Treatments and solutions designed to bring you relief.
Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery offers top of the line surgical solutions for GERD. Historically, most patients chose minimally invasive surgical treatments because medications failed to relieve acid reflux symptoms. While this is still a leading cause of seeking a surgical solution, other reasons are becoming more common. These include the inconvenience and cost of taking daily medications, the side effects produced by medications, and the desire to actually stop the reflux (medications only treat the symptoms, not the disease).
Esophagitis is characterized by inflammation of the esophagus. The most common cause of esophagitis is GERD, but other causes include infection, chemical injury, radiation therapy, alcohol, and medications. Chronic esophagitis can lead to scarring of the esophagus which results in difficulty swallowing.
PillCam® uses a miniaturized camera contained in a disposable capsule that naturally passes through the digestive system, allowing us to directly view the small bowel, without sedation or radiation. With PillCam® we have the ability to quickly and efficiently detect and monitor abnormalities throughout the GI tract.
The SmartPill Capsule Motility Procedure is an exciting advancement in gastrointestinal healthcare. Once ingested, the SmartPill Capsule collects pressure, pH and temperature data from your GI tract and wirelessly transmits that information, allowing your physician to analyze. With just one capsule, we are able to obtain the information needed to better evaluate your condition.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a procedure where a flexible tube with a light and camera at the end, called an endoscope, is used to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine.
Esophageal manometry is done to see if the esophagus is contracting and relaxing properly. The test helps diagnose swallowing problems. During the test, the doctor can also check the Lower Esophageal Sphincter to see if it opens and closes properly.
The WATS3D Biopsy increases the tissue area we are able to sample, therefore, increases the yield of patients identified with abnormality in the esophagus. The WATS3D biopsy device is passed through the operating channel of a standard endoscope. WATS3D is specifically designed to consistently sample deeper layers of the more firmly attached glandular epithelium found in Barrett’s esophagus.
Unlike other procedures to treat reflux, LINX is implanted around the outside of the Lower
Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and requires no alteration to the stomach. This simple, minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure starts to have a positive impact from day one. LINX is designed to start working the moment the device is implanted.
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