Surgery

Surgery can be performed to either improve the action of the LES or to widen a narrowed esophagus.

Laparoscope
This involves keyhole surgery (where the cut made is as small as possible to improve recovery), and is carried out to tighten the tissue around the lower esophagus to reduce or prevent acid reflux. This surgery will normally mean that you stay in hospital for 2–3 days.

There are a number of procedures which may be carried out to widen a narrowed esophagus.

• Bougie– A series of increasingly larger, soft rubber or plastic dilators are placed over the narrow part of the esophagus, gently widening the tube. 
  
  
• Guided wire – Dilators are passed over a thin wire, which is positioned in the narrowed tube. 
  
  
• Balloons– Long, narrow balloons can be passed into the esophagus and then gently inflated to open up the narrowed tube.
  

Patients with swallowing difficulties will normally obtain complete relief after one of these procedures. During, or after the procedure you may experience a small amount of bleeding from the esophagus. Complications from the procedure, such as excessive bleeding due to damage to the esophagus, are rare.