Anti-Reflux Surgery
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, affects millions of people in the U.S., causing heartburn, esophageal damage, pain and other digestive/health issues. Medications and lifestyle changes can help manage heartburn and GERD, but surgery may be recommended in chronic cases to relieve patients. Danny Shouhed, MD, is a board-certified gastrointestinal (GI) surgeon who offers GERD treatment and anti-reflux surgery through his practice in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. He also offers revisional GERD surgery for patients with a recurrent para-esophageal hernia, a herniation of a prior fundoplication or another repeat abdominal complication.
Chronic heartburn and GERD are the most common GI conditions. Genetics, health conditions, lifestyle choices and certain substances can impact the connection between the esophagus and stomach at the lower esophagus sphincter (LES). When the LES no longer works correctly, stomach acid and regurgitated food can backflow into the esophagus from the stomach, resulting in heartburn and reflux symptoms. Anti-reflux surgery options can improve the function of the LES for long-term relief from GERD.
Minimally Invasive GERD Treatment Options
Dr. Danny Shouhed specializes in minimally invasive GI surgery that offers fewer risks and quicker recovery for patients than open surgery. Most anti-reflux or GERD surgical treatments can be performed using laparoscopic methods, using only tiny incisions to access the stomach and esophagus. Dr. Shouhed has extensive experience conducting complex GI surgeries to repair the LES or para-esophageal hernias to relieve GERD. Some of the possible treatments for patients with GERD include:
Dr. Danny Shouhed is a top GI surgeon who can perform minimally invasive anti-reflux surgery for patients with esophageal damage, hiatal hernia or uncontrolled GERD. He can also perform complex foregut operations like revisional GERD surgery, which few surgeons are experienced enough to execute.
Revisional GERD Surgery
In some instances, a patient may need revisional GERD surgery, which involves mending previous GI surgeries. For example, suppose a patient has a recurrent para-esophageal hernia, herniation of the prior fundoplication, and a slipped wrap leading to severe symptoms of abdominal pain, dysphagia to solids, heartburn, regurgitation, nausea and vomiting. In that case, Dr. Shouhed must take down the prior hiatal hernia repair and the prior fundoplication. He will then need to redo the hiatal hernia repair and recreate a partial fundoplication. The patient will also need Dr. Shouhed to perform a Collis Gastroplasty.
Conditions that require a revisional operation significantly impact a patient’s life, leading to failure to thrive, weight loss and poor quality of life. Dr. Shouhed can determine if a patient needs revisional GERD surgery after conducting a comprehensive evaluation and testing. Revisional GERD surgery is a complex operation, only required if less invasive methods will not suffice. Once it has been determined that revisional surgery is the only solution, the procedure must be performed by an expert in the field of foregut surgery. Due to the complexity of the operation and the revisional nature of the case, there is a high risk of complications.
Complex Revisional GI Operations Require an Expert Surgeon
Dr. Danny Shouhed has performed numerous revisional foregut operations. He serves on the national Foregut Committee for the SAGES conference and the Robotic Committee of the American Foregut Society (AFS). He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and chapters on foregut disease, including one of the most extensive series of Collis Gastroplasty, hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication performed worldwide with excellent outcomes in JAMA Surgery.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Dr. Danny Shouhed directly. In addition, if you suffer from chronic heartburn, GERD or complications from previous foregut operations and want to explore a long-term solution, please do not hesitate to contact our office to schedule a consultation to discuss your treatment options. Dr. Shouhed and our team can help you find pain relief with minimally invasive or complex treatment options.