Prognostic value of esophageal manometry in antireflux surgery in childhood.

To assess the predictive value of preoperative esophageal manometric study in the outcome of antireflux surgery, 14 children with severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER) who underwent surgery were studied retrospectively. Five patients had neuromuscular disease; one had been operated on for esophageal atresia. After extended (> 20 h) esophageal pH monitoring and/or barium swallow study, all patients underwent preoperative manometric study. After surgery, the patients were followed for 4 months to 4 years. Functional complications were noted after mechanical complications were eliminated. All patients had normal upper esophageal sphincter pressure (UESp); the resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESp) was decreased in four patients, and seven had esophageal body motility trouble. Functional complications occurred in two patients. One was a neurologically involved patient who had had a normal preoperative manometric study; the other was the patient who had been operated on for esophageal atresia. No complications occurred in four patients who had had abnormal preoperative manometric studies. We conclude that, in this group of patients, esophageal manometric study has no predictive value in the outcome of the surgical procedure; however, it still would be interesting to elucidate the mechanisms of GER, especially in congenital abnormalities such as esophageal atresia.