GERD Surgery

What Causes GERD?

GERD occurs when stomach acid comes out of your stomach and up into your esophagus. In some cases, the gastric acid travels all the way up the esophagus and into your throat, creating a painful, burning sensation that often feels like it’s coming from your heart.

Where the esophagus meets your stomach, there’s a round muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES opens to let food pass into the stomach, then closes to keep food and digestive acids in the stomach. When the LES relaxes at the wrong time, or when it’s too weak to stay closed, you develop GERD.

Over time, untreated GERD can lead to complications such as inflammation, an esophageal ulcer, narrowing of the esophagus, and precancerous changes in the esophagus.

What is the Connection Between Hiatal Hernia and GERD Surgery?

The diaphragm muscle, which separates your chest from your abdomen, has a small opening called the hiatus, which allows your esophagus to pass through the muscle and into your stomach. When the top of the stomach pushes through the opening, it’s called a hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernias can cause GERD or they may worsen the problem. To solve the problem, an existing hiatal hernia is repaired during GERD surgery.

What Type of GERD Surgery Might I Receive?

The primary surgical procedure used to treat GERD is called a Nissen fundoplication. Your surgeon at Naab Road Surgical Group takes the upper portion of your stomach and wraps it around the esophagus. The stomach is stitched in place, creating a small tunnel of stomach muscle that reinforces the LES. Additionally, the hiatal opening is repaired and tightened. As a result, the LES is strengthened and acid stays in the stomach.

A Nissen fundoplication is usually done using minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopy only requires several small incisions in the abdomen. Minimally invasive surgery causes less trauma, so you have minimal postoperative pain and a faster recovery following surgery.

If you suffer from the symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn, chest pain, or difficulty swallowing, call Naab Road Surgical Group or schedule an appointment online.