PURPOSE: Feeding tube access with an antireflux procedure is frequently necessary in children with severe neurological deficits. Fundoplication in this particular group of patients has many complications and a reported failure rate of 40% to 50%. Recently, the use of a feeding Roux-en-Y jejunostomy has been advocated in this population. METHODS: Since December 1993, over a 6-month period, the authors performed 12 Roux-en-Y jejunostomies. All children had documented gastroesophageal reflux. One patient had a prior failed Nissen fundoplication, and none of these patients were feeding significantly by mouth. Postoperative follow-up has been 12 months. RESULTS: There were no deaths in this series. One patient required early revision of the stoma because of marked prolapse. One 11-month-old infant required reoperation 7 days postoperatively because of tube dislodgment. Eight of the 12 patients required out-patient procedures to unplug or replace the jejunostomy tube. CONCLUSION: The operation may be beneficial in a subset of neurologically impaired children who will never be able to ingest significant calories by mouth. It may also be useful after a failed fundoplication. The main postoperative complications were plugging and dislodgment of the jejunostomy tube, which if they occurred early, required x-ray confirmation for catheter placement.
PURPOSE: Feeding tube access with an antireflux procedure is frequently necessary in children with severe neurological deficits. Fundoplication in this particular group of patients has many complications and a reported failure rate of 40% to 50%. Recently, the use of a feeding Roux-en-Y jejunostomy has been advocated in this population. METHODS: Since December 1993, over a 6-month period, the authors performed 12 Roux-en-Y jejunostomies. All children had documented gastroesophageal reflux. One patient had a prior failed Nissen fundoplication, and none of these patients were feeding significantly by mouth. Postoperative follow-up has been 12 months. RESULTS: There were no deaths in this series. One patient required early revision of the stoma because of marked prolapse. One 11-month-old infant required reoperation 7 days postoperatively because of tube dislodgment. Eight of the 12 patients required out-patient procedures to unplug or replace the jejunostomy tube. CONCLUSION: The operation may be beneficial in a subset of neurologically impaired children who will never be able to ingest significant calories by mouth. It may also be useful after a failed fundoplication. The main postoperative complications were plugging and dislodgment of the jejunostomy tube, which if they occurred early, required x-ray confirmation for catheter placement.
Authors: P Godbole; G Margabanthu; D C Crabbe; A Thomas; J W L Puntis; G Abel; R J Arthur; M D Stringer Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2002-02 Impact factor: 3.791