Endoscopic (Incisionless) Surgery

Incisionless Treatment Option for GERD

Now there is an effective, long-term incisionless solution for people suffering from chronic acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), who are

• Experiencing heartburn or non-heartburn symptoms of GERD twice a week or more
• Discontent with pharmaceutical forms of therapy
• Concerned about long-term effects of a lifetime use of pills

TIF Procedure

Using the EsophyX device, the procedure is performed through the mouth, rather than an abdominal incision. TIF was developed to emulate more invasive surgical techniques, but from within and completely without incisions or visible scars. Typically lasting 45-60 minutes, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia and reforms the body’s natural physical antireflux barrier. Most patients can go home the next day and return to work within a few days.

TIF Benefits

• Allows for effective, long-term solution to GERD
• No external skin incisions – no scarring
• No internal cutting or dissecting of the natural anatomy – more rapid recovery
• Eliminates heartburn in over 85% of patients
• Gets 79% of patients off PPIs 2 years after the procedure
• Allows for earlier intervention
• Improves quality of life score by 64% over PPIs (proton pump inhibitors)
• Reduces hiatal hernia in 89% of patients
• Restores the angle of His
• Fewer adverse events and complications
• Leaves future options intact
• Can be revised if required

Is TIF effective?

In recent studies, TIF patients reported 80% improvement in quality of life and reduction/elimination of heartburn symptoms. All patients discontinued medication after the TIF procedure and 79% were still completely off daily medication two years after the procedure.

Is TIF Safe?

TIF, with the EsophyX device, has been proven safe in over one thousand procedures worldwide. To date, side effects have been minimal.

Esophyx Procedure Animation

Functional GE Valve

Dysfunctional GE Valve

Treatment Options

In addition to dietary controls, you and your doctor have options including pharmaceuticals, surgical options, and TIF, an incisionless surgical solution.

• Pharmaceuticals: While pharmaceuticals alleviate the symptoms, they don’t solve the underlying anatomical problem and generally don’t stop disease progression. Over time you may need to increase your dosage and, like many GERD sufferers, it may mean taking medication for the rest of your life. Recent major studies on the adverse effects of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors show increased risk of bone fractures.
• Conventional surgical options: Invasive surgical procedures have long been known to be an effective, long-term solution to treating GERD. The valve is reconstructed by wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the esophagus.
• Incisionless TIF (with EsophyX device): Based on many years of proven surgical concepts and techniques, TIF is the first incisionless procedure to emulate gold-standard conventional surgery procedures.

TIF vs Pharmacological Therapy

TIF is the first procedure that provides an incisionless anatomical solution to a disease that today is typically treated with acid antisecretory medications, either PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) or histamine receptor antagonists (H2 blockers). But GERD is a progressive disease, and the pharmaceuticals typically lose their effectiveness over time. GERD sufferers today are also concerned about the well-known adverse effects of long-term use of PPIs, including osteomalacia (inadequate absorption of calcium and other minerals into the bones, essential to bone health). Since pharmacological therapy does not treat the underlying root causes of reflux, the deteriorated anatomy of the antireflux barrier, life-long medication therapy is required. Add to all that lifestyle changes such as special daily diets and pill regimens and having to reduce or eliminate activities like playing sports and it’s easy to see why many patients are looking for a safe, effective alternative to pharmaceutical therapy.