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St. Bernard Parish Hospital Performs New Orleans’ First LINX® Procedure

Dr. Thomas Delahoussaye successfully performed procedure to treat acid reflux

St. Bernard Parish Hospital (SBPH) performed the area’s first procedure using the LINX® Reflux Management System, which is a permanent, drug-free treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).* The procedure helps patients suffering from GERD experience a better quality of life and experience relief without needing daily medication.

Approximately 60 million Americans experience heart burn once a month, with more than 15 million suffering from the condition daily. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach's contents to flow up into the esophagus. In many cases, GERD symptoms can be alleviated with diet and exercise, but some people require medication or surgery.

LINX® consists of a small band of magnetized titanium beads wrapped around the LES located at the base of the esophagus. This band helps prevent gastric acids from pushing back up into the esophagus from the stomach, yet also safely allows the LES to open when required to allow for easy swallowing. The procedure may be appropriate for patients ages 21 and older who experience significant GERD-related symptoms despite taking medication.

“This procedure offers an alternative to daily medication, while providing relief for patients suffering from the chronic symptoms associated with acid reflux. It’s truly a game changer for patients suffering from acid reflux and St. Bernard Parish Hospital is proud to bring this innovative treatment to our area,” said Dr. Thomas Delahoussaye – the surgeon who performed the first LINX® procedure at SBPH.

Dr. Delahoussaye joined SBPH as a general surgeon in 2018. Dr. Delahoussaye completed his undergraduate studies in Biology from Louisiana State University. He started his medical career at Tulane Emergency Department as a Paramedic while pursuing his medical degree. He obtained a Medical Degree from LSUHSC-New Orleans and continued to the institution’s General Surgery Residency Program where he served as Chief Resident in 2017. Dr. Delahoussaye furthered his education by completing the Minimally Invasive/Bariatric Surgery Fellowship program from Jackson South Community Hospital, in Miami in 2018.

“Introducing the LINX® procedure underscores how dedicated St. Bernard Parish Hospital and the entire Ochsner Health is to advancing our local healthcare options. This is just one of the many innovative ways we are providing treatment for chronic conditions close to home,” said Kim Keene, Chief Executive Officer, St. Bernard Parish Hospital.

St. Bernard Parish Hospital is owned by the Hospital Service District of the Parish of St. Bernard, State of Louisiana, a political subdivision of the State, and managed by Ochsner Health System. For more information about St. Bernard Hospital visit www.ochsner.org/sbph or 504-493-2200 to make an appointment with Dr. Delahoussaye. 

*For the privacy and protection of those involved, no information will be released on the patient or their family at this time.

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Ochsner Health is Louisiana’s largest non-profit, academic, healthcare system. Driven by a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate, coordinated clinical and hospital patient care is provided across the region by Ochsner's 40 owned, managed and affiliated hospitals and specialty hospitals, and more than 100 health centers and urgent care centers. Ochsner is the only Louisiana hospital recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a “Best Hospital” across three specialty categories caring for patients from all 50 states and more than 70 countries worldwide each year. Ochsner employs nearly 25,000 employees and over 4,500 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties and conducts more than 700 clinical research studies. Ochsner Health is proud to be a tobacco-free environment. For more information, please visit ochsner.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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