Who can undergo reflux surgery?
Reflux surgery can be performed in cases where drug treatment, which usually starts with lifestyle changes, especially reflux diet, is not sufficient and the disease is severe . Reflux surgery is performed in cases where medication does not cure the disease.
How is reflux diagnosed?
The first diagnosis of reflux is the appearance of symptoms such as burning sensation, nausea, belching, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, and bitter taste in the mouth caused by the back washed acidic fluid of the stomach. Then, your doctor may perform endoscopic imaging; gastroscopy, pH meter evaluation, radiographs or manometric measurements to make an adequate diagnosis.
What causes reflux?
Reflux is back washed acidic fluid of the stomach in esophagus and this is physiologic. The disease, medically called ” Gastroesophageal Reflux “, occurs due to the contact of the esophagus with the acidic contents of the stomach for a long time which gives damage and leads to poor wound healing.
Reflux disease occurs; when the valve-like structure loses its function located under the esophagus, which works during eating or liquid consumption. Other reasons are; raised intra abdominal pressure (Obesity, etc.) stress, bad eating habits or medications. The acidic juice in the stomach back washes through this valve and creates effects such as burning, nausea, belching, cough, sleeping problems, tooth decay and vomiting.
How does Anti- Reflux Surgery Works?
Aim of this surgery is repairing non functioning valve structure mechanically. Thus upper portion of the stomach is stitched around esophagus to form a new functioning valve. This approach is so effective that, patients complaints relieves immediately after surgery.
There is to approaches such as Nissen’s and Toupet fundoplication for anti reflux surgery. Both surgeries has good outcomes but Toupet fundoplication has less side effects.
What are the side effects of reflux surgery?
The most important complication that occurs after reflux surgery is temporary swallowing difficulty. A detailed work up for esophagus and stomach is crucial before anti reflux surgery to prevent it.
Reflux surgery is technically a reshaping procedure. There is no cutting or removal of any tissue or organ in the surgery. The procedure is completed without any problems in the majority of patients.
The risk of intra abdominal organ injury, bleeding or conversion to open surgery is very rare during surgery in experienced surgical teams.
Anti reflux surgery is highly and rapidly effective, due this it is very popular for gastro esophageal reflux disease.