What Is Fundoplication?
Fundoplication is a surgical procedure for treating acid reflux or gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition is caused when stomach acids go up in to the esophagus and burns the soft tissue in there. Esophageal sphincter is responsible for holding the stomach acids inside the stomach and not letting the acids go up in to the esophagus. Those who suffer from acid reflux are usually suffering from ineffective esophageal sphincter which is not efficient in completely blocking stomach acids from going up in to the esophagus. Fundoplication can help in strengthening the functioning of esophageal sphincter.
During fundoplication, the stomach’s part, which is right next to the esophageal sphincter, is wrapped and sewn around the lower part of esophageal sphincter. Through this process the pressure on the esophagus is increased and this in turn reduces acid reflux.
Fundoplication can be done in two ways. One way is through regular open surgery which will force you to rest for longer time. This is done under general anesthesia and can be painful after the sedation is over. The person will need to rest for up to two months before he can resume normal activities.
The second and easier method will be done using a laparoscope, which will leave only a few small punctures in your stomach. This method is much easier on the patient as he/she can recover much faster with a lot less pain. Normally the patient can resume his/her normal activities within three weeks after laparoscopic fundoplication.
Fundoplication can be either done through the stomach or the chest. In case of persons with a shorter esophagus or those who are over weight, the chest route is preferred.
After either one of these fundoplication surgery methods, you will have to change your eating habits. It will be better, if you eat only soft food items until the surgery heals completely. Along with this, you must chew your food properly and eat much more slowly than before, so as to provide the food time to go through the smaller esophagus.
Usually people who suffer acid reflux are given medicines as a first resource. When this fails, or if the person has side effects to the medicine, then fundoplication is chosen. Those who are suffering from hiatal hernia can be relieved of their pain through this procedure as well.
If fundoplication surgery is done successfully, it is known to remove the necessity for long-term consumption of medicine. If you are thinking of choosing either surgery or medicine, think about all the known pros and cons of the procedure like cost of the procedure, risks involved, complications that can arise during and after the surgery etc.
- Fundoplication as acid reflux treatment
Fundoplication is not advised for every one who complains of acid reflux or heart burn. Your surgeon is going to conduct tests so as to determine the effectiveness of the procedure in your body. If the diagnosis is a positive one, then only you will be given the go ahead for the surgical procedure. If the patient has some physical conditions which can aggravate his/her condition, the doctor will advice against going ahead with the procedure.
[tags]fundoplication[/tags]
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