Here important differential diagnoses like z

Reflux Center OWLThe Reflux Center OWL has set itself the goal of using the latest techniques to detect reflux disease and its sequelae at an early stage, to include important differential diagnoses in the considerations and to avoid complications.

Our target groups and focal points in the reflux center

Patients who do not respond or do not respond adequately to the standard therapy with a proton pump blocker are a special target group, these are after all 30 % of all reflux patients, in numbers ca. 3.6 Mill. German citizen. State-of-the-art diagnostic procedures such as high-resolution endoscopy, the use of high-resolution esophageal manometry and long-term pH-metry with impedance measurement ensure that the diagnosis is in line with guidelines. Here, important differential diagnoses such as z. B. Achalasia or esophageal spasms can be diagnosed quickly and reliably and can also be treated endoscopically.

A second important target group are patients with endoscopic and histological evidence of a so-called. Barrett's epithelium. Here it is important to distinguish at an early stage whether it is a normal Barrett's epithelium or a Barrett's epithelium developing further in transformation to a cancerous tumor. These early forms ("dysplasias") as well as the early carcinomas limited to the mucosa can be removed endoscopically and subsequently require a follow-up treatment with a new type of procedure, the so-called "reflux surgery". Radiofrequency ablation. For this purpose, a radiofrequency generator for ablation of neoplastic Barrett's epithelium was acquired. With this technological high-end equipment and corresponding professional expertise, the Reflux Center OWL offers the entire spectrum of diagnostics and therapy from reflux disease to early Barrett's carcinoma.

The third focus is on the preparatory diagnostics for a possible endoscopy. Planned antireflux surgery, which is performed in close interdisciplinary consultation with the Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Trauma Surgery. The surgical removal of the hiatus hernia is one of the classic proven procedures of anti-reflux surgery in the Reflux Center OWL. The application of a fundoplicatio depending on the findings of the high-resolution esophageal manometry. Depending on the findings, the respective patient is offered a tailor-made operation.

Currently, the Surgical Clinic is the only clinic in our region to offer this surgical method in interdisciplinary cooperation with the Gastroenterology Clinic of the Mathilden Hospital in the Reflux Center OWL. The Reflux Center OWL at the Mathilden Hospital, in close cooperation with colleagues in private practice and with a high degree of interdisciplinarity, offers patients in OWL exquisite technical equipment with a high degree of professionalism, which is currently unique in OWL.

Excellent care

The Mathilden Hospital is one of the leading hospitals in Germany for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. This is the result of research by Klinik Kompass – an information portal for patients in German and English. The Department of General Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology sees the most patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (169 of a total of 180 patients in 2019). Overall, the number of patients in this treatment area is above average, which speaks for the experience of the medical team. The clinic also does well in terms of patient safety: 52 out of 55 criteria for comprehensive hygiene are met, according to the latest quality report for hospitals. Last but not least, 80 percent of patients would recommend the clinic to others. This was the result of a large survey conducted by Weisse Liste in cooperation with Barmer Ersatzkasse and AOK.