Heartburn: Hints on Dealing

Those with acid reflux know that this problem is likely one that be with them for their entire life. Caused by a lack of strength in the lower esophageal sphincter, acid reflux disease causes harmful fluids to rise up from the stomach and into the esophagus, and corrosive damage is caused by the stomach acid found in these liquid.

In addition to the potential development of serious health conditions such as Barrett's esophagus, erosive esophagitis, and esophageal cancer, patients afflicted with acid reflux disease deal with the agony of heartburn symptoms on a daily basis.

However, all of that may change. A new surgical procedure is becoming standard practice in clinics across the nation that may help to eliminate acid reflux symptoms in those who undergo the surgery. Called the Plicator procedure, this brief outpatient procedure takes only about twenty minutes. Though it may sound to good to be true, patients are seeing excellent results. Here is a simple explanation of the process of the Plicator procedure.

• The Plicator, a small electronic device, is placed at the end of an endoscopy tube. During the simple endoscopy procedures, the doctor in lowers a tube into the digestive tract through the mouth, during which time the patient is in a state of conscious sedation.
• The Plicator travels through the digestive tract, via the endoscopy tube, until it reaches the stomach. Once it is in place within the stomach, the surgeon maneuvers the Plicator in order to grab the tissue located between the esophagus and the stomach. The Plicator then closes its arms, crimping the grasped tissue. The fold made by the Plicator is then secured by a single suture.
• As a result, the opening between the stomach and the esophagus is now much more narrow. This aids the lower esophageal sphincter in successfully opening and closing the passageway between the stomach and the esophagus.

That is all there is to it! Patients who undergo the procedure generally don't experience any ill effects, and are often able to return to regular levels of activity the day after surgery.

After the surgery, patients are often advised to follow a soft-food diet for a few days to allow the suture to sets.

The effects of the surgery are obvious almost immediately, and within a couple days after the surgery, most patients are able to wean themselves off their heartburn medications.

Common side effects of the Plicator procedure include sore throats or abdominal pain, typically from the insertion of the endoscopy tube, and these problems typically clear up within a few days.

Research studies were begun at several institutions to determine the efficacy of the procedure in relieving heartburn.

The studies showed the procedure eliminated the need for prescription heartburn medications in 70 percent of all patients who had the surgery! In addition, 80 percent of all people undergoing the surgery saw a reduction in acid reflux symptoms post-procedure.

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