Anti reflux Surgery

This webpage will give you information about anti-reflux surgery. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional.

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux is a condition where acid from the stomach travels up into the oesophagus (gullet). This happens if the valve between the stomach and the oesophagus does not work effectively. Acid reflux can cause ‘heartburn’ or acid in the back of the mouth.

What are the benefits of surgery?

Surgery is aimed at curing the symptoms of acid reflux.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

Drugs that lower the acid content in the stomach are effective at controlling symptoms and healing inflammation.

Surgery is only recommended if the symptoms continue or if you feel that you would prefer not to stay on medication.

What does the operation involve?

The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes between one and two hours.

Your surgeon will usually use the laparoscopic (‘keyhole’) technique. Your surgeon will make several small cuts on your abdomen. They will place surgical instruments, along with a telescope, inside your abdomen and perform the operation (see figure 1).

Your surgeon will stitch the diaphragm to reduce the size of the hole the oesophagus passes through. They will then wrap and stitch the top part of the stomach around the lower oesophagus.

Your surgeon can wrap the stomach all the way round the oesophagus or just part-way round.

What complications can happen?

1 General complications

Pain
Bleeding
Infection in the surgical site (wound)
Unsightly scarring
Developing a hernia in the scar
Blood clots

2 Specific complications

Damage to internal organs
Developing a hernia near one of the cuts
Surgical emphysema
Difficulty swallowing
Air in the chest cavity
Making a hole in the oesophagus or stomach
Tear of the stitches used for the wrap
Damage to the liver

Long-term problems

Incomplete control of reflux symptoms
Weight loss
Abdominal discomfort
Diarrhoea

How soon will I recover?

You should be able to go home within a few days.

You should be able to return to work after three to four weeks but this may vary depending on the extent of surgery and your type of work.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

You should make a full recovery, with the symptoms of acid reflux gone or much improved.

Summary

Acid reflux can cause heartburn or acid in the mouth. The acid can cause the lining of the oesophagus to become inflamed or scarred. Surgery may be recommended if your symptoms continue while you are on medication.

Acknowledgements

Author: Mr Simon Parsons DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.) and Mr Ian Beckingham DM FRCS

This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you.

The operation and treatment information on this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health Care UK. The intellectual property rights to the information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.

You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your personal, non-commercial use.

The information should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you.