Current thinking on the role of surgery in gastroesophageal reflux

Pediatr Clin North Am. 1985 Oct;32(5):1165-79. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(16)34910-0.

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux is common in infants and children. In most cases it causes little more than inconvenience and remits spontaneously with time and maturation. A small and select group of refluxing children, however, will develop complications of reflux severe enough to justify operative control when medical treatment fails. Recurrent pulmonary infections, obstructive apnea, nutritional wasting, and progressive inflammatory injury to the esophagus all qualify as surgical indications, provided a reasonable cause-effect relationship with reflux can be established. The procedure of choice depends very much upon the skill and experience of the surgeon. The complete fundoplication seems to offer more complete control of reflux, but it has the potential for more frequent and more complicated side-effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Barium Sulfate
  • Child
  • Enema
  • Esophagitis / physiopathology
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Failure to Thrive / physiopathology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / diagnosis
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / physiopathology
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / surgery*
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Infant
  • Manometry
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Respiration Disorders / physiopathology

Substances

  • Barium Sulfate