Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery

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(208) 262-0945

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nwsh.nwids@nwsh.com
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Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery
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REFLUX / HEARTBURN PROGRAM

Reflux / Heartburn Program

Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery’s Reflux / Heartburn Program is a dedicated center for comprehensive care, from diagnostics to personalized treatments. Encounter top-notch medical expertise and a commitment to your well-being. Your journey to better health begins here.

Conditions We Treat

  • Reflux
  • Heartburn
  • Achalasia
  • Atypical Chest Pain
  • Barrett’s Esophagus
  • Dysphagia
  • Esophageal Diverticulum
  • Esophageal & Gastric Cancer
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Gastroparesis
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Obesity-Related GI Problems

Procedures We Perform

  • Nissen Fundoplication
  • Trans-Oral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
  • Laparoscopic Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation (Linx)
  • Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM)
  • Heller Myotomy
  • Esophagectomy
  • Pyloroplasty
  • Revisionary Surgery
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Evaluations

Wireless Bravo pH Testing

Bravo™ allows us to evaluate your heartburn symptoms to determine the frequency and amount of acid refluxing into your esophagus. Bravo is the world’s first catheter-free pH monitoring system that allows patients to maintain their regular diet and activities without the embarrassment and discomfort associated with traditional pH catheter systems.

Esophagram

An Esophagram exam is a radiology evaluation that requires a patient to swallow a contrast liquid. We track the liquid through the esophagus and stomach where it can be observed to determine the function of these organs; specifically the ability to move food or fluid through effectively.

High Resolution Esophageal Manometry (HRM)

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.

Impedance pH Testing

Determines the frequency of reflux episodes and the time relationship of reflux episodes and symptoms. The impedance–pH monitoring test determines if the patient’s symptoms are related to acid reflux, related to nonacid reflux, or not related to reflux of any type.  It is most useful when a patient has symptoms consistent with reflux but has had a negative ambulatory pH test for acid reflux.  It can be utilized for patients with contraindications to ambulatory pH testing or endoscopy. This is typically a 24 hour study that provides similar information regarding the acid patterns that occur during a typical patient day.

Restech Larygeal Pharyngeal Reflux (LPR) Testing

Acid can make its way up the esophagus and into the throat, a condition called Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR). LPR symptoms may include chronic cough, sore throat, throat clearing, and voice hoarseness. Restech is a 24hr pH system that measures acid levels in your airway to obtain objective evidence of LPR.

Gastric Emptying Study

For a gastric emptying study, a patient eats a meal in which the solid component of the meal, the liquid component of the meal, or both, are mixed with a small amount of radioactive material. A scanner is placed over the patient’s stomach to monitor the amount of radioactivity in the stomach for several hours after the test meal is eaten. As the radioactively-labeled food empties from the stomach, the amount of radioactivity in the stomach decreases. The rate at which the radioactivity leaves the stomach reflects the rate at which food is emptying from the stomach.

Endoflip

Endoflip is an advanced imaging system that provides an internal view of the gastroesophageal (GE) junction during endoscopic and surgical procedures. It captures vital measurements in the esophagus to assist in motility assessment and assists with tailoring surgical procedures to best fit each individual patient.

Conditions We Treat

  • Reflux
  • Heartburn
  • Achalasia
  • Atypical Chest Pain
  • Barrett’s Esophagus
  • Dysphagia
  • Esophageal Diverticulum
  • Esophageal & Gastric Cancer
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Gastroparesis
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Obesity-Related GI Problems

Procedures We Perform

  • Nissen Fundoplication
  • Trans-Oral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
  • Laparoscopic Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation (Linx)
  • Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM)
  • Heller Myotomy
  • Esophagectomy
  • Pyloroplasty
  • Revisionary Surgery
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Evaluations

Wireless Bravo pH Testing

Bravo™ allows us to evaluate your heartburn symptoms to determine the frequency and amount of acid refluxing into your esophagus. Bravo is the world’s first catheter-free pH monitoring system that allows patients to maintain their regular diet and activities without the embarrassment and discomfort associated with traditional pH catheter systems.

Esophagram

An Esophagram exam is a radiology evaluation that requires a patient to swallow a contrast liquid. We track the liquid through the esophagus and stomach where it can be observed to determine the function of these organs; specifically the ability to move food or fluid through effectively.

High Resolution Esophageal Manometry (HRM)

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.

Impedance pH Testing

Determines the frequency of reflux episodes and the time relationship of reflux episodes and symptoms. The impedance–pH monitoring test determines if the patient’s symptoms are related to acid reflux, related to nonacid reflux, or not related to reflux of any type.  It is most useful when a patient has symptoms consistent with reflux but has had a negative ambulatory pH test for acid reflux.  It can be utilized for patients with contraindications to ambulatory pH testing or endoscopy. This is typically a 24 hour study that provides similar information regarding the acid patterns that occur during a typical patient day.

Restech Larygeal Pharyngeal Reflux (LPR) Testing

Acid can make its way up the esophagus and into the throat, a condition called Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR). LPR symptoms may include chronic cough, sore throat, throat clearing, and voice hoarseness. Restech is a 24hr pH system that measures acid levels in your airway to obtain objective evidence of LPR.

Gastric Emptying Study

For a gastric emptying study, a patient eats a meal in which the solid component of the meal, the liquid component of the meal, or both, are mixed with a small amount of radioactive material. A scanner is placed over the patient’s stomach to monitor the amount of radioactivity in the stomach for several hours after the test meal is eaten. As the radioactively-labeled food empties from the stomach, the amount of radioactivity in the stomach decreases. The rate at which the radioactivity leaves the stomach reflects the rate at which food is emptying from the stomach.

Endoflip

Endoflip is an advanced imaging system that provides an internal view of the gastroesophageal (GE) junction during endoscopic and surgical procedures. It captures vital measurements in the esophagus to assist in motility assessment and assists with tailoring surgical procedures to best fit each individual patient.

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