GERD Sufferers Find Relief With New Procedure

(Santa Ana, CA)-Coastal Communities Hospital announces that Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute and the most prominent journal in the field of gastrointestinal disease, has published landmark data from the first-ever blinded, randomized, sham- and placebo-controlled clinical study of the Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) procedure.

Of the 87 patients who were randomly assigned to the group that underwent the TIF procedure and then received an ongoing course of placebo medication, 67% reported elimination of troublesome regurgitation. Meanwhile, of the 42 patients who were randomized to undergo sham surgery and then continued to take optimized dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) regiment, just 45% reported elimination of the same symptom.

“Consistent with the Montreal definition, the RESPECT (Randomized EsophyX® vs. Sham/Placebo Controlled Trial) study enrolled patients with troublesome regurgitation and objectively confirmed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is the first ever randomized blinded trial to focus exclusively on regurgitation,” said Coastal Communities Hospital Dr. Yasser Salem. “The results of this study suggests that the TIF procedure provides an attractive option to manage troublesome GERD symptoms, especially considering there are virtually no side-effects after the TIF procedure. I’m thrilled with outcome of this study and it is truly an honor to be featured in Gastroenterology for our accomplishments,” continued Dr. Salem.

Note: Eight participating academic and community centers screened 696 patients of which 129 were enrolled into the RESPECT study. The investigators, consisting of 15 general surgeons and a gastroenterologist, will follow the patients for 12 months. Additional information about the RESPECT study can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov. Both groups of patients enrolled in the RESPECT study, and their caregivers, were blinded to therapy during follow-up occurred at two, 12 and 26 weeks. At the six-month follow-up, all patients were un-blinded and the sham control patients were given the opportunity to have a TIF procedure. 

Incisionless Procedure Improves Long-Term GERD Symptoms, 70% of Patients Are Able to Stop Taking Proton Pump Inhibitor Medications for Two Years

(Santa Ana, CA)–Today, Coastal Communities Hospital announced publication of US registry data showing that long-term gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) sufferers who underwent an incisionless procedure at their hospital maintained symptom relief without the need to take proton pump inhibitor medicines for two years. The results were published in the November issue of the journal American Surgeon in a study designed to assess the impact of the TIF procedure on patients with chronic GERD at 6-, 12- 24- and 36 month follow-up points.

   

“These new findings demonstrate the long-term positive outcomes that come from treating the underlying cause of GERD with this innovative, incisionless approach,” said Dr. Yasser Salem. “Previously, recommended treatment for GERD patients included lifestyle changes and/or increased doses of prescription medications for the long term, which has been linked to causing a variety of other health complications. In our program we see patients who have been on heartburn medication for over 15 years, still suffering from reflux symptoms such as regurgitation and chronic cough,” Dr. Salem commented.

“Furthermore, we want GERD sufferers to know that something called a hiatal hernia plays a critical role in the cause of their persistent and troublesome reflux symptoms,” said Dr. Salem. “TIF without incisions requires a small hiatal hernia, less than two centimeters. However, in our program we also treat patients with larger hiatal hernias using a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach.”

Dr. Yasser Salem is an accomplished physician having been ranked in the top 10 for TIF procedures in 2014. As a Coastal Communities Hospital physician for over 11 years, Dr. Salem routinely performs over 100 surgeries every month ranging from major vascular surgery to general abdominal surgeries. He is a recipient of the Physician of Excellence Award from the Orange County Medical Association and is a member of the American College of Surgeons, SAGES, American Medical Association and the Orange County Medical Society.

“Coastal Communities Hospital remains dedicated to developing safe, effective, and low-risk technologies and procedures that treat the tens of thousands of GERD patients who fall into the treatment gap between medical prescription therapy and invasive surgery,” said Coastal Communities Hospital CEO Luke Tharasri. “Given these long-term, real-life outcomes, we believe the TIF procedure can significantly enhance the quality of life for GERD patients. After successfully treating hundreds of patients, we are extremely pleased with the outcomes and look forward to better serving our community with this innovation in the treatment of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease. ”

GERD is a chronic condition in which the gastro-esophageal valve (GEV) allows gastric contents to wash back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and possible injury to the esophageal lining. GERD is the most common gastrointestinal-related diagnosis made by physicians during clinical visits in the U.S. It is estimated that pain and discomfort from acid reflux impacts over 23 million people two or more times per week in the U.S. 

Coastal Communities Hospital Recognized as Top Performer on Key Quality Measures

(Santa Ana, CA)- Today, Coastal Communities Hospital announced their recognition by The Joint Commission as a 2013 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® in both their pneumonia and surgical care services. This important achievement highlights the hospital’s commitment to ensuring that evidence-based interventions are delivered to patients in an appropriate and timely manner. Evidence-based medicine is a process physicians utilize to review patient care using clinical research findings to provide the best patient care possible.

“Our hospital’s physicians and staff are committed to providing high quality care on a daily basis that promotes the wellbeing of our patients. We approach each individual holistically with every element carefully analyzed and reviewed by our physicians and nurses,” said Coastal Communities Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Luke Tharasri. “We are proud of this prestigious achievement from the Joint Commission on evidence-based medicine and will continue to strive for excellence in the treatment of our patients.”

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by the Joint Commission as one of America’s top hospitals when it comes to delivering high quality care and safety for our patients,” said Coastal Communities Hospital Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer LaDonna Butler. “Top Performer status is a direct result of the excellent efforts put forth by our hospital nurses and staff, along with our physicians.”