Most people don’t think much about their esophagus – until an esophageal disorder interrupts their life.
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach, so it’s important to your well-being. When you struggle with an esophageal disorder, you may have a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, that require the kind of expert diagnosis and innovative treatment you’ll find at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Esophageal Health Center.
Our multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists and surgeons are specially trained in treating esophageal disorders and are familiar with the range of potential issues you may face, from simple to complex. Most importantly, we understand the impact these conditions can have on your quality of life and are determined to find the best care plan for you as an individual.
We want to make treatment not only effective, but also convenient and long-lasting. All of your office visits and pre-op testing can now be scheduled in one single location: Ohio State Outpatient Care New Albany. We’ll also follow up with you after treatment to make sure any concerns or problems with recovery are addressed quickly and completely. This approach is why our patients have proven, positive long-term outcomes.
Whatever your esophageal disorder, we’re here to help.
Esophageal disorders we treat
The most common disorder we treat is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn. This can range from mild heartburn after eating certain foods to much more severe cases requiring surgical intervention.
Other esophageal disorders we treat include:
- Hiatal hernia/paraesophageal hernia
- Achalasia
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Esophageal stricture (narrowing or tightening of esophagus)
- Esophageal diverticulum (outpouching in the esophagus)
- Esophageal motility disorders (diffuse esophageal spasm, ineffective esophageal motility, jackhammer esophagus)
- Functional esophageal disorders (esophageal hypersensitivity)
Esophageal disorders diagnosis and treatment
Our experts will complete a full diagnostic exam, including any necessary lab tests or imaging such as upper endoscopy, barium esophagram, esophageal manometry, esophageal pH testing and EndoFLIP® technology to accurately diagnose your specific esophageal disorder and pursue the best possible treatment plan for you.
Part of one of the largest academic health care centers in the nation, the Comprehensive Esophageal Health Center offers patients access to the latest innovative techniques and technology from noninvasive approaches to minimally invasive surgery.
- Noninvasive options such as dietary modification, pharmacological therapy, and physical therapy to minimally invasive procedures, including Nissen Fundoplication, LINX® Reflux Management System and TIF for treatment of:
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Hiatal hernia
- Paraesophageal hernia
- Minimally invasive procedures such as POEM (peroral endoscopic myotomy), robotic Heller myotomy, pneumatic balloon dilation, endoscopic EsoFLIP® dilation, and endoscopic botox injections for treatment of:
- Esophageal achalasia
- Esophageal motility disorders
- Diverticulum, esophageal
- Endoscopic ablation, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of Barrett’s esophagus and minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer
- Endoscopic dilations for complex esophageal strictures
- Medication, physical therapy, and counseling for coordinated management of functional esophageal disorders
- Endoscopic dilations, dietary modification, and medication for comprehensive management of eosinophilic esophagitis
Meet the director
Why choose Ohio State Comprehensive Esophageal Health Center
- Our gastroenterologists and surgeons are experts in their field and regularly conduct research to help improve clinical advancements in esophageal health.
- We’re among the highest volume esophageal surgery programs in Ohio including management of gastroesophageal reflux, hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia.
- We perform a high volume of motility procedures including esophageal manometry, EndoFLIP®, and esophageal pH testing for esophageal motility disorders.
- Our coordinated clinical care team including dieticians, gastroenterologists, GI surgeons, physical therapists and counselors collaborate to personalize a treatment plan to suit each patient’s unique condition.
- We have been involved with LINX since its inception and involved in all clinical trials related to this device.
- We were first in Ohio to perform a robotic Heller myotomy surgery for the treatment of achalasia.
- Ohio State was the first in the U.S. to perform a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) procedure using the EsophyX® Device.
- Ohio State is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's highest-performing hospitals in gastroenterology and GI surgery.
- We often handle the most complicated cases, and many patients are referred to us after previous surgical complications.