Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Surgery

The oesophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The lower oesophageal sphincter is a ring of muscles that acts like a valve between the oesophagus and stomach.

Gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic disease that occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter does not close properly and stomach contents leak back or reflux into the oesophagus.

The main symptoms of GORD is persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation. Gastro oesophageal reflux can be treated with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication surgery when medicine and lifestyle changes do not help relieve symptoms.

This surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. It is a minimally invasive approach that involves the use of specialised video equipment and instruments that allow your surgeon to perform the procedure through four tiny incisions, most of which are less than a half-centimetre in size. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication This procedure involves wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the base of the oesophagus to reinforce the strength of the lower oesophageal sphincter.

One advantage of this method is a brief hospitalisation. Most often it will require an overnight stay. Other advantages include less pain (reduced need for pain medication), fewer and smaller scars and a shorter recovery time.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective treatment of GORD. However, in rare cases the laparoscopic approach is not possible because it becomes difficult to visualise or handle organs effectively. In such instances, the traditional incision may need to be made to safely complete the operation.