Acid Reflux Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acid Reflux, including details on diet, gerd (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), treatment, symptoms.

The current role of laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants and children.

Lobe TE

University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA. lobet2@ihs.org

BACKGROUND: The benefits of surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants and children have been questioned in the recent literature. The goal of this review was to determine the best current practice for the diagnosis and management of this disease. METHODS: The literature was reviewed for all recent English language publications on the management of GERD in 8- to 10-year-old patients. RESULTS: In infants and children, GERD has multiple etiologies, and an understanding of these is important for determining which patients are the best surgical candidates. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have become the mainstay of current treatment for primary GERD. Although laparoscopic surgery appears to be better than open surgery, there remains some morbidity and complications that careful patient selection can minimize. CONCLUSION: Surgery for GERD should be performed only after failure of medical management or for specific problems that mandate it.

Published 12 January 2007 in Surg Endosc, 21(2): 167-74.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Acid Reflux Research Today. All Rights Reserved.