With various acid
reflux treatments ranging from medical therapy to newer
non-surgical antireflux procedures such as the NDO Plicator,
BARD EndoCinch Suturing System,
, Dr. Anthony Starpoli can help you to find the best treatment
for your Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastro Esophageal Reflux
Disease (GERD). Dr. Starpoli
specializes in endoscopic, nonsurgical reflux therapy including
the NDO Plicator, and EndoCinch.
As
Director of the GERD unit at St. Vincents Hospital Catholic
Medical Center of New York and an Attending in Gastroenterology
at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, New York, I am pleased
to announce that nonsurgical, endoscopic methods for
the treatment of reflux are now available. I offer two
nonsurgical procedures: EndoCinch, the NDO Plicator. EndoCinch,
also referred to as endoscopic fundoplication or endoluminal
gastroplication, involves the use of a sewing device
which attaches to the end of the video endoscope.
This
instrument assembly allows the endoscopist to carefully
place stitches in the stomach below the LES (ie. junction
between the esophagus and the stomach). The application
of these sutures produces a pleat in the upper part of the
stomach which helps reduce the pressure against the LES
and decreases the amount reflux. General anesthesia is not
used, there are no surgical incisions, and recovery is quicker.
The
team at St. Vincents Hospital and Medical Center of New
York was the first center in New York to offer endoscopic
fundoplication.Working in conjunction with the developer
and manufacturer of the endoscopic suturing device, The
GERD Unit at St. Vincents Hospital Catholic Medical Center
has taken the lead in the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal
reflux disease. In addition to the EndoCinch, The NDO Plicator
is another, newer suturing system that produces a full thickness
plication and tightens the valve area so to reduce reflux.
The NDO Plicator, like the other endoscopic reflux procedures,
does not require general anesthesia and there are no incisions.
Generally, these procedures are effective in reducing or
eliminating drug therapy for reflux and in controlling symptoms.
Acid
Reflux Treatment
Treatment for Acid
Reflux Disease
• General measures the patient can take to reduce
reflux are:
• Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
• Avoid eating before going to bed.
• Eliminate excessive bending, lifting, abdominal
exercises, girdles and tight belts, all of which increase
abdominal pressure and provoke reflux.
• If overweight, lose weight. Being overweight promotes
reflux.
• Eliminate the use of nicotine (cigarettes), fatty
foods, alcohol, all coffees (yes-including decaf), chocolate
and peppermint.
• Elevate the head of the bed 8" to 10"
by placing pillows or a wedge under the upper part of the
mattress. In this way, gravity keeps stomach juices out
of the esophagus while the patient sleeps. It is not enough
to use two pillows under the head.
• Prescription medications - check with the physician
regarding side effects of prescription drugs. Some drugs
actually lower the strength of the LES muscle. These include
anti-spasmotics (Levsin, Librax, Bentyl), calcium channel
blocks (Procardia, Cardizem, Calan, Isoptin), anti-depressants
(Elavil, Doxepia) and others.
For Acid Reflux Repair
Endoscopic, Nonsurgical Therapy, an Out-Patient Solution
For GERD
Endoscopic Reflux
Therapy including EndoCinch, and the NDO Plicator are exciting
non-surgical methods used by Dr. Anthony Starpoli to treat
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This treatment
is a breakthrough alternative to life-long medical therapy
or invasive and costly surgery.
If you would like
to find out more about solving your reflux and heartburn
problems using non-invasive, out-patient procedure such
as EndoCinch, and the NDO Plicator, please click here for
more details. Click here should go to http://www.starpoli.com/endoscopic.html
Additional
Resource Material
Learn
more about EndoCinch!