I did read another article, but will look for it when I'm feeling better.
Surgical and other procedures Both surgical and nonsurgical procedures are available to treat problems related to heartburn. Endoscopic procedures, which are nonsurgical, are less invasive than surgery. Doctors usually will consider less invasive measures first.
Nonsurgical procedures include:
Endoscopic dilation. This procedure permits a doctor to widen (dilate) a narrowed esophagus (esophageal stricture). During the procedure, your doctor passes a dilator such as a balloon down into your esophagus and inflates it. Endoscopic dilation has a high rate of success. However, a small risk of perforating the esophagus exists, and the stricture usually recurs if you don't control the condition causing heartburn. Endoscopic suturing system. Picture a miniature sewing machine attached to an endoscope. This new suturing system places stitches in two different locations near a weakened lower esophageal sphincter. Your doctor uses the device to tie the suturing material together, creating barriers to prevent stomach acid from refluxing into the esophagus. The procedure takes an hour or less to perform, doesn't require incisions and can be done as an outpatient procedure. Side effects may include a sore throat or mild chest pain for a day after surgery. Stretta system. Another new procedure uses controlled radiofrequency energy to heat and melt (coagulate) tissues within the portion of the esophagus that contains a malfunctioning valve and at the junction of the esophagus and upper stomach. It appears to work by creating scar tissue that helps tighten the valve that keeps stomach acids where they belong. This is not the same type of scarring that requires dilation. As with the endoscopic suturing system, this procedure takes an hour or less to perform, doesn't require incisions and can be done as an outpatient procedure. Again, side effects may include a sore throat or mild chest pain. The Food and Drug Administration approved the endoscopic suturing system and Stretta system in April 2000. Both procedures are less invasive and are intended for people with uncomplicated GERD who prefer minimally invasive procedures to medications. Neither procedure is recommended if you have a hiatal hernia or Barrett's esophagus. The long-term effects of each treatment are unknown.
People who experience severe heartburn or for whom medications don't provide relief may need to consider surgery. In surgery known as fundoplication, surgeons wrap the upper part of your stomach around the lower esophagus. This places more pressure on the sphincter to help keep it closed. Traditional fundoplication is major surgery, requiring an abdominal incision and a long hospital stay and recovery period.
Doctors can perform this same operation using laparoscopic surgery. In laparoscopic fundoplication, your doctor cuts small holes in your abdomen and inserts miniature surgical instruments and a tiny video camera. This allows your doctor to wrap the upper part of your stomach around the lower esophagus without a major incision. Recovery is rapid. You can resume all activities after just one week, instead of the four to six weeks with traditional surgery. Although laparoscopic surgery appears to work well, it's still relatively new, and the long-term effects aren't completely known.
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