What is the Nissen Fundoplication? ~part 2~


~continued from previous page~















 What happens before surgery:  

  • Calm: It will be your job to maintain a calm atmosphere prior to surgery. If you are calm, your child is likely to feel better.
  • Diet: Your child will be on a restricted diet for a few hours prior to the surgery. Generally, there is nothing given by mouth for approximately 6 hours before surgery is scheduled.
  • Medication: Your child may be offered a sedative prior to the surgery.
  • Anesthetic: The Anestheologist will likely come in and examine your child (this may or may not happen prior to surgery).


    Following the surgery you may expect:  

  • Coming round after the anesthetic: Immediately after the operation your child will most likely be transferred to the recovery area until they are awake. Some patients feel a bit sick for up to 24 hours after operation, but this feeling passes. They may be given medication to prevent nausea as it is important not to vomit as this might disrupt the repair. They may be given oxygen through a facemask for a few hours. The child will probably be connected to an IV for a while after surgery, possibly as long as 24 hours or more.
  • If you have the Laparoscopic Fundoplication typically the child will have five or sometimes six Band-Aid type dressing on your child's abdomen. The stitches underneath will be absorbed and not require removal.
  • If your child had the open incision Fundoplication they will likely have: a naso-gastric tube passed through your nose to your stomach to keep it empty, an oxygen face mask or oxygen nasal prongs, a long wound with an absorbable stitch under the skin, and a dressing over the wound
  • Nasogastric Tube: This type of tube, also called an NG tube, is threaded through the child's nose and throat and down into the stomach. It is attached to suction, which will keep the stomach empty. It may also help to get the child's bowels working. Food or medicine is sometimes given through the tube.
  • Gastrostomy Tube: This soft tube is often positioned in the stomach during the operation. After surgery, it is used for feeding while the new stomach valve heals. It will usually be left in place for only a short time.
  • Postural Drainage: This treatment helps loosen the sputum in the lungs to ease breathing. A nurse will lightly tap the child's back and chest, either manually or with a small machine, to break up the sputum and make it easier to cough up.
  • Eating: When your doctor can hear bowel sounds (stomach growling) through a stethoscope, the child will be ready to eat. Starts with ice chips first, then add liquids (water, broth, apple juice, or soda). If the child has no problems with the liquids, you can offer soft foods such as ice cream, applesauce, or custard.
  • Bowel Movements: It is quite normal for the child not to have a bowel movement for a day or so after the operation. If they have not had one after 2 days and feel uncomfortable, ask the nurses for a laxative. Sometimes diarrhea follows the operation at first but this settles down in time. Ask the surgeon if you are troubled by it.
  • Passing urine: It is important that your child pass urine and empty their bladder within 6-12 hours of the operation. If they cannot pass urine let the nurses know and steps will be taken to correct the problem. Sometimes a tube (catheter) is passed into the bladder to drain urine out into a bag at operation. This tube is typically removed 3 or 4 days after operation.


    Medicines:

  • Antibiotics: These medicines help prevent bacterial infection. They may be given by IV, as a shot, or by mouth.
  • Pain Medicine: To ease pain after the operation, your doctor will probably prescribe medication to be given by IV, as a shot, and/or by mouth.
  • Anti-Nausea Medicine: This medicine calms the stomach and controls vomiting. Your doctor may prescribe it along with pain medicine, which sometimes upsets the stomach.
     

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    Please note: the information provided on this website is a combination of research and experience of parents. Please discuss any concerns with your doctor. The goal of this page is not to push or dissuade anyone in regard to the Fundo, but only to paint a broader picture.
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