From: trigonometry1972 on
J Pediatr Surg. 2007 Jun;42(6):1098-102.

Watson fundoplication in children: a comparative study with Nissen
fundoplication.

Wagener S, Sudhakaran N, Cusick E.

Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, UK.

BACKGROUND:
Nissen fundoplication is the gold standard antireflux procedure in
children. In 1996, one pediatric surgeon adopted the anterior
fundoplication
described by Watson in 1991. This procedure is reported to achieve
good reflux control while permitting burping, active vomiting, and
reducing gas bloat. An audit project was undertaken to compare the
clinical outcome of children
undergoing Nissen and Watson fundoplication.

METHODS:

The case notes of 144 children undergoing open fundoplication between
February 1995 and February 2002 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS:
Results of 72 boys and 59 girls comprising 76 Nissen and 55 Watson
fundoplications were assessed. In each group, one death occurred
within 1 month of operation. Chest infections occurred in 6.6%
(Nissen) and 1.8% (Watson), and wound infections in 2.6% and 1.8%,
respectively. Dysphagia was recorded in 7.9% of Nissen and 1.8% of
Watson fundoplications. Follow-up data were analyzed in 70 children
with Nissen and 48 children with Watson fundoplication. When overall
clinical outcome was assessed for those patients with a minimum follow-
up of 1 year, 85.1% Nissen and 88.2% Watson were
judged good/excellent; 14.9% Nissen and 11.8% Watson were judged poor/
bad.

CONCLUSION:
Watson fundoplication can safely be performed in children with
comparable clinical outcome to Nissen fundoplication.

PMID: 17560228