Does an upper gastrointestinal study change operative management for gastroesophageal reflux?
BACKGROUND
In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, an upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast study is often the initial study performed for those patients being considered for fundoplication. The accuracy of UGI for diagnosing reflux is known to be poor, but there are no data on how often this study influences management. Therefore, we reviewed our experience in patients undergoing fundoplication to quantify the impact of the UGI.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of our most recent 7-year experience with patients undergoing fundoplication was performed. Results of the diagnostic tests and operative course were recorded.


RESULTS
From January 2000 to June 2007, 843 patients underwent fundoplication. An UGI study was obtained in 656 patients. A pH study was also performed in 379 of these patients who had an UGI. The sensitivity of the UGI for reflux compared with pH study was 30.8%. An abnormality besides gastroesophageal reflux disease or hiatal hernia that impacted the operative plan was found on the UGI in 30 patients (4.5%). The most common anomaly was malrotation, which was found in 26 patients (4.0%). Malrotation was confirmed in 16 patients and ruled out in 6 patients during fundoplication, and 4 patients had undergone a previous Ladd procedure. Esophageal dilation was performed in 5 patients with the fundoplication for a stricture found on the UGI. Pyloroplasty was performed with the fundoplication in 2 patients, and 1 patient underwent exploration of the duodenum for possible obstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
The UGI study is a poor study for accurately delineating which patients have pathologic reflux. However, it reveals a finding that may influence management in approximately 4% of cases.
Valusek
Patricia A
PA
Department of Surgery, the Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
St Peter
Shawn D
SD
Keckler
Scott J
SJ
Laituri
Carrie A
CA
Snyder
Charles L
CL
Ostlie
Daniel J
DJ
Holcomb
George W
GW
D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003938:Diagnostic Techniques, Digestive System / Q000639:trends*; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring / Q000639:trends*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies