Side Effects of a Nissen Fundiplication

Nissen fundiplication is a laparoscopic surgery meant to treat GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to the website of John Muir Health, a group of hospitals and other health care facilities in California. Due to reduced recovery time after the surgery, this procedure is widely used, as opposed to open surgery requiring more recovery time.

Effects

• The most common side effects, normally temporary, are: difficulty swallowing, belching, vomiting and stomach bloating.

Considerations

• As with any surgery, complications can arise, such as bleeding, organ injury, infection, anesthesia issues, and failure of surgery to relieve GERD, according to John Muir Health.

Misconceptions

• According to the website Health Central, Nissen fundiplication is a surgery only considered when medical drug treatment fails or other esophageal issues such as ulcers or bleeding are involved.

Interesting Fact

• Nissen fundiplication is also referred to as anti-reflux surgery, according to John Muir Health.

Options

• The John Muir Health website advises discussing with the physician the possibility that a particular expression of GERD is mild enough to go untreated.