Current status of diagnosis and treatment of GERD in the United States

Patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should undergo a thorough preoperative workup. After establishing the diagnosis, the treatment should be individualized and a decision about an operation made jointly between surgeon and patient. The indications for surgery have changed in the last twenty years, as the minimally invasive approach to antireflux surgery has allowed good control of reflux with a short hospital stay, fast recovery and excellent long term results. This article reviews the current status on diagnosis and treatment of GERD in the United States.