Thirty-day outcome in children randomized to open and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is considered by some to be superior to open Nissen fundoplication (ONF). To test this hypothesis, we compared early results after LNF and ONF in a randomized trial. Methods: All children accepted for antireflux surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease were offered enrollment. Ethical approval and parental consent were obtained. Anesthesia, surgical methods, and postoperative treatment were standardized. Patient demographics, length of hospital stay (LOS), and complications occurring the first 30 postoperative days were registered. Results: Eighty-eight children were randomized to LNF (n = 44) or ONF (n = 44). The groups were comparable with regard to age, weight, and comorbidity. Duration of surgery was 150 +/- 34 minutes for LNF and 89 +/- 25 minutes for ONF (P < .001). Median LOS was 7.0 days (range, 3-57 days) and 7.5 days (range, 2-20 days) after LNF and ONF, respectively (P = .74). Postoperative complications occurred in 48 patients, 24 in both groups. Twenty-four patients (LNF: n = 12, ONF: n = 11) were readmitted to hospital because of complications occurring after discharge. Conclusions: This study failed to show that LNF is superior to ONF when surgery duration, LOS, and complications occurring during the first postoperative month were compared. Apart from surgery duration, the results were surprisingly similar. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.