Acid Reflux Treatment in Knoxville, TN

If you have heartburn or reflux twice a week or more, you may have Gastroesophagael Reflux Disease, also known as GERD. Approximately 30-40% of American adults are affected by GERD. Heartburn is the most common symptom, but you may also experience:

Hoarseness or sore throat
Frequent swallowing
Asthma or asthma-like symptoms
Pain or discomfort in the chest
Sleep disruption (unable to sleep lying down)
Bloating
Excessive clearing of the throat
Persistent cough
Burning in the mouth or throat
Intolerance of certain foods
Dental erosions or therapy-resistant gum disease or inflammation

Normally, after swallowing, a valve between the esophagus and stomach opens to allow food to pass and then closes to prevent stomach contents from “refluxing” back into the esophagus. For people who suffer from GERD, the valve is dysfunctional and unable to prevent acid from refluxing into the esophagus, thus a burning sensation in the chest.

If your chronic acid reflux symptoms persist despite dietary changes and medication therapy, antireflux surgery can be effective in treating GERD.

HIATAL HERNIA

A hiatal hernia occurs when the opening in your diaphragm where the esophagus passes through to connect to the stomach is too large. The stomach may bulge through this opening into your chest. This bulging is called a hiatal hernia. It may make GERD symptoms worse. A hiatal hernia may be repaired in conjunction with antireflux surgery.

TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS

GERD today is typically treated with medications such as histamine receptor antagonists (H2 blockers), such as Pepcid, Tagamet and Zantac, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Nexium, Prilosec and Protonix. These medications can lose their effectiveness over time. They also don’t treat the underlying root causes of reflux, the deteriorated anatomy of the antireflux barrier, so life-long medication therapy is required. In addition, recent studies on the adverse effects of long-term use of PPIs indicate a significantly higher incidence of hip fractures, particularly among women. Anti-reflux surgery may be reccomended to treat longterm GERD.

ANTI-REFLUX SURGERY

Nissen Fundoplication

This procedure attempts to recreate the “valve” between the esophagus and the stomach by wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus and sewing it into place. This tightens the lower esophagus, helping to prevent acid from moving from the stomach up into the esophagus.

This procedure is usually performed laparoscopically or robotically. In a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeons use a tiny incision to enter the abdomen through cannulas (narrow tube-like instruments). A laparoscope is inserted through the incision, giving the surgeon a magnified view of the patient’s internal organs. The operation is performed inside the abdomen while it is inflated with gas.

After surgery, patients are on a liquid or soft diet for several weeks as your esophagus heals. The diet helps control breathing problems, diarrhea, and excess gas after the procedure. Most people are able to go back to work and resume their

Nissen Fundoplication Video

In this video Premier General Surgeon Dr. David Harrell performs a robotic nissen fundoplictaion using the daVinci Xi system. Click box to view.

LINX Reflux Management System

The LINX device is a tiny bracelet of magnetic beads placed around the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to prevent acid reflux. The LINX magnets open to allow food and liquid to pass into the stomach, while preventing stomach acid from backing up into the esophagus.

The FDA-approved LINX device is installed during a minimally-invasive procedure that usually takes less than an hour.

Learn more by visiting our GERD Surgery LINX webpage.

GERD Surgery LINX System

LINX procedure video

In this video Premier Surgical’s Dr. Michael Antirporda installs a LINX device to manage acid reflux. The LINX device is made of magnetic titanium beads that are surgically installed around the base of esophagus. Click box to view.

Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)

The TIF procedure is used to treat persistent GERD. It is an endoscopic procedure performed through the mouth without incisions. The surgeon uses a special TIF device to reconstruct the valvue between your esophagus and stomach.

Gastroparesis Enterra Therapy

Gastroparesis is a digestive condition that slows or stops the emptying of food from your stomach into the small intestine. Symptoms may include pain and nausea after eating, weight loss and bloating.

The Enterra system is a gastric electrical stiulation (GES) device designed to relieve nausea and vomiting associated with gastroparesis. The small neurostimulator is implanted under the skin and adjusted with a handheld programming controller.

To learn more, visit our Enterra Info page.

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