‘Gastroesophageal reflux disease accounts for at least 9 million office visits to physicians in the United States each year and costs approximately $10 billion annually’ – The New England Journal of Medicine
Well, if the above-mentioned figures are anything to go by then it can be safely assumed that GERD does affect many people. GERD stands for Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) shuts after the passage of the food into the stomach. This keeps the stomach acid and other contents from entering back into the esophagus. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is thus a one-way valve. In a person suffering from acid reflux, the LES fails to shut properly leading to a reflux or a backflow of the stomach contents, including the acid, into the esophagus. The stomach acid causes irritation in the esophagus, commonly termed in medical parlance as GERD. There are many cures available to a person suffering from acid reflux. Surgery is one of them.
The most common surgery recommended for someone suffering from acid reflux is ‘fundoplication’. The surgery derives its name from ‘Fundus’, which is the upper curve of the stomach. The surgery involves gathering, wrapping and then stitching the fundus around the LES. This puts pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and helps in preventing the backflow of the acid into the esophagus. Sometimes, a partial fundoplication can also be opted by the surgeons. Here the fundus is wrapped only in part round the esophagus.
Gastropexy is another option that can be opted by those suffering from acid reflux. This involves attaching the stomach to the diaphragm so that the stomach is unable to move through the opening in the diaphragm into the chest.
There are some new breakthroughs and surgeries, which are being used to provide relief from those suffering from GERD. Among them is Stretta radiofrequency procedure. This process uses the radio frequency energy to tauten the lower esophageal sphincter. This leads to a reduction in the relaxation frequency of the LES and in turn the backflow of the acid, which relieves heartburn.
Another surgery that is still in the infancy stage is the EndoCinch procedure. Here a suturing system is introduced using an endoscope at the spot where the esophagus meets the stomach. Stitches are then performed adjacent and below the sphincter. A pleat is formed and this pleat prevents the backflow of the acid into the esophagus.
Thus, there are many options available to a person suffering from acid reflux. However, it is always better to consult a physician and ask them about the pros and cons of each method before deciding upon any option.