New Center Provides Comprehensive Treatment for Reflux Disease

The Methodist Hospital has opened its Reflux Center, a comprehensive program providing all aspects of diagnosis and treatment - including surgery - to people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

As many as 19 million Americans may be suffering from GERD, a common digestive disorder where stomach contents regurgitate, or reflux, into the esophagus. Stomach contents containing acid, bile and enzymes normally used to digest food can irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause heartburn, GERD's most common symptom.

For people with occasional heartburn or acid indigestion, over-the-counter remedies, diet and lifestyle changes can control their symptoms. Those who have chronic and frequent symptoms, more than 2-3 times a week, require long-term therapy or surgery to prevent complications.

Patients with advanced reflux disease can develop injury to the esophagus causing inflammation, ulceration or scarring. These complications require strong medications to control acid production and may require surgery.

In addition, a long history of reflux disease may lead to a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus in which the surface of the esophagus, which is normally smooth and pale pink, becomes red and velvety in texture. Caused by chronic irritation, Barrett's esophagus signals a cellular change in the esophagus. Patients with this condition have a higher risk of developing cancer in the esophagus.

"While not required for most patients, surgery is an option for those who don't want to take medication, don't want to maintain a lifestyle change, or find medication ineffective," says Dr. Patrick Reardon, surgical director of the Reflux Center and assistant professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.

The surgical procedure, called fundoplication, is performed using small scopes, called laparoscopes, which are inserted through small tubes in the abdominal wall. One tube contains a video camera, allowing the surgeon to view the inside of the abdomen, eliminating the need to make a large cut in the abdominal wall.

During the 1-1/2 to 2-hour procedure, the surgeon constructs a new valve between the stomach and the esophagus. A part of the stomach is wrapped around the base of the esophagus to create more of a barrier to prevent stomach contents from escaping into the esophagus.

The procedure only requires an over-night hospital stay and patients can return to normal activity within one week. Dr. Reardon says that with a 90 percent success rate, fundoplication is an effective and long-lasting treatment for chronic reflux disease.

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