Esophyx Procedure Reduces Heartburn For Some. For Others The Results Vary
Update: It appears EndoGastric Solutions is in some hot water from the FDA regarding the device malfunctioning, as well as marketing the device as being reversible when in most(?)/many(?) cases it is not. There is also some legal action taking place as well.
Just read about the Esophyx procedure on NBC’s Dallas Fort Worth website. The procedure is offered as an alternative to Nissen Fundoplication. The goal is to resolve acid reflux symptoms by strengthening the Lower Esophageal Sphincter valve.
Nissen Fundoplication is usually done via laparoscopic surgery, which means one or more incisions are made and a tiny camera is used through these incisions to guide the surgeon. The surgeon wraps part of the stomach around the LES valve and then staples it together so it holds tight around the LES. In some cases mesh devices are needed to help hold the stomach in place. Overall it is a serious procedure with side effects being the inability to belch causing a build of of gas, the inability to vomit, dumping syndrome as well as others.
Esophyx is a product made by EndoGastric Solutions. Esophyx works via endoscopy, there is no incision required. The full name of the procedure is “Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication”(TIF). The surgeon places a tube down the patients throat and all tools are transportable along this tube. The tools allow the surgeon to grab the top of the stomach near the LES valve and pull down a piece of the stomach. This piece is then folded onto itself. The fold is then stapled together. This is repeated around the valve to strengthen it. For some this resolves their acid reflux symptoms completely, others have to still take heartburn medications, while some are not helped at all by the procedure. Since this is a rather new procedure, there is not a lot of data on it.
For actual experiences with the procedure, check out this posting about the Esophyx procedure on HeartBurn-Help.com. Or also check out this more recent posting on HealthBoards.com.
You can also check out this very informative 3D animation of the procedure. Click on the video as some people have posted on their results with Esophyx.
Have you had the Esophyx procedure or know someone who has? Please leave a comment about your experience.
My friend and client’s esophyx failed and now has litigation with them over their representation that it was ‘reversible’. Even on the video posted here (2:17) it says ‘reversible’.
after it failed he wanted to get it reversed, and when he called the company he was told it is not reversible. Now he has the fasteners embedded in his scar tissue
he has since had the nissen – but very nervous about the future and what options may be limited
They continue to market the tif as reversible
Also FDA warning letter just came out –
see http://www.pghfirm.com for more information-
I had the esophyx done almost a year ago. Like the guy above, mine failed as well. When I went back to my surgeon to have it repaired..because the website also states that it is easily repairable..I was told that having a nissen fundoplication would be the better option. Everyone online that I have come across online with a failed esophyx ends up being advised to have a nissen. You may want to look into if it is even successfully repairable
that’s what i’ve been hearing –
I’d be very interested to hear any story about an esophyx which failed and then was repaired ???
I’m thinking that if the scar tissue overgrows the fasteners – how can they possibly repair (or replace, reverse, undo) the procedure?
It seems as though every doctor is recommending the nissen following a failed esophyx? why? –
that’s fine – if its disclosed that you may need a nissen after the esophyx – but don’t sell it as reversible or repeatable without extensive surgery if no doctor will recommend that –
please let me know if there are any stories about an esophyx failure that has had any other option other than the nissen??
thanks!
–
I am seeing a Dr. tomorrow about TIF- Is there anyone out there that has a favorable outcome? I’m a little worried.
Hey – anyone out there who has had failed Esophyx should check out a procedure called Stretta. Has 5-year data and good outcomes – but can be done more than once – even after a failed Nissen/Esophyx and for a lot less dough. It’s radiofrequency energy delivered to the low esophageal muscle – and helps the muscle motility improve and less GERD symptoms. It’s also done through the mouth so no cutting and energy is delivered by needles – no wrapping or stitching of any insides! Was just relaunched in the US.
Thanks for posting this info. I’ll look into Stretta and see if I can post more info about it later :).
I had the esophyx procedure. It was a dismal failure. Like others I was led to believe it was easily repaired/reversable. My surgeon, who trained doctors for the company Endogastric Solutions,told me a nissen was my only hope. I suffer daily with reflux that daily nexium,zegerid,and ranitidine dont help.
Hello,
briefly, I had my TIF procedure on late 2010, awkwardly, my doctor calls it fundoplication by gastroscopy and I reckon they’re(when compared to the TIF proce..) the same thing…My results,very weird actually, I enjoyed it for the first two months, maybe because I was on semi-solid food, but after those 2 months it has been a “highway to hell”..Im doing the lap. fundo on the 15th of Feb(2012, by a prominent surgeon ofcourse, wish me luck ^.^.
My recommendation, stay away from this crappy unverified, obscure surgery its a disaster.
Goodluck to all the GERD suffers, stay strong..with Love.
Naser A.