Spectrum Health Using Incisionless Surgery To Treat Reflux

Procedure Offers Less Pain, Shorter Recovery

Surgery without an incision is now being done at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as reflux.’ A surgeon can now go through the mouth to repair the valve that prevents stomach contents from re-entering the esophagus, causing reflux.

Listen to Dr. Scheeres discuss transporal incisionless fundoplication (TIF’) (mp3, 7.16 MB)

Surgeon David Scheeres, MD, was the first surgeon in Grand Rapids to perform a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF’). It is performed inside of the esophagus using a device called EsophyX’.

The TIF procedure is based on established principles of surgical repair of the anti-reflux barrier where the esophagus joins the stomach. This barrier is a valve called the esophageal sphincter. This surgery is performed from within, through the mouth and esophagus. The TIF procedure repairs the valve, restoring the natural, physiological anatomy to prevent gastroesophageal reflux.’ Because the procedure is incisionless, there is reduced pain, shorter recovery and no visible scar.’ The risk of complications, while present, is lower than that of laparoscopic or regular surgery for reflux. In addition, Scheeres, a surgeon with the Spectrum Health Medical Group, is compiling data from his cases as part of a research project.

“The TIF procedure with the EsophyX device can significantly improve quality of life for our patients.” said Scheeres. “Many reflux patients are unable to drink carbonated or caffeinated beverages, or eat rich foods or fruit without triggering reflux. They also sleep sitting up to reduce night time reflux. After the EsophyX procedure, clinical trials show that most patients can eat and drink foods they avoided for many years. Reflux no longer impacts their life like it previously did.”

Scheeres said that reflux medication like PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) can help relieve patients’ heartburn symptoms but don’t solve the underlying anatomical problems or prevent further disease progression. “Even on PPIs many patients are still unable to eat the foods they want or have to sleep sitting up to reduce night time reflux.’ In addition, recent studies have shown that long term use of PPIs can lead to inadequate absorption of minerals such as calcium and can result in bone fractures,” Scheeres said.

This procedure is a step in the evolution of surgery.’ Laparoscopy reduced the skin incisions typical of open surgery to a minimally invasive five incisions. However, laparoscopy still involves the same internal incisions and organ dissection as open surgery. EsophyX TIF requires neither internal incisions nor dissection. EsophyX lowers the hurdle for receiving an anatomical restoration of the anti-reflux barrier and allows earlier intervention.

For the millions of Americans diagnosed with reflux and not fully satisfied with their treatment options, this procedure offers an alternative. “Recent studies of EsophyX have shown that the procedure can reduce patients’ dependency on medications, with 70 percent of patients remaining symptom free after two years and experiencing a dramatic improvement in their quality of life,” said Scheeres. “We are pleased to be able to offer our patients this option.”

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, a collection of seven hospitals and more than 140 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group, mmpc’ and West Michigan Heart-physician groups totaling more than 400 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with nearly 500,000 members. Spectrum Health’s 16,000 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,000 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care. The organization provided $111.1 million in community benefit during its 2008 fiscal year. As a system, Spectrum Health has earned more than 100 awards since it was formed in 1997.