gastroesophageal reflux disease(Food and Beverage Delivery Service)What is it?

Normally, food does not reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. However, in rare cases, reflux from the stomach into the esophagus can occur in children (especially in bedridden children).

In this case, the contents injected into the stomach may be vomited or inhaled into the lungs, causing pneumonia. Also, because stomach acid constantly corrodes the esophagus, it can cause esophagitis (causing vomiting of blood).

At first, we will monitor the condition and treat with medication, but if the condition does not improve or the symptoms are severe, surgery may be necessary.

At Kitano Hospital, we perform anti-reflux surgery using a small laparoscope with a small incision for children with gastroesophageal reflux that does not improve with medication.

Anti-reflux surgery
(Laparoscopic fundoplication)

The surgery involves wrapping part of the stomach around the esophagus like a scarf to make it harder for reflux to occur. If a gastrostomy is required, it can be performed at the same time as the gastrostomy surgery, and the surgery takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. The surgery is generally performed using a laparoscope.