (n = 44) laparoscopic GT with LNF and Group IV (n = 30) open GT with Nissen fundoplication. Based on their similar characteristics, Groups I and II and Groups III and IV were compared together. Data were analysed using Student's t test, and internal review board approval was obtained. Patients ranged in age between 10 days and 17.7 years (mean 3.64 years). Their weight was between 1.2 and 63.4 kg (mean 12.8 kg). The compared groups showed similar characteristics with regard to age, weight, cause of mental impairment, and the reason for placement of the GT. The operative time for group III was significantly longer than that of group IV (P < 0.05). Time to first feed was significantly shorter for group I when compared to group II. The postoperative analgesic requirements were not statistically different. The overall short- and long-term complication rates were not statistically different when the related groups were compared, however, site-related complications and feeding problems were significantly less in group I compared to group II. Only 1 operative mortality occurred in group III. Follow-up showed less long-term morbidity and fewer complications with the laparoscopic GT compared to the open one as regard to admissions, surgery, and emergency department visits related to GT problems as well as frequency of GT change. Based on our experience, laparoscopic placement of a low-profile GT in NI children appears to be associated with less morbidity, permits earlier enteral nutrition, and has a cosmetic advantage. We believe that the laparoscopic technique should be the procedure of choice for GT placement in these children even when a Nissen fundoplication is deemed necessary.
{"title":"Gastroesophageal reflux disease in neurologically impaired children: the role of the gastrostomy tube.","authors":"George M Wadie, Thom E Lobe","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We review our experience with gastrostomy techniques in neurologically impaired (NI) children, with or without a Nissen fundoplication. The records of 130 NI children who had a gastrostomy tube (GT) placed between January 1999 and October 2001 were reviewed. Data collected included: demographics, neurological status, operative time, time to first feed, postoperative stay, analgesic requirements, follow-up, mortality and complication rates. Open GTs were placed using the standard Stamm gastrostomy technique through a midline incision and were combined with a standard open Nissen fundoplication when indicated. Laparoscopic GTs were placed after institution of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum using a 2-port technique, a Mic-key G device of appropriate size and anchored to the anterior abdominal wall with 2 \"U\" stitches. The laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) procedures were performed using a 5-port technique. Patients were divided into 4 groups: group I (n = 12) laparoscopic GT alone, group II (n = 44) open GT alone, Group III (n = 44) laparoscopic GT with LNF and Group IV (n = 30) open GT with Nissen fundoplication. Based on their similar characteristics, Groups I and II and Groups III and IV were compared together. Data were analysed using Student's t test, and internal review board approval was obtained. Patients ranged in age between 10 days and 17.7 years (mean 3.64 years). Their weight was between 1.2 and 63.4 kg (mean 12.8 kg). The compared groups showed similar characteristics with regard to age, weight, cause of mental impairment, and the reason for placement of the GT. The operative time for group III was significantly longer than that of group IV (P < 0.05). Time to first feed was significantly shorter for group I when compared to group II. The postoperative analgesic requirements were not statistically different. The overall short- and long-term complication rates were not statistically different when the related groups were compared, however, site-related complications and feeding problems were significantly less in group I compared to group II. Only 1 operative mortality occurred in group III. Follow-up showed less long-term morbidity and fewer complications with the laparoscopic GT compared to the open one as regard to admissions, surgery, and emergency department visits related to GT problems as well as frequency of GT change. Based on our experience, laparoscopic placement of a low-profile GT in NI children appears to be associated with less morbidity, permits earlier enteral nutrition, and has a cosmetic advantage. We believe that the laparoscopic technique should be the procedure of choice for GT placement in these children even when a Nissen fundoplication is deemed necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 3","pages":"180-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22090611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Although laparoscopic fundoplication is now performed commonly in children, its long-term results in neurologically impaired (NI) children is unknown. We present a single surgeon's experience. During an 8.5 year period, 54 consecutive NI children (age 5 months to 16 years; weight 2.7 to 42 kg) who had failed medical treatment for severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER) underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication without (7) or with (47) gastrostomy. Indications for surgery included failure to thrive and feeding difficulties in all, major vomiting in 42, recurrent chest infections in 44, and inability to take oral medication in 14. Hiatus hernia was present in 14 and delayed gastric emptying in 6 patients. Eight (15%) had undergone previous abdominal surgery. Access was modified according to individual anatomy and 4 or 5 cannulae were used in each patient. Postoperative epidural/morphine analgesia was used in the first 12 to 24 hours, and fluid intake and feeding were started on day 1 and 2, respectively. The average operating time for fundoplication was 2.2 hours (range 1.05 to 3) and for fundoplication and gastrostomy 2.3 hours (range 1.22 to 4.10). Three patients had conversion to open surgery (1 perforated esophagus, 1 hypercarbia and hepatomegaly, 1 camera failure). There were no other operative complications or mortality. One child with Down syndrome developed a food bolus obstruction 3 days postoperatively. The vast majority of patients were discharged home 3 to 4 days following fundoplication and 5 to 7 days following fundoplication and gastrostomy. Postoperative gas bloat was common, diarrhea developed in 4, dumping in 3, and major gastrostomy infection in 1 case. During follow-up (median 5.2, range 3 months to 8.6 years), 9 (16%) children showed signs of persistent/recurrent problems. Investigations showed a recurrent hiatus hernia in 1 (requiring re-operation) and minor reflux in 3 patients. To date 6 (11%) children have died of their background conditions. In NI children, laparoscopic fundoplication is safe and successful. Awareness of the differences in access and risks for NI and normal children is important. Compared with historical data for open technique, laparoscopic fundoplication produces lower mortality and morbidity and similar intermediate and long-term results.
{"title":"Results of laparoscopic antireflux procedures in neurologically impaired children.","authors":"A Pimpalwar, A Najmaldin","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although laparoscopic fundoplication is now performed commonly in children, its long-term results in neurologically impaired (NI) children is unknown. We present a single surgeon's experience. During an 8.5 year period, 54 consecutive NI children (age 5 months to 16 years; weight 2.7 to 42 kg) who had failed medical treatment for severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER) underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication without (7) or with (47) gastrostomy. Indications for surgery included failure to thrive and feeding difficulties in all, major vomiting in 42, recurrent chest infections in 44, and inability to take oral medication in 14. Hiatus hernia was present in 14 and delayed gastric emptying in 6 patients. Eight (15%) had undergone previous abdominal surgery. Access was modified according to individual anatomy and 4 or 5 cannulae were used in each patient. Postoperative epidural/morphine analgesia was used in the first 12 to 24 hours, and fluid intake and feeding were started on day 1 and 2, respectively. The average operating time for fundoplication was 2.2 hours (range 1.05 to 3) and for fundoplication and gastrostomy 2.3 hours (range 1.22 to 4.10). Three patients had conversion to open surgery (1 perforated esophagus, 1 hypercarbia and hepatomegaly, 1 camera failure). There were no other operative complications or mortality. One child with Down syndrome developed a food bolus obstruction 3 days postoperatively. The vast majority of patients were discharged home 3 to 4 days following fundoplication and 5 to 7 days following fundoplication and gastrostomy. Postoperative gas bloat was common, diarrhea developed in 4, dumping in 3, and major gastrostomy infection in 1 case. During follow-up (median 5.2, range 3 months to 8.6 years), 9 (16%) children showed signs of persistent/recurrent problems. Investigations showed a recurrent hiatus hernia in 1 (requiring re-operation) and minor reflux in 3 patients. To date 6 (11%) children have died of their background conditions. In NI children, laparoscopic fundoplication is safe and successful. Awareness of the differences in access and risks for NI and normal children is important. Compared with historical data for open technique, laparoscopic fundoplication produces lower mortality and morbidity and similar intermediate and long-term results.</p>","PeriodicalId":79535,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in laparoscopic surgery","volume":"9 3","pages":"190-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"22090612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}