Emory thoracic surgeons offer many minimally invasive and robotic surgical procedures to treat problems affecting your esophagus and stomach. This could include conditions from reflux disease (GERD), hiatal (paraesophageal) hernias, achalasia, esophageal diverticulum and others. The Emory Thoracic Surgeons have performed thousands of non-cancerous esophageal surgeries using minimally invasive and robotic techniques, representing one the most robust experiences in Georgia and the country.
Hiatal (Paraesophageal) Hernia Repair
A hiatal hernia is also called a paraesophageal hernia. It happens when part of your stomach or sometimes other organs moves up into your chest through your diaphragm. Patients with paraesophageal hernias usually complain of belly pain and reflux. In the past, the surgical correction involved extensive open surgery. At Emory, our thoracic surgeons offer minimally invasive options, including robotic, for correction of this problem both in the belly (abdomen) and the chest (thoracic cavity).
Fundoplication
Our surgeons treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with a procedure called fundoplication. During fundoplication, surgeons fold the top part of your stomach (fundus) around a muscle at the bottom of your esophagus. This is often a part of the hiatal hernia surgery as well.
Esophagomyotomy
Emory thoracic surgeons offer esophagomyotomy to treat achalasia. This swallowing disorder happens when muscles in the esophagus quit working correctly and prevents food from moving from the esophagus into the stomach.
During the esophagomyotomy, surgeons cut the non-functioning muscle partial in the esophagus to allow food to pass into the stomach. A fundoplication is also performed.
Emory Thoracic Surgeons are experts in performing this procedure with robotic and minimally invasive technology providing a quicker and easier recovery.
Esophageal Diverticulectomy
An esophageal diverticulum is a condition in which outpouching forms along the normal tube of the esophagus. This is often caused by a muscle disorder in your esophagus. Food gets trapped in the outpouching and makes it difficult to swallow correctly.
Emory thoracic surgeons offer surgical removal of diverticulum for people with epiphrenic and Zenker’s esophageal diverticulum. At the same time, the surgeons cut the muscle partially that initially led to the issue. Emory thoracic surgeons perform the procedure using a minimally invasive robotic-assisted technique.
