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Surgical procedure to treat
gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), which is also called acid reflux or heartburn. A hiatal hernia, if present, may also be fixed during this procedure. A
hiatal hernia
occurs when a portion of the stomach pokes through an opening in the diaphragm (muscel that separates chest and abdominal cavity). This hernia increases the chance and severity of GERD.
- Abdomen
- Stomach
- Esophagus
- Diaphragm, possibly
Fundoplication is used to treat problems related to GERD. The procedure is most often performed for the following reasons:
- Eliminate persistent symptoms that are not relieved by medication
-
Correct a condition contributing to
asthma
symptoms
- Repair a hiatal hernia, which may be responsible for making GERD symptoms worse
- Eliminate the source of serious, long-term complications resulting from too much acid in the esophagus (swallowing tube)
- Pre-existing heart or lung condition
-
Obesity
- Prior upper abdominal surgery
- Recent or chronic illness
- Diabetes
- Prematurity (in babies)
- Neurologic abnormalities
Your doctor will likely do the following:
- Physical exam
-
X-rays
- Endoscopy—use of a tube attached to a viewing device (an endoscope) to examine the inside of the body
The day before and day of your procedure:
- Review your regular medications with the surgeon; you may need to stop taking some.
- Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.
- For the night before, eat a light meal and do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
IV fluids and anesthesia will be administered. A urinary catheter will be placed.
There are two methods used to perform a fundoplication, an open surgical procedure and a laparoscopic procedure.
The surgeon makes a wide incision to expose the stomach and lower esophagus. The surgeon wraps the upper portion of the stomach around the esophagus to create pressure on the sphincter muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. If a hiatal hernia exists, the doctor positions the stomach back in the abdomen and tightens the diaphragm.
The doctor makes a small incision and inserts a laparoscope, which is a thin, flexible instrument that lights the area and allows the doctor to view the inside of the body on a screen. Gas is pumped into the abdomen to improve viewing. Other, small incisions are made in the skin in order to insert the surgical instruments. Using these instruments, the doctor wraps the stomach around the esophagus and, if needed, repairs the hernia.
Certain conditions may complicate a laparoscopic procedure, causing the surgeon to switch to an open approach (eg, Nissen fundoplication). These include: obesity, bleeding problems, and dense scar tissue from a previous surgery.
You'll need to follow a liquid diet at first.
The procedure typically takes
several hours.
Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. You'll likely have some discomfort during recovery, but you'll be given medications to relieve this pain.
- Infection
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive bleeding
- The return of reflux symptoms
- Delayed intestinal functioning or bowel obstruction
- Limited ability to burp or vomit
- Gas pains
- Injury to the esophagus, spleen, or stomach
- Anesthesia-related problems
- Pain, requiring you to be on a liquid diet for an extended period of time
- A wrap that is too loose or too tight, hernia, or recurrent ulcers requiring reoperation
Nissen fundoplication/open procedure: 2-4 days
Laparoscopic procedure: two days or more, depending on your condition
- Walk with assistance the day after surgery.
- Keep the incision area clean and dry.
- You'll start with a liquid diet and gradually progress to solids.
- Once you can tolerate solid foods, eat slowly.
Recovery from an open procedure takes about six weeks, and about two weeks from laparoscopic surgery. The procedure may need to be repeated if the wrap was too tight, the wrap slips, or if a new hernia develops. After a successful fundoplication, you may no longer need to take medication for GERD.
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
- Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea and vomiting
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Pain, burning, urgency, frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
- Pain not relieved by medication
- Difficulty swallowing after the first few weeks
Last reviewed February 2008 by
Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © EBSCO Publishing. All rights reserved.
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