Reflux Surgery Options

Acid reflux surgery is the most effective treatment option for the long-term resolution of heartburn, reflux and indigestion. There are several forms of anti-reflux procedures, most often performed through minimally and non-invasive surgical procedures.
Anti-reflux surgery is typically an outpatient procedure that takes less than half an hour to complete. Patients are put under anesthesia and will remain asleep during the entire procedure. Relief from acid reflux is often immediate following anti-reflux surgery.

Which Treatment is Right for You?

The optimal method of treatment for you depends on:

The cause of your reflux
Severity and frequency of acid reflux
Personal and family history with reflux disease
Development of secondary health concerns from reflux

If acid reflux symptoms cannot be alleviated with lifestyle changes and medication, or if you would prefer to avoid long-term use of medication, reflux surgery is often recommended.

Forms of Reflux Surgery

Nissen Fundoplication Reflux Surgery

During Nissen fundoplication, the upper portion of the stomach is wrapped around the outside of the lower esophagus. This strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the barrier between the esophagus and stomach that is responsible for preventing acid reflux.
Nissen fundoplication is typically performed with laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopic surgery is completed using a flexible surgical scope and other instruments through a series of small incisions in the abdomen. Laparoscopic techniques result in less scarring, shorter recovery time and a lower risk of complications than traditional open surgery.
Though reinforcement of the LES can lead to a reduction in acid reflux, Nissen fundoplication may also make it difficult to burp, swallow or vomit.

Hill Posterior Gastropexy Reflux Surgery

Hill posterior gastropexy repairs the anti-reflux barrier by securing the junction of the esophagus and stomach to the abdominal cavity. Hill posterior gastropexy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure with minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.
Unlike Nissen fundoplication, the Hill procedure preserves two-way movement through the esophagus. This helps to eliminate many of the problems with burping, swallowing and vomiting that may be caused by Nissen fundoplication.

EsophyX®

Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) with the EsophyX device strengthens the barrier between the stomach and esophagus without any external incisions. An endoscope is used to guide the EsophyX device through the mouth and down into the esophagus, where the anti-reflux valve is reconstructed and the LES is tightened.
After reflux surgery, a short-term liquid diet may be recommended to encourage recovery. Nearly all patients with severe reflux experience an immediate improvement in symptoms following reflux surgery.

From the Palmyra Surgical Blog

Cooking Tips for Heartburn-Friendly Meals
For someone with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eating certain foods can cause extreme acid reflux and heartburn. Learn how to cook without the heartburn with these healthy tips.
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Smoking: A Culprit in the World of Reflux
In the past two decades, a lot of research has come out about tobacco use—and the news hasn’t been good for tobacco companies. Whereas once smoking appeared to be a harmless pastime, something that just about everyone did, inside and outdoors, that isn’t the game anymore. Tobacco use continues to decline across the United States, but there are still a lot of people out there who smoke at least somewhat regularly. By the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease and Control, about 18% of US adults use tobacco products in some form or another.
For Acid Reflux, Put the Soda Down
Soda is hands-down one of the most popular drinks in the United States. This can be proven on the number of sales alone. Based on national sale data, there is enough soda sold annually for every adult to drink a full 45 gallons of soda per year. There are aquariums sold that are smaller than that! But when you stop and think about it, there is really no wonder as to why soda is such a major drink in our diets. The beverage is filled with sugar, and most of our favorite sodas pack enough caffeine to help us power through a busy afternoon at work.
Acid Reflux More Common than Ever
Americans are dealing with more health problems now than they ever had in the past. This is based on statistical data that finds that chronic diseases are pretty much on the rise across the board. One of the biggest causes of this startling rise in health problems is obesity, which directly affects more than one-third of the US adult population, with another third being overweight and at risk.