Episode 3 - Keyhole Stomach Repair
Susan Hyde
has a hiatus hernia - her stomach protrudes through a hole in her
diaphragm up into the bottom of her oesophagus. This causes acid reflux, where
digestive juices and food from the stomach travel back up the oesophagus.
As a
result Susan suffers from chronic heartburn, chest pains and severe discomfort
when she eats. In the past ten months her symptoms have become unbearable.
Surgeon Richard Hardwick is specialist in keyhole surgery. He makes five small incisions in Susan's abdomen and through these he inserts an endoscopic camera and all the instruments required for the surgery.
He locates the hole in Susan's diaphragm and stitches it back up. Then he takes a section of the upper stomach and wraps it around the bottom of
Susan's oesophagus. This creates a new valve that will stop the acid reflux. Finally he withdraws his instruments and stitches up the incisions on Susan's belly.