Surgical Treatment of GERD

Reflux disease is a chronic and progressive condition. Treatment options depend on the disease stage. The disease stage is determined by the severity of reflux into the esophagus. This in turns depends on how frequent and how long are the reflux episodes. The longer and the more frequent acid reflux episodes are the more significant is the damage to the esophagus. GERD is also associated with a spectrum of symptoms that ranges from mild heartburn to severe chest pain mimicking a heart attack. GERD treatment options are highly dependent upon an individual’s GERD stage

Heartburn Specialty-Only Practice | 1,000+ Nissen Fundoplications | One Surgeon, One Focus

Stage 1: Mild GERD

Patients experience mild symptoms once or twice a month. Treatment relies on lifestyle changes and over-the-counter acid suppressive medications.

Stage 2: Moderate GERD

Patients experience more frequent symptoms requiring daily prescription acid suppressive medications. Untreated GERD symptoms affect patient daily activities and are associated with esophageal inflammation.

Stage 3: Severe GERD

Patients with severe GERD have poorly controlled symptoms on prescription medications. Their quality of life is substantially lower. Patients are more likely to have erosive esophageal inflammation. A thorough evaluation by a GERD expert is highly recommended. A successful anti-reflux procedure that restores the integrity of the lower esophageal sphincter cures GERD and improves patient quality of life.

Stage 4: Reflux induced precancerous lesions or esophageal cancer

Stage 4 is the result of many years of untreated severe reflux. 10% of patients with long-term GERD progress to stage 4. They develop a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus may progress to cancer if untreated. There are different modalities of treatment for Barrett’s esophagus aimed at preventing progression to cancer. Close follow up and management by a reflux expert is highly recommended.