Re: Nissen Fundoplication

Posted By HFHSM.D.-rf on August 17, 1998 at 08:05:12:

In Reply to: Nissen Fundoplication posted by David on August 16, 1998 at 19:05:26:






After reading through the messages in this forum pertaining to this surgical procedure for GERD, I can't help but wonder if there are people out there who are actually feeling "better" after the operation.  What is the success rate?  Are there people out there who don't experience the complications mentioned in previous messages? I am scheduled for a laparoscopic nissen next month and am looking forward to some relief from my continual heartburn and reflux.  For years I have had heartburn and reflux and finally went to a GI specialist who did all the necessary testing. My LES pressure was <5mm if that. I also have a small sliding hiatal hernia. I'm currently taking Prilsec 20mg twice a day and even that doesn't help sometimes (It all depends on what I eat). Anyway I'm miserable, even drinking water refluxes back up when I bend over. I would be happy to hear about the good side of having a Nissen.  I know the risks and the complications.  What's the percentage rate (based on studies) of these risks and complications?  Is it more than the success rate?  As you can tell, I'm a little bit anxious now after reading some of the messages in this forum.  Thanks for your time.
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Dear David,
This posting is intended to reassure you.  Based on an appropriate presurgery evalaution, the medical reports indicates that more than 90% of people who undergo Nissen fundoplication are satisfied with the results of the surgery and believe that their quality of life has been improved.  However, because so many people are having fundoplication, the 10% who are not unhappy with the result constitute a large number of people.  The role of this Forum is to provide patient informatiion and consequently you will read letters from people seeking solutions to the difficult clinical problemof adverse effects of esophageal surgery.  Those who are happy with their results have no need to post here and consequently we tend to present a distorted to picture of the surgical outcomes.  I hope that other readers of this Forum will respond to your request so that we may show a more balanced presentation of the outcomes of Nissen fundoplication.
This information is presented for educational piurposes only.  Always consult your personal physician for specific medical questions.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: fundoplication, esophageal reflux
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