Gastroesophageal reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux is a common disease that accounts for approximately 75% of esophageal pathology. Motility abnormalities of the esophagus and stomach, including an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter, are responsible for pathologic reflux in the majority of patients. Surgical treatment offers the only chance for long-term cure. Obtaining optimal results following surgery of the esophagus is one of the most challenging aspects of modern surgical therapy. Given a precise diagnosis, careful patient selection, critical attention to detail in the perioperative period, and the meticulous performance of the appropriate anti-reflux procedure, long-term success can be assured in more than 90% of patients.