Fundoplication

What is Fundoplication?

Fundoplication is the definitive solution for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when medical treatment has failed and to provide a permanent solution to the problem of reflux. This operation involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach to reinforce the sphincter, prevent acid reflux and repair a hiatal hernia. It is generally performed laparoscopically, where the doctor uses small instruments equipped with a camera to examine the abdomen and pelvis. When performed by experienced surgeons, laparoscopic fundoplication is safe and effective for all age groups, including infants.

Why is Fundoplication Performed?

To effectively treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly those likely related to a hiatal hernia and which have not been relieved by medication, fundoplication is often preferred. For some people who do not have a hiatal hernia, surgery may also be considered. Surgery may also be an option when:

• Although medication has had little effect on your symptoms, it is proven that they are caused by gastric acid reflux.
• If side effects prevent you from taking medication long-term to manage your GERD symptoms, would you be inclined to take the risk of surgery?
• If your symptoms do not show satisfactory improvement despite drug treatment. Examples of these symptoms are asthma, hoarseness or cough accompanied by reflux;

What is the Cost of Fundoplication?

By choosing to have a fundoplication in Tunisia, you benefit from very affordable prices while enjoying the expertise of our doctors. Feel free to request a quote from Tunisia Destination Santé.

How is Fundoplication Performed?

During a fundoplication, the fundus of the stomach, located at the top, is placed around the esophagus and secured in place with sutures, creating a small muscle tunnel through which the lower part of the esophagus passes. The purpose of this procedure is to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and limit the upward flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. This allows the esophagus to heal. This procedure can be performed through an abdominal approach or by entering through the chest. For an overweight person or with a short esophagus, the chest approach is frequently recommended to facilitate treatment. When performing this procedure, a laparoscopic surgical method is often used. And although this technique has proven itself, the results are even more satisfactory when the operation is performed by a seasoned surgeon in this field. If someone suffers from a hiatal hernia, which can cause symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), this condition will be treated during the operation.

What to Expect After Fundoplication?

If your fundoplication is performed with open surgery, you will most likely spend several days in the hospital. To recover from your open surgery, it takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you can return to work or your regular activities. By opting for a fundoplication performed by the laparoscopic method, your hospital stay should only be 2 to 3 days. You will be put to sleep under general anesthesia and will experience less pain after the operation, since there will be no large incision to heal. In general, people undergoing laparoscopic surgery can return to work or their normal routine in just 2 to 3 weeks, depending on their profession. Whether during open surgery fundoplication or laparoscopy, you may need to adjust your eating habits. You may need to eat only soft foods until the surgery has healed. You will need to chew food thoroughly and eat more slowly to allow the food time to descend into the esophagus.

Risks of Fundoplication

The risks or complications after a fundoplication operation are as follows:

• Difficulty swallowing because the stomach is wrapped too high on the esophagus or is wrapped too tight;
• The esophagus slides out of the wrapped part of the stomach so that the valve (lower esophageal sphincter) is no longer supported;
• Heartburn that returns;
• Bloating and discomfort due to gas buildup because the person is not able to burp;
• Excess gas;
• Risks related to anesthesia;
• Risks of major surgery (infection or bleeding);

For some individuals, the consequences of surgery (such as bloating due to gas buildup, difficulty swallowing, scar pain) can be just as troublesome as the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The fundoplication procedure cannot be reversed and, in some cases, relieving these complications may be impossible even with a new operation.

Why Treat GERD with Fundoplication?

Gastroesophageal reflux can cause discomfort and even pain, but it is not considered a serious disease. For a surgical intervention such as fundoplication to be considered, it must be very safe. For many people, especially those who have no difficulty taking medication, surgery is not a relevant solution. Once the fundoplication surgery has been successful, it can eliminate the need for long-term drug treatment.

GERD: Which Treatment Should I Use?

Before proceeding with fundoplication surgery, it is common to perform thorough examinations to confirm that the operation has a good chance of relieving the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and to detect any potential complications that could be exacerbated by the surgery. Fundoplication to treat GERD is rarely performed on people who:

• Are elderly adults, especially if they have other health problems in addition to GERD;
• Have weak compression movements (peristalsis) in the esophagus. These movements are important for moving food from the esophagus to the stomach. Fundoplication can worsen this problem by blocking food in the esophagus;
• Have unusual symptoms that could be worsened by surgery;

In some cases, other surgical interventions, such as partial fundoplication or gastropexy, may be performed instead of fundoplication.

Contact and Quote Request for Fundoplication

If you are considering having a fundoplication, do not hesitate to contact Tunisia Destination Santé. Our team is always at your disposal to assist you and guide you through all the procedures. Feel free to contact us for more information and to request a free, no-obligation quote.