All comments and material provided by Heartburn-help.com and the Videoscopic Heartburn Center are for educational and research purposes only, and are not intended as a substitute for a physician's consultation. Material posted online by users does not represent the positions of Heartburn-help.com or the Videoscopic Heartburn Center. Please read the full disclaimer to learn how to get the most out of this message board.

The Ask A Doctor message board provided a medium for sufferers of Heartburn and Gerd to ask questions about medical and surgical options for heartburn and receive answers directly from experienced Gastroesophageal surgeons.

Please Note!!! The Ask A Doctor message board is now a read only message board. Since May 1, 2000 the Doctors have answered over 1500 questions that have been posted to the board. We join you in thanking the doctors for performing this excellent service.

Additional Ask A Doctor message boards can be viewed at  Message Board

[ Contents | Search | Next | Previous | Up ]

Re: ppi response and surgery

From: S. Carvajal, M.D.
Date: 05/18/00
Time: 12:58:48

Comments

Having responded to questions on this bulletin board, I am concerned that everyone reading this will presume that a laparoscopic fundoplication has a high failure rate. In fact, in my practice, 98% of patients are pleased they have had the operation and would recommend the operation to their friends. This bulletin board is a magnet for patients who have had a difficult problems. By careful selection of patients and performing the operation well, this is one of the most successful operations and available. For example, I have had only one patient in my very large series who required a second operation because of persistent symptoms. Because of very poor motility, I was forced to create a partial wrap which is not as good as a full wrap at inhibiting acid reflux. Her acid reflux was significantly diminished on repeat 24-hour pH study but she still was unhappy with the amount of symptoms she was having. Fortunately, with the diminished acid reflux, her motility improved and I was able to convert her to a full wrap.

In your particular situation, it is important to confirm that your symptoms still represent reflux disease. It may be that your symptoms are secondary to a different problem. If a repeat 24-hour pH study confirms severe acid reflux, it would be appropriate to convert your partial wrap to a full wrap. This is not simple to do and should be done by a surgeon who has a large experience. If the 24-hour pH study is normal, your doctor should look into other possible causes.

Last changed: January 12, 2008