Korea University Anam Hospital has opened the first specialized treatment center in the country for patients with intractable and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who do not respond to drug therapy or experience recurrent symptoms.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common chronic digestive disorder experienced by about 7-10% of the population in the country. More than 30% of all patients are classified as intractable patients whose symptoms do not improve sufficiently even with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. However, until now, there has been no dedicated specialized center in the domestic medical environment that comprehensively handles precise functional tests, treatment strategy establishment, surgery, and long-term management for these patients, leading most patients to continue with repetitive drug treatments or inefficient medical care.
The newly opened Intractable Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Center focuses on addressing this structural gap in medical care. The center conducts objective diagnoses based on 24-hour precise functional tests and establishes treatment strategies based on symptoms or individual patient needs according to the test results.
The center is managed by Professor Park Seong-soo of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department. Professor Park has accumulated the best clinical experience in the country in the field of anti-reflux surgery for patients with intractable gastroesophageal reflux disease and has reported in domestic and international journals the importance of objective test-based patient selection through research analyzing the correlation between preoperative esophageal pH tests and esophageal pressure tests and postoperative symptom improvement and prognosis prediction. These research achievements have been directly reflected in the treatment protocol design of this specialized center.
Professor Park is recognized for his top-level academic achievements in the related field and has contributed to establishing academic and clinical standards for anti-reflux surgery as the president of the Korean Society for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Surgery. He has also demonstrated the clinical efficacy of anti-reflux surgery through national research projects and is currently training the largest number of foreign visiting doctors in this field. He has worked to spread the excellent Korean medical skills and achievements internationally, including publishing an international English textbook on anti-reflux surgery performed in intractable gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Professor Park Seong-soo stated, "Intractable gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not simply a matter of changing medications; it must operate as a system that includes accurate diagnosis, strict patient selection, and long-term management after treatment," and added, "The specialized center aims to become a reliable final medical outlet for patients who have struggled with repeated treatment failures."
