MURRAY, KY – Murray-Calloway County Hospital is now providing a procedure for those who experience GERD. Dr. Brian Swain now offers the TIF procedure for the treatment of GERD. TIF stands for Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication, and the advantage when compared to traditional fundoplication is that TIF is ‘surgery from within’ performed through the mouth and from within the stomach. Based on the same well proven principles of conventional more invasive laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, the TIF procedure reconstructs the valve between the esophagus and the stomach to prevent reflux. Because the procedure is incisionless, there is reduced pain, no visible scar and most patients can get back to their normal activities within a few days. This procedure is focused on allowing patients to get back to living without pills and heartburn! Surgery without an incision is a reality that is giving those suffering from chronic acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) a back-to-normal life.

What’s GERD?

In a healthy patient, there is a natural valve between the esophagus and the stomach that forms a physical barrier preventing stomach fluids from backwashing (refluxing) up into the esophagus. In a patient with chronic GERD, this valve has become dysfunctional. Many patients take reflux medications such as PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), which suppress acid production to help relieve their heartburn symptoms. Even with PPIs, they are often unable to eat the foods they want or need to sleep sitting up to reduce nighttime reflux. In addition, recent studies have shown that long-term use of PPIs is linked to health risks such as inadequate absorption of minerals-1, chronic kidney disease-2 and dementia-3 .

How We Can Help:

Millions of Americans are diagnosed with GERD, yet many are not fully satisfied with their treatment options. The TIF procedure with the EsophyX device offers an excellent alternative.

Dr. Swain says, “The TIF procedure significantly improves quality of life for our patients. I have successfully performed this procedure over the last decade and am confident in its safety and efficacy profile as an optimal solution for treating patients with chronic GERD. Results continue to demonstrate the effectiveness of the TIF procedure – reflux no longer impacts our patients’ lives like it used to. TIF lets us offer the same benefits as more invasive surgery, but with minimal risk.”

To date, the TIF procedure has been performed in over 22,000 patients worldwide with over 100 published peer-reviewed papers documenting consistent outcomes in over 1,500 study patients.

For more information about this procedure, or you or someone you know suffers with chronic GERD, and wants to learn more about the TIF procedure: contact West KY Surgical at 270.753.2444.