Laparoscopic nissen fundoplication using ultrasonic cutting and coagulation.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common foregut disorder, with 7% of Americans experiencing heartburn daily. Symptoms of GERD are many and varied, including heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, dysphagia, nocturnal aspiration, morning hoarseness, chronic cough, and wheezing. Fifty percent of symptomatic patients develop esophagitis, while 20% of patients with esophagitis develop complications, including ulceration, stricture, Barrett's esophagus, and aspiration pneumorritis.