New treatment for acid reflux may provide alternative to Reglan side effects

Boston, MASurgeons at Boston Medical Center have developed an incisionless treatment for acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that could prevent sufferers of the condition from exposure to Reglan's neurological side effects.

The new procedure, called Esophyx Transoral Incisionless fundaplication, allows surgeons to repair or reconstruct the valve connecting the esophagus to the stomach, which effectively stops GERD and acid reflux.

"Medications may alleviate the symptoms… (but) they don't solve the anatomical problem and reflux can still continue causing injury but without symptoms to warn the patient," says Dr. Hiran Fernando, one of the surgeons who performs the surgery. "For patients who are dissatisfied with pharmaceutical therapies and are concerned about the long-term effects of over-the-counter medications, this procedure may be the answer."

Reglan, a medication used to treat acid reflux and GERD has been linked to tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder which can result in spasmodic involuntary movement. Two separate studies have concluded that the risk of Reglan tardive dyskinesia in patients can reach as high 29 percent in long term users.