Surgical therapy for supraesophageal reflux complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Supraesophageal complications of gastroesophageal reflux can be successfully treated by antireflux surgery. Careful preoperative testing, including 24-hour esophageal pH, manometry, and endoscopy, will help to identify appropriate patients who will benefit from surgery. The best results are achieved in patients with nocturnal asthma, the onset of reflux before pulmonary symptoms, laryngeal inflammation, and a good response to medical therapy. Cough is more responsive to surgical therapy than is asthma. The benefits of minimally-invasive surgery are evident in patients with pulmonary disease, who have a faster recovery with fewer complications than after open surgery.