[Chronic idiopathic gastric volvulus in children].

OBJECTIVE

We report clinical, radiograpic and instrumental data about 18 cases of gastric chronic idiopathic volvulus observed since 1997 to june 2000.

METHOD: All cases diagnosed by barium meal, performed for vomiting or after a pHmetric esophageal monitoring, in cases of atipical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

RESULTS

All patients underwent a conservative treatment (antireflux position and procinectics): 5 recovered after 1 year of treatment and 13 were operated on because they did not improve during medical therapy or relapsed after the end of conservative treatment.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal position of the stomach is not an absolute indication for surgical treatment. When medical treatment does not obtain improvement in symptoms, surgical option has to be discussed.