Acid Reflux Surgery
Acid Reflux Surgery
Anti reflux operation is a simple and permanent way to correct gastroesophageal reflux disease.
What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Gerd)?
Acid reflux disease and GERD are chronic digestive diseases. Individuals with GERD have heartburn caused by stomach acids that begin to back up into the esophagus. These stomach acids can irritate and inflame the esophagus, causing heartburn and eventually even damaging the lining of the esophagus itself. Some of the symptoms of GERD include Vomiting, nausea, chest pain, regurgitation, coughing and difficulty to swallow.
Approximately 40% of the UK population experiences acid reflux symptoms
Approximately 40% of GERD patients experience symptoms despite taking medications
Acid reflux can lead to more serious problems
Long-term use of antacid medications can have serious side effects such as bone fractures, low magnesium levels, gastric polyps, and more
Untreated or uncontrolled GERD can be a risk factor for cancer
Diagnoses
Endoscopy: A thin and flexible tube equipped with a camera (endoscope) is inserted down your throat, to examine your esophagus and stomach. This test results may detect inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) or other abnormalities. The endoscope can also be used to collect biopsies to be tested for complications such as Barrett’s esophagus.
Barium x-rays: These are diagnostic x-rays after you drink a chalky liquid that coats and fills the inside lining of your digestive tract. X-rays can then show if there are strictures, ulcers, hiatal hernias, erosions, or other abnormalities.
PH Study: A Wire is placed in your esophagus to identify when, and for how long, stomach acid regurgitates there. The monitor will measure how acidic your oesophagus is and record the results electronically.
Oesophageal Manometry: This is a test that measures the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter and the motor function of the oesophagus.
Impedance Study: Like a standard pH test, but with two probes. One sits in the stomach and the other just above the stomach. The advantage of the dual sensor is that it can detect both acid and alkaline reflux travels.
When Should I consider an Anti-Reflux Operation?
For patients whose symptoms persist despite these lifestyle adjustments, Mr. Athanasiou recommends undergoing a minimally-invasive anti-reflux procedure.
When left unresolved, the heartburn caused by GERD can begin to damage the inner lining of the esophagus. Over time, this damage structurally changes the cells that line the lower esophagus. These structural changes can increase an individual’s chances of developing cancer of the esophagus.
While there are a number of oral medications that can be used to control heartburn symptoms, these are never a permanent solution to the problem; once patients stop taking these medications, their heartburn symptoms will quickly return.
Minimally invasive anti-reflux surgery can permanently address GERD symptoms, eliminating heartburn for life after a single minimally invasive procedure.
Treatments & Procedures
Fundoplication
For people with severe GERD that exhausted drug and lifestyle modifications, surgery is an option. Laparoscopic surgery is an alternative to traditional surgery, which usually requires long and deep incisions and a lengthy recovery. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that corrects GERD by creating an improved valve at the bottom of the esophagus.
To correct GERD, the surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower portion of the esophagus. This creates a tight valve so that food will not reflux back into the esophagus.
LINX™
LINX is the latest advancement in the field of GERD treatment. LINX® is a procedure involving using a small, flexible ring of magnets in the stomach that opens to allow food and liquid down, then closes to prevent stomach contents from moving up.It is a laparoscopic, anti-reflux procedure for patients who are looking for an alternative to continuous acid suppression therapy.
Diagnostic EsophaGogastroDuodenoscopy (EGD)
For high definition, diagnostic evaluation of the upper GI tract.
Acid Reflux Disease Surgery Recovery
Because fundoplication is typically formed laparoscopically, the recovery time is short. In most instances, the actual recovery time is mere days and most normal activities can be resumed a short time after that. During the healing process, a special laparoscopic Nissen diet may be recommended to help ease esophagus pain and promote healthy recovery.
How do I book the procedure with you?
The first step would be to book an initial consultation with me, to discuss your options. You can make an appointment directly with me using the following link: