Physicians at New York Hospital Queens have begun using a new minimally invasive, incisionless procedure, to treat patients diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), the most common cause of “heartburn.”
The new procedure, called Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), can be a more permanent solution to treating GERD.
GERD, also known as acid reflux, occurs when stomach acids flow up from the stomach into the esophagus. A dysfunctional valve between the stomach and esophagus is often the cause of the problem. Valve dysfunction can develop for any number of reasons, most common is the natural aging process.
According to a recent Gallup survey, heartburn affects about 40 percent of all adults in the U.S. (more than 100 million). Medications may be an effective treatment for some individuals, but not all.
Using the TIF procedure, a surgical device is inserted into the body from the mouth and is threaded down the throat to the point where the stomach and esophagus meet. No incisions are necessary. The device pulls and fastens a tissue fold, repeatedly, to reconstruct a tight, anti-reflux valve.
“Patients who have severe gastroesophageal reflux and are not responding to medical therapy or who do not want to take medication for the rest of their life, because of cost or side effects, should consider this procedure,” said Stephen Merola, M.D., associate chairman, Surgery, and, director, Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, New York Hospital Queens. “The advantages of this procedure over laparoscopic surgery may include a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, no visible scars and typically higher patient satisfaction,” he added. Dr. Merola and Moshe Rubin, M.D., director, Gastroenterology, have received specialized training to perform the TIF procedure.
The physicians from the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Gastroenterology Division at New York Hospital Queens, say the new procedure is another option available for treatment of patients with GERD, although not everyone is an ideal candidate for the TIF procedure.
New York Hospital Queens is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
