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Declining Role of Fundoplication in Esophageal Atresia, Too

July 31, 2018 7:09 am

A recent study (SA Pellegrino et al. J Pediatr 2018; 198: 60-6) examines the likelihood of redo fundoplication for esophageal atresia (EA) in comparison to redo fundoplication for other indications.

Key findings:

Among all EA cases, n=344 (1994-2013), 85 underwent fundoplication (single-center study from Melbourne)
Rates of fundoplication were declining over study period: there was a 37% drop from 2010-2013 compared to 1994-97.
Overall, 767 patients had a fundoplication (n=682 without EA). The rates of redo fundoplication were similar 11/85 compared with 53/682, despite the fact that EA patients had earlier surgery with median ages of 7.2 months versus 23 months, respectively.

Factors leading to fewer fundoplications:

Improving medical therapies, including proton pump inhibitors and use of jejunal feedings
Awareness that fundoplication may not be curative and is associated with significant morbidity

Anecdotally, I have had some EA patients whose lives were transformed positively by fundoplication, though many are difficult operations due to anatomic factors like small gastric volumes and pulmonary issues. Careful selection and surgical expertise are essential to good outcomes.

My take: The authors note that “this study challenges the assertion that fundoplicaiton is less successful in patients with EA.”

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