Laparoscopic fundoplication to enhance pulmonary function in children with severe reactive airway disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between severe reactive airway disease (RAD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been noted but the relationship is poorly understood. This study reports our experience with laparoscopic fundoplication and its effect on the pulmonary status of children with severe steroid-dependent reactive airway disease.


METHODS
Fifty-six patients with severe steroid-dependent RAD and medically refractory GERD underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications. Mean age was 7 years and mean weight was 20 kg. All patients had the procedure completed successfully laparoscopically with an average operative time of 62 min. Average hospital stay was 1.6 days.


RESULTS
Forty-eight of 56 patients noted significant improvement in their respiratory symptoms in the first week. Fifty of 56 patients have been weaned off their oral steroids and four others have had a greater than 50% decrease in their dose. Sixteen patients had a documented increase in their FEV1 in the initial postoperative period (avg. 26%).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with steroid-dependent RAD and GERD refractory to medical management show improvement in their respiratory status following fundoplication and the majority can be weaned off of their oral steroids. Laparoscopic techniques allow this procedure to be performed safely even in this high-risk group of patients.
Rothenberg
S S
SS
National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian/St Luke's Medical Center for Children, Denver, CO, 80218 USA.
Bratton
D
D
Larsen
G
G
Deterding
R
R
Milgrom
H
H
Brugman
S
S
Boguniewicz
M
M
Copenhaver
S
S
White
C
C
Wagener
J
J
Fan
L
L
Chang
J
J
Stathos
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests