Anti-reflux surgery

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Hiatal hernia - X-ray

(Page 2)

Endoluminal fundoplication is a new procedure that uses a special camera called an endoscope. The tube is passed down through your mouth and into your esophagus. Your doctor will place small clips on the inside where the esophagus meets the stomach. These clips help prevent food or stomach acid from coming back. An endoscope is similar to a laparoscope. This procedure is done to help prevent reflux.

Your doctor may suggest surgery when:

• You have symptoms of heartburn that get better when you use medicines, but you do not want to continue taking these medicines. Symptoms of heartburn are burning in the stomach that you may also feel in your throat or chest, burping or gas bubbles, or have trouble swallowing food or fluids.
• Part of your stomach is getting stuck in your chest or is twisting around itself. This is called a para-esophageal hernia.
• You have reflux disease and another related, serious problem. Some of these problems are strictures (a narrowing of your esophagus), ulcers in your esophagus, and bleeding in your esophagus.
• You have reflux disease and aspiration pneumonia (a lung infection caused by inhaling contents of the stomach into the lungs), a chronic cough, or hoarseness.

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Your doctor may ask you to have these tests:

• Blood tests (complete blood count, electrolytes, or liver tests)
• Upper endoscopy. Almost all people who have this procedure have already had this test. If you have not, you will need to.
• Other tests, such as manometry (to measure gases) or pH monitoring (to see how much stomach acid is in your esophagus).

Always tell your doctor or nurse if:

• You could be pregnant
• You are taking any drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription

During the week before your surgery:

• You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs or supplements that affect blood clotting several days to a week before surgery.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.