Acid reflux is the most common digestive disorder. The valve which prevents the backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe) is made of diaphragm and muscles at the junction of esophagus and stomach. When this valve mechanism does not function due to either hiatal hernia or intrinsic valve dysfunction, it leads to reflux of acid in the esophagus. Hiatal hernia occurs when a part of the stomach moves up in the chest from the abdomen. 

Dr. Munot now performs TIF (and c-TIF*), a new state-of-the-art minimally invasive procedure and does not require any incision. 

It is an acronym for Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF). During the procedure an endoscope ( a long tube with camera at the end) is advanced into the stomach to examine the valve internally. A special device designed to perform the valve repair and FDA approved is introduced into the stomach over the endoscope. The device then augments and repairs the valve by pulling the esophageal tissue into the stomach and then wrapping the stomach creating a 270 degree wrap. If there is additional hiatal hernia on exam it combines laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with restoration of the faulty valve so that food and liquids no longer move back up into the esophagus once ingested. This procedure makes it no longer necessary to have a major open surgery with negative side effects like inability to belch or vomit, trouble swallowing and bloating.

A study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons last year stated that patients with c-TIF experienced:

73% decrease in acid reflux frequency and severity

83% decrease in regurgitation

89% reduction in proton pump inhibitor use

When diet, lifestyle changes and use of proton pump inhibitors and other medications bring no relief or you want to get off these medications long term- you may want to consider the safe and effective options available like TIF or c-TIF.

*concomitant Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication