GORD & Reflux

If you are among the 1 in 5 people who suffer from reflux regularly, you’ll know how uncomfortable it can be. Medications can offer effective treatment and relief for mild symptoms. For persistent or more severe reflux, surgery may be an option.

Treatment for GORD and reflux

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is when acid from your stomach leaks upwards into your oesophagus (food pipe) causing heartburn or acid in your mouth. While it’s common to experience acid reflux occasionally, when it happens more than twice a week it is considered GORD.  

In the early stages, making some simple lifestyle changes or taking medications prescribed by your GP can be enough to relieve the symptoms. However many people (between 10-40%) will continue to have significant symptoms.

Ongoing reflux (GORD) can damage the oesophagus, causing painful ulcers or a stricture. This is when scar tissue builds up and narrows the oesophagus, making swallowing difficult. Repeated episodes of acid reflux can damage the cells in the lining of your oesophagus. This can progress to a condition called Barrett’s oesophagus, which increases your risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

Surgery for GORD and reflux

A fundoplication is a type of surgery used to relieve the discomfort of GORD and avoid further complications from ongoing exposure to acid reflux. Fundoplication surgery involves wrapping part of the stomach around the lower oesophagus to prevent too much acid from entering the oesophagus and causing further reflux. It is also used as a treatment for hiatus hernia.

Most people who have fundoplication surgery as treatment for GORD enjoy immediate relief from painful symptoms, improving their quality of life. It also eliminates or reduces the need to take medications. Long-term benefits include a decreased risk of developing Barrett’s oesophagus and related cancer risks.

What does the surgery involve?

Different types of fundoplication surgery are used depending on the severity of your reflux:

• Total (Nissen) fundoplication – involves a complete wrap around the oesophagus to act as an anti-reflux mechanism.

• Partial fundoplication – involves a lesser or partial wrap of the oesophagus.

• Both procedures offer excellent anti-reflux results and are performed using small keyhole incisions in your abdomen.

• The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes approximately 1-2 hours.

What is the recovery from reflux surgery?

You will be admitted to hospital to stay overnight and are usually discharged the following day. Recovery from reflux surgery takes approximately 3-4 weeks during which time you will need to eat a special diet.

As with any procedure, Dr Hopkins will discuss any potential side effects with you prior to surgery. Most patients make a full recovery and enjoy almost immediate relief from the painful symptoms of GORD and acid reflux.

Is reflux surgery an option for me?

If you are suffering from reflux that is not controlled with medication, or you are interested in trying to cease taking reflux medications, then surgery may be an option for you. Dr Hopkins treats all patients individually and will discuss the benefits and risks of the surgery to make a shared decision of whether an operation is suitable for you.

If you have any questions about reflux surgery or would like to make an initial appointment to see Dr Hopkins, please get in touch.

Why choose Dr Hopkins?

Dr Hopkins has a special interest in hiatus hernia and reflux surgery. He has published long-term research into the success of the different surgical approaches in a randomised controlled trial (Hopkins, Irvine, Watson et al., British Journal of Surgery 2020).

Dr Hopkins is experienced in performing hiatus hernia surgery and surgery for reflux and is able to tailor the operation to suit your needs with a focus on your quality of life.