Stretta Procedure Now Available in Costa Rica
Do you frequently feel after eating feel a sensation of heartburn and no medication seems to help? Then pay close attention.

Costa Rica will be first country in Latin America where the "Stretta" procedure will be performed.

Stretta is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that's performed on an outpatient basis that is used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Using a endoscope, a physician will deliver radiofrequency energy to create thermal lesions in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and gastric cardia (uppermost part of the stomach). This will lead to tissue constriction and will improve the thickness of the muscle wall in these areas. The result of this is a reduction of the frequency of acid reflux because the frequency of LES relaxations is reduced. Also, LES pressure is increased. This reduces the occurrences of refluxed acid into the esophagus.

The Stretta Procedure is usually performed when heartburn symptoms can't be controlled by medications. There may be times, even when the medication is controlling the acid reflux symptoms, patients with ask about surgical options. GERD sufferers will likely have to continue taking medication for the rest of their lives in order to control their symptoms.

Besides not being an encouraging prospect, for some patients who suffer from side effects of the medication that can make it difficult to continue taking the medication every day. Wanting better symptom control, a desire not to have to live with side effects medication may cause, or because they don't want to take medication for the rest of their lives, they may ask about surgical options.

The Stretta Procedure can be performed in approximately one hour.

The recovery time is brief, and most patients can return to their normal routines the next day. Some clinical studies have shown this procedure has led to a significant improvement in the symptoms of GERD patients, allowing many to stop taking their heartburn medication. A gastroenterologist is the one who would perform this under conscious sedation.

For the time being the Clinica Católica is the only hospital offering the medical procedure.