9 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A P R I L 2 0 1 8
M
any
GERD
suffer-
ers
have
had it up to their esopha-
gus with the burning
backwash of stomach
acid. They're ready to get
off Prilosec and Prevacid
and get on an OR table.
Are you ready for them?
Laparoscopic Nissen fun-
doplication — which
involves wrapping the
upper stomach around
the bottom of the esopha-
gus to assist it in closing and prevent reflux — remains the standard
surgical therapy, but several other minimally invasive treatments for
gastroesophageal reflux disease are also gaining traction.
• Laparoscopic magnetic sphincter augmentation. Surgeons apply
a necklace of magnetic beads made of lightweight and durable titani-
um around the lower esophageal sphincter. The patient's swallowing
action causes the beads to separate and lets food pass; the magnets
then rejoin to prevent regurgitation.
"Clinical trials, although limited, show the device is especially good at
Get Up to Speed On GERD
Daniel Cook | Executive Editor
An update on minimally invasive treatments designed to turn down the
burn of acid reflux.
• HEARTBURN HELP Patients who are dissatisfied with the effectiveness of
proton pump inhibitors to control reflux are desperate for symptom relief.