title: Laparoscopic technique to perform a true Stamm gastrostomy in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A surgical gastrostomy is mandatory in cases where a PEG is not feasible. Various minimally invasive techniques have been described, but many involve unusable materials in small children and/or have risk of disunion. We describe a technique for true Stamm gastrostomy performed by laparoscopy (LSG) with a purse string suture and four points of attachment onto the wall.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 20 children who underwent an LSG from 2010 to 2013. After incision of the skin at the location planned for the gastrostomy, using three 3-5mm ports the stomach is fixed to the wall by three suspension stitches, which are entered and then emerged subcutaneously. A fourth stitch of attachment is used to make an award on the stomach and tie around the gastrostomy tube.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 4.2 years, with 70% aged <2 years. All children were malnourished, most often severely. All but two underwent a concomitant fundoplication. Feeding through the gastrostomy started on D0 or D1. Total feeding by gastrostomy was achieved in a mean duration of 2.9 day. Mean hospital stay was 4.5 days. There was no perioperative complication. Mean follow-up was 14 months. Once, the balloon was accidently deflated and reinflated in the wall leading to its necrosis. Five peristomial granulomas were noticed. It was always possible to replace the tube by a gastrostomy device at least 6 weeks after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new technique for true Stamm gastrostomy by laparoscopy reproduces exactly the one done by laparotomy, without special equipment. It can be made since the neonatal period, in all the circumstances when a laparoscopy is possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: sabine.vasseur@chuv.ch.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vasseur Maurer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: olivier.reinberg@chuv.ch.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Reinberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D018662:Fundoplication; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D009336:Necrosis / Q000209:etiology; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013536:Suture Techniques
keywords: Gastrostomy; Laparoscopy; Stamm