Fundoplication—Laparoscopic Surgery

by Editorial Staff and Contributors

Definition

Fundoplication is surgery to wrap the upper stomach around the lower esophagus. It makes backing up of acid into the esophagus from the stomach less likely. Laparoscopic procedures use small incisions rather than the large incisions that are used during open surgery.

Fundoplication

Reasons for Procedure

The surgery is most often done to:

Treat severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Reduce acid reflux that is contributing to asthma symptoms
Repair a hiatal hernia, which may be responsible for making GERD symptoms worse

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Anesthesia-related problems
Infection
Bleeding
Difficulty swallowing
Return of reflux symptoms
Limited ability to burp or vomit
Gas pains
Damage to other organs

In rare cases, the procedure may need to be repeated. This may happen if the wrap was too tight, the wrap slips, or if a new hernia forms.

Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:

Smoking
Drinking
Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

Physical exam
X-ray with contrast—to assess the level of reflux and evidence of damage
Upper GI endoscopy —use of a tube attached to a viewing device called an endoscope to examine the inside of the lining of the esophagus and stomach (a biopsy may also be taken)
Manometry—a test to measure the muscular contractions inside the esophagus and its response to swallowing

Leading up to the surgery:

Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure.
Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital. Also, arrange for help at home.
The night before, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery.

Description of the Procedure

A small incision will be made. A laparoscope is a small tool with a camera on the end. It will be inserted into the abdomen. It will allow the doctor to view the inside of the body on a video screen. Gas will be pumped into the abdomen to improve the view. Other small incisions will be made in the skin. Small surgical instruments will be inserted. The stomach will then be wrapped around the esophagus. If needed, any hernia will be repaired.

In some cases, the doctor may need to switch to an open surgery. A wide incision in the abdomen will be made to do the surgery.

How Long Will It Take?

2-4 hours

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Average Hospital Stay

2 days or more, depending on your condition

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

After surgery, you can expect the following:

Walk with assistance the day after surgery.
You will start by eating a liquid diet. You will slowly be able to eat more solid foods.
After a successful fundoplication, you may no longer need to take medications for GERD.

It will take about 2 weeks to recover.

Preventing Infection

During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks
Keeping your incisions covered

There are also steps you can take to reduce your chance of infection such as:

Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and healthcare providers to do the same
Reminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masks
Not allowing others to touch your incision

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
Persistent nausea or vomiting
Increased swelling or pain in the abdomen
Difficulty swallowing that does not improve
Pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given
Pain, burning, urgency or frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
New or unexpected symptoms

If you think you are having an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
https://www.niddk.nih.gov

Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
https://www.sages.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
https://www.cag-acg.org

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

References:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed... . Updated December 4, 2017. Accessed January 10, 2018.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn). The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center website. Available at: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/digestive-diseases/heartburn. Accessed January 10, 2018.

Hiatal hernia. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116557/Hiatal-hernia . Updated January 2, 2017. Accessed January 10, 2018.

Nissen fundoplication. MUSC Health Digestive Disease Center website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed January 10, 2018.

7/30/2012 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed... : Niebisch S, Fleming F, Galey KM, et al. Perioperative risk of laparoscopic fundoplication: safer than previously reported—analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005 to 2009. J Am Coll Surg. 2012;215(1);61-68.

Last reviewed November 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daus Mahnke, MD
Last Updated: 12/20/2014

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