Surgical Gastrostomy in Children

Overview

At the Clinic of Paediatric Surgery in Prague Motol in 1996 - 2001 32 open gastrostomies were performed inchildren at the age from 1 day to 12 years. 84.4% children were under 2 years and 37.5% were operated duringthe first week of their life. Indication was impaired coordination of the swallowing act in children with psychomotorretardation in 43.8%, atresia of the oesophagus with associated complications in 40.6%, other causes 15.6%. Inall children with psychomotor retardation at the same time also fundoplication according to Nissen was performed.In all patients a gastrostomy according to Stamm was established. Intake into the gastrostomy was started onaverage on the 5th day after surgery, complete intake into the gastrostomy was on average on the 13th day aftersurgery. Early complications-suppuration in the area of the gastrostomic catheter developed in two instances. Othercomplications were not directly associated with the gastrostomy.The advantage of surgical gastrostomy is the rapid surgical operation, the relatively low cost, few seriouscomplications, easy exchange of the gastrostomic catheter and its possible exchange for a gastrostomic button. Inindicated cases at the same time an antireflux plastic operation can be performed.With regard to the advantages and structure of diagnoses of patients at the Clinic of Paediatric Surgery surgicalgastrostomy can be considered a fully satisfactory approach.

Key words:
gastrostomy, fundoplication, psychomotor retardation