Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia is a common condition in which part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Hiatal hernias are a common cause of GERD, and surgery may be necessary to repair the hernia and prevent the reflux of stomach acid.

Capital Surgeons Group specializes in the treatment of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). We understand how patients can struggle with the symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, and regurgitation. Capital Surgeons Group Surgical treatment options for GERD includes daVinci robotic surgery for hiatal hernia repair and the LINX procedure.

GERD / Acid Reflux Treatment

Acid Reflux Surgery / Hiatal Hernia Repair / LINX

When stomach acid flows up into the esophagus, it causes acid reflux. Chronic or severe acid reflux is called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Depending on its severity, there are several options for GERD treatment. Surgery is a minimally invasive and durable option to stop acid reflux and eliminate the need for medication.

Hiatal hernia is often caused by weakened muscles and tissue around the hiatus. In some cases, a small part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and up into the chest. Surgical repair involves tightening the opening in the diaphragm to prevent the stomach from bulging through the muscle wall.

What is a GERD Surgery Procedure

GERD surgery is a treatment option for patients who experience chronic symptoms of GERD that cannot be managed through lifestyle modifications or medication. The goal of GERD surgery is to improve or eliminate symptoms by preventing the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus.

Why Choose Surgery for Chronic GERD?

Patients with heartburn often still have symptoms despite being on medication, even if taken once or twice a day, or even double the dose. Others have acid regurgitation to the mouth or throat, belching, and dry cough. Night-time regurgitation may cause poor quality of sleep.

Surgery eliminates heartburn and regurgitation, improves sleep quality, and ends life-long dependence on acid-blocking medications and dietary compromises to avoid symptoms.

Surgical Options to Eliminate Reflux Disease

Our surgeons perform laparoscopic and robotic anti-reflux surgery. Hiatal hernia repair, Nissen or toupet fundoplication, and the LINX Reflux Management System are standard surgical options to eliminate GERD.

These options offer successful treatment with surgical precision and faster recovery, and patients can go home the same day as surgery in most cases.

GERD / Acid Reflux Treatment

The surgeons at Capital Surgeons Group Acid Reflux Treatment Center can obtain the appropriate diagnostic testing GERD patients may need to ensure you are a candidate for surgery:

  • pH testing measures the acid from your stomach reaching the esophagus
  • EGD endoscopy visualizes the esophagus and stomach to identify hiatal hernias, evidence of reflux, or swallowing concerns
  • Manometry measures pressure that the muscles in the esophagus create and evaluates function of the esophagus
  • Barium Swallow provides visual assessment of the esophagus and stomach to determine the size of a hiatal hernia and the emptying of the esophagus

Surgical Treatment Options for GERD

Capital Surgeons Group offers a range of surgical treatment options for GERD, including daVinci robotic surgery for hiatal hernia repair and the LINX procedure. Our experienced surgeons are committed to providing our patients with compassionate care and the highest quality of treatment options for GERD and other digestive conditions.

The daVinci system is a state-of-the-art surgical technology that allows for greater precision, control, and visualization during the surgery. This results in a shorter hospital stay, less pain, and a faster recovery time for the patient. CSG uses the daVinci robotic surgery system to perform hiatal hernia repair.

During daVinci robotic surgery for hiatal hernia repair, our surgeons will make several small incisions in the abdomen and use robotic instruments and a camera to perform the procedure. The surgeons will control the robotic instruments from a console in the operating room, allowing for greater precision and control during the surgery. The hernia is repaired by pulling the stomach back down into the abdominal cavity and restoring the large opening in the diaphragm to its normal smaller size. This is done by suturing of the diaphragm muscles at the hiatus opening.

The LINX procedure is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for GERD. It involves placing a small, flexible ring of magnetic beads around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that controls the flow of food and acid between the esophagus and stomach. The magnetic beads help to strengthen the LES, preventing the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.

During the LINX procedure, our surgeons will make several small incisions in the abdomen and use a laparoscope to place the magnetic ring around the LES. The procedure usually takes less than an hour to complete, and patients can typically return to normal activities within a few days.

Fundoplication is another surgical treatment option for GERD that involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to strengthen it and prevent the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.

During a fundoplication procedure, the surgeon will make several small incisions in the abdomen and use a laparoscope to perform the surgery. The surgeon will wrap the upper part of the stomach around the LES, creating a valve that prevents the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. The procedure typically takes a few hours to complete, and patients can typically return to normal activities within a few days.

Fundoplication can be performed as an open surgery or laparoscopically. At CSG, we use the daVinci robotic surgery system to perform laparoscopic fundoplication. The daVinci system provides greater precision and control during the surgery, resulting in less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times for the patient.

Benefits of Fundoplication: Fundoplication offers several benefits to patients struggling with chronic GERD symptoms, including:

  1. Long-term relief: Fundoplication provides long-term relief from chronic GERD symptoms, offering patients a more permanent solution to their condition.
  2. Improved quality of life: Fundoplication can improve a patient’s quality of life by eliminating or reducing symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, and regurgitation.
  3. Reduction of medications: Patients who undergo fundoplication may be able to reduce or eliminate their dependence on medication for GERD symptoms.

Benefits of GERD Surgery GERD Surgery

GERD surgery, including daVinci robotic surgery for hiatal hernia repair and the LINX procedure, offers several benefits to patients struggling with chronic GERD symptoms, including:

  1. Improved quality of life: GERD surgery can improve a patient’s quality of life by eliminating or reducing symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, and regurgitation.
  2. Elimination or reduction of medications: Patients who undergo GERD surgery may be able to reduce or eliminate their dependence on medication for GERD symptoms.
  3. Long-term relief: GERD surgery offers long-term relief from chronic GERD symptoms, providing patients with a more permanent solution to their condition.

Our experienced surgeons are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of treatment options for GERD, including fundoplication using the daVinci robotic surgery system. If you are struggling with chronic GERD symptoms, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our surgical treatment options. We are here to help you find relief from your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.

If you are struggling with chronic GERD symptoms, contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced surgeons. We are here to help you find relief from your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.

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