Fundoplication for GERD / Hiatal Hernia

Gastroesophageal reflux surgery is typically performed in patients with serious gastroesophageal reflux disease that does not respond to drug therapy. Gastroesophageal reflux is classified as the symptoms produced by the inappropriate movement of stomach contents back up into the esophagus. Nissen fundoplication is the most common surgical approach in the correction of gastroesophageal reflux. The laparoscopic method of Nissen fundoplication is becoming the standard form of surgical correction.

Purpose

Gastroesophageal reflux surgery, including Nissen fundoplication and laparoscopic fundoplication, has two essential purposes: heartburn symptom relief and reduced backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. Heartburn symptom relief Because Nissen fundoplication is considered surgery, it is usually considered as a treatment option only when drug treatment is only partially effective or ineffective. Nissen fundoplication is often used in patients with a particular anatomic abnormality called hiatal hernia that causes significant gastroesophageal reflux. In some cases, Nissen fundoplication is also used when the patient cannot or does not want to take reflux medication. Surgery is also more likely to be considered when it is obvious that the patient will need to take reflux drugs on a permanent basis. Reflux drugs, like virtually all drugs, may produce side effects, especially when taken over a period of years.

One of the biggest problems in diagnosing and controlling gastroesophageal reflux disease is that the severity of disease is not directly related to the presence or intensity of symptoms. There is also no consistent relationship between the severity of disease and the degree of tissue damage in the esophagus. When reflux occurs, stomach acid comes into contact with the cells lining the esophagus. This contact can produce a feeling of burning in the esophagus and is commonly called heartburn.

Some of the other symptoms associated with this condition include: chest pain swallowing problems changes in vocal qualities Reduced reflux The reduction or elimination of reflux is as important, and sometimes more important, than the elimination of symptoms. This necessity leads to one of the most important points in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Long-term exposure to acid in the esophagus tends to produce changes in the cells of the esophagus. These changes are usually harmful and can result in very serious conditions, such as Barrett’s esophagus and cancer of the esophagus. Because of this, all persons with gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms need to be evaluated with a diagnostic instrument called an endoscope.

An endoscope is a long, flexible tube with a camera on the end that is inserted down the throat and passed all the way down to the esophageal/stomach region. All gastroesophageal reflux surgery, including Nissen fundoplication, attempts to restore the normal function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Malfunction of the LES is the most common cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Typically, the LES opens during swallowing but closes quickly thereafter to prevent the reflux of acid back into the esophagus. Some patients have sufficient strength in the sphincter to prevent reflux, but the sphincter opens and closes at the wrong times. However, this is not the case in most individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

These individuals usually have insufficient sphincter strength. In a small number of cases, the muscles of the upper esophagus region are too weak and are not appropriately coordinated with the process of swallowing. The development of heartburn does not necessarily suggest the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a more serious condition. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is often defined as the occurrence of heartburn more than twice per week on a long-term basis. Gastroesophageal reflux disease can lead to more serious health consequences if left untreated.

The primary symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease are chronic heartburn and acid regurgitation, or reflux. It is important to note that not all patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease have heartburn. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is most common in adults, but it can also occur in children. The precise mechanism that causes gastroesophageal reflux disease is not entirely known. It is known that the presence of a hiatal hernia increases the likelihood that gastroesophageal reflux disease will develop. Other factors that are known to contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease include: smoking alcohol ingestion obesity pregnancy.

The following foods and drinks are known to increase the production of stomach acid and the resulting reflux into the esophagus: caffeinated drinks high-fat foods garlic onions citrus fruits chocolate fried foods foods that contain tomatoes foods that contain mint spicy foods Most patients take over-the-counter antacids initially to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux. If antacids do not help, the physician may prescribe drugs called H 2 blockers, which can help those with mild-to-moderate disease. If these drugs are not effective, more powerful acid-inhibiting drugs called proton-pump inhibitors may be prescribed. If these drugs are not effective in controlling gastroesophageal reflux disease, then the patient may require surgery.

 

Description

Certain patients should not undergo abdominoplasty. Poor candidates for the surgery include:

Women who wish to have subsequent pregnancies.
Individuals who wish to lose a large amount of weight following surgery.
Patients with unrealistic expectations (those who think the surgery will give them a “”perfect”” figure).
Those who are unable to deal with the post-surgical scars.
Patients who have had previous abdominal surgery.
Heavy smokers.

Description

The most common type of gastroesophageal reflux surgery to correct gastroesophageal reflux disease is Nissen fundoplication. Nissen fundoplication is a specific technique that is used to help prevent the reflux of stomach contents back into the esophagus. When Nissen fundoplication is successful, symptoms and further damage to tissue in the esophagus are significantly reduced.

Prior to Nissen fundoplication, open surgery was required to gain access to the lower esophageal region. This approach required a large external incision in the abdomen of the patient. Fundoplication involves wrapping the upper region of the stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter to increase pressure on the LES. This procedure can be understood by visualizing a bun being wrapped around a hot dog.

The wrapped portion is then sewn into place so that the lower part of the esophagus passes through a small hole in the stomach muscle. When the surgeon performs the fundoplication wrap, a large rubber dilator is usually placed inside the esophagus to reduce the likelihood of an overly tight wrap. The goal of this approach is to strengthen the sphincter; to repair a hiatal hernia, if present; and to prevent or significantly reduce acid reflux.

Fundoplication was greatly improved with the development of the laparoscope. The laparoscope is a long thin flexible instrument with a camera and tiny surgical tools on the end. Laparoscopic fundoplication (sometimes called “telescopic” or “keyhole” surgery) is performed under general anesthesia and usually includes the following steps: Several small incisions are created in the abdomen. The laparoscope is passed into the abdomen through one of the incisions.

The other incisions are used to admit instruments to manipulate structures within the abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide. The contents of the abdomen can now be viewed on a video monitor that receives its picture from the laparoscopic camera. The stomach is freed from its attachment to the spleen. An esophageal dilator is passed through the mouth into the esophagus.

This dilator keeps the stomach from being wrapped too tightly around the esophagus. The portion of the esophagus in the abdomen is freed of its attachments. The top portion of the stomach (the fundus) is passed behind the esophagus, wrapped around it 360°, and sutured in place.

If a hiatal hernia is present, the hiatus (the hole in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes) is made smaller with one to three sutures so that it fits around the esophagus snugly. The sutures keep the fundoplication from protruding into the chest cavity. The laparoscope and instruments are removed and the incisions are closed.