| Service | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 🇹🇷 Turkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication | from USD 668 | from USD 5,200 | from USD 4,800 |
| Endoscopic treatment of heartburn (STRETTA, ARMS) | from USD 454 | from USD 3,800 | from USD 4,200 |
Prices in the “Ukraine” column come from MediUkraine’s partner clinics. The Czech Republic and Turkey columns show the lower bounds of prices published by clinics there (for Turkey, also the Turkish Dental Association’s recommended 2026 tariff), collected in August 2026 and converted to US dollars at the rate on the day of collection. A dash means we could not find a comparable published price. In any country, the final cost is set by the clinic after an examination.
A gastroenterologist assesses not just the fact that you have heartburn but how often it happens, night-time episodes, its link with food and the state of the lining on endoscopy. Between frequent episodes of acid reflux the lining of the oesophagus does not have time to recover, so over time inflammation and erosions appear on it, and this is exactly what the doctor sees during the examination. It determines whether medication and changes to diet are enough or whether endoscopic or surgical treatment is needed.
The key advantage of minimally invasive techniques is low trauma and quick recovery. With an endoscopic or laparoscopic approach the risk of complications is lower, and the hospital stay is reduced to 1–2 days. You return to your usual way of life within a few days, as heartburn, chest pain, belching and discomfort after meals gradually ease.
During minimally invasive procedures — endoscopic fundoplication or the STRETTA technique — the doctor reinforces the natural barrier between the stomach and the oesophagus, so acid rises much less often. These procedures are performed under short sedation, without incisions and without a long hospital stay.
Reflux disease is common in patients of all ages, including young people, so you cannot simply wait for it to pass. If heartburn bothers you more than twice a week or comes on at night, the next step is simple: an endoscopy and a consultation with a gastroenterologist will show whether there are already erosions, ulcers or precancerous changes in the lining.
Travel. Ukrainian airspace is closed, so there are no commercial flights. Uzhhorod lies right on the border with Slovakia and close to Hungary, so patients usually arrive overland from one of these two countries, by car, bus or train.
Visas. Citizens of the EU, the United Kingdom and the United States do not need a visa for short stays in Ukraine. Rules depend on your citizenship, so check your own before booking.
Safety, plainly. Ukraine is at war. Air raid alerts occur across the country, including in Uzhhorod, and an appointment can be interrupted by one. Several governments advise against travel to Ukraine, and while that advice stands, ordinary travel and medical insurance is often void — confirm your cover with your insurer before you commit to anything.
Language. MediUkraine handles correspondence, scheduling, the written treatment plan and the quote in English. The clinic's team communicates with international patients in English.
Payment. You pay the clinic directly. Our coordination service is free of charge for you.
More on travel, safety and insurance: Safety and travel.
The method of treating heartburn and reflux disease is chosen individually, based on how often symptoms occur, how much the oesophageal lining is affected, and whether there are complications and other conditions. There are three main strategies: medication, minimally invasive endoscopic procedures and, in complex cases, surgery. The choice is based on the test results, your response to medicines and the acidity of your stomach juice.
In Ukraine treatment usually starts with conservative therapy: it reduces stomach acidity and relieves inflammation of the oesophageal lining. Proton pump inhibitors, antacids and prokinetics quickly relieve symptoms and help maintain long-term remission.
Endoscopic techniques address the cause of reflux without open surgery. The STRETTA procedure strengthens the muscles of the lower oesophageal sphincter with radiofrequency energy, so there is less acid reflux. Another option is endoscopic fundoplication (TIF), which creates a new anatomical barrier between the stomach and the oesophagus.
When symptoms do not go away or serious complications are found — ulcers, strictures, precancerous changes — laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is recommended. The operation is minimally invasive, does not require a long hospital stay and gives a lasting result.
The scenarios differ widely: one patient needs only a change of diet and a course of medicines, another needs surgery. That is why the approach is reviewed after follow-up tests rather than set once and for all.
In the first days after starting treatment or after an endoscopic procedure you may have mild heartburn, a feeling of pressure behind the breastbone or belching: this is how the lining reacts while it heals. The discomfort gradually settles, but for the first 1–2 weeks avoid overeating, late dinners, coffee and alcohol.
When you can return to your usual routine depends on the treatment method and your condition. After endoscopic procedures recovery takes a few days, after laparoscopic surgery up to two weeks. The gastroenterologist or surgeon will give you exact timings at the follow-up visit.
Keep to a gentle diet: small portions 4–5 times a day, with no spicy or fatty food, citrus fruit or fizzy drinks. Regular walks improve circulation and digestion, so healing is faster. Drink enough water, do not smoke and do not lie down straight after eating.
If you develop a fever, severe pain or vomiting, or the symptoms come back, see a doctor immediately. A follow-up visit is scheduled even if you feel well: it is used to assess the lining and decide whether maintenance treatment is needed.
With chronic heartburn it is important to choose a technique that not only relieves your condition but also protects the oesophageal lining from new episodes of reflux. Minimally invasive techniques — endoscopic fundoplication (TIF) and STRETTA therapy — restore the function of the sphincter between the stomach and the oesophagus without surgical incisions, preserving natural digestion.
The best method is chosen individually. Before treatment the doctor usually orders an endoscopic examination, measurement of stomach acidity (pH monitoring) and tests to see how much the lining is affected. Mild GORD is managed with medication: proton pump inhibitors, antacids and medicines that strengthen the lower oesophageal sphincter. If symptoms are frequent or persist after the course, the next step is endoscopic or laparoscopic treatment.
Not everyone needs surgery. If symptoms are moderate and the oesophageal lining is not damaged, the doctor may limit treatment to monitoring, lifestyle changes and medication. The final decision is made after tests and a consultation with a gastroenterologist.
When planning treatment for heartburn and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), count not the price of the procedure alone but the sum of all items: diagnostics, consultations, medicines, accommodation and post-operative follow-up. In Ukraine this total usually comes out lower, because all the stages, from tests to rehabilitation, take place at one medical centre, and a hospital stay lasts only 1–2 days.
There are several reasons. First, the cost of medical services (anaesthesia, consumables, premises, salaries) is much lower than in EU countries or Turkey. Second, strong competition between private clinics means they offer transparent package deals with no hidden costs. Third, endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques keep the hospital stay to a minimum, which directly lowers the total price of treatment.
At the same time, care in Ukraine is reliable: clinics follow international standards, provide full anaesthetic care and maintain strict infection control. Endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures are performed by highly experienced gastroenterologists and surgeons, and the predictability of the result is supported by protocols and follow-up visits.
Key reasons for the affordable cost of treatment in Ukraine:
▪ lower costs of hospital stays, medicines and tests
▪ transparent package programmes with no hidden charges
▪ a short hospital stay thanks to minimally invasive techniques and quick recovery
Private clinics in Ukraine treat heartburn and GORD according to international protocols, with full anaesthetic care, monitoring during the procedure and follow-up afterwards. Endoscopic methods such as STRETTA therapy or fundoplication are performed routinely, with a short hospital stay and a predictable recovery. Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up all take place at one medical centre.
Many clinics have gastroenterologists and surgeons who focus specifically on reflux disease. Narrow specialisation gives more accurate diagnosis, less invasive procedures and a more stable result.
When choosing a medical facility, look at the number of procedures performed, the doctor's qualifications, adherence to international standards and a transparent cost estimate.
MediUkraine puts you in touch with a gastroenterologist and surgeon at the partner clinic in Uzhhorod and makes the cost of treatment clear in advance.
📍 Uzhhorod, Ukraine
A multidisciplinary hospital in Uzhhorod, part of a network of medical facilities in western Ukraine: an outpatient clinic, a surgical centre covering 15 specialties and a 30-bed inpatient unit. Its 52 doctors include professors and PhDs; many operations are done as day surgery, with discharge after 1–2 days.
It is a condition in which stomach juice regularly flows back into the oesophagus and causes heartburn, chest pain, a cough or a hoarse voice. The cause is a lower oesophageal sphincter that no longer closes tightly. Without treatment GORD leads to inflammation of the lining and complications.
The cost depends on the chosen method: medication, endoscopic treatment (STRETTA, TIF) or laparoscopic surgery. Current prices for the procedures are shown in the table on this page, and they are considerably more affordable than in EU countries.
Citizens of many countries, including most European countries, do not need a visa for a short stay. MediUkraine can advise on planning your trip and on transfers, and can help you find accommodation.
This is decided after diagnostics: an endoscopy, pH monitoring and a consultation with a gastroenterologist. Many patients with moderate disease are suitable for minimally invasive procedures.
Depending on severity: medication, the endoscopic STRETTA or TIF techniques, and laparoscopic fundoplication. All procedures are performed according to international standards.
After an endoscopic procedure you return to normal life within 2–3 days. After laparoscopic surgery, within 1–2 weeks.
Modern techniques restore the natural function of the lower oesophageal sphincter and normalise digestion without interfering with the work of other organs.
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