Anti-Reflux Surgery

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic heartburn, which is usually a symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD. It is due to the acid from the stomach refluxing up into the esophagus. It is often frequent enough to have a significant impact on the individual’s quality of life by keeping him from enjoying certain foods or even keeping him up at night. It can also sometimes lead to serious conditions such as asthma, burning of the esophagus (esophagitis), and even cancer of the esophagus.

Surgery provides a definitive treatment for patients suffering from reflux and allows them to avoid a lifetime of taking various drugs. The anti-reflux surgery is called “Nissen fundoplication” and consists of wrapping part of the stomach around the lowest part of the esophagus in order to stop the reflux. The surgery also repairs the hernia (“hiatal hernia”) that is usually present and that is responsible for making GERD symptoms worse.

At Surgical Associates, we frequently evaluate patients with chronic GERD who are not getting good symptom relief with medication, as well as patients looking for a permanent cure of their GERD so they do not have to take medications for the rest of their life. We frequently obtain some special esophageal pressure and reflux studies which can be done here at Virginia Hospital Center and coordinated thru our offices.

We perform anti-reflux surgery and hiatal hernia repair using minimally invasive or laparoscopic techniques with only a few very small incisions (less than a quarter inch in size). Patients may spend at the most one night in the hospital, but frequently may go home the same day. Surgery is usually highly effective and leads to high patient satisfaction.

More info on Anti-Reflux Surgery:

• MedlinePlus: GERD
• Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux (GERD) Surgery from SAGES
• GERS Surgery Info
• Heartburn Help

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