Majority of GERD patients can control heartburn with medications and lifestyle change. For others not responding for GERD treatment need surgery.
GERD surgery - Nissen Fundoplication
All surgical procedures carry risk, GERD surgery is not the exception. You should consider surgery only if other treatments failed to produce result.
Surgery procedure for GERD is known as Nissen Fundoplication, which seeks to improve the barrier between the esophagus and stomach by strengthen the LES. In this procedure, excess stomach tissue is fold around the esophagus and sewn in place. This puts extra pressure around the weakened esophageal sphincter.
This GERD surgery can done using laparoscopic (camera-guided instruments). Laparoscopic surgery requires smaller incisions than conventional surgery.
Who are suitable for GERD surgery?
Surgery is preferred for people with
- Severe and difficult to manage GERD symptoms.
- People who have complications such as asthma, pneumonia, or scar tissue in the esophagus.
- People who do not want to be on acid blocking medication for long time.
How successful are the GERD surgery?
This surgical procedure shows moderate success at controlling reflux, some people have a lasting bothersome side effect after surgery. Some potential side effects include swallowing difficulty, diarrhea and the inability to belch or vomit to relieve bloating or nausea.