Gastroesophageal fundoplication improves symptoms in refractory asthma

Gastroesophageal (GE) reflux has been etiologically linked to a number of pulmonary diseases. Subclinical pulmonary aspiration from nocturnal GE reflux has been proposed as a cause of asthma. A patient with severe asthma, refractory to conventional medical therapy, is presented. The asthma was presumed to be secondary to gastroesophageal reflux and indeed the patient became asymptomatic following a Nissen fundoplication procedure. This case report documents that surgical correction of GE reflux may be an appropriate therapeutic maneuver in asthmatics who subclinically aspirate as a consequence of GE reflux.