Esophageal Surgery Program

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis of Esophageal Conditions

An accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure the most appropriate and effective treatment plan. Diagnostic tests to evaluate esophageal function and the cause of symptoms may include:

• Upper endoscopy
• Esophageal manometry
• Barium swallow
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• Imaging tests (CT or PET scans).

Surgical Treatment of Esophageal Conditions

Treatment will depend on the esophageal condition diagnosed, how severe the symptoms are and your overall health. We offer the latest endoscopic, minimally invasive and robotic procedures for esophageal disorders.

Surgical procedures offered within this program include:

• Anti-reflux surgery: For patients with GERD that haven’t responded to medical treatment, anti-reflux surgery can strengthen the barrier between the esophagus and stomach to reduce reflux symptoms. The procedure involves wrapping the top of the stomach around the end of the esophagus to create a functional valve.
• Esophageal diverticulum surgery: A procedure that is recommended for patients with esophageal diverticulum that is causing swallowing difficulties, aspiration or regurgitation. The surgery aims to remove or repair pouches in the esophageal wall. There are two main types of esophageal diverticulum surgery: a diverticulectomy, which removes the pouch or a diverticulopexy, which stitches it in place.
• Esophagectomy: A procedure to remove all or part of the esophagus in patients with esophageal cancer or other complex esophageal disorders. Reconstruction may also be performed using the stomach or another part of the digestive tract.
• Heller myotomy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to treat achalasia. The procedure involves dividing the muscles at the lower end of the esophagus to allow food and liquids to pass more easily into the stomach.

Hiatal and paraesophageal hernia repair: A surgery to repair large hiatal and paraesophageal hernias that are causing symptoms. Minimally invasive techniques are available to reduce the risk of complications and improve recovery time.