Post Surgery Complications

[David M.]

I had my gallbladder removed and a hiatus hernia repaired several years ago. Before the surgery I asked the surgeon how he was going to fix the hernia and he told me he would pull the part of my stomach that had gone up above my diaphragm back down and stitch my esophagus to my diaphragm (I have since learned that it is called a gastropexy) He did not tell me anything about doing a Fundo , but I have also since been told by other surgeons that a Fundo was done , but not if it was a total or partial wrap.

    I can tell you that that surgery was one of the worst mistakes of my life. I have had terrible problems since. And have not been able to find a surgeon that can help me.

   My question is , can the level of training and/or experience of the surgeon and poor surgical techniques result in mechanical complications that can create post surgical problems that cannot be viewed by imaging procedures such as x-rays , MRI , etc. , but that can only be discovered by exploratory surgery? In other words can the surgeon make a mistake in the way he applies the sutures and/or clips , how the wrap is done or make any other mistakes that cannot be discovered except by more surgery?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There can certainly be a relationship between the experience of the surgeon and surgical technique.  However, even in the best of circumstances, repair of a hiatal hernia or if you had a fundoplication, are not 100% solutions.  Even if the surgical technique was impeccable, there is always a chance that the surgery may not relieve the symptoms.  

There are certainly tests that can be considered other than surgery that can identify problems.  One would be an upper endoscopy to evaluate for any other issues (i.e. ulcers or inflammation) that can be causing the symptoms.  Another would be a 24-hr pH study to evaluate if GERD is present despite any surgical correction.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[tessa0825]

You could ask to have an EGD, that test would allow the Dr. to view your esopahgus and stomach and he would know if things look right post op.

[surgeon]

the question is not so much about surgical technique as surgical result. If the operation were done wrong, then certain things would result; mainly, things would be too tight resulting in obstructed swallowing or inablility to belch, or things would be too loose resulting in no solving of the problem. You didn't specify what your current troubles are. So it's a matter of evaluating your symptoms and deciding if they are amenable to surgical correction, whether or not the surgery itself is related to what's going on now.

[marycris]

A related discussion, post op repair hiatus hernia was started.