Reflux

From Vegard was newborn, he had a severe reflux. He was in pain from this, he had difficulties breathing and had spasms because of this. He also had problems with feeding because of the reflux. It was decided that he needed an operation to fix this – a Nissen fundoplication.

“Nissen fundoplication is a procedure for strengthening the valve muscle between the stomach and the esophagus preventing stomach acids from being forced back up into the esophagus.

Normally, a circular band of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter acts like a one-way valve and only opens when swallowing. The lower esophageal sphincter should otherwise remain closed and prevent the back up of any stomach secretions into the esophagus. If the lower esophageal sphincter becomes weakened or abnormally relaxes, the stomach secretions can reflux up and cause the associated symptoms. These changes in the lower esophageal sphincter can also be exacerbated by the presence of a hiatal hernia. This occurs when a portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and goes up into the chest.

To prevent stomach acids from being forced back into the esophagus, The surgeon must strengthen the "valve" between the stomach and the esophagus. This is achieved by folding a part of the upper portion of the stomach, or fundus, around the bottom of the esophagus strengthening the Stomach Valve.” (Direct Healthcare International.)

There are two ways in which this can be done – either by laparotomic surgery, when they operate by an incision in the abdomen, or laparoscopic – minimally invasive surgery. (MIS)
On the 2nd of January 2008, Vegard was operated on by laparoscopic surgery. The operation was successful, and Vegard recovered exceptionally fast. Two days after the operation, we celebrated his 3rd birthday at Rikshospitalet. It was a beaming boy who smiled at us from the bedside this day.



Waking up at the intensive care unit 2nd of Jan 08


The nurses have decorated Vegard’s bed for his birthday.


The nurses also made a birthday crown for Vegard, and gave him a toy lion.

For a year’s time, Vegard was well and free of reflux, but during spring 2009, it was obvious that the reflux had returned. Examinations showed that there was a hernia in the fold around the esophagus. In November 2009, we therefore had to go back to Rikshospitalet for another Nissen fundoplication. This time it was done by the full incision in the abdomen. This was a much tougher procedure than the MIS, and Vegard needed much longer time to be himself after this operation. Now we really do hope that we have seen the last of the reflux!