Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects millions of people in western society. Since the introduction of laparoscopic techniques in the 1990s, it is now one of the most common indications for surgery. This text is designed to highlight the problem of failed medical and surgical anti-reflux therapy for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and to provide an algorithm for managing such failures.
This multi-authored text provides information on the pathophysiology of GERD, appropriate medical management, and proper indications for and performance of surgical and endoscopic procedures for GERD. Thousands of patients will experience inadequate relief from medical therapy or will develop complications from their procedures or recurrent or new symptoms afterwards; this text describes in detail the proper evaluation and management of such patients.
This text is essential to any physician who manages patients with GERD, including internists, gastroenterologists, general surgeons, and thoracic surgeons.