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Barnaby Smith – General, Bariatric and Endoscopic Surgeon
Private Service, General Surgery
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is caused by the backflow (reflux) of food and stomach acid into the oesophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) from the stomach. This happens when the valve between the stomach and the lower end of the oesophagus is not working properly. The main symptom of GORD is heartburn (a burning feeling in the stomach and chest).
Laparoscopic Fundoplication is a surgical procedure for GORD that involves wrapping the top part of the stomach (fundus) around the lower end of the oesophagus. The valve between the stomach and the oesophagus is also replaced or repaired.
At most antireflux operations a Hiatal hernia repair is also performed. This is a suture repair of a hernia through the diaphragm. Such a hernia is common and predisposes a patient to GORD.