Fundoplication without esophagocrural sutures: Long-term follow-up of a randomized clinical trial
Topic overview
Long-term follow-up study (median 8.7 years) of randomized trial comparing fundoplication with versus without esophagocrural sutures. Results showed no difference in wrap herniation, reflux symptoms, or complications between groups, supporting the safety of omitting EC sutures when no esophageal dissection is performed.
Key takeaways
- Esophagocrural sutures may be safely omitted during fundoplication when no esophageal dissection is performed.
- No wrap herniation occurred in either group at median 8.7-year follow-up, regardless of EC suture use.
- Omitting EC sutures did not increase rates of reflux recurrence, pneumonia, FTT, or BRUE at long-term follow-up.
- Simplified fundoplication technique without EC sutures shows durable symptom control over nearly 9 years.
- 70% survey response rate at 6.5+ years demonstrates feasibility of long-term pediatric surgical outcomes research.
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