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Purpose: Traditional methods for securing a laparoscopic gastrostomy (LG) involve the placement of two monofilament transabdominal (TA) sutures to be removed after a short interval of 5 days. A modified technique employing an absorbable suture tunneled subcutaneously has been adopted by many surgeons. The aim of this study was to compare wound complications between these techniques., Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent LG placement between 2010 and 2016 was conducted, dividing patients into two cohorts by securing stitch type, TA and subcutaneous (SC), and evaluating for complications., Results: A total of 740 children underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy tube (GT) placement, of whom 554 (75%) patients had a TA stitch and the remaining 186 (25%) had a SC stitch. Demographic data were comparable in both groups. The most common wound complication was granulation tissue (22%), dislodgement (19%), external drainage (16%), cellulitis (10%), erosion (3%), and abscess formation (2%). Seven patients required operative revision for dislodgement; TA patients comprised the majority of these patients. Operative times were significantly longer in the SC group (22 minutes versus 28 minutes, P < .05). Rates of granulation, erosion, external and internal leakage, and dislodgement were equivalent between cohorts. There were higher rates of cellulitis (7.3% versus 19%, P < .05) and abscess (0.8% versus 7.6%, P < .05) noted in the SC group. Time to external leakage was significantly earlier in the SC group (P < .05); however, all other complications occurred at comparable times following initial operation. Persistent gastrocutaneous fistula requiring surgical closure occurred at equal rates with no difference in times to closure from GT discontinuation in both groups., Conclusion: While both techniques are feasible, there was a significant increase in infectious complications and operative times observed in the SC stitch patients, suggesting this may not be the optimal securing method.

Robotic fundoplication has equivalent safety profiles, hospital stay, and time to alimentation, compared to laparoscopic fundoplication, but is not indicated for routine repair due to higher cost, decreased availability, and longer procedure time. Robotic surgery does offer key advantages over standard laparoscopy by employing internally articulating arms, a stable camera platform, and three dimensional imaging. Children presenting for initial or redo fundoplication after feeding gastrostomy are a subset of patients that may benefit from the robotic approach. Minimal dissection of the phrenoesophageal ligament, in combination with four anchoring sutures from the esophagus to the crura, has been shown to lead to less wrap herniation in children. This technique is particularly difficult in standard laparoscopy without dislodgement of the gastrostomy, particularly if there are abundant adhesions or a replaced left hepatic artery to preserve. In this article, we present 15 children with neurologic impairment and previous gastrostomy who underwent Nissen fundoplication, using the da Vinci surgical robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). All patients underwent a floppy Nissen fundoplication after crural closure and placement of four anchoring stitches to the crura. Six patients (40%) had redo Nissens and 5 (33.3%) had replaced left hepatic or accessory arteries that were preserved. Seven patients underwent repair of a hiatal hernia and 2 had biologic mesh placed. There were no conversions to open or intraoperative complications. One child had a revision of the gastrostomy site, because the prior percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy had been placed through the transverse mesocolon. There were only a few minor postoperative complications. All children were doing well at latest follow-up (average, 32 months). The da Vinci surgical robot can be used to safely perform fundoplications in patients with gastrostomy tubes. The articulating instruments allow for the optimal placement of four crural tacking sutures, while preserving the gastrostomy, even in the presence of a replaced left hepatic artery.