Hiatal Hernia Surgery: The Hidden Risks

Do you have chronic acid reflux or hiatal hernia symptoms that bother you? Are you considering surgery? Dr Vikki Petersen explains why you may want to consider all your options before jumping into surgery that is not a medical emergency. Fundoplication surgery reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter by wrapping the upper pat of the stomach around the lower esophagus. The surgery reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) by wrapping the upper part of the stomach (the fundus) around the lower esophagus. This: What the surgery aims to accomplish: Prevents stomach acid from refluxing upward Improves LES pressure Reduces regurgitation and heartburn Who is a good candidate? Persistent GERD, Hiatal Hernia, esophagitis, regurgitation, want to avoid long-term PPIs Stated Benefits Reduction of reflux, eliminate need for PPI, long-lasting symptom relief - Note: it states "symptom reflief" not cure. Risks and side effects Trouble swallowing Gas/bloat syndrome - can’t belch or vomit Increased gas Wrap loosening or slipping over time Damage to vagus nerve Dumping syndrome Fundoplication does not address the root cause contributors such as: Impaired gastric emptying Low stomach acid Dysbiosis or SIBO Increased intra-abdominal pressure Poor diaphragmatic function Why it Fails - wrap loosens - Why? Ongoing increased intra-abdominal pressure or obesity. The cause of the increased pressure is the "contributors" just mentioned above. “Failure” statistics: ~30% develop recurrent symptoms over time At 10 years, 40% have had symptoms return and require medication. Failure rates increase with time — many studies show good short-term outcomes but gradual decline over years. Revisions surgeries fail at a rate of 40% Bottom line: Short-term success: high Long-term durability: moderate Many failures are driven by ongoing pressure and motility issues, not acid alone. References: 1.Spechler SJ, et al. Medical or surgical management of GERD JAMA – 2019 2.Gyawali CP, et al. Modern diagnosis of GERD and surgical candidacy. American Journal of Gastroenterology – 2018 3.Broeders JA, et al. Ten-year outcome of laparoscopic fundoplication. British Journal of Surgery – 2013 4.Oelschlager BK, et al. Symptom recurrence after fundoplication Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery – 2011 5.Herregods TVK, et al. Esophageal motility disorders and reflux surgery outcomes. Neurogastroenterology & Motility – 2015 #hiatalhernia #acidreflux #guthealth #rootcausemedicine Disclaimer: The information provided in this is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition, or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this. The views expressed are based on my clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the date of publication. Individual results may vary. Many viewers ask what to do next if symptoms persist. Our licensed medical team at Root Cause Medical Clinic can help you identify the root cause. ➡ Learn more or book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/ 📞 Call us directly: (727) 335-0400 About this channel: Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC, CFMP, is founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic. Our multidisciplinary team of licensed APRNs and clinicians provides functional medicine care focusing on gut, hormone, and metabolic health. These are reviewed by licensed