Fundoplication surgery wraps the upper stomach around the lower esophagus. It reduces the amount of acid that enters the esophagus from the stomach. This procedure can:
- Eliminate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms that are not relieved by medication
- Reduce acid reflux that is contributing to asthma symptoms
- Repair a hiatal hernia, which may be responsible for making GERD symptoms worse
- Reduce of serious, long-term complications resulting from too much acid in the esophagus
What to Expect
Evaluation Steps
Your doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam
- X-ray with contrast, to assess the level of reflux and evidence of damage
- Endoscopy
- Manometry — a test to measure the muscular contractions inside the esophagus and its response to swallowing
Preparing for Fundoplication
- Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure, like:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- Blood thinners
- Anti-platelet medications
- Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital. Also, arrange for help at home.
- The night before, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
The Fundoplication Procedure
Your surgeon will:
- Make a wide incision in your abdomen to expose the stomach and lower esophagus
- Wrap the upper portion of the stomach around the esophagus, creating pressure on the lower part of the esophagus
If a hiatal hernia exists, the surgeon will:
- Place your stomach back in the abdomen
- Tighten the opening where the stomach had poked through the diaphragm
Fundoplication Facts
The procedure:
- Requires general anesthesia to block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery
- Takes 2-4 hours
- Will cause discomfort during recovery
- Can results in a hospital stay of 2-4 days
Recovery
After the procedure, you can expect to:
- Walk with assistance the day after surgery
- Keep the incision area clean and dry
- Wait until your doctor says it's safe to shower, bathe or soak in water
- Start by eating a liquid diet
- No longer need to take medicines for GERD
Possible Risks
Possible complications, which may include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Difficulty swallowing
- Return of reflux symptoms
- Limited ability to burp or vomit
- Gas pains
- Damage to organs
- Anesthesia-related problems
In rare cases, you may need the procedure repeated. This may happen if the wrap was too tight, the wrap slips, or if a new hernia forms.
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
- Pre-existing heart or lung condition
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Prior upper abdominal surgery
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
- Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medications you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
- Increased swelling or pain in the abdomen
- Difficulty swallowing that does not improve
- Pain that you cannot control with the medications you have been given
- Pain, burning, urgency or frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Any other new symptoms
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.