When Acid Reflux Surgery is Necessary

Is acid reflux surgery the only solution for treatment? No. acid reflux surgery is required only in chronic cases of the disease. Acid reflux is the backflow of stomach acids into the food pipe, esophagus. The most common symptom of acid reflux is that of heartburn. In chronic cases of acid reflux, the esophageal lining is severely damaged and hence acid reflux surgery is required.

All of us at some point would have felt the symptoms of acid reflux. It is a very common phenomenon which occurs if you have had a spicy meal or overeaten. The symptoms of heartburn, throat irritation do occur but then they seize after an antacid pill. If however, due to whatsoever reason, you are experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux frequently, then medication and life style changes are a must. Acid reflux surgery is often considered as the last option of treatment.

The medical practitioner will suggest medications for cure of acid reflux symptoms. These medications normally provide sufficient relief. The option of acid reflux surgery is considered if the symptoms are not cured with medications and lifestyle changes and they appear again after the medication is stopped. In another scenario, the patient may opt for an elective acid reflux surgery as he/she might not be interested in continuing lifelong medication. Alternatively, the doctor may suggest acid reflux surgery for patients whose esophageal wall is severely damaged.

What is Acid Reflux Surgery?

The acid reflux surgery is performed laparoscopically. A laparoscope is a small camera that is attached to a thin tube. 4-5 small abdominal incisions are made and the area is bloated for the doctor to make the anatomy clearly visible. The advantage of doing a laparoscopic acid reflux surgery is that the recovery is faster as there are small incisions and it is cosmetically more appealing as compared to open surgeries.

Acid reflux surgery will repair the sphincter wall of the stomach; hence the backward acid flow into the esophagus is stopped. Normally, certain tests are carried before the surgery to evaluate the patient's condition. The tests may include endoscopy, 24-hour pH studies, X-rays etc. 90% of the people can go home within the same day or by the next day of the surgery.

During the acid reflux surgery, the doctor normally restructures the lower esophageal sphincter to improve its strength and thus stop the acid reflux. This is done by wrapping the very top of the stomach to the outside of lower esophagus. The surgical procedure is simple. The risks are less and the death rate of patients is less than 1 in 500.

Some people may have symptoms of diarrhea, difficulty in swallowing and even bloating but these normally are over by themselves within a year. However, the benefits of acid reflux surgery outweigh the disadvantages.

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