Panama Medical Vacations
No More Burning - Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication in Panama
That burning from your stomach into your throat. It won’t go away; even the prescription from your family doctor doesn’t eliminate it all. There is hope; a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is the surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Patients who suffer from GERD experience a burning sensation as acid flows back from the stomach to the esophagus. During the procedure, the valve between the esophagus and stomach is strengthened. You want that kind of relief and you know where to get it. A friend of yours enjoyed his Panama medical tourism trip so much that you’re ready to come for your laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and the surgeons and staff at Hospital Punta Pacifica are ready to help.
The Procedure
To perform laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, your surgeon will make four to five small incisions and insert tube-like instruments through them. Your abdomen will be filled with gas to aid the surgeon in viewing the abdominal cavity and giving him or her room to operate. A video camera, inserted through one of the tubes, will display images on a monitor located in the operating room. Other instruments for holding and cutting will be placed through the other incisions. With this method, your surgeon will be able to work inside your abdomen without making the larger, traditional incision. Your surgeon will wrap the upper portion of your stomach around the lower portion of your esophagus and secure it.
After your surgery
After the surgery, you will go to the recovery unit where the nursing staff will monitor your recovery. After you have recovered, you will be taken to your room. Most patients can expect to spend one night in the hospital, but it varies depending upon the patient.
Risks
As with any surgery, there is a risk of a reaction to anesthesia, excessive bleeding, and infection. There is also a risk of dysphagia, trouble swallowing, recurrence of GERD, injury to the espophagus, and splenic injury.