Characterization and management of paraesophageal hernias in children after antireflux operation

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the important factors in the development and subsequent treatment of postoperative paraesophageal hernia (PPEH). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 464 consecutive children (ages 3 days to 18 years) for PPEH after a primary antireflux operation performed at a Children's Hospital and University Hospital between 1985 and 1997. All operations included a crural repair, but the Nissen fundoplication was performed with (n = 162) and without (n = 70) plication of the esophagus to the crus at 3 points. Patients with and without PPEH were compared with respect to the type of antireflux operation, the patient's age at operation, and the preoperative and postoperative clinical courses. A preoperative corrected gastric emptying value was obtained from a radionuclide gastric emptying study in 289 patients. The treatment of PPEH also was examined. RESULTS: The incidence of PPEH in our patients was 4.5% (21 of 464). Although there was a lower incidence of PPEH in patients with crural plication compared with patients without crural plication during Nissen fundoplication (5 of 162, 3% v 7 of 70, 10%; P = .035), 2 patients with crural plication had a postoperative esophageal leak. Patients with PPEH had a significantly increased prevalence of gagging before the initial antireflux operation compared with patients without PPEH (3 of 21, 14.3% v 7 of 443, 1.6%; P = .007). A higher prevalence of slow corrected gastric emptying preoperatively also was seen in patients with PPEH compared with patients without PPEH (8 of 15, 53% v 79 of 274, 29%; P = .046). The prevalences of central nervous system disease, young age (<6 months) at initial operation, and a particular type of antireflux operation were not higher in patients with PPEH. Nine patients with a small PPEH treated by simple observation alone subsequently had resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have gagging or slow corrected gastric emptying before an antireflux operation are at higher risk for a postoperative paraesophageal hernia. Patients with a small postoperative paraesophageal hernia can be treated nonoperatively. Crural plication of the esophagus during Nissen fundoplication reduces the occurrence of postoperative paraesophageal hernia, but also may result in significant morbidity.