Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) occurs when the valve between the stomach and the lower end of the oesophagus is not working properly. Laparoscopic Nissen Fundiplication is a surgical procedure for GERD that involves wrapping the top part of the stomach (fundus) around the lower end of the oesophagus. The valve between the stomach and the oesophagus is also replaced or repaired.

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the lower right abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the appendix and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, the appendix can be removed. Open: an incision is made in the lower right abdomen and the appendix removed.

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the gallbladder and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, the gallbladder can be removed. Open: an abdominal incision is made and the gallbladder removed.

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the colon (also called bowel or large intestine) and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, part or all of the colon can be removed. The two healthy ends of the colon are stitched back together (resected). Open: an abdominal incision is made and part or all of the colon is removed.

A long, narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (colonoscope) is inserted into your anus and then moved along the entire colon. This allows the surgeon a view of the lining of the colon. Sometimes a biopsy (small piece of tissue) will be taken during the procedure for later examination at a laboratory. Polyps (small growths of tissue projecting into the bowel) may be removed during a colonoscopy.

Partial: the diseased part of the stomach is removed and the remaining section is reattached to the oesophagus (food pipe) or small intestine. Total: all of the stomach is removed and the oesophagus is attached directly to the small intestine.

A long, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached (gastroscope) is inserted through your mouth and moved down your digestive tract. This allows the surgeon a view of the upper part of your digestive tract i.e. oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and duodenum (top section of the small intestine). Sometimes a biopsy (small tissue sample) will need to be taken during the procedure for later examination at a laboratory.

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon to view the rectum and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, part or all of the rectum can be removed. Open: an abdominal incision is made and part or all of the rectum removed.

Laparoscopic: involves cutting the spleen free from its attachments and removing it through several small incisions (cuts) in the upper left abdomen. Open: an incision is made in the upper left abdomen, the diseased or damaged spleen is then separated from its attachments and removed.