Reflux of acid from the stomach back into the esophagus is the disorder identified by the acronym GERD which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It’s such a common disorder that I suspect few of you need this explanation—you are all too familiar.

Unhappily, many are also well acquainted with the main symptom GERD causes—heartburn. Imagine pouring battery acid on your skin. Same thing is happening when stomach acid, part of normal gastric secretions which contribute to the breakdown of food so that absorption can take place in the small intestine, hits the lining of the esophagus. A small amount of reflux is normal as is occasional heartburn but when reflux/heartburn is excessive and truly impairs one’s quality of life, helpful treatment is called for.

Treatment options are plentiful; one is selected by a sufferer based on the severity of the heartburn, treatment efficacy, and the perceived tolerance for the particular therapeutic modality. I want to address antireflux operations; they can be the best answer for someone with severe and/or persistent heartburn continuing despite altering one’s lifestyle and using various medications.

During my surgical career I was always interested in diseases of the esophagus, both cancer and benign ones, particularly GERD. I performed many antireflux operations, most frequently one called a Nissen fundoplication after its originator. In early days they were successful but required an open incision into the abdomen, a laparotomy, and patients spent several days recovering in the hospital and required some pain medication afterwards. Minimally invasive procedures provide the same benefits but all else has changed. Patients are typically out of the hospital within 24 hours and have minimal postoperative pain or discomfort. I will emphasize that the experience of the surgeon matters. When performed by a surgeon who regularly deals with and operates on patients with reflux patients are free of heartburn and require no medications.