Surgical Management

Fri, 15 Dec 2023

Surgery for Heartburn or GERD

Heartburn occurs when acids in the stomach "back up" into the esophagus. This causes a burning feeling in the throat, chest or rib area, or anywhere along the esophagus. GERD can cause people to cough, wheeze or vomit, and can make it hard to swallow.

Terms related to heartburn are:

• Gastro-intestinal Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Hiatal Hernia
• Indigestion

Causes of GERD

Some people are born with a weak ring of muscles in the esophagus (a "sphincter"), which does not work properly. So it does not keep stomach acid or bile from getting into the esophagus. Others find they have heartburn when they eat fatty or spicy foods, when they exercise, or when they bend over or lay down. "Lifestyle changes"-like changes in diet, exercise and losing weight, for example are usually the best treatment for GERD.

Surgical Treatment for GERD

In Many cases surgical treatment is required to cure GERD. Our expert team at Medanta Hospital with wide experience of Esophageal Surgeries offers the best surgical treatment for GERD.

For most of our patients who need surgery, our team uses thoracoscopic surgery and other advanced techniques to repair or strengthen the muscles. This helps to keep stomach acid and bile from flowing up into the esophagus. Our surgeons are also experienced in traditional surgery, if that type of surgery is safest for a specific patient.