Study backs surgery for acid reflux disease

CHICAGO (Reuters) – A type of surgery to cure acid reflux
disease, the most severe form of heartburn, is showing a high
degree of long-term success, according to a study published on
Monday.

Of 1,340 people who underwent a laparoscopic procedure, in
which a small tube is inserted into the abdomen, 93 percent
said they were satisfied with the long-term results.

Patients in the study conducted at University Hospital,
Angers, France, were followed on average for more than seven
years after the surgery.

Acid reflux disease occurs when stomach acid moves into the
esophagus after a muscular valve designed to prevent such
leakage opens up.

Laparoscopic surgery for acid reflux involves strengthening
that natural barrier by wrapping part of the stomach around the
lower part of the esophagus.

Nearly 10 percent of the patients resumed taking heartburn
medicine, but “in most no evidence of reflux recurrence could
be found,” said the study published in the October issue of the
Archives of Surgery.

The results suggest that “laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery
is an effective long-term procedure, is well tolerated, and can
be properly used in the treatment of (acid reflux disease),”
the report concluded.