Reflux surgery in Vienna: your surgeon for reflux disease and hiatal hernia
If heartburn and acid regurgitation dominate your daily life despite medication, surgery may be a solution. I assess your symptoms carefully and – if it is the right decision for you – operate using minimally invasive techniques in Vienna’s private hospitals.
My name is Emanuel Sporn – I am a surgeon in Vienna
As a Specialist in Surgery, Visceral Surgery and Vascular Surgery, I specialise in minimally invasive abdominal surgery. One focus of my work is the surgical treatment of reflux disease and hiatal hernia.
In 1997 I began my training at the Department of Surgery of Vienna University Hospital, where I worked for 20 years. In 2007 and 2008 I worked as a researcher at the University of Missouri in Columbia (USA). I obtained my habilitation in 2009 and was appointed Associate Professor in 2012. Since 2017 I have devoted myself exclusively to my private patients.
It is important to me that you understand your condition and make decisions together with me. Not every case of reflux needs surgery – I only recommend an operation once the diagnosis has been confirmed and it is likely to benefit you more than the alternatives.
What is reflux disease?
In gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach contents flow back into the oesophagus so often that they cause distressing symptoms or damage to its lining. Normally, a closure mechanism at the junction between the oesophagus and the stomach prevents this backflow. If it is weakened – often together with a hiatal hernia – reflux occurs.
Typical symptoms are heartburn (a burning pain behind the breastbone) and acid regurgitation up into the mouth. Some people suffer more from hoarseness in the morning, throat clearing or a chronic cough. In Western countries, a considerable proportion of adults have regular reflux symptoms.
Please seek medical advice promptly if you have: difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, unintended weight loss, vomiting of blood, black stools or anaemia. Chest pain can also come from the heart – if in doubt, call the emergency number 144.
Treatment without surgery
The first steps are losing weight if you are overweight, raising the head end of your bed and eating smaller evening meals that are not too late. Medication – above all proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as pantoprazole – reduces stomach acid very effectively. It relieves heartburn and allows inflammation of the oesophagus to heal. However, it does not prevent the reflux itself: regurgitation of fluid or food may persist.
Many people manage well with this treatment. If not, a thorough assessment is the next step – find out more under Reflux diagnostics.
When surgery makes sense – and how I operate
Surgery may be considered if reflux disease has been clearly confirmed by tests and
- symptoms persist despite medication – especially regurgitation of stomach contents,
- you do not tolerate medication or do not wish to take it long term,
- there is a larger hiatal hernia that is itself causing symptoms.
The operation is performed minimally invasively under general anaesthesia through a few small incisions – laparoscopically or robotically with the da Vinci system. First I narrow the widened opening in the diaphragm (hiatoplasty), then I form a wrap around the oesophagus from the upper part of the stomach (fundoplication). My standard technique is the partial wrap according to Toupet (270°). The operation usually takes about an hour, and most patients leave hospital the day after surgery.
As with any operation, there are risks and possible side effects – such as temporary difficulty swallowing or bloating. I will discuss them with you in detail before you make your decision.
Reflux surgery
When surgery makes sense, what it involves and which risks you should know about.
Learn more →Fundoplication: Toupet and Nissen
How the stomach wrap works and why I usually choose the 270° Toupet technique.
Learn more →Hiatal hernia
Types, symptoms and when a hiatal hernia should be operated on – up to the upside-down stomach.
Learn more →Reflux diagnostics
Gastroscopy, barium swallow, manometry and pH monitoring: which test is used for what.
Learn more →After surgery
Diet, difficulty swallowing, physical activity and follow-up checks in the first weeks.
Learn more →Experience, care and time for you
Thorough assessment
I only operate once the diagnosis has been confirmed. I perform the gastroscopy myself and organise further tests with experienced partners.
Modern minimally invasive technique
Laparoscopic and robotic surgery with the da Vinci system. I performed Austria’s first robotic da Vinci operation in general surgery in a private hospital.
Individual decisions
Toupet or Nissen, with or without mesh at the diaphragm: I tailor the technique to your findings – not to a fixed scheme.
Personal care
From the first consultation to the follow-up check, I look after you personally. I also remain available for your questions after you are discharged.
Prompt appointments
First consultation usually within a few days; surgery dates generally within a few weeks once the assessment is complete.
Experienced team
I work with highly experienced anaesthetists and surgical colleagues.
I operate exclusively in Vienna’s private hospitals
Your operation will take place in one of the following private hospitals. We will decide together which hospital is right for you – depending on your insurance, your preferences and the date.
What my reflux patients say
Patient reviews in the original German
Refluxoperation
Ich war im Dezember 2024 zur Behandlung bei Priv. Doz. Dr. Emanuel Sporn und war sehr beeindruckt von seiner Fachkompetenz. Er nahm sich die Zeit, meine Symptome gründlich zu analysieren und erklärte die Diagnose und den Behandlungsplan verständlich. Seine ruhige und sachliche Art gab mir Vertrauen und machte es leicht, Fragen zu stellen. Ich fühlte mich medizinisch hervorragend betreut. Die Atmosphäre in der Praxis von Priv. Doz. Dr. Emanuel Sporn ist sehr einladend und beruhigend. Nach einigen Voruntersuchungen erfolgte am 8. Jänner 2025 eine Refluxoperation in der Wiener Privatklinik. Ich wurde von Priv. Doz. Dr. Emanuel Sporn operiert und weiterhin von ihm und dem Team der Klinik hervorragend betreut. Nun nach einem halben Jahr kann ich feststellen, dass sich meine Lebenssituation sehr verbessert hat. Ich kann Dr. Sporn wärmstens empfehlen, er ist professionell, freundlich, angenehm, geduldig und immer für ein Gespräch verfügbar.
„Absolut erfolgreiche OP“
Nach einem langen Leidensweg mit Refluxbeschwerden nahm ich mit Prof. Dr. Sporn Kontakt auf. Innerhalb von wenigen Tagen bekam ich einen Termin zum Beratungsgespräch. Hier wurde mir die vorgesehene OP genau erklärt. Nach meinem Entschluss die OP durchzuführen ging alles sehr rasch. Dr. Sporn organisierte alle Termine. An einem Mittwoch um 11 Uhr ins Krankenhaus, um 15:30 Uhr noch ein Gespräch mit Dr. Sporn, um 16 Uhr im OP. Am nächsten Tag erkundigte sich Dr. Sporn nach meinem Befinden und um 10 Uhr konnte ich das Krankenhaus verlassen. Die OP war ein voller Erfolg. Möchte mich hier nochmals bei Dr. Sporn bedanken. Sollten Sie ähnlich Beschwerden haben, gehen sie zu Prof. Dr. Sporn
„Reflux OP“
Danke das es wirklich professionelle Ärzte gibt, welche zusätzlich durch Ihre einfühlsame und nette Art aus der Masse hervorstechen. Vom Erstgespräch, der Organisation der Untersuchungen, die bestens durchgeführte Operation und die Nachbehandlung haben bestens und innerhalb kurzer Zeit in angenehmer Atmosphäre stattgefunden. Und so wie es ein paar Wochen nach der OP aussieht bin ich endlich wieder Refluxfrei. Danke
Zwerchfellbruch
Ich habe bereits einen Ärzte-Marathon hinter mir und bin froh, schlussendlich bei Dr. Sporn gelandet zu sein. Extrem positiv ist mir aufgefallen, dass er sich schon Wochen vor dem Termin mit meinen Unterlagen beschäftigt hat, was ansonsten erst währenddessen passiert und natürlich Zeit und Geld kostet. So erfolgte zB das Schluckaktröntgen schon vor dem 1. Termin – also hatte ich „nur“ den Ersttermin, die Gastroskopie, die OP und die Nachkontrolle, anstatt paar weitere Folgetermine. Er nimmt sich auch während des Termins die nötige Zeit, ich hab mich stets ernst genommen gefühlt und er war immer für Rückfragen erreichbar. Meinen OP-Termin haben wir an einem Samstag (!) für den darauffolgenden Dienstag fixiert, was definitiv nicht selbstverständlich ist. Es ist sehr schwer, fachlich gute UND ehrliche, empathische, menschliche Ärzte zu finden – Dr. Sporn gehört ist einer von ihnen. Ich kann ihn also uneingeschränkt empfehlen.
Anti-Reflux-Operation
2015 und im Jänner 2021 hat Hr. Prof. Dr. Sporn mich operiert. Er hat mich bestens über die Operationen aufgeklärt und geduldig alle meine Fragen beantwortet. Er ist sehr kompetent, nett und auch außerhalb seiner Ordinationszeiten zu erreichen. Ich würde mich von keinem anderen Arzt operieren lassen und kann ihn allen nur empfehlen.
A selection of publicly available reviews from reflux and hiatal hernia patients on DocFinder and Doctify, reproduced unchanged (originally in German). You can find all reviews via the links above. Reviews describe personal experiences and are not a statement about the success of treatment in any individual case.
Good to know before your treatment
Which tests do I need before I come to see you?
As a rule, you do not need any prior tests for your first consultation. After a detailed conversation and an examination, we decide together which further investigations make sense. Please bring any existing results – such as a gastroscopy report, X-rays or doctors’ letters – to your appointment.
Find out more under Reflux diagnostics.
How do I make an appointment at the practice?
You can choose an appointment online via DocFinder or book an appointment for either practice by phone on +43 1 40180 7010.
How long will I have to wait for a surgery date?
Once the assessment is complete and we have decided together on surgery, I can usually offer you a surgery date within a few weeks. I will be happy to tell you about possible dates by phone on +43 680 330 11 45.
Which hospital will I be operated in?
I operate exclusively in Vienna’s private hospitals: the Wiener Privatklinik, the Privatklinik Confraternität – Goldenes Kreuz, the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Wien and the Rudolfinerhaus.
How is the operation billed?
If you have private supplementary health insurance that covers inpatient hospital stays, the costs are usually billed directly to your insurer. Without supplementary insurance you pay the costs yourself; depending on your statutory (social) health insurance, part of the hospital costs may be covered.
What does reflux surgery cost without private insurance?
The costs depend, among other things, on your Austrian statutory health insurance fund (e.g. ÖGK, SVS, BVAEB), the private hospital you choose and the extent of the operation. I will be happy to give you personal information about the expected costs: +43 680 330 11 45.
Do I have to pay for the consultation myself?
Yes. This is a private practice (a so-called “Wahlarzt”, i.e. a doctor without a contract with the statutory health insurance funds). You pay the fee directly; after you submit the invoice, your health insurance fund reimburses part of it – usually only a small part of the amount.
Where to find me
Book your appointment online or by phone – for either practice. Please bring any existing results (gastroscopy, X-rays, doctors’ letters) and a list of your medications to your first consultation.
Practice at the medical centre of the Wiener Privatklinik
Lazarettgasse 25, 1st floor, 1090 Vienna
Usually Tuesday afternoons
+43 1 40180 7010
Practice in the city centre (Innere Stadt)
Rosengasse 8/5, 2nd floor, 1010 Vienna
Usually Thursday mornings
+43 1 532 15 11Appointments & information
Appointments for both practices:
+43 1 40180 7010
Surgery dates, costs and medical questions:
+43 680 330 11 45
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Book online via DocFinder