Heartburn Surgery
One in 10 Americans experience heartburn symptoms at least once a week. Many people watch what they eat and drink, or they take over-the-counter or prescription medication for relief of heartburn.
Doctors at Merit Health River Oaks can treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with an incisionless procedure. The procedure, called TIF (transoral incisionless fundoplication) corrects the root cause of GERD, an anatomic deficiency at the gastroesophageal junction. The procedure reconstructs a durable antireflux valve and tightens the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), reestablishing a barrier to reflux and restoring the competency of the gastroesophageal junction.
TIF has the ability to reduce small hiatal hernias and reconstruct the valve between the stomach and esophagus restoring the natural, physiological anatomy to prevent gastroesophageal reflux. The advantages of incision-less surgery over conventional laparoscopic or open GERD surgery may include shorter hospital stay, reduced patient discomfort, shortened patient recovery, no visible scars and typically higher patient satisfaction.
How is TIF performed?
Performed with the patient under general anesthesia, the surgical device is introduced into the body transorally (through the mouth) and advanced into the esophagus under visualization of a video camera inserted down the central shaft of the device. The device is then used to form and fasten several tissue folds, or plications, to create a robust anti-reflux valve at the gastroesophageal junction. The procedure will generally take less than one hour.
What is the recovery like?
Most patients can return to work the next day or within a few days following their TIF procedure. Patients should expect to experience some discomfort in their chest, nose and throat for the first few days to a week. Patients will be asked to restrict physical activity for the first week and will be given dietary guidelines to help maximize their success while the tissue heals.
What are the potential benefits of TIF?
- Allows for long-term solution to GERD
- No external skin incisions – no scarring
- No internal cutting or dissecting of the natural anatomy – more rapid recovery
- Eliminates heartburn in more than 85% of patients
- Gets 79% of patients off PPIs 2 years after the procedure
- Allows for earlier intervention
- Improves quality of life score by 64% over PPIs (sleeping, late night eating, food choices, etc.)
- Reduces hiatal hernia in 89% of patients
- Leaves future options open
- Can be revised if required