Surgery

In severe cases of reflux, a surgical procedure called Fundoplication may be performed. The word 'Fundoplication comes from the combination of two words "fundo" meaning fundus (being the top of the stomach) that pairs with  "plication" meaning folded. Together they mean  "folding the top of the stomach".

Your GP may recommend this operation if your child is not gaining weight due to vomiting, has frequent respiratory problems, or has severe irritation in the oesophagus.

This procedure is usually done laparoscopically, which means that pain in minimized and the recovery time is faster after surgery.

Small incisions are made in the abdomen, and a small tube with a camera on the end is placed into one of the incisions to look inside. The surgical instruments are placed through the other incisions while the surgeon looks at a video monitor to see the stomach and other organs. The top portion of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus, creating a tight band that greatly decreases reflux.