Is a endoscopy necessary prior to reflux surgery?

  I have GERD and a hiatal hernia with moderately severe dysmotility.
  I have had a Ph probe test done and medicine therapy doesn't help
  me either.  My doctor recommended surgery to correct my GERD and
  hiatal hernia.  I haven't had a endoscopy done yet should I have
  one done prior to surgery?  Is is necessary since I have already
  been diagnosed and recommended as a excellent candidate for surgery?
  If I get this surgery will I no longer suffer with reflux and how
  quick can I recover and return to work?  Thank you for your advice
  and suggestions.
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Dear Maria,
An endoscopy is done prior to esophageal syrgery to assess the severity of esophageal damage and to provide confirmatory evidence that the symptoms are due to reflux.  I would encourage you to have an endoscopy.
I am concerned regarding your statement that you have dysmotility.  This term means that your esophagus does not contract properly.  One potential result of this muscle abnormality is an inability to move food from esophagus to stomach.  If you do a fundoplication you may end up with a new problem- an inability to swallow.  Prior to having surgery, you should have an esopahgeal motility study to better characterize the esophageal abnormality.  Esophageal reflux can cause dysmotility and if this is tghe explanation, then your motility should improve with surgery.  If, however, you have a primaru esophageal motor problem then youmay have substantial problems swallowing after the surgery.
This issue should be addressed with your surgeon before any operation is scheduled.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  alwasy consult your personal physician for specific medical questions.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: esophageal reflux
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