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Anti-reflux surgery - Recovery

Alternative Names

Fundoplication; Nissen fundoplication; Belsey (Mark IV) fundoplication; Toupet fundoplication; Thal fundoplication; Hiatal hernia repair; Endoluminal fundoplication

After the Procedure:

Patients who have laparoscopic surgery usually spend 1 to 3 days in hospital. Those who have open surgery may spend 2 to 6 days in the hospital after the procedure.

Most patients go back to work 2 to 3 weeks after laparoscopic surgery and 4 to 6 weeks after open surgery.

Outlook (Prognosis):

Anti-reflux surgery repair is a safe operation. Heartburn and other symptoms should improve after surgery. But you may still need to take drugs for your heartburn after surgery.

Some people will need another operation in the future to treat new reflux symptoms or swallowing problems. This may happen if the stomach was wrapped around the esophagus too tightly, the wrap loosens, or a new hiatal hernia develops.

Hiatal hernia - X-ray

Hiatal hernia repair - series

Reviewed last on: 2/7/2009
George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Brant K, Oelschlager BK, Eubanks TR, Pellegrini CA. Hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2007:chap 42.

Kahrilas PJ, Shaheen NJ, Vaezi MF, Hiltz SW, Black E, Modlin IM. American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroenterology. 2008;135:1383-1391.

Wilson JF. In the clinic: gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149(3):ITC2-1-ITC2-15.

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