New Treatment for Heartburn
2/13/2020
WILKES-BARRE, (FEBRUARY, 2020) - A flexible quarter-sized device being used by surgeons in Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital is greatly improving quality of life for many chronic heartburn sufferers.
“Our patients now have access to relief from their reflux disease through a minimally–invasive procedure which is performed laparoscopically," said Gary Neale, MD, Commonwealth Health Physician Network.
Gary Neale, MD and Clark Gerhart, MD, general & bariatric surgeons are performing this procedure at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The implanted device is designed to treat patients with severe heartburn or gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and augments the lower esophageal sphincter, preventing the stomach acid from escaping. It is currently the only medical device approved by the FDA as a safe and effective treatment for GERD.
GERD is caused by reflux and regurgitation of stomach acid into the esophagus. In normal swallowing, a valve between the esophagus and stomach open to allow food to pass into the stomach then closes to prevent reflux of the food back into the esophagus. For those with GERD, this valve is weakened or absent, allowing the acidic digestive juices to flow back into the esophagus.
GERD is typically treated with medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs can lose their effectiveness over time, requiring progressively higher dosing. Research shows that of the approximately 30 million Americans diagnosed with chronic GERD and are dependent on daily medications, 20 to 40 percent are not satisfied with PPIs.
Up until now, laparoscopic fundoplication had been considered the standard surgical treatment of severe GERD. During a fundoplication, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped 360 degrees around the entire lower end of the esophagus and stitched in place permanently, reinforcing the closing function of the lower esophageal sphincter.
During the minimally-invasive procedure, instead of the stomach being altered as in a laparoscopic fundoplication, a titanium ring-shaped device is positioned around the neck of the lower esophagus just above the stomach. Magnetic beads constrict to prevent acid from escaping out of the stomach while still allowing the patient to eat and swallow normally.
“The device offers a new and innovative alternative to traditional surgery and has excellent results. Unlike fundoplication, this device can be removed and the procedure is reversible.” stated Clark Gerhart, MD. “The device does not affect airport security and patients can still have an MRI.”
“This revolutionizes the surgical treatment of reflux disease, said Cor Catena, CEO, Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. “We are glad we can offer this option to our patients who currently suffer from GERD.”
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