title: Management of gastroesophageal reflux associated with malrotation in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Children being investigated for gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) have a high incidence of malrotation. Current literature suggests these patients should be managed with a combined antireflux and Ladd's procedure. We review our experience, the largest series to date, of performing an elective Ladd's procedure as the first-line intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case note review of 20 children with significant symptoms of GOR and an incidental finding of malrotation. Children presenting immediately with bilious vomiting were excluded. All patients underwent a Ladd's procedure as their sole primary operative intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median age at operation was 7 months (21 days-12 years). Fifteen patients (75%) had evidence of reflux on barium contrast study. All children were followed up for at least 6 months. Eighteen (90%) had resolution or significant improvement of their symptoms postsurgery. Only 3 have not managed to tolerate a full oral diet, all unrelated to GOR. None of our series required an antireflux procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In children with debilitating vomiting necessitating surgical management, a contrast study is imperative in the work up. The high incidence of GOR and the significant improvement after correction of malrotation show the relationship between delayed gastric emptying and GOR. We suggest that when an abnormally placed duodenojejunal flexure is found, a Ladd's procedure alone is sufficient and may obviate the need for a more invasive antireflux procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sonia G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Tiboni
authors.forename: Yatin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Lander
authors.forename: Dakshesh H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jawaheer
authors.forename: G Suren
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Arul
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004065:Digestive System Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005183:Failure to Thrive / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000601:surgery