The procedure is more difficult in certain patients, including those who are obese, who have a short esophagus, or a history of previous surgery in the upper abdominal area. A number of variants of the fundoplication procedure employ only a partial wrap or a more tailored approach and are finding favor with many surgeons, who are reporting a lower incidence of complications. After surgery, there may be a delay in intestinal functioning that causes bloating, gagging, and vomiting, which resolves in a few weeks. If symptoms persist or if they start weeks or months after surgery, particularly if vomiting is present, then surgical complications are likely. Complications are uncommon, but include bowel obstruction, wound infection, and injury to near-by organs.
Respiratory complications can occur but are uncommon, particularly with laparoscopic fundoplication.
If the fundus is wrapped too tightly, patients may have difficulty swallowing or be unable to burp. In rare cases following surgery, muscles spasms after swallowing food can cause intense pain, and patients may require a liquid diet, sometimes for weeks. Even with repeat surgery, results are excellent. The complication rate can be very high in children with neurologic abnormalities, who are, unfortunately, at very high risk for GERD in the first place. Esophagectomy Esophagectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the esophagus.