Catholic Health Announces Opening of  Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia Centers of Excellence

Catholic Health is expanding its service offerings with the opening of the Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia Centers of Excellence at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown. The Centers will offer minimally invasive surgical procedures as a permanent solution for acid reflux and repair of hiatal hernia. 
 
Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, is a chronic condition affecting 20 percent of people in the United States. Common symptoms include acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, persistent regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough and chest pain.  
 
“We are delighted to provide this much-needed service in our community for those who are suffering from chronic heartburn and acid reflux, looking for a long-term solution,” said St. Charles and St. Catherine of Siena President James O’Connor. “Our goal is to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from heartburn and GERD, with an individualized treatment plan and successful outcome.” 
 
Catholic Health’s Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia Centers of Excellence offer the following minimally invasive surgical procedures: 

• Fundoplication surgery, a laparoscopic and robotic-assisted, one-hour procedure, where the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the food tube, to create a new valve.
• Repair of hiatal hernia that can eliminate reflux and regurgitation.
• Advanced endoscopic procedures to treat Barrett’s disease.
• Magnetic sphincter augmentation procedure (LINX®), where a flexible band of magnetic beads, about the size of a quarter, is implanted where the stomach and esophagus meet. Once implanted, the magnetic band opens when a patient swallows food and closes to prevent stomach acids from flowing back into the esophagus. 

“Many patients want to eliminate dependence on medications and are concerned about long-term side effects,” said St. Charles and St. Catherine of Siena Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia Centers of Excellence Director Arif Ahmad, MD. “Most patients continue to regurgitate in spite of medications. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are safe alternatives that should be considered.”
 
For more information regarding Catholic Health’s Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia Centers of Excellence, call 631-474-6808 for St. Charles Hospital and 631-862-3570 for St. Catherine of Siena Hospital.

Learn more about gastroenterology services at Catholic Health.