Spring, 2004                           

Community Link is published
quarterly as a service to the
friends and neighbors of
Union Hospital, an affiliate
of the Saint Barnabas Health
Care System.

Call Dr. Tempera at
(908) 851-2771
to learn more about the
Enterex procedure

Say Good-Bye to GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, afflicts more than 15 million Americans. As those with this debilitating condition know, living with heartburn, nausea and sore throat can sometimes be unbearable. A new surgical treatment, however, is allowing many patients to give up GERD for good.

Union Hospital is one of only three hospitals in the state to offer the Enterex® procedure. Performed by Gastroenterologist Patrick Tempera, MD, this technique may be a welcome alternative for those depending on a class of drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPI), to suppress acid reflux symptoms. In fact, the surgery completely or partially eliminates the need for these medications.

Acid reflux is caused by a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. When working improperly, the valve allows stomach acid to flow upward into the esophagus causing heartburn and damage to tissue in the esophagus. In the Enterex procedure, a substance is injected into the LES during a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure. The substance solidifies and helps the LES function properly, thereby reducing acid reflux. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, and patients are typically sent home the same day.