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When you eat, your stomach produces acid to help you digest the food. Acid in the wrong place can lead to heartburn or a burning in the middle of the chest. You feel heartburn when stomach acid moves up into the "food pipe", also known as the esophagus. This happens when the valve, or "gate" between the esophagus and stomach functions incorrectly. Heartburn is the most common symptom of a disease called GERD, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease. For many, symptoms are mild, for some GERD is a daily, severe problem with lifelong implications.
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LINX Reflux Management System
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic, often progressive disease resulting from a weak Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). The LINX® Reflux Management System augments the weak LES, restoring the body's natural barrier to reflux.
The LINX System is a small flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores. The magnetic attraction between the beads is intended to help the LES resist opening to gastric pressures, preventing reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. LINX is designed so that swallowing forces temporarily break the magnetic bond, allowing food and liquid to pass normally into the stomach. Magnetic attraction of the device is designated to close the LES immediately after swallowing, restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux.
The LINX System is placed around the esophagus just above the stomach using a common, minimally invasive surgical technique called laparoscopy. Patients are placed under general anesthesia during the procedure, which generally lasts less than an hour. The LINX System does not require any anatomic alteration of the stomach. Most patients go home the day after surgery and resume a normal diet.
For more information about the LINX® Reflux Management System, please click on the link below to view the patient information guide.
LINX® Reflux Management System Patient Information Guide
Patrick E. Gibson, M.D., board-certified general surgeon, is performing the LINX procedure at San Angelo Community Medical Center. For contact information, click here.
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