Fundoplication Surgery for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Surgery Overview During fundoplication surgery, the upper curve of the stomach (the fundus) is wrapped around the esophagus lower esophageal sphincter
This procedure can be done through the belly or the chest. The chest approach is often used if a person is overweight or has a short esophagus. This procedure is often done using laparoscopic If a person has a hiatal hernia gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
What To Expect
If open surgery (which requires a large incision) is done, you will most likely spend several days in the hospital. After open surgery, you may need 4 to 6 weeks to get back to work or your normal routine.
If the laparoscopic method is used, you will most likely be in the hospital for only 2 to 3 days. You will have less pain after surgery. That's because there is no large incision to heal. After laparoscopic surgery, most people can go back to work or their normal routine in about 2 to 3 weeks, depending on their work.
After either surgery, you may need to change the way you eat. You may need to eat only soft foods until the surgery heals. And make sure to chew food thoroughly and eat more slowly. This gives give the food time to go down the esophagus.
Why It Is Done
Fundoplication surgery is most often used to treat GERD symptoms that are likely to be caused in part by a hiatal hernia and that have not been well controlled by medicines. The surgery may also be used for some people who don't have a hiatal hernia. Surgery also may be an option when:
Treatment with medicines does not completely relieve your symptoms, and the remaining symptoms are proved to be caused by reflux of stomach juices. You do not want or, because of side effects, you can't take medicines long-term to control your GERD symptoms, and you accept the risks of surgery. You have symptoms that don't improve enough when treated with medicines. Examples of these symptoms are asthma, hoarseness, and cough along with reflux. Load More Information about Fundoplication Surgery for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
How Well It Works
In most people who have laparoscopic surgery for GERD, the surgery improves symptoms and heals the damage done to the esophagus.footnote 1 Over time, some people have symptoms come back, have esophagitis come back, need to take medicine for symptoms, or need another operation.footnote 1 Surgery can cause new and bothersome symptoms. Over time, some people have trouble swallowing, more flatulence (gas), and/or trouble belching.footnote 1 Risks
Risks or complications after fundoplication surgery include:
Trouble swallowing because the stomach is wrapped too high on the esophagus or is wrapped too tightly. The esophagus sliding out of the wrapped portion of the stomach so that the valve (lower esophageal sphincter Heartburn that comes back. Bloating and discomfort from gas buildup because the person can't burp. Excess gas. Risks of anesthesia. Risks of major surgery (infection or bleeding). For some people, the side effects of surgery—bloating caused by gas buildup, swallowing problems, pain at the surgical site—are as bothersome as GERD symptoms. The surgery can't be reversed. And in some cases it may not be possible to relieve the symptoms of these complications, even with a second surgery.
References
Citations British Journal of Surgery , 94(2): 198–203.Credits
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Lundell L, et al. (2007). Seven-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing proton-pump inhibition with surgical therapy for reflux oesophagitis. British Journal of Surgery , 94(2): 198–203.
