Acid reflux occur due to stomach acid travelling up the oesophagus or the gullet due to weakness of the valve.
Acid can cause symptoms like heart burn and sometimes
Acid reflux is a condition where acid from your stomach travels up into your oesophagus (gullet). This happens if the valve between your stomach and the oesophagus does not work effectively. Acid reflux can cause ‘heartburn’ or sometimes serious complications due to aspiration in to lungs. Long term reflux can also cause damage the lower oesophagus which can be irreversible . Where medical and life stay changes do not reverse the symptoms the patients will require surgical management. Surgery is recommended only if the symptoms continue or if you would prefer to have an operation than take medication for the rest of your life.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
Your surgeon will make several small cuts on your abdomen. They will place surgical instruments, along with a telescope, inside your abdomen and perform the operation.
Your surgeon will stitch your diaphragm to reduce the size of the hole your oesophagus passes through. They will wrap and stitch the top part of your stomach around your lower oesophagus.
What complications can happen?
General complications
- pain
- bleeding
- unsightly scarring
- developing a hernia in the scar
- infection of the surgical site (wound)
- blood clots
Specific complications
- damage to internal structures
- developing a hernia near one of the cuts
- surgical emphysema
- pneumothorax
- making a hole in your oesophagus or stomach
- tear of the stitches used for the wrap
- damage to your liver
- damage to your spleen
- difficulty swallowing for a few months
Long-term problems
- continued difficulty swallowing
- incomplete control of reflux symptoms
- weight loss
- abdominal discomfort
- diarrhoea
- tissues can join together in an abnormal way
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the next day.
You should be able to return to work after 2 weeks, depending on the type of work you do.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the surgeon or your General practitioner.
You should make a full recovery, with the symptoms of acid reflux gone or much improved.