Reflux

Surgery for reflux and hiatus hernia is not only safe but is a highly effective method for treatment. Reflux or Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is a common condition that affects roughly a quarter of the population. Surgery can be a safe and an appropriate option for many.

Gastro-Oesophageal reflux (GORD)

GORD is the condition where stomach acid comes up to the oesophagus too often and/or for too long causing heartburn, pain, inflammation and damage to the inner lining of the oesophagus. For some people, it’s the volume of stomach content that comes up their throat causing distressing symptoms rather than the acid “burning” the oesophagus.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) are an effective medication to treat this condition, however, for some people this becomes less effective despite being on maximal doses or there are those who cannot take the medication or do not want to.

In this case, anti-reflux surgery (fundoplication) is a safe and effective option. The surgery is performed laparoscopically (via keyhole) with a 1-2 night hospital stay can be expected.

The surgery involves freeing up the abdominal part of the oesophagus and the top part of the stomach to “wrap” the floppy part of the stomach around the bottom part of the oesophagus. This makes it difficult for the stomach acid/content to go up to the oesophagus.

How severe the reflux symptoms essentially determine whether one should have surgery or not regardless of the presence or absence of hiatus hernia. If a hiatus hernia is present, this will be repaired at the same time. It is important to note that GORD can be severe with or without hiatus hernia.

Hiatus Hernia

Hiatus Hernia is a very common condition and for most people it’s only relevant because it contributes to reflux. Thankfully, with anti-reflux surgery, hiatus hernia will be fixed at the same time.

On occasions, people will develop very large hiatus hernia which may not cause reflux but can stop food from travelling through the stomach easily. Over the years these patients have preferentially moved away from chunky meat and onto softer food due to their symptoms. In these case, surgery to fix the hiatus hernia (usually large size) should be considered.

Similarly, this surgery is performed laparoscopically (via keyhole) and thus only a short hospital stay is required.