Pathophysiology in gastroesophageal reflux disease: the surgeon's view

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are common in the general population. Pathophysiological factors of importance include esophageal and gastric motility, hiatal hernia, acid secretion as well as anatomical and hormonal factors. In the eye of the surgeon several of the most important factors for severe reflux can be corrected surgically. These include lower esophageal sphincter pressure, esophageal intra-abdominal length and hiatal hernia. The result of surgery is dependent on whether the patient has symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux or not. It is important that disease history symptoms and pathophysiological findings at investigations match. We have found that not all physiological investigations have to be pathological. Symptomatic response to profound acid inhibition is essential, however, and patients not responding to a high dosage of proton-pump inhibitors should be reconsidered.