Foregut surgery relieves symptoms of upper gastrointestinal diseases

Foregut surgery is a term that describes procedures on the upper gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestines. Foregut surgery, in addition to weight loss procedures, treats GERD, heartburn, hiatal hernias, and motility disorders like achalasia and gastroparesis. Surgeons use minimally invasive techniques, which means shorter recovery times and a lower risk of complications.

According to Jeremy Bryner, DO, a Foregut and Bariatric Surgeon with Piedmont Physicians Surgical Specialists and Bariatrics of Columbus, GERD can lead to a condition called Barrett’s Esophagus if left untreated.

Barrett’s esophagus

“Reflux is when acid is leaving your stomach and going up into the esophagus. This can be very damaging to the esophagus and lead to inflammation,” Dr. Bryner explains. “Over time, that inflammation can cause those cells lining the esophagus to change, and that condition is called Barrett’s Esophagus. This is a premalignant condition— meaning it has a high progression rate into esophageal cancer.”

Only one to two percent of Americans have this condition, but in people with GERD, that rate can be somewhere between five to twelve percent, which may seem small but is significant.

“Our care team will work with patients to do a complete evaluation of their reflux symptoms and decide on the best course of treatment to cure the reflux and prevent patients from developing this serious condition, Dr. Bryner says.”

Hiatal hernias

Another element of Foregut is hiatal hernias. We all have an opening in our diaphragm, which is the muscle that controls breathing and separates the chest from the abdomen. This opening allows the esophagus to pass through into the stomach, which should normally reside in our abdomen. A hiatal hernia is an enlargement of this hole, which allows some of the stomach to slip into the chest.

“Hiatal hernias can cause reflux, pain, ulcers and even trouble eating. Hiatal hernias don’t go away on their own and over time can enlarge— causing worse symptoms,” Dr. Bryner explains. “This is fixed surgically by using minimally invasive techniques through small incisions, which minimizes post-operative recovery and pain.”

Learn more about Dr. Bryner and the entire Piedmont Bariatrics team.