GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common gastric disease. To overcome the symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn and heartburn, you can take stomach acid medication. But if there are also no improvements, you can consider GERD operations.
The esophagus (esophagus) is an organ in the form of a long channel that connects the oral cavity with the stomach. At the lower end of the esophagus there is a muscle ring (sphincter) which normally only opens when swallowing food.
In GERD or commonly referred to as gastric acid disease, this muscle ring is weakened, so that stomach acid and food from the stomach can be pushed or flowed back up. Gastric acid seepage will irritate the walls of the esophagus and cause various stomach acid complaints.
In general, symptoms of GERD can be overcome by taking drugs, such as antacids to neutralize stomach acid or proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid production.
GERD sufferers are also advised to make lifestyle changes, such as reducing excessive body weight, avoiding foods that can irritate the esophagus, and avoid lying down immediately after eating.
However, sometimes medication and lifestyle changes alone are not enough to overcome GERD. If this is the case, a GERD operation is needed.
When does GERD require surgery?
GERD cases require surgery if the patient has one or more of the following conditions:
- There was no improvement in symptoms after he took drugs and made lifestyle changes as recommended by the doctor.
- Suffer from severe GERD accompanied by complications, such as Barrett's esophagus or stricture (narrowing).
- Having unusual accompanying symptoms, such as asthma or ingestion of fluid or food from the digestive tract into the airway.
- Patients do not want to continue taking drugs for long periods of time or cannot take drugs for certain medical reasons.
Benefits of GERD Operations
The purpose of GERD surgery is to wrap or tie the upper part of the stomach (fundus) to the bottom of the esophagus to strengthen the weakened muscle ring in the area. Research shows that in the long run, GERD surgery can have a more beneficial effect than drug consumption.
With surgery, the basic cause of GERD can be overcome. This is different from the consumption of drugs that only neutralize or reduce the production of stomach acid without overcoming the problem of weakened sphincter.
At present, GERD surgery with a laparoscopic technique is quite common because it only requires a small incision in the abdomen. Through this small incision, an instrument with a camera and a small knife at the end will be inserted into the abdominal cavity.
In addition to the laparoscopic technique, GERD surgery by mouth (transoral fundoplication) which does not require an incision in the stomach has also begun to be widely used. Research shows that this surgical method is also effective for dealing with GERD symptoms.
Risk of GERD Operations
Like most medical procedures, GERD surgery is inseparable from risk. Some of the risks that may occur due to GERD surgery are:
- Tear or prick in the wall of the esophagus or stomach during the laparoscopic procedure.
- Infection of the surgical wound.
- Difficulty swallowing after surgery.
- Nausea, bloating, and often belching after surgery.
- Difficult to vomit when needed.
- Gastric acid reflux still occurs.
- Possible re-operation needed.
If you experience symptoms of GERD, don't hesitate to consult a doctor to get the most appropriate treatment. To avoid the recurrence of this condition, it is recommended that you limit your consumption of alcohol and caffeine, do not eat large portions, and do not lie down immediately after eating.
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