Endoscopic fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: Initial experience

OBJECTIVE: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is a promising approach for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that may decrease morbidity compared with conventional anti reflux procedures. We report our initial experience with this minimally invasive approach. METHODS: Over a 24-month period, 46 patients (mean age, 49 years; 50% female) underwent 48 TIF procedures. All procedures were performed… Read more »

Short-term safety and symptomatic outcomes of transoral incisionless fundoplication with or without hiatal hernia repair in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND: A retrospective community-based study evaluated the safety and symptomatic outcomes of the transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) procedure with or without hiatal hernia repair (HHR) in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients underwent TIF using EsophyX (EndoGastric Solutions, Redmond, WA) in 3 community hospitals. Patients who presented with a… Read more »

Transoral incisionless fundoplication: initial experience in patients referred to an integrated academic institution

Transoral incisionless fundoplication is a new treatment for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. We present our initial experience with 10 patients undergoing this procedure with varying past surgical histories. All procedures were performed under general nasotracheal anesthesia. RAND-36 and Visual Analog Scale symptom scores were collected at pre and postoperative appointments for a mean of… Read more »

Transoral rotational esophagogastric fundoplication: technical, anatomical, and safety considerations

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) results primarily from the loss of an effective antireflux barrier, which forms a mechanical barrier against the retrograde movement of gastric content. Restoration of the incompetent antireflux barrier is possible by longitudinal and rotational advancement of the gastric fundus about the lower esophagus, creating an esophagogastric fundoplication. This article describes… Read more »

Functional Lumen Imaging Probe to Assess Geometric Changes in Esophagogastric Junction Following Endolumenal Fundoplication

 BACKGROUND: The functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) uses impedance planimetry to measure the geometry of a distensible organ. The purpose of this study was to evaluate FLIP as a method to determine structural changes at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) following transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) and compare these findings with the accepted methods of esophageal testing.… Read more »

Transoral incisionless esophago-gastric fundoplication offers high patient satisfaction and relief of therapy-resistant typical and atypical symptoms of GERD in community practice

This retrospective study evaluated clinical outcomes in 124 consecutive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients who underwent transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) at 2 community hospitals. Out of 123 patients treated successfully, 110 gave consent (74% female, median age 60 [range 21-87] years, body mass index 27.5 [19.0-47.9]). At a median 7-month follow-up (range 5-17), typical and… Read more »

Clinical and pH-metric outcomes of transoral esophagogastric fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND: Transoral treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using the EsophyX device enables creation of an esophagogastric fundoplication with potential for better control of reflux than gastrogastric techniques. Efficacy and safety of a rotational/longitudinal esophagogastric transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) was evaluated retrospectively using subjective and objective outcomes. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients on antisecretory medication and… Read more »

Transoral incisionless fundoplication 2.0 procedure using EsophyX for gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) using the EsophyX™ system has been introduced as a possible alternative for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The efficacy of this procedure in our centers was evaluated. METHODS: Patients were selected for treatment if they had typical GERD symptoms, failed management with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a positive… Read more »

Endoscopic, endoluminal fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: initial experience and lessons learned

BACKGROUND: Several devices have been developed to create an antireflux barrier endoscopically for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. All have failed to provide long-term symptom relief, were associated with clinically important complications, or were otherwise removed from the market. A new device, the Esophyx (Endogastric Solutions, Redmond, WA), provides the closest approximation experimentally to… Read more »