How Do You Know If You Need Acid Reflux Surgery?

Acid reflux is a condition that causes stomach acid or bile to backflow up into the esophagus, throat, and mouth. Though rare episodes are normal and extremely common, frequent, and recurring symptoms often indicate underlying gastroesophageal disease activity and can eventually lead to serious problems, such as pneumonia, chest pain, heartburn, and cancer. GERD is incurable, but proper acid reflux treatment is essential to slow its progression and minimize reflux symptoms.

Occasional bouts of acid reflux don’t normally require surgery. Usually, diet and lifestyle modifications and medications like proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers are enough to send symptoms into remission. However, most acid reflux medications are designed for short-term use. Standard treatments are not always practical or ideal for some patients.

In many cases, certain foods trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and should be avoided as much as possible. Common culprits include fried, greasy, spicy and rich foods, chocolate, and alcohol.

If your acid reflux symptoms fail to resolve with standard treatments and therapeutics, the next step on your acid reflux treatment journey may indeed be anti-reflux surgery. Here are some signs that indicate you may benefit from acid reflux surgery.

Severe Heartburn

Heartburn that causes pain and persistent burning in the chest and throat at least several times a week and interferes with daily living requires medical attention. It’s essential to see a doctor for heartburn treatment when symptoms become unmanageable or more frequent. 

Heartburn doesn’t always mean there’s something serious going on. But frequent or recurring episodes are common with gastroesophageal disease and reflux activity. Without treatment, heartburn symptoms can become unbearable, cause serious damage to the esophagus, and lead to serious health complications, such as tooth infections and decay, asthma, wheezing, and upper respiratory ailments. 

Severe Inflammation of the Esophagus

Some people experience significant inflammation of the esophagus due to reflux disease. Inflammation in the throat and esophagus can make it difficult to swallow and digest food without pain or discomfort. Surgery is necessary to revise a portion of the stomach and esophagus to prevent symptoms so the inflamed tissues can fully heal to restore proper swallowing and digestive function.

Narrowing of the Esophagus

Frequent or chronic reflux activity can cause significant damage to the esophagus. Gastric acid is corrosive and can cause severe inflammation and swelling that narrows the esophagus. This narrowing can make it difficult for food and fluids to travel down into the digestive system. In some cases, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and choking can occur. Surgery is often necessary to revise the esophagus to reduce inflammation and swelling and allow foods and liquids to pass through easily.

Barrett’s Esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that develops when the cells in the esophagus change and become similar to the cells lining the stomach cavity and intestines. Barrett’s esophagus often develops from acid reflux, heartburn, and other abnormal gastroesophageal activity that occurs over a prolonged period of time, usually years. It’s highly prevalent in GERD patients. Without acid reflux treatment, Barrett’s esophagus can lead to throat cancer.

Hiatal Hernias

Hernias vary in size, and while small hernias are treatable with lifestyle changes, diet modifications, and in some cases, surgery. However, larger, and more complex hernias can cause the stomach to swell and push into the diaphragm and chest cavities. They can also trigger stomach chronic acid reflux symptoms.

Hiatal hernias often require surgery to reorientate the stomach back into proper position and repair damaged and weakened abdominal muscles to prevent them from shifting out of place and put an end to reflux and pain. Fundoplication is ideal for patients with acid reflux symptoms due to hiatal hernias. Hernia repair is necessary to reduce reflux activity. The procedure can be performed with laparoscopic surgery or as a robotic-assisted procedure.

Hoarseness and Wheezing

Gastric acid is highly corrosive, and frequent or chronic reflux symptoms can lead to irritation and inflammation of the throat tissues and vocal cords. This condition is also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR. Symptoms can also impact the nasal cavity and are commonly associated with certain hernia types and medical conditions like obesity.

LPR can also develop from nerve and muscle dysfunction in the esophagus, LES (lower esophageal sphincter), or achalasia. Achalasia is highly underdiagnosed in acid reflux and GERD patients and is associated with autoimmune pathology.

Asthma and Shortness of Breath

Asthma is a medical condition that increases the risk of frequent acid reflux symptoms and GERD. It’s estimated that up to 80 percent of GERD sufferers are asthmatics. These individuals are prone to unusual or debilitating reflux symptoms and complications. Not much is known about why people with asthma are more likely to experience chronic acid reflux symptoms, a hallmark sign of GERD. But the corrosive nature of stomach contents and stomach is inflammatory to the lungs and can lead to increased sensitivity to respiratory irritants that trigger asthma and reflux symptoms.

Coughing, trouble falling and staying asleep, choking, eating, and digestive issues are common symptoms that are eliminated with minimally-invasive anti-reflux surgery. Esophageal strictures and infections are also common in patients with untreated acid reflux.

Anti-Acid Reflux Surgery 

Anti-reflux surgery is minimally invasive when performed with laparoscopic tools and techniques and the da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical system. These procedures are much safer and more effective than open or conventional procedures. Treatment depends on the patient’s unique needs and the surgeon’s recommendation.

Can You Benefit From Acid Reflux Surgery?

Acid reflux that occurs twice a week or more frequently may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease activity and can cause significant damage to your digestive tract and health over time. Before surgery becomes an option, it’s necessary to undergo non-invasive treatments, including acid reflux prevention medications, lifestyle, and dietary changes. Sadly, not everyone has promising results with these measures. At some point, they undergo surgery to improve their condition.

To learn more about acid reflux surgery and other treatment options, contact Orange County Robotic General Surgery today at (714) 541-4996!