Project Description

Laparoscopic fundoplication is a surgical procedure that is carried out to treat Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This disease is as a result of the failure of sphincter muscles oesophagus performing their tasks as intended. When swallowing food, the lower Oesophagal sphincter which is a circular band of muscle relaxes in order to give way to food and liquids to flow into the stomach before it closes again. However, this is not usually the case as there are some instances where the sphincter weakens and, therefore, acid from the stomach comes back into the oesophagus causing an irritation.

Frequent acid refluxes, described as the constant backwash of stomach acid back up into the oesophagus, are the major causes of GERD. This only occurs when there is weakening or an abnormal relaxation of the sphincter leading to the esophagus. However, there are a number of risk factors which either increase the risk of GERD or that can aggravate the acid reflux. Expert surgeons in Aryan Hospital indicate that obesity, pregnancy, scleroderma, and much more are among the many conditions which highly increase the risk of GERD. On the other hand, smoking, eating of large meals or late in the night, taking certain medications, and much more are among the risk factors that aggravate acid reflux.

The primary symptom of GERD is heartburn, however, expert surgeons indicate that this may not be a symptom to some of the people who suffer from this condition. Heartburn is a condition accompanied by a burning sensation in the chest. The pain can elevate and extend up to the neck region or towards the back from a position high in the abdomen. Some of the other primary symptoms that are associated with GERD include regurgitation, as well as an acidic taste in the mouth. A sore throat may also ensue when an acid reflux makes it past the upper oesophagus, therefore, entering the throat or even the voice box. Additionally, the refluxed acid can worsen asthma since it causes irritation to the airways.

At Aryan Hospital, the specialists who take care of prospective GERD patients ensure that a proper analysis is done before they embark on selecting the most appropriate method of treating the patients. A typical physical examination session would entail the medical practitioner asking a few questions on the problems the patient is facing, as well as going through their medical history. The patient is then required to write down the food they eat and when exactly they experience the symptoms that may be associated with GERD. If the exam is not conclusive, the doctor is then forced to carry out other tests on the patient like ambulatory acid probe test which measures the amount of acid in the stomach of the patient, an x-ray, endoscopy, and much more. When a conclusive finding is made, the doctor then embarks on identifying the most appropriate treatment procedure.

GERD can be treated with over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, as well as surgery. Medications are usually recommended by the doctor when the diagnosis has been made, however, when there is no relief within the first few weeks, the doctor may recommend surgery. At Aryan Hospital, the facility has a number of highly qualified expert surgeons who are well versed in the practice of fundoplication. This is a surgical procedure that is employed to treat GERD, where the fundus of the stomach is gathered, wrapped, and sewn around the oesophagus on the lower end as well as on the lower Oesophageal sphincter. The procedure is also aimed at reducing instances of acid flux. The procedure is carried out using a laparoscope which only requires that the surgeon makes several small punctures on the abdomen instead of a big incision.

Aryan Hospital has a high success rate as far as laparoscopic Fundoplication is concerned, making it one of the best facilities that handle the issue.