Laparoscopic gastrostomy in children with congenital heart disease

AIM: The aim of this study was to study the type and frequency of complications and change in weight after a laparoscopic gastrostomy procedure in 31 children with congenital heart disease, comparing patient groups of children with univentricular and biventricular circulation, and with completed and uncompleted cardiac surgery. METHODS: The method used was that of a retrospective study of all 31 children with congenital heart disease who underwent a laparoscopic gastrostomy at our center from 1995 to 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative complications and body weight changes during follow-up were the main outcome measures used in this study. RESULTS: Minor stoma-related problems were common in both groups. Two severe complications requiring an operative intervention occurred in the univentricular circulation group. Weight was normal at birth, low at the time of the gastrostomy procedure, and did not catch up completely during the follow-up period of a mean of 20 months. There were no significant differences regarding mean weight gain between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate after the laparoscopic gastrostomy procedure was higher in our patient group, compared to previously studied children with various diseases. Comparisons regarding mean weight gain between the groups showed no significant differences. The mean weight gain was low, suggesting that the energy expenditure in this patient group of children with severe congenital heart disease may be even higher than previously assumed.