Reflux
Surgery
Hiatal hernia can cause chest pain of non-cardiac origin, or be the underlying cause of anemia. Large hiatal hernias can even be life-threatening. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a very common disorder which when serious or severely symptomatic can merit surgical correction. Surgery to this area has been revolutionized by the development of minimally invasive techniques. Patients no longer need to submit to a major abdominal operation requiring a long scar. They can now have the same major procedure inside their body without the large scar. Some or all of the following investigations will be necessary: an endoscopy; manometry to measure how well the esophagus works; 24 hour pH testing to record acid exposure in the esophagus. Five tiny incisions in the abdomen, most no more than one quarter of an inch long, are made during the surgery. An overnight stay is usually necessary and return to normal activity takes 5-10 days.
Physicians who perform this surgery:
