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  5. Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation LINX® Reflux Management System

Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation (LINX® Reflux Management System)

If you're currently suffering from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), you may be muddling through your heartburn, bloating, and regurgitation by taking daily medication. Like many patients, you may find that while medicine improves your symptoms, you're never truly free from them.

But it doesn't have to be this way, and Allegheny Health Network has a potential solution: the LINX® Reflux (GERD) management system.

What is LINX®?

The LINX® Reflux (GERD) Management System consists of tiny magnetic titanium beads that are placed, through minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, around the area where your stomach and esophagus meet. When you swallow, the rings open to let in food and liquids, but quickly close again to keep your stomach acid from traveling up your esophagus and causing heartburn. LINX is designed to restore your stomach's natural acid barrier.

Other facts about LINX®

  • While it is designed to be a lifelong implant, it is also reversible.
  • It can often be placed in under an hour, with the patient under general anesthesia, and many patients return home the next day.
  • It requires no special diet, and patients can eat normally immediately after surgery.
  • Over 90% of patients no longer take daily medications for reflux and required no dietary changes.

For more information, go to the LINX® product page.

AHN patient in a yellow dress suffering from GERD who may be able to benefit from the LINX Reflux Management System.

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LINX® GERD management doctors in Pittsburgh

Blair Jobe, MD

Dr. Jobe, director of the Esophageal Institute, is a nationally renowned pioneer in the field of minimally invasive surgery and endoscopic therapy for the treatment of esophageal cancer, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal mobility disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

A prolific medical researcher and international lecturer, Dr. Jobe has served as the principal investigator for four NIH grants that focus on improving early detection of esophageal cancer, specifically on the development of serum and tissue biomarkers, a precursor to a blood test for the early detection and treatment of esophageal cancer.

In 2015, Dr. Jobe received Pittsburgh Business Times’ Health Care Heroes award in the Health Care Innovation – Individual category for his discovery of four protein biomarkers which resulted in highly accurate and inexpensive findings in determining whether or not cancer was present.

Yoshihiro Komatsu, MD

Yoshihiro Komatsu, MD is a fellowship-trained general surgeon with expertise in advanced endoscopy including POEM, a therapeutic endoscopic procedure, and LINX a reflux management system for GERD, as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques. He specializes in esophageal cancer and esophageal surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, GERD surgery, hiatal hernia repair, and Barrett’s esophagus.

Kirsten Newhams, MD, MPH

Dr. Newhams completed her residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, before training at Allegheny Health Network in the Minimally Invasive Fellowship. She joined the Esophageal Institute as an attending surgeon at the end of her fellowship training. She is a specialist in minimally invasive surgery and endoscopic therapy. Her particular expertise includes treatment for Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal motility disorders, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Contact us

Call (412) 359-GERD (412) 359-4373 in Pittsburgh or (844) 412-GERD (844) 412-4373 in Erie for more information or to book a consultation. You can also request for us to call you.