According to digestive system specialists, heartburn is an easy symptom to diagnose and treat. Sometimes, due to its severity or not receiving an effective treatment that makes it disappear, it is necessary to undergo laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery technique
Laparoscopic surgery refers to the way in which the general surgeon accesses the abdominal cavity. It is based on inflating the abdomen with gas (CO2) in order to introduce a camera (through which the intervention will be followed) along with the instruments necessary to perform the operation. If the patient has an associated hiatal hernia, it will be reduced to free the distal esophagus and the proximal stomach, thus surrounding the esophagus with the stomach in the manner of a “tie”, and thus constructing an esophago-gastric anti-reflux mechanism. Likewise, the hiatal hernia is repaired anatomically so that the stomach is inside the abdomen at all times.
Advantages of laparoscopic surgery
With this technique, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) can be repaired by means of 4 or 5 cuts of 0.5-1 cm. In the past, however, a 20-30 cm incision was made in the abdomen. The advantages for the patient with laparoscopy are:
- Less postoperative pain
- Can leave the hospital earlier
- Tolerates food sooner
- Rapid recovery of bowel function
- Quicker recovery of normal activity
- Better cosmetic results along with a lower rate of hernias or wound problems.
Although laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux has many advantages, it may not be appropriate for some patients. It is necessary to consult with the surgeon to know which is the most appropriate technique, since there are certain cardiac, respiratory and neurological diseases that contraindicate laparoscopic surgery.
Postoperative period after laparoscopic surgery
Liquids can be ingested after 12 hours and purées after 24 hours. During the first 10 days, mashed food must be eaten. From the tenth day you can live a normal life, after visiting your doctor’s office.
The surgeon should be called in case of:
- Fever higher than 38º or chills.
- Bleeding from wounds or rectal bleeding.
- Increasing abdominal pain or swelling in the abdomen.
- Inability to urinate
- Redness or oozing from any of the wounds
- Respiratory symptoms such as a persistent cough or colossal pain