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Less-Invasive Treatment To Help Fight Heartburn

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Nov 25, 2009 6:12 pm US/Eastern

Less-Invasive Treatment To Help Fight Heartburn

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Millions of people suffer from GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus causing pain and discomfort. It can be so severe that it interferes with a person's ability to function. But a new procedure being performed at a local hospital can provide relief without using a scalpel.

For years, Silvino Benitez suffered from acid reflux so severe that he couldn't eat or sleep. "It bothered me a lot. When I eat food, I could feel it coming back again from my stomach."

So he decided to undergo a new incision-free technique now being performed at Boston Medical Center called the "TIF" procedure.

Instead of open or laparoscopic surgery, doctors insert a scope down a patient's throat and use special instruments to tighten or repair the valve between the stomach and the esophagus. That prevents stomach acid from washing back up.

Dr. Hiran Fernando, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Boston Medical Center explains, "We pull the junction down and place 10 to 12 sutures to create a partial wrap around the esophagus."

And since there are no incisions, he says, patients experience less pain, bloating and trouble swallowing and are generally back to work within a week.

Silvino says he's noticed a major improvement since he had the procedure done this summer. "Now I feel very good," he says.

Dr. Fernando says they're seeing the quality of life significantly improves in about 70 percent of patients at two years and that about 70 percent of patients are off all of their heartburn medications.

Dr. Miguel Burch of Boston Medical Center says that this new incision-free technique is now being used as an alternative for other procedures as well, like gallbladder surgeries and appendectomies.

People who can't have this new technique include those who've already undergone acid reflux surgery or individuals who have severe hiatal hernias.

For more information on the "TIF" procedure, call Boston Medical Center at 1-800-841-4325.

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