Northside Forsyth Doctor Certified In Reflux Treatment

FORSYTH COUNTY, GA — Dr. Nicholas Drahush of Chattahoochee Surgical Group, a Northside Network Provider, has become the only physician in the Forsyth area to become certified in the use of the LINX System to treat patients with chronic GERD.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic, often progressive disease resulting when the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle at the base of the esophagus, is weak and does not close properly. This allows harmful stomach acid and bile to flow, or reflux, from the stomach back into the esophagus.

GERD is one of the most common health problems for adults, affecting about 20 percent of the U.S. population. Symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, coughing and chest pain. Left untreated, GERD can damage the lining of the esophagus, worsen asthma symptoms and cause more serious problems such as bleeding ulcers or Barrett’s esophagus, a leading cause of esophageal cancer.

“Many heartburn and GERD sufferers are able to manage their symptoms with simple lifestyle changes and the use of acid-suppression drugs such as Prevacid, Nexium, and Prilosec,” said Drahush. “It should be noted that although these drugs help reduce gastric acid production, but they do not repair the weak esophageal sphincter and will allow the reflux to continue.”

LINX is a small ring, or bracelet, (about the size of a quarter) comprised of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores. Through several keyhole incisions in the abdomen, the ring is implanted around the sphinctor. It does what the failing muscle can’t; it reinforces the body’s natural barrier to reflux. The ring is flexible and the magnetic beads allow it to open and close safely to let food down, but it resists opening to prevent gastric acids from pushing back up into the esophagus.

The device is implanted during a standard minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure and takes about an hour. It is performed on an outpatient basis. Patients generally go home immediately after surgery.

“Once this device is implanted, patients don’t feel the device, and the titanium construction and the permanent magnets mean LINX is designed to offer lifelong treatment to patients with GERD,” Drahush said.

Northside Hospital’s Advanced Center for GI Therapeutics offers the latest, most innovative procedures to diagnose and treat GI (gastrointestinal) conditions. A full range of GI endoscopy diagnostic, therapeutic and treatment procedures are performed including upper endoscopy, ERCP, colonoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), ablation therapy and high-resolution manometry. Patients receive all of their treatment – from registration through discharge – in one convenient location, dedicated to caring for the GI patient, on Northside’s Forsyth campus.

Chattahoochee Surgical Group has locations in Alpharetta, Cumming and Dawsonville. For more information, visit chattahoocheesurgical.com.

For more information about LINX and other GERD treatments available at Northside Hospital Forsyth, call 770-844-3200 or call Chattahoochee Surgical Group at 770-886-1074.