Saint Mary's Hospital Provides Incisionless Treatment for GERD

WATERBURY, Conn. -- Saint Mary’s Hospital in collaboration with the Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group Gastroenterology team is now offering, Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

According to the American Gastroenterological Association, an estimated one-third of the population suffers from GERD, and that number reflects only those who’ve been diagnosed. GERD is chronic acid reflux, which for some if left untreated, may lead to inflammation of the esophagus, a narrowing or permanent changes to the lining of the esophagus, or in a small number of people, esophageal cancer.

“TIF offers patients a less invasive alternative and a more durable treatment option leading to excellent outcomes,” says Russell Parvin, M.D. Chief of the Department of Gastroenterology. “Now patients in the Greater Waterbury area can get TIF treatment close to home without traveling to Hartford and beyond.”

Medications and lifestyle changes are the first options in treating GERD, but some surgical and other procedural interventions can also be used to treat the source of the disease. Traditionally, the surgical treatment option for GERD is Nissen fundoplication, but TIF offers patients a less invasive option, which may mean a faster, less painful recovery, and increased quality of life, quicker.

TIF is an endoscopic procedure that tightens and restores the integrity of the gastroesophageal barrier. By inserting a tiny tube with a camera through the mouth, specialists can perform the technique without requiring any incisions. After the procedure, most patients can come off proton-pump inhibitors, which are the mainstay of medical treatment of GERD.