Is this Fundoplication really nessessary?

Hi, this is my first post here. I am a 58 year old male. My doctor sent me to a surgen to have a groinal hernia repaired. The surgen wanted me to have an endoscopy and colonoscopy before he did any surgery. I told him that I had them regularly due to Barretts and prior colon polyps and I was not scheduled for another year but he insisted so I went and had them done. When I went back for a follow up he told me I had Barretts Osophagus (Duh) and suggested I have a Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication done and have my hiatal hernia fixed and leave the groinal hernias for later. He said the benifits would be no more acid relux, no more PPI's and led me to believe my risk of developing cancer from the Barretts would be reduced. I have read the thread on this subject and from what I have been reading, the majority of people who are happy with their surgeries are happy because they no longer have to put up with the painfull acid reflux and/or no longer have to take the PPI's that either didn't do a very good job or were not well tolerated. I have really not been able to find any data suggesting this proceedure would lessen my Barretts chances of turning into cancer. The PPI's I take do a very good job of keeping me from having acid reflux and I tolerate them quite well. It seems kind of strange that my gastro specialist in ten years or so of periodic examinations has never suggested that I have this done. One trip to a surgen and now I must have this surgery. And, he called my gastro doctor while I was in his office and he says that the gastro doc thinks it's a good idea also. I have compiled a list of questions for my gastro doc as well as the surgen that will be doing the surgery, if I let them do it. I know you guys are not doctors but I value your opinions. Does it seem to you like these surgens are getting a little trigger happy on this surgery. It seems as if the only benefit to me would be I could, maybe, be able to quite taking one of my medications. One of them that doesn't really bother me. I only pay $14 for a 90 day supply. The surgery, as with any surgery, brings along it's own baggage.

Thanks...............What? No spell check? Please forgive spelling inaccuracies.

I agree with Joy. A nissen would certainly prevent further damage to your esophagus & I have also heard that long term use of PPI's can cause kidney stones.

I'm 5 weeks post-op & feel the benefits definitely outweigh the risks.

Good luck with your decision.

lynda

i searched the web again and found several pages of links saying the effectiveness of fundoplication alone in reversing barretts has yt to be proven but may exist

but

i did find a study by demeester et al, which clearly indicated differential outcome between "effective" vs non effective fundoplications, with effective fundoplications leadingsubstantially substantially to barretts regression and lower risk for adenocarcinoma

one might conclude that the "ineffective" rates might approximate numbers we would expect for those not controlled by ppi s etc and otherwise not surgically treated?

so i guess its an open question with many but not all saying , risk for cancer after fundoplication should go down, but the studies that shed light on this reasonable point of view are few

heres demeesters study supporting regression of barretts and lower cancer risks after fundoplication

http://igerd.com/version2/doccheckcontent/news.php?article=114

to see the studies on the other side of the question ... i used the following search terms:
"fundoplication reduces risk esophageal cancer"

Snappybob

I would kindly suggest you seek out a second opinion with a GI Physician.  Take all your test results along and see what you can find out.  It is always good to do your homework.

Also if your Doctor said  " the benifits would be no more acid relux, no more PPI's and led me to believe my risk of developing cancer from the Barretts would be reduced", I would question the None or All content of the statement.

Also tread lightly when using Dr. Google as you will always find one article that contradicts the previous article. Be your own best advocate and make an informed decision.

Yup, your right - NO spell check but we don't hold mispellings against anyone. 

Kindly,

Kitt