GASTROESOPHAGAL REFLUX Heartburn, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), afflicts millions of Americans. Most patients respond well to conservative measures including dietary modification, weight loss and antacid therapy; however, lasting control of symptoms may not be attained. For those patients in whom a medical regimen has not been successful, anti-reflux surgery, employing a variety of fundoplication procedures, can offer gratifying, durable results with relief of GER and discontinuation of expensive medical regimens. In appropriately selected patients, minimally invasive surgical techniques have significantly reduced hospitalization days and convalescence. Employing minimally invasive or open techniques, relief of gastroesophageal reflux can be attained.