Frequently Asked Questions About Reflux Surgery

In humans, there is a very complex valve system that regulates the passage between the esophagus and the stomach. In this way, the escape of the food in the stomach, especially acid and bile, into the esophagus is prevented. The most important cause of reflux is the insufficiency of this valve system or the slipping of the valve system, known as stomach hernia among the people, from the abdominal cavity to the chest cavity, resulting in inadequate functioning of the valve. In reflux disease, there is no high stomach acidity. Stomach contents escaping into the esophagus, even at normal or even low acid levels, cause damage to the esophagus. It is not necessary to have valve insufficiency for reflux to occur. Reflux may also occur in diseases of the esophagus and in case of gastric emptying disorder.

You can find the information of some of our patients who had reflux and other stomach surgeries here.

Reflux is a symptom, not a disease. Since reflux disease is seen in one of every 5 people today, this disease commonly comes to mind when reflux is mentioned.

The most common type of reflux is the delayed closure of the valve between the esophagus and the stomach, which is a mild form of reflux. The other two forms of reflux are that the lid stays open all the time; It is a severe stomach hernia in which the valve herniates from the abdomen into the chest cavity with valve insufficiency.

Persistent sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, dry cough, hoarseness, increase in saliva secretion are lesser-known symptoms of reflux.

The diseases that reflux is most confused with are heart attack, chronic cough, asthma, pneumonia, pharyngitis, laryngitis and gastritis.

Gastric juice escaping into the esophagus can irritate the larynx and cause constant sore throat. In these patients, unnecessary antibiotic use is often encountered with the misconception of pharyngitis. In this type of reflux, the treatment is more difficult, and the positive response to the drug is much less.

Temporary reflux attacks due to increased intra-abdominal pressure and hormonal changes can be seen in pregnant women. This condition usually improves in the post-pregnancy period. The majority of infant reflux returns to normal later on.

It is not possible to achieve a permanent improvement with diet in those who develop reflux disease due to valve failure and gastric hernia. While the complaints decrease during the diet, the same complaints are experienced again when the diet is stopped.

There is no scientific evidence to show that slimming benefits patients with mechanical defects in the valve. On the other hand, because less food is consumed in the diet, there may be a decrease in escape into the esophagus.

Smoking increases stomach acid and increases irritation in the esophagus. Alcohol (especially beer and wine) also has the property of increasing reflux by causing further expansion of the valve system. However, it cannot be said that smoking and alcohol alone cause reflux.

There is a relationship between reflux disease and lower end cancers of the esophagus. However, the probability of developing cancer in reflux patients is extremely low. Cancer may occur only after some preliminary findings.

Acid reducers called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are used as medicine for reflux. These drugs help to remove the irritation caused by the acid in the esophagus and the acid in the stomach. If there is a mechanical defect in the valve structure, the duration of use and effectiveness of the drug vary depending on the severity of the disease. In the event of a wound opening in the esophagus or a valve disorder, the complaints of the patients begin again after the drug is discontinued. Approximately 30 percent of patients with gastric hernia, wounds in the esophagus or valve failure may need to use these drugs for life.

Surgical treatment is not necessary in every patient with reflux. Laparoscopic surgery is recommended for those who have to constantly take medication, those whose complaints recur when the medication is stopped, those whose esophageal wounds do not heal despite the medication, those who have advanced cellular changes in the esophagus, and those who are especially in the young age group. Surgical treatment is needed in approximately 10% of reflux patients.

This belief is not true. The most important factor that ensures success in laparoscopic surgery is the experience of the surgeon. In experienced surgeons, the 10-year recurrence rate has fallen below 5 percent, especially with the development of the patch method.

After the reflux surgery, the patients do not have to use drugs, diet, and sleep on a high pillow. In this situation, it is recommended to feed with watery food for one week after the operation.

Burning that starts from the upper stomach area and can spread along the midline of the rib cage is the most typical complaint. The reason for this is the damage caused by the acid and bile that should normally be present in the stomach to escape into the esophagus inner lining, which is not resistant to it. . Sore throat, hoarseness and cough can be seen as the stomach contents pass into the larynx.

There is reflux in two of the three patients with a cough for which the cause cannot be found. Again, there is a close relationship between reflux and asthma in some cases. Reflux disease is present in half of the patients with normal cardiac angiography.

In the later stages of the disease, there may be sudden awakenings from sleep as the stomach contents escape into the respiratory tract at night. Scientific studies reveal that reflux disease impairs the quality of life of people as well as heart failure.

Please contact us to learn the current prices for reflux treatment and surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery is a procedure that takes approximately one hour under general anesthesia. The patient goes to the toilet 4-5 hours after the operation and is discharged the next day. Desk workers can return to work 2-3 days after the operation.

It is not a requirement. It is rare for patients to have all complaints together. In some patients, symptoms such as sore throat, hoarseness, cough can be seen without stomach complaints.

Orange, pastry, green onion, tomato, mint, chocolate, coffee, fatty foods, etc.

The most common symptoms of reflux are burning in the stomach, bitter water in the mouth, boiling, sourness, discomfort from some foods, food coming up from the throat, nausea and bloating. Dry cough, hoarseness and asthma may also develop in those with reflux.