To evaluate the efficacy and safety of open and laparoscopic procedure for hiatal hernia repair with fundoplication in pediatric patients.

From January 2008 to January 2018, 42 cases of children with hiatal hernia were treated with open and laparoscopic repair of esophageal hiatal hernia with fundoplication. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and compared. The data included: operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain, postoperative feeding time, postoperative hospital stay, length of incision, and incidence of postoperative complications.

Chief complaints of patients include vomiting, acid reflux, repeated respiratory infections, refractory anemia, malnutrition, and physical examination findings. Among them, 20 underwent open surgery and 22 underwent laparoscopic surgery. There was no differences on gender, age, and weight between the two groups. Ages from 6month to 14 years old. One laparoscopic operation was converted to open procedure. All operations were successfully completed. Each group had one postoperative recurrence. Laparoscopic surgery group significantly better than the open surgery group on postoperative eating time, postoperative hospital stay, incision length, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain, postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05).

Open and laparoscopic repair with fundoplication of hiatal hernia are all safe and effective treatment methods for pediatric patients. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of short postoperative fasting time, rapid postoperative recovery, and beautiful appearance.