Success Rates & Risks of Reflux Surgery

For patients living with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), medication and lifestyle changes don’t always provide lasting relief. In such cases, reflux surgery can be a life-changing solution — restoring the function of the lower esophageal sphincter and stopping acid from flowing back into the esophagus.

At Tampa Bay Reflux Center, our board-certified surgeons specialize in advanced reflux surgery techniques, including laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, Toupet fundoplication, and hiatal hernia repair. These procedures have proven success rates and durable outcomes — but like all surgeries, they also carry potential risks.

Here’s what recent scientific evidence reveals about the success, safety, and patient satisfaction associated with reflux surgery.

Success Rates of Reflux Surgery

1. High Effectiveness and Long-Term Relief

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication remains the gold standard for GERD surgery, with success rates exceeding 90% for symptom relief and improved quality of life. A 15-year randomized trial found that both Nissen and Toupet fundoplications are highly effective and durable, showing comparable long-term symptom control and excellent safety profiles (Bonavina, 2022).

Patients typically experience:

• Major reduction in acid reflux and heartburn

• Reduced dependency on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

• Improved sleep and eating comfort

2. Effectiveness Across GERD Severity Levels

Reflux surgery has shown excellent outcomes for mild to severe GERD cases — including those with Barrett’s esophagus or significant hiatal hernias. In a large cohort study, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication achieved over 90% symptom improvement across all GERD stages, regardless of esophageal damage severity (Lord et al., 2009).

This reinforces the surgery’s role not just as a last resort, but as an effective definitive therapy for patients who no longer respond to medication.

3. Innovative Techniques Improve Outcomes

Modern refinements — like intraoperative high-resolution manometry — have further enhanced surgical precision and reduced complications. A 2023 multicenter study found that incorporating real-time pressure and endoscopic guidance during fundoplication significantly reduced postoperative reflux recurrence and dysphagia, while improving patient satisfaction (93.3% vs. 86.7%) (Habeeb et al., 2023).

At Tampa Bay Reflux Center, our surgeons utilize these advanced monitoring tools to optimize each procedure and personalize every patient’s treatment.

4. Minimally Invasive and Robotic Approaches

The evolution from open to laparoscopic and robotic fundoplication has reduced hospital stays, improved precision, and minimized complications. A 2020 study on robotic fundoplication for large paraesophageal hernias found no conversions to open surgery and very low rates of postoperative complications, highlighting its feasibility and long-term effectiveness (Arcerito et al., 2020).

Potential Risks of Reflux Surgery

Although reflux surgery is highly effective, patients should be aware of potential risks and complications, which can often be minimized with expert surgical technique and careful patient selection.

1. Short-Term Complications

These may include:

• Temporary dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

• Gas-bloat syndrome

• Abdominal discomfort or shoulder pain postoperatively

However, studies show that most cases of dysphagia resolve naturally within a few weeks as the body adjusts to the new anatomy (Habeeb et al., 2023).

2. Recurrence and Reflux Return

While recurrence rates vary, long-term studies report recurrence of reflux in less than 10% of patients over 10–15 years. Proper hiatal hernia repair and attention to esophageal length are key to minimizing recurrence risk (Manzo et al., 2020).

3. Procedure-Specific Risks

• Nissen fundoplication: Rare cases of persistent bloating or inability to burp

• Toupet (partial) fundoplication: Slightly higher chance of reflux recurrence but lower dysphagia rates

• Revisional surgery: Slightly increased risk of scar tissue or anatomical challenges

Your surgeon at Tampa Bay Reflux Center will help determine which approach best fits your anatomy, reflux severity, and lifestyle goals.

Expert Perspective from Tampa Bay Reflux Center

At Tampa Bay Reflux Center, our mission is to deliver personalized, evidence-based care to patients suffering from chronic GERD and hiatal hernia.

Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive diagnostic testing (pH studies, manometry, imaging)

• Tailored surgical planning using minimally invasive or robotic methods

• Postoperative monitoring and lifestyle support

Our commitment to long-term success means our patients enjoy relief, restored function, and a significantly improved quality of life.

Reflux surgery offers a success rate of over 90%, long-lasting symptom relief, and a low risk of serious complications — especially when performed by experienced specialists.

At Tampa Bay Reflux Center, our surgeons are leaders in advanced reflux surgery, combining precision, safety, and patient-centered care to help you reclaim comfort and confidence in your health.

If you’re considering reflux surgery, schedule a consultation today and discover how modern surgical techniques can restore lasting relief.

Works Cited 

Arcerito, M., Perez, M. G., Kaur, H., Annoreno, K. M., & Moon, J. (2020). Robotic fundoplication for large paraesophageal hiatal hernias. JSLS: Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, 24. (link)

Bonavina, L. (2022). Toupet versus Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: Are the outcomes different? Digestive Medicine Research. (link)

Habeeb, T., Hussain, A., Podda, M., et al. (2023). Intraoperative endomanometric laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication improves postoperative outcomes in large sliding hiatus hernias with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease.International Journal of Surgery, 109, 3312–3321. (link)

Lord, R., DeMeester, S. R., Peters, J., Hagen, J., Elyssnia, D., & Demeester, T. (2009). Hiatal hernia, lower esophageal sphincter incompetence, and effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication in the spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 13(4), 602–610. (link)

Manzo, C. A., Asti, E., & Bonavina, L. (2020). Hiatal hernia, lower esophageal sphincter and their combined effect on the natural history of gastroesophageal reflux disease: Implications for surgical therapy.Annals of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery. (link)