Gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus. Symptoms include chronic heartburn, regurgitation and dyspepsia that produces burping, nausea, bloating and upper abdominal pain. Left untreated it may cause esophageal ulcers, bleeding and narrowing of the esophagus. Nissen fundoplication is a surgical procedure for people whose acid reflux is not controlled with medicine, don’t want to take medicine long term or have hiatal hernia, caused by an opening in the diaphragm allowing a portion of the stomach to protrude into the chest. During fundoplication surgery the upper curve of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus and sewn into place so that the lower portion of the esophagus passes through a small tunnel of stomach muscle. This strengthens the valve between the esophagus and stomach, stopping acid from backing up into the esophagus to allow healing. Listed below you will find local gastroenterologists around Santa Fe who can help.

The patient is then taken to the preoperative or holding area and must remain in bed, except to use the bathroom. An intravenous is started for fluids and medication, if the patient does not already have one. Sedation is given through the intravenous or by injection to induce drowsiness. Anesthesia is administered in the operating room. After surgery, the patient is taken to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) until the anesthesia wears off and is closely monitored by the nursing staff.