New surgical procedure eliminates risks of acid refluxmedication

Patients concerned about the long-term effects of medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) nowhave anew option.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications that treat GERD but have been found to have potential links to dementia, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of esophageal and gastric cancers. Recent surgical innovations have begun offeringmuch-needed relief fromGERDsymptomswhich allows patients to no longer requiremedicationandavoid the side effects.

TheLINX® RefluxManagement System is the newest minimally invasive surgery available to patients to treat acid reflux and help restore the body’s natural physiology and anatomy to keep it from reoccurring, said Dr. James de Caestecker, DO, FACS, with Gem City Surgeons.

The LINX device is a band made up of several titanium beads which contain magnetic cores linked with titaniumwires. Doctors use minimally invasive surgery to implant the device on the baseoftheesophagusaround the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

Acid reflux occurs when this muscle weakens and allows stomach contents to back up into the esophagus. TheLINXdevice restricts this backwards flow, minimizing the painful heartburn symptoms thatcomewith the condition. Perhaps one of the best benefits of LINX is that patients can usually stop taking their acid reflux medications, said de Caestecker, who practices with Premier Physician Network.

The LINX procedure is not the only surgical intervention for treating GERD, but it does have the advantage of allowing patients to avoid some side effects commonly associated with previous treatments.

“Before LINX, the benchmark surgical procedure for treating acid reflux is something known as Nissen fundoplication,” de Caestecker said. “It’s an effective treatment but it can also cause side effects such as bloating, flatulence, abdominal distension, and a sensation of retained gas but without the ability to burp to release it. LINX not only offers an effective solution, but it does so without those other issues.”

de Caestecker said anyonewho experiences reflux symptomsmaybe a potential LINX candidate and should speak with their physician about how to explore their options. This enables gastroenterologists to run a variety of tests to better understand a patient’s actual reflux levels and determine whether a minimally invasive procedure such as LINX is an ideal solution. Apart from testing, de Caestecker said that specialists usually begin by evaluating and advising patients about various lifestyle changes that can help reduce the severity of their symptoms.

“Lifestyle changes alone may, in some cases, allow a person to go off of GERD medications,” de Caestecker said. “We like to really try to address that asmuch as possible before considering surgery as an option.”

Reducing the intake of things such as caffeine and alcohol as well as smoking cessation can be very effective. Weight loss that results fromhealthier eating habits in general can also go a long way to alleviating symptoms. If not, LINX offers an option that can providemuch better outcomes, he said.

For more information about the LINX® Reflux Management Systemor to schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network physician near you, visit PremierHealth.com/MakeAnAppointment.