Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder

More than 25 million Americans suffer from frequent, recurring gastroesophageal reflux complaints. The most common symptoms of this disease are "heartburn," regurgitation, reflux-induced cough or asthma, and difficulty swallowing related to scarring and narrowing of the esophagus from the acid reflux. Although medical management is frequently successful in controlling symptoms, younger patients and those patients with incomplete relief of symptoms may be candidates for surgical correction of the defective distal esophageal anti-reflux mechanism.

Until recently, this operative therapy required open thoracotomy or abdominal surgery. Although correction of the reflux problem was accomplished, recovery from the surgical incisions was often lengthy. The thoracic surgeons of the Allegheny Center for Lung and Thoracic Disease were the first in the tri-state area to introduce minimally invasive video-assisted surgical approaches to repair gastroesophageal reflux disease. Currently, the average patient stay in the hospital is a little more than one day, and return to full activities is accomplished in about a week's time. Long-term success and freedom from the need for further medical treatment of reflux disease following the procedure is greater than 90 percent. The center continues to have the largest experience in the region with these "laparoscopic," minimally invasive approaches, and they are engaged in clinical scientific protocols aimed at further defining and perfecting these approaches.

Co-Directors
Robert J Keenan, M.D.
Richard H Maley, Jr., M.D.

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