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Dr. H. Lynn Wiggins, a partner in Jonesboro Surgical Associates, is the first area physician to receive training to perform a new incisionless surgery to treat patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
On the medical staff at St. Bernards Medical Center, Wiggins received specialized training at Denver in December in the new Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) procedure now available at St. Bernards.
“This new TIF procedure can significantly improve quality of life for our patients,” says Dr. Wiggins. “GERD is an anatomical problem which needs an anatomical solution.
“While reflux medications like PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) can help relieve heartburn symptoms, they do not solve the underlying anatomical problems or prevent further disease progression. Even on PPIs, many patients still are unable to eat the foods they want or have to sleep sitting up to reduce nighttime reflux.”
In addition, he says, some recent studies have shown that long-term use of PPIs can lead to inadequate absorption of minerals such as calcium and can increase the risk for bone fractures.
“Clinical trials show that after the TIF procedure, most patients can eat and drink foods they have avoided for years. And reflux simply no longer impacts their lives like it did prior to the procedure.”
The TIF procedure utilizes an innovative EsophyX device made by EndoGastric Solutions to repair the antireflux barrier in a procedure performed through the mouth. EsophyX TIF reduces hiatal hernia and creates a valve between the stomach and esophagus, restoring the natural, physiological anatomy to prevent gastroesophageal reflux. It represents a less invasive reconstructive surgical treatment of GERD performed in an incisionless manner.
Because the procedure is incisionless, patients benefit from less pain, reduced recovery time and no visible scar.
Wiggins has been on the medical staff at St. Bernards since 1984. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport. After completing an internship and residency at North Carolina Baptist Hospital Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, he moved to Jonesboro to open his medical practice.
A board certified surgeon, he holds fellow status in the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Wiggins will discuss surgical options for treating GERD, including the new incisionless TIF procedure, at a free seminar hosted by St. Bernards at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, at St. Bernards Auditorium. Persons interested in securing information about the new procedure or registering for the free seminar should contact the St. Bernards HealthLine at 931-5055 or toll free at 888-STB-4555.