6 Types of GERD Surgery

GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common gastric disease. To overcome the symptoms of GERD, such as burning in the chest and heart pain, you can take stomach acid medication. But if there is also no improvement, you can consider GERD surgery.

The esophagus (esophageal) is a long channel organ that connects the oral cavity with the stomach. At the lower end of the esophagus there is a muscular ring (sphincter) which normally only opens when swallowing food.

In GERD or commonly called stomach acid disease, this muscle ring is weakened, so stomach acid and food from the stomach can be pushed or flowed back upward. The gastric acid seepage will irritate the wall of the esophagus and cause various complaints of gastric acid.

In general, GERD symptoms can be addressed by consuming medications, such as antacids to neutralize gastric acid or proton pump inhibitors to reduce the production of gastric acid.

GERD sufferers are also advised to make lifestyle changes, such as reducing excessive weight, avoiding foods that can irritate the esophagus, and avoiding lying immediately after a meal.

Read also: Bad Effects of Sleeping After Eating

However, sometimes medicines and lifestyle changes alone are not enough to cope with GERD. If like this, GERD surgery is required.

Types of GERD Surgery

Early stage GERD handling is generally done by administering medicines while modifying lifestyle.

Read also: How To Cure GERD Permanently

However, if this therapy is not effective, then the doctor may advise you to undergo a surgery procedure. Some indications of surgery in GERD cases are:

• Failure of therapy with the administration of drugs
• Complications arise, such as the Barrett’s esophagus, gastric stricture (narrowing)
• There are extra manifestations of esophageal, e.g. Asthma, hoarseness, cough, chest pain, aspiration
• Other considerations, such as the sufferer’s quality of life, age, medical expenses, etc.

There are several types of surgery that can be done in GERD sufferers, including:

Open fundoplication or Laparoscopic

Fundoplication is done with laparoscopic tools with with patients who are under general anesthesia. In this procedure, the surgeon will sew the upper part of the stomach near the esophagus.

This action is performed to increase the pressure to keep the esophagus from being readily open and allows acid reflux to occur. Fundoplication is a major operation.

However, the study results published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that this surgery can effectively prevent reflux occurring. The study involved 366 patients with an average age of 48.5 years.

A total of 280 were men. Of the patients, only 78 selected patients were divided into three groups, i.e. The group undergoing surgery, a group that received active therapy with omeprazole and Baclofen, and a control group that receiving omeprazole and placebo.

The head of the Department of Gastroenterology of Sinai Grace Hospital, Dr Anthony Williams, who is not involved in the study of assessing these studies involves a small number of participants. However, the study confirmed that not all patients were required to undergo surgery.

What are the advantages of minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery?

• Minimal postoperative pain
• Short Hospital Stay
• Faster back to work
• Minimal surgical scars or almost not visible

5 Other types of surgery:

• Endoscopic Injection of bulking agent
• Endoluminal gastroplication
• Endoscopic augmentation with Gidrogel implants
• Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation
• Laparoscopic insertion of a magnetic bead band (LINX)

Each of these surgical procedures certainly has different indications and complications. However, as long as it is done by professional medical personnel, this surgery is relatively safe. If you do not want open surgery, you can perform surgery with laparoscopic techniques, i.e. Surgery with the help of a small camera.

To determine the right treatment for your condition, you should consult a doctor. If necessary, the surgeon will refer you to a gastrointestinal surgeon specialist for surgery.

Thank you very much for reading the Types of GERD Surgery, hopefully useful.