Abstract
ABSTRACT
Neurologically impaired children undergoing antireflux surgery often high rates of complication and recurrence. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a complication that results in recurrence of the gastroesophageal reflux disease. To avoid DGE following laparoscopic fundoplication, the authors routinely perform a technetium 99m sulfur colloid gastric emptying scan before antireflux surgery. If the time required to clear 50% of the gastric contents preoperatively is >60 minutes, then an additional gastric outlet procedure is performed. However, in two cases, DGE was not revealed preoperatively but became evident after laparoscopic fundoplication. This complication was caused by surgical vagal nerve injury in one case and by postoperative peptic ulceration in the other. Preoperative evaluation of DGE and precise laparoscopic procedures are essential to preventing postoperative DGE.
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