Acid reflux
is a medical condition wherein the acidic gastric juices travel back from the stomach to the esophagus. Some of its symptoms include heartburn, difficulty in swallowing and dental erosion caused by the presence of acidic juices in the mouth. There are different kinds of medication that can be administered to relieve these symptoms. However, severe or constant acid reflux may merit surgical treatment.
Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency treatment is a kind of endoscopic procedure that is used to treat acid reflux disease. Being minimally invasive, it can be done on an outpatient basis. The doctor inserts an endoscope into the patient and uses it to emit radiofrequency energy. The radio waves produce heat and cause lesions to form in the lower esophageal sphincter and the upper part of the stomach. The tissues in these parts of the body then constrict to improve the thickness of the muscle walls. This leads to increased pressure which prevents acid reflux from occurring.
Laporascopy
Laporascopic surgery is one of the most common surgical treatments of acid reflux and it results in the reduction of heartburn. The surgeon gathers and sews the upper part of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus. This allows the esophagus to pass through the small opening created from the stomach muscle, lessening the risk of acid reflux. The valve in the esophagus and stomach is strengthened to prevent acid from backing up the esophagus.
Open Surgery
In open surgery, the physician wraps a portion of the stomach, called the fundus, completely around the esophagus. This procedure also involves wide incisions that normally merit the stay of the patient in the hospital for up to 10 days. The stomach wrap creates a collar-shaped structure that places pressure on the lower portion of the esophageal sphincter that prevents the fluids from traveling back to the esophagus.
Intraluminal Endoscopy
The intraluminal endoscopic procedure strengthenis the sphincter located between the esophagus and stomach. This results in the prevention of the backflow of acidic fluids from the stomach to the esophagus. To accomplish this with minimal invasiveness, incisions just big enough to insert a tiny video camera are created to allow the surgeon to view the patient's body without having to make large cuts. The procedure is relatively quick and does not require any post-operation treatments.
Complications
One of the risks associated with the surgical treatment of acid reflux is that it does not directly address the root cause of acid reflux. There may also be problems in swallowing, pain and gas bloat syndrome after the surgery. Studies show that complications can occur in about 2 percent of patients who undergo surgical treatment of acid reflux. Most of these concern problems with the stomach wrap. Despite the potential for complications, acid reflux surgery is considered safe and is recommended for those who suffer from chronic acid reflux.
