Revolutionary GERD Procedure Available in Springfield
January 5, 2011 – Patients who suffer from diseases like acid reflux often suffer in silence, taking over-the-counter and prescription medications to dull the effects without treating the condition itself, rather than undergoing a painful surgical procedure. Thanks to a revolutionary new procedure performed in a local setting exclusively by Springfield Clinic General Surgeons James Fullerton, MD, and Kristofer Mitchell, MD, patients can find relief without invasive surgery.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach contents can flow back into the esophagus causing inflammation. Treatment often involves long term medical therapy or an invasive abdominal surgery.
Open and laparoscopic surgical procedures have been used to treat GERD effectively for years. Unfortunately, even laparoscopic surgery has the potential for complications. For this reason, very few GERD patients currently choose surgery to treat their condition.
As opposed to laparoscopic and open procedures currently used to treat the condition, Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) is a new procedure performed endoscopically. While the patient is under anesthesia, the recently developed EsophyX device is introduced into the stomach through the mouth. Folds of stomach tissue are gathered together creating a barrier to prevent reflux, leaving no scars and causing very little discomfort. Dr. Fullerton and Dr. Mitchell are the first surgeons in Springfield to introduce this procedure.
“Studies indicate after two years following this procedure, 79% of patients are able to stop taking medication for reflux disease completely,” said Dr. Fullerton. “Between the lower cost of the procedure versus surgery, and the cost of medication over time, there is certainly the potential for a lower overall cost.”
Typically completed in under an hour, the TIF procedure is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. After an overnight stay, most patients can go home the following day, and are able to return to their regular activities within that week.
Dr. James Fullerton
James K. Fullerton, MD is a board-certified general surgeon, with special interests in laparoscopic surgery, surgical endoscopy and ERCP. A native of Janesville, Wisconsin, Dr. Fullerton attended the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where he received his medical degree. He was named Chief Resident in 2004 during the completion of his General Surgery residency at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.
Immediately following, Dr. Fullerton joined Springfield Clinic’s Department of General Surgery and practiced briefly until his acceptance at University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. During his leave of absence, Dr. Fullerton completed an Endoscopy and Interventional ERCP Fellowship, and returned to practice in the Clinic’s Department of General Surgery in 2006.