Dr. Cody Starnes is a board-certified general surgeon with fellowship training in advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery, including Reflux surgery.
Reflux Surgery
When it comes to heartburn, there are several factors at play. A good starting point to evaluate your symptoms is to take the GERD Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire.
Click Here to take the GERD Health Related Quality of Life QuestionnaireMost patients are taking various antacid medications with varying levels of relief. Moreover, a lot of patients don’t like the idea of taking certain antacid medications for the rest of their lives. There are a few surgical and non-surgical options available to you. A standard workup includes an upper endoscopy with pH monitoring, esophageal manometry, and/or an upper GI series.
Risks Factors for a Hiatal Hernia and Heartburn:
- Tobacco use
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Collagen disorders
- Aging
- Chronic coughing
Treatment Options:
Laproscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair with Fundoplications
This the gold standard procedure with an estimated 90% success rate in getting patients off of their antacid medications. As with any procedure, there is the potential to have complications, which your surgeon will discuss with you at your visit.
Laparoscopic LINX Procedure
This is a procedure that involves placing a bracelet containing small magnets around the lower esophageal sphincter to help with tone. Of note, the device appears to have success rates approaching the standard hiatal hernia repair with fundoplication. Moreover, the device is safe in MRI machines up to 1.5 Tesla.
