Quality of Life Improves Following Laparoscopic Hemifundoplication in Neurologically Non-Impaired Children with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background Quality of life (QOL) data following pediatric fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are rare. Present study assessed the QOL in neurologically non-impaired children before and after laparoscopic hemifundoplication (LHF) in comparison to healthy controls. Methods PedsQL (TM) questionnaires assessed data on gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) and general well-being (GWB) were compared in a propensity score-matched analysis (60 patients' pairs for time-point of surgery and 51 for follow-up). Results Preoperatively, the LHF group had more GIS (72.2 +/- 53.9 vs. 38.8 +/- 31.6; p < 0.001) and a lower GWB (16.7 +/- 5.5 vs. 23.8 +/- 3.5, p < 0.001) compared with controls. Postoperatively, GIS decreased significantly (74.3 +/- 52.9 vs. 36.3 +/- 33.5; p < 0.001) and the GWB was significantly higher (16.2 +/- 6.0 vs. 20.8 +/- 5.8; p < 0.001). GIS were similar in the LHF and control groups (39.1 +/- 36.4 vs. 40.1 +/- 31.0; p = 0.885) but GWB was lower in the LHF group than the control group (20.5 +/- 6.3 vs. 23.4 +/- 3.9; p = 0.009). Conclusions QOL significantly improves after LHF in neurologically non-impaired children.

Automated summary

Quality of life significantly improves in neurologically non-impaired children after laparoscopic hemifundoplication (LHF).