Short-term parent reported recovery following open and laparoscopic fundoplication
jpedsurg.org shows its articles on its own site.
Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Dec 2019 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
This RCT comparing laparoscopic versus open fundoplication in 55 children found no significant difference in parent-reported recovery outcomes at one month postoperatively. Most children returned to normal activities within two weeks regardless of surgical approach, challenging the assumption of faster recovery with minimally invasive technique.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Background
It is assumed that children recover faster after laparoscopic (LF) than after open fundoplication (OF). As this has not been confirmed in any randomized study (RCT), we have in a subsection of a larger RCT compared parent reported recovery of children after LF and OF.
Methods
Postoperative symptoms, use of analgesics, overall well-being, and time to return to school/day-care were recorded in a subsection of children enrolled in a RCT comparing LF and OF. Ethical approval and parental consent were obtained.
Results
Fifty-five children (LF: n = 27, OF: n = 28) of the 88 enrolled in the RCT, were included in the short term follow up on parent reported recovery. Caregivers were interviewed median 28 days [interquartile range (IQR) 22–36] postoperatively. There was no significant difference regarding improvement in overall well-being (LF: 63%, OF: 68%, p = 0.70), new-onset dysphagia (LF: 30%, OF: 18%, p = 0.08), use of analgesics (LF: 15%, OF: 14%, p = 1.00), or time to return to school/day-care (LF: median 7 days [IQR 5–14] vs. OF: 12 days [IQR 7–15], p = 0.35).
Conclusion
We could not demonstrate faster recovery after LF than after OF. Most children had returned to school/day-care after 2 weeks and had improved overall well-being 1 month after surgery.
Type of study
Randomized controlled trial.
Level of evidence
Level II.