Solutions

For Patients

Effective Solution for Chronic Acid Reflux




	Most TIF procedure patients are back to work and free of heartburn and taking pills in just a few days.

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
Dissatisfied with pharmaceutical therapies
Concerned about long-term effects of a lifetime of taking pills

	Q:	What is TIF?
	A:	A huge advance in the evolution of the treatment of GERD, the revolutionary TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication) procedure corrects the root cause of GERD, an anatomic deficiency at the gastroesophageal junction. Performed with the innovative EsophyX surgical device, the procedure reconstructs a durable antireflux valve and tightens the LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter), reestablishing a barrier to reflux and restoring the competency of the gastroesophageal junction. The result is the effective elimination of GERD.
	Q:	Is TIF truly incisionless?
	A:	TIF is a completely incisionless procedure performed safely, quickly, and with minimal patient downtime. The procedure is called a Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS) procedure because the EsophyX device is introduced into the body through the mouth, rather than through an abdominal incision. The advantages of incisionless surgery over conventional laparoscopic or open GERD surgery include shorter hospital stay, reduced patient discomfort, shortened patient recovery, no visible scars, and typically higher patient satisfaction.
	Q:	How is TIF performed?
	A:	Performed with the patient under general anesthesia, the EsophyX device is introduced into the body transorally (through the mouth) and advanced into the esophagus under visualization of a video camera inserted down the central shaft of the device. The EsophyX device is then used to form and fasten several tissue folds, or plications, to create a robust antireflux valve at the gastroesophageal junction, resulting in the effective elimination of GERD.



The specially designed EsophyX device enters the esophagus through the mouth and is positioned at the junction of the stomach and esophagus.		The device forms and fastens tissue folds to create a valve, recreating natural anatomy.

Most patients go home the next day and can return to work and most normal activities within a few days. In the weeks following surgery, a natural healing process fuses and cements the plications to create a durable antireflux barrier.

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Q:
A:

Is TIF effective?
In recent studies, TIF patients reported 80% improvement in quality of life, significantly improved satisfaction, 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.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure itself will generally take less than one hour.

What is the recovery like?

Most patients can return to work the next day or within a few days following their TIF procedure. Patients should expect to experience some discomfort in their chest, nose and throat for the first few days to a week. Patients will be asked to restrict physical activity for the first week and will be given dietary guidelines to help maximize their success while the tissue heals.

The key benefits of TIF?

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 (sleeping, late night eating, food choices, etc.)
Reduces hiatal hernia in 89% of patients
Restores the angle of His
Fewer adverse events and complications
Leaves future options open
Can be revised if required

What are my 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. What’s more, recent major studies on the adverse effects of long-term use of PPIs 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. During the surgery, 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 NOS (Natural Orifice Surgery) procedure to emulate gold-standard conventional surgery procedures.
	Q:	TIF versus pharmacological therapy
	A:	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.