Treatments for Acid Reflux During Anesthesia

Acid reflux is a burning feeling in the chest, neck, throat and face. The acid in your stomach moves into the esophagus causing this burning sensation. Eating foods that contain a lot of acid, such as chocolate, juices and soft drinks trigger this sensation. This is how it works. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a strong muscular ring that only allows food and liquid to go into your stomach. When the LES in your body is not functioning properly, reflux occurs. This permits stomach's acid to back up into your esophagus. Acid reflux can damage to your esophagus, which can require you to have surgery. Here are five treatments for acid reflux during anesthesia.

Nissen Fundoplication

• Nissen Fundoplication is a treatment for acid reflux during anesthesia. In this operation, the surgeon performs a 6- to 10-inch incision on your stomach area. The Nissen Fundoplication treatment consists of wrapping the upper part of your stomach around the lower part of the esophagus, and securely tightening it. The surgeon creates a flap valve in your stomach. The wrap inflates in order to tightened the valve.
  Expect to stay 10 days in the hospital after the operation. The death risk involved in this operation is less than one in 500. Complications can occur concerning your stomach wrap, such as when the wrap becomes undone or when the surgeon performs an extremely tight wrap.

Laparoscopic Fundoplication

• Laparoscopic Fundoplication is an invasive surgery treatment for acid reflux. The surgery is performed under anesthesia. Laparoscopic Fundoplication treatment consists of constructing a valve near your esophagus and stomach. The upper part of your stomach is wrapped around the lower part of the esophagus. The surgeon performs tiny incisions in your abdomen in order to insert a laparoscope and view all areas.
  The adjacent part of your stomach must be wrapped around the esophagus, which creates a one-way valve. The one-way valve permits food to go into your stomach, and prevents gastric substances from going another direction. Your recuperating time is faster than that of Nissen Fundoplication surgery. Your hospital stay is less than 10 days. This surgery treatment is usually safe for most people. Laparoscopy is difficult to do in obese patients. Fewer complications occur with this treatment.

Endolunimal Fundoplication

• Endolunimal Fundoplication is a surgery procedure for acid reflux that requires anesthesia. This procedure involves a camera called an endoscope, which is similar to a laparoscope. The physician passes this tube through your mouth, and down to your esophagus. Your doctor performs small incisions, and places clips in the middle of your esophagus and your stomach. The clips prevent the acid in your stomach from coming into the esophagus. Expect to stay one to two days in the hospital. The risks involve in this surgery are rare, such as gas bloating, difficulty swallowing and damage to the esophagus or the stomach.

Toupet Fundoplication

• Toupet Fundoplication is another treatment for acid reflux during anesthesia. The Toupet procedure involves a partial wrap, instead of a full wrap. The Toupet treatment is similar to the Laparascopic procedure. The only difference is that your doctor places a partial wrap, which is the adjacent part of your stomach around the esophagus. You have less risks with the Toupet procedure than that of the Laparascopic. But the Toupet operation is also less effective if you have severe acid reflux. Expect to stay one or two days in the hospital after this operation.

Thal Fundoplication

• Thal Fundoplication is a surgerical procedure that also includes a partial wrap. The Thal operation is similar to the Laparascopic surgery, except in the partial wrap. In the Thal treatment, your doctor places a partial wrap of the fundus about 270 degrees around the esophagus. You're less likely to have complications, such as gas bloating, and damages to the esophagus after this procedure. The Thal treatment is less effective when you have critical acid reflux. This operation requires for you to stay in the hospital for fewer than 10 days.