FUNDOPLICATION
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Our commitment to patients
We are constantly striving to improve our service to patients and we will
welcome your comments or suggestions for improvement. If you have
any queries or concerns about this operation, please contact us on 0191
5656256 Ward C32 extension 49732.
You can find additional information on:
www.nhs.uk
or
www.sunderland.nhs.uk/chs
r
This information was correct at the time of printing. While the Trust
makes every reasonable effort to keep its information leaflets up to date,
very recent changes may not yet be reflected in the guidance and you
should discuss this with the clinical staff at the time of your appointment.
Date of publication: Dec 2005
Reviewed:
Jun 2007
Reviewed:
Dec 2008
Review due:
Dec 2011
CGSG date:
Jan 2009
Ref:
285/09
© City Hospitals Sunderland
General Surgery
Sunderland Royal Hospital
What to expect afterwards?
What is this leaflet about and who is it for?

 You will return to the ward after the procedure. Most patients go

 This leaflet has been produced for patients who are about to
home 2 days after surgery.

 However, if your surgeon has to convert to an open operation, you
will have a longer stay in hospital of 5 to 7 days. This is to control
your pain and reduce the risks of post-operative complications.

 You are likely to feel solid food sticking when you swallow a few
days after the operation, but this is usually a temporary problem,
which improves over 3 to 4 weeks. Rarely, it can last for a few
months. Dietary advice will be given during your hospital stay.

 About 85% of patients are cured by surgery and a further 10%
helped significantly by their operation. Over time, the operation can
fail and heartburn returns.
What are the risks associated with the procedure?

 Some patients experience difficulty burping or may feel bloated with
gas after a fundoplication. This may improve with a change in eating
and drinking habits.

 I f the gullet is very short or a large hiatus hernia is present or if
unexpected bleeding occurs, your surgeon may have to convert to
an open operation. This may happen in up to 5% (1 in 20) of
operations.

 Patients can also suffer one of a number of rare complications that
happen after a major operation. These include bleeding, wound
infections, pneumonia, blood clot in the legs and injury to adjacent
internal organs.

 Occasionally patients can have a severe reaction to the general
anesthetic.
undergo a Fundoplication procedure. This leaflets helps to explain
the operation.
What is the procedure?

 Fundoplication is a procedure that tightens the hole in the diaphragm
that the gullet passes through and wraps the upper stomach around
the lower end of the gullet.
Why am I having it?

 Your surgeon has advised you to have an operation to help your
heartburn or acid reflux.

 Reflux occurs when the muscle (sphincter) between the gullet and
the stomach weakens, allowing acid to burn or scar the lower gullet.
What are the benefits?

 The operation is an alternative to taking medication for heartburn.

 It has the advantage of preventing gastric fluid from refluxing back
into the gullet, something that antacids cannot do.
Is there an alternative?

 You can persist with medication instead of having the operation;
however, some patients experience unacceptable side effects.

 Not all reflux symptoms may be controlled by medication.
What happens when I go home?
What preparation is needed?

 You should be able to return to normal daily activities after 10 to 14

 You will be invited to attend a pre-assessment clinic for a general
days and drive once all pain has left your wounds.

 Do not lift anything heavy or undergo strenuous exercise until
reviewed in the clinic.

 Dissolving skin sutures are used during the operation, but can be
removed after 7 to 10 days if bothersome.

 All dressings can be removed after 48 hours and normal bathing
recommenced.
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health check before your admission.

 This may include an ECG (tracing of the heart) and blood samples to
confirm you are fit enough for the general anaesthetic.

 When this is complete you will be given a date to come into hospital.

 You will also be given details about when to stop eating, drinking
and smoking before your operation.
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
 The diaphragm opening is then stitched together to tighten the
What will happen on arrival?

 You will be introduced to your named nurse who will direct and
opening around the gullet. This helps to keep the lower part of the
gullet below the diaphragm.
implement you nursing care.

 You will also be reviewed by the medical staff and the anaesthetist.
Will I need to sign consent or is verbal consent needed?

 Your consent to the operation will be confirmed prior to your
operation.
What does the procedure involve?
The operation aims to keep the stomach and lower gullet below the
diaphragm and strengthen the lower gullet muscle by:

 Freeing the upper stomach and lower gullet from the opening in the
diaphragm muscle.

 The upper stomach is then wrapped around the gullet to reinforce
the sphincter
How long does the procedure last?

 The operation takes between 1 to 2 hours.
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