Interested in Knowing More About GERD Surgery Complications?Read On to Compare GERD Medicine and GERD SurgeryPopulation with GERDUp to 60% of the American population experiences GERD 
sometime through the year. 20% to 30% experience GERD symptoms weekly including GERD acid reflux heartburn and regurgitation. GERD treatment includes medicine, surgery or a combination of both. Knowing GERD surgery complications can help you understand your options better.
GERD Symptoms and TrendsFrom 1998 to 2004, trends in GERD hospitalizations overall have decreased because of the GERD medicine treatments available. However, because GERD is linked to Obesity and obesity related hospitalizations have increased by 112% from 1996 to 2004, there is speculation that many patients are treated for GERD during their hospital stay.The least increase in hospitalizations for GERD was across the elderly age group where only 30% were hospitalized for primary GERD symptoms from 1998 to 2005. The largest increase in hospital discharges was found in the young adult population, ages 18 to 34 with an alarming 273% increase in primary and secondary GERD symptoms from 1998 to 2005. The infant and children population trends were increased also. Infant discharges for GERD symptoms ranked as high as 42% and for children, ages 2 to 17, discharges related to GERD ranked at 84% from 1998 to 2005. The top three GERD symptom diagnoses for hospitalizations were GERD and chest pain (nonspecific), asthma and anemia. The fastest growing GERD symptoms included hoarseness/laryngitis at 192%, weight loss at 140% and trouble swallowing (dysphagia) at 75%. In 2005, patients with primary GERD symptoms ranked at 69% for admissions through the emergency room in comparison to 57% in 1998. GERD SurgeryWhen GERD medicine treatment fails, your doctor may recommend GERD surgery. Nissen fundoplication is the most common GERD surgery. Nissen fundoplication is usually performed as a laparoscopic which includes making small incisions and using a light and a video camera to guide the surgeon.The procedure involves strengthening a valve between the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus) and the stomach by using the upper part of the stomach to wrap around the bottom of the esophagus. The benefits of the laparoscopic GERD surgery include less pain after the surgery, shorter stay in the hospital, smaller scars and return to work faster. Studies show approximately 90% of patients continued to have improvement in GERD symptoms for 5 or more years following the procedure. On occasion, the GERD surgery may need to be done as an open procedure under general anesthetic. This happens when the surgeon cannot visualize the internal organs under the laparoscopic procedure. This can happen with obesity, extensive scarring of the stomach or bleeding disorders. The surgeon will discuss this option with you before the procedure. However, the decision may be made during the procedure.
GERD Surgery ComplicationsGERD surgery complications include infection, bleeding, injury to the internal organs or reaction to the anesthesia.Long term GERD surgery complications include difficulty swallowing, closure of the esophagus needing surgical repair (endoscopic dilation), and the inability to belch or vomit, stomach bloating, the need to continue GERD medicine or no improvement in symptoms. Comparison of GERD Medicine Treatment and GERD Surgery Studies show that GERD medicine treatment and GERD surgery are similarly effective. Studies vary anywhere from 10% to 65% of patients needed to continue GERD medicine after their GERD surgery. GERD Surgery complications are a reality of treatment. Understanding the many options for GERD treatment can help you make an informed consent with the help of your doctor. Return from GERD Surgery Complications to Home Page
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