This surgery is done to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The doctor strengthens the valve between the stomach and the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
The doctor wraps the upper part of the stomach (fundus) around the lower part of the esophagus. This prevents stomach acid from moving back into the esophagus. After surgery, your child should have fewer symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn.
This is usually a laparoscopic surgery. This means that the doctor makes small cuts in your child's belly to do the surgery. These cuts are called incisions. The doctor puts a lighted tube, or scope, and other surgical tools through the incisions. The doctor is able to see your child's organs with the scope.
The doctor may do an open surgery instead. This means that the doctor makes a larger incision in the middle of your child's belly.
Your child will probably stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days after surgery. After laparoscopy, most children can go back to doing their usual activities in 2 to 3 weeks. If your child has open surgery, it may take 4 to 6 weeks to recover.
The type of surgery your child has depends on your child's health needs. The incisions from both types of surgeries leave scars that fade over time.
Surgery can be stressful for both your child and you. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your child's surgery.
Risks or complications after fundoplication surgery include:
For some people, the side effects of surgery—bloating caused by gas buildup, swallowing problems, pain at the surgical site—are as bothersome as GERD symptoms. The surgery can't be reversed. And in some cases it may not be possible to relieve the symptoms of these complications, even with a second surgery.
Fundoplication surgery is done to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In this surgery, the doctor strengthens the valve between the stomach and the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
A strong valve prevents stomach acid from moving back into the esophagus. The doctor will wrap the upper part of the stomach (fundus) around the lower part of the esophagus. After surgery, you should have fewer symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn.
You may be sore and have some pain in your belly for several weeks. If you had laparoscopic surgery, you also may have pain near your shoulder for a day or two.
It may be hard for you to swallow for up to 6 weeks.
You may also have cramping in your belly, feel bloated, or pass more gas than before. The cramping and bloating usually go away in 2 to 3 months. But you may keep passing more gas for a long time. When you burp, you may not get as much relief as you did before the surgery. Or you may not be able to burp after surgery.
The surgery makes your stomach a little smaller, so you may get full more quickly when you eat. In 2 to 3 months, the stomach adjusts. You will be able to eat your usual amounts of food.
How quickly you recover depends on what type of surgery you had. After laparoscopic surgery, most people can go back to work or their normal routine in about 2 to 3 weeks. It depends on their work. After open surgery, you may need 4 to 6 weeks to get back to your normal routine.
The incisions from both types of surgeries leave scars that fade over time.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for any changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your child has any problems.
The doctor wrapped the upper part of your child's stomach (fundus) around the lower part of the esophagus. This prevents stomach acid from moving back into the esophagus.
Your child may be sore and have some belly pain for several weeks after surgery. If your child had laparoscopic surgery, there may also be some shoulder or back pain. This pain is caused by the gas used to inflate the belly to help see the organs better. The pain usually lasts about 1 or 2 days.
For up to 6 weeks after the surgery, it may be hard for your child to swallow and burp. Your child may also have belly cramps, feel bloated, or pass more gas than before. The cramping and bloating usually go away in 2 to 3 months. But your child may pass more gas for a long time.
Because the surgery makes the stomach a little smaller, your child may get full sooner when eating. In 2 to 3 months, the stomach adjusts and your child will be able to eat the usual amounts of food.
How quickly your child recovers depends on whether your child had a laparoscopic or open surgery. After laparoscopy, most children can go back to their normal routine in about 2 to 3 weeks. After open surgery, children may need 4 to 6 weeks to get back to their normal routine.
Fundoplication surgery is most often used to treat GERD symptoms that are likely to be caused in part by a hiatal hernia and that have not been well controlled by medicines. The surgery may also be used for some people who don't have a hiatal hernia. Surgery also may be an option when:
In this surgery, the doctor wraps the upper part of the stomach (fundus) around the lower part of the esophagus.
It's most often done as laparoscopic surgery. The doctor puts a lighted tube, or scope, and other surgical tools through small incisions (cuts) in your belly. The doctor is able to see your organs with the scope. Most people stay in the hospital 2 to 3 days.
Your doctor may do an open surgery. The doctor makes a larger cut in the middle of your belly. You will probably stay in the hospital for 4 or 5 days after open surgery.
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