Nissen fundoplication is a surgical procedure used to treat patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, a condition in which stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. GERD symptoms typically occur due to a weak valve between the esophagus and the stomach. During Nissen fudoplication, a portion of the stomach, called the fundus, is wrapped around the lower region of the esophagus to help strengthen and support the weakened valve, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Patients should talk with a doctor about the potential complications of Nissen fundoplication surgery prior to having this procedure performed.
Esophageal or Stomach Damage
During this surgical procedure, the esophagus or stomach can be inadvertently damaged. This may cause bleeding, perforation or abscess complications in patients, explains Dr. Brant K. Oelschlager with the Center for Esophageal and Gastric Surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center. Typically, esophageal or stomach damage is immediately detected and repaired during surgery. If these complications are not detected until after Nissen fundoplication surgery, affected patients may require additional surgical intervention to resolve organ injury.
Difficulty Swallowing, Burping or Vomiting
Patients can experience difficulty swallowing, a complication called dysphagia, after Nissen fundoplication surgery. Difficulty swallowing typically occurs due to postsurgical swelling within the stomach or esophagus and can interfere with a patient's ability to eat or drink. Swallowing difficulties generally resolve as a patient begins to heal after surgery. Patients will also be unable to burp or vomit after undergoing this surgical procedure, according to Intermountain Primary Children's Medical Center. This complication of surgery may lead to increased abdominal bloating or gas in affected patients.
Lung or Spleen Injury
A patient's lungs or spleen can be injured during this surgical procedure. Affected patients may develop a collapsed lung, which can lead to difficulty breathing, Oelschlager reports. Lung injury also increases a patient's risk of developing a lung infection, such as pneumonia, after surgery. Spleen damage can result in excessive bleeding or abdominal pain if not immediately treated. Typically, additional or more extensive surgery is necessary to resolve these rare complications of Nissen fundoplication surgery.
Recurrent GERD
Approximately 10 percent of patients continue to experience GERD symptoms, such as heartburn, after having Nissen fundoplication surgery, according to The Mayo Clinic. Recurrent GERD can be bothersome and may require additional surgery to resolve unpleasant symptoms.
Infection or Bleeding
All surgical procedures, including Nissen fundoplication, increase a patient's risk of infection or bleeding complications. Signs of postsurgical infection or bleeding can include a fever that exceeds 100 degrees F, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, incision site drainage or increased abdominal pain, the Baylor College of Medicine warns. Patients who experience any of these symptoms after Nissen fundoplication surgery should seek immediate medical care.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication
- Baylor College of Medicine: Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication
- Intermountain Primary Children's Medical Center: Let's Talk About - Nissen fundoplication
- University of Washington Medical Center - Center for Esophageal and Gastric Surgery: Nissen Fundoplication
