Laura's Fundoplication Story

Laura´s fundoplication was performed by open surgury

This is laura (above)

We made the decision to have a Nissen fundoplication in January 2001.It was found that Laura had a Short oesophagus and Hiatus Hernia and therefore would be a long term refluxer. Her health was suffering and her vomiting was very anti-social. Medication was not helping either.

She was scheduled to have the operation on April 11th 2001.I was extremely nervous but, we had told Laura what was happening and she said"will I stop being sick, mummy." The hospital dressed a life size doll with the dressings and tubes on it so that laura could see what she would look like after. She was allowed to play with all the bits and bobs. They then moved her bed to the High Dependency Unit and let her play in there as that is where she would be for the next 5 days.

Laura was extremely calm(she was 3 1/2 years). Daddy and I were full of Fear and trepidation but we refused to let Laura see it.

Laura walked down to the theatre at 3pm.I gave her a big kiss and she trustingly went in with Daddy to have her anaesthetic. We do not know how they put her to sleep as,they did a "rapid knock out"due to the fact that she might vomit.

That was the worst 3 hours of my life.We went for a meal but it stuck in my throat.I also cried buckets.

In the operation, they had to bring the hernia down below the diaphragm, lenghthen the oesohagus and wrap the stomach fundus around the oesophagus and fix it by stitching it to the muscle.In laura's case the muscle was not there so a piece of teflon had to suffice.Unusual in a first fundoplication apparently.

At 6pm we went to theatre to bring her back to the wards. She was layed on her bed fast asleep clutching her baby blanket, she looked so peaceful.

I didn't know what to expect as we were told all about the tubes etc.but the worst bit was the naso-gastric tube as That was in place to drain her stomach contents.(not for the squemish)The bag at the end contained alot of blood.She also had a catheter in place for her wee, an IV tube to administer morphine, an IV tube in her foot for fluids and an IV in her hand for anti-biotics and any other drugs needed.

Laura slept mostly for the first 48 hours due to the morphine. They then slowed down the morphine and increased the voltoral as suppositories. She was regularly checked and exact measurements of fluid intake/output were taken.Blood tests were regularly taken also.

On the third day Laura sat up and started drinking small amounts of liquid. She was able to talk and paint and colour.On the 4th day her morphine was withdrawn completely and we were moved to the main ward.She was also able to get out of bed and all her IV lines were removed.

On the 5th day her naso-gastric tube was removed and she started on solids it was Easter Sunday so, lunch consisted of Easter egg, she only ate small amounts but she was off all tubes etc.

We were allowed home on the Easter Monday.Our life drastically altered without haiving her vomit everywhere and she does not suffer the oesophageol pain she used to have .She still has problems, but that is another story.

She is a very brave little girl and we love her to bits. Her scar is breast bone to belly button and she is very proud of it.

Thanks for reading Laura's story

Written by Pennyb (LWR member)