[Current surgical management of reflux disease]

This disease has not been fully clarified yet. In our opinion, surgery should only be performed in cases of stage IV because of ulcers, irreversible scar formation, metaplasia of the epithelium, endobrachyoesophagus, stenoses or malignant degeneration. 11 patients suffering from severe reflux oesophagitis (stage IV) underwent a combination of supraselective vagotomy (to lower gastric acidity) fundoplication according to Nissen and intraoperative dilatation of the stenosis or stricture. This procedure was effective. Resection of the cardia is a difficult operation full of possible complications and should be reserved only to cases with malignant degeneration (adenocarcinoma).