As man evolves, his gut keeps getting more sensitive. From eating raw meat to drinking bottled water, man has evolved a great deal in terms of treating his insides with care. Many a problem can affect the digestive track, and one such problem is Gastro-Esopheagal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD. It is essentially a digestive disorder that impacts the LES, or Lower Esophagus and Stomach.

LES is the area between the stomach and esophagus, which is basically a ring. It creates acid indigestion, or heartburn, and is common among pregnant women. A proper diet and lifestyle changes can usually cure GERD. However, extreme cases call for medication and surgery.

The standard procedural treatment for curing severe GERD is Nissen fundoplication laparoscopic surgery. It is performed through the chest or the stomach. The procedure came to being in 1995 and was performed for the very first time by Dr. Rudolph Nissen.

What Is Nissen Fundoplication Laparoscopic Surgery?

Nissen fundoplication laparoscopic surgery is essentially a laparoscopic surgery done in order to treat GERD and a hiatal hernia. After the failure of medical therapy, this surgery is next in line to treat GERD. It is performed by casing the stomach around the esophagus. By creating a functional valve between the esophagus and the stomach, the reflux of bile and acid is prevented.

First, the incisions for Nissen fundoplication laparascopic surgery are made on the body. The upper part of the stomach, or the fundus, is wrapped 360 degrees around the lower part of the esophagus. It is sewn into position to ensure that the bottom part of the esophagus passes through a tunnel of stomach muscle. Then, by suturing the stomach around the esophagus, the fundoplication is created. This treatment is often combined with pyloroplasty or pyloromyotomy, if the situation demands so.

How Safe Is Nissen Fundoplication Laparoscopic Surgery?

The surgery is considered a safe and effective solution to treat GERD. It addresses symptoms of GERD, and the damage done to the esophagus is healed. Patients experience results in the form of improving symptoms, healing the esophagus, and suppression of the acid and the bile reflux. It is slightly more risky in terms of complications for elderly patients, and it has proven to be more effective and safe for young people.

What Are the Effects of the Procedure?

After surgery, as the stomach contracts, it doesn’t squeeze stomach acids into it. Instead, it shuts off the esophagus. All this stops the reflux of the gastric acid. In many cases, medication can resolve this issue. Performing the surgery can eliminate the chance of side-effects of this medication, such as components of bile and gastric content.

Various studies show that a majority of the patients remain symptom free even after a gap of ten years. Although the patients might feel safe from the disease after the surgery, caution must be practiced in terms of diet. A healthy and doctor-recommended diet must be strictly followed after the procedure.

Discuss This Procedure with a Skilled Surgeon

Smart Dimensions™ offers Nissen fundoplication laparoscopic surgery to address GERD. To find out more about this cutting-edge surgical option, contact our office for a consultation.