Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion is a burning sensation in the chest, just behind the breastbone or in the upper abdomen. The pain often rises in the chest and may seem like it has spread to the neck, throat, or jaw.
Heartburn is usually accompanied by regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux) which is the major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic symptom of injury to the mucus lining caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the esophagus.
GERD is typically caused by changes in the area between the esophagus and the stomach. This may include abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which holds the top of the stomach closed; impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus, or a hiatal hernia.
If you experience heartburn or acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have chronic acid reflux or GERD. (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
Call our office if you are experiencing any of the accompanying signs:
regurgitation
asthma or asthma-like symptoms
frequent swallowing
persistent cough
hoarseness or sore throat
burning in the mouth or throat
pain or discomfort in the chest
intolerance of certain foods
bloating
reflux-related sleep disorders
yellow fluid or stains on pillow after sleep
dental erosions or therapy-resistant gum disease or inflammation
excessive clearing to the throat
ULTIMATE BARIATRICS: 817-783-4395
2. GERD
• Defined as the presence of troublesome
symptoms and/or complications that develop
due to retrograde reflux of gastric contents in
the esophagus
• Incidence: 20%
• First line tx: PPI
• Most patients never undergo work up
4. Classification of Hiatal
Hernias
• Type I - sliding hiatal hernias, where the
gastroesophageal junction migrates above the
diaphragm.
• Type II - are pure paraesophageal hernias (PEH); the
gastroesophageal junction remains in its normal
anatomic position.
• Type III - combination of Types I and II
• Type IV - hiatal hernias are characterized by the
presence of a structure other than stomach, such as
the omentum, colon or small bowel within the
hernia sac.
7. For patients with GERD due to acid reflux the fundoplication is the most appropriate surgical option
For patient with GERD due to bile reflux the most appropriate surgical option is the gastric bypass or
gastrojejunostomy
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as the presence of troublesome symptoms and/or complications that develop due to retrograde reflux of gastric contents in the esophagus [1]. There is also Montrela definition from 2006 as “Reflux of stomach contents that causes troublesome symptoms and/ or mucosal injury in the esophagus”
(Montreal definition 2006)
In western countries, prevalence is extremely high – 20% US population reported reflux symptoms occurring at least weekly.
Most patients presenting to GP with typical symptoms never undergo formal diagnostic evaluation and are effectively managed with proton pump inhibitors. Consequently, most guidelines recommend an empirical trial of PPI therapy could be viewed as both diagnostic and therapeutic for patients with typical symptoms. Upper endoscopy is NOT required unless in the presence of alarming symptoms (e.g. elderly, long-standing symptoms >5-10yr, male sex, constitutional symptoms)
Although effective, PPIs provide incomplete control of reflux symptoms in up to 40% patients. A partial response can occur because these meds do NOT address an incomplete sphincter or prevent reflux
ACG American College of Gastroenterology
AGA American Gastroenterological Association
EDAP Esophageal Diagnostic Advisory Panel
SAGES
Type I hernias are sliding hiatal hernias, where the gastroesophageal junction migrates above the diaphragm6. The stomach remains in its usual longitudinal alignment7 and the fundus remains below the gastroesophageal junction.
Type II hernias are pure paraesophageal hernias (PEH); the gastroesophageal junction remains in its normal anatomic position but a portion of the fundus herniates through the diaphragmatic hiatus adjacent to the esophagus.
Type III hernias are a combination of Types I and II, with both the gastroesophageal junction and the fundus herniating through the hiatus. The fundus lies above the gastroesophageal junction.
Type IV hiatal hernias are characterized by the presence of a structure other than stomach, such as the omentum, colon or small bowel within the hernia sac.
Starts with dissection of left crus +/- ligation of short gastric vessels mobilization of gastric fundus
Then divide left phreno-eso membrane expose length of left crus.
Right crural dissection and division of gastrohepatic ligament expose right crus + creation of retroesophageal window (Penrose drain placed around eso to facilitate) Posterior mediastinal dissection
Posterior crural closure, a 52-F bougie should easily pass beyond the eso hiatus
Creation of a 360 Fundoplication: posterior fundus is passed behind the esophagus from the patients’ left to right, anterior fundus on the left side of the esophagus is then grasped, both portions of the fundus are positioned on the anterior aspect of the esophagus Using 3 or 4 interrupted permanent sutures, the fundoplication
is created to a length of 2.5 to 3.0 cm
the wrap is anchored to the esophagus and crura (Fig. 8, inset) to help prevent herniation into the mediastinum and slipping of the fundoplication over the body of the stomach.