Mercy health – St. Rita’s Medical Center is set to perform its first Linx surgery, a minimally-invasive procedure that brings permanent relief to patients with acid reflux. 

A flexible quarter-sized device, Linx is currently the only medical device approved by the FDA as a safe and effective treatment for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Surgeon Jason Bowersock, MD, will implant the device during a Monday procedure.

“Patients in the Lima area now have access to relief from their reflux disease through this minimally-invasive procedure,” Dr. Bowersock said. “Linx is a designed to treat patients with severe heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease while helping to eliminate dependence on medication and improve overall quality of life.”

About one-third of Americans experience heartburn – a burning pain in your esophagus – at least once a month. Other feel that pain even more regularly.

GERD is caused by reflux and regurgitation of stomach acid into the esophagus. In normal swallowing, a valve between the esophagus and stomach open to allow food to pass into the stomach then closes to prevent reflux of the food back into the esophagus. For those with GERD, this valve is weakened or absent, allowing the acidic digestive juices to flow back (or reflux) into the esophagus.

Linx is a devise made up of magnetized titanium beads connected by titanium wires, which are placed around the lower esophagus just above the stomach. The laparoscopic procedure prevents stomach acid from moving up into the esophagus.