The UK’s first patients received the RefluxStop device to stop acid reflux at University Hospital Southampton and Imperial College London, where Southampton performed the procedure using robotic surgery, a milestone for the country.
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.
GERD symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, bloating, excessive salivation, coughing, nausea, and a hoarse voice.
It can also damage teeth and gums, disrupt nutrition, and affect sleep.
This condition is due to the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter. This muscular valve moves too close to the diaphragm or into the chest.
The movement impairs its function of allowing food to enter and preventing acid from leaking out.
A UHS spokeswoman explained that the new device, RefluxStop, is attached to the upper stomach wall to keep the lower esophageal sphincter in its natural position, restoring normal function.
Made from medical-grade silicone and about 25mm in size, it is inserted through robotic-assisted keyhole surgery, with patients spending less than two hours in the operating room.
The spokeswoman noted that about 20% of adults in the UK have severe acid reflux or GORD, with UHS treating around 50 patients annually for this condition.
This disease can lead to issues like esophageal ulcers, scarring, and Barrett’s esophagus, where the lining cells of the esophagus change.
Individuals with Barrett’s esophagus face an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer, estimated at 1 in 10 to 20 people within 10 to 20 years.
Danielle Harding, a 30-year-old mother of two from Southampton, recently became the first GORD patient to have the procedure to stop acid reflux at UHS.
“I began suffering with severe acid reflux in 2022 and it has affected my life in so many ways โ anything that involves eating or drinking has caused me so much anxiety, especially outside of my home,” she said, adding that the symptoms include sharp chest pain as the reflux moves up her throat, causing burning sensations and sometimes vomiting, making her experience very challenging.
Ms. Harding first tried medication from her GP, which initially helped, but her symptoms returned.
An endoscopy showed serious damage to her esophagus, and she needed to take strong medication indefinitely.
She found choosing RefluxStop an easy decision, saying, “I had the surgery a little over a month ago and my symptoms have completely disappeared. I’m absolutely delighted and am so grateful to Fergus and the team at UHS, it has changed my life.”
Fergus Noble, a surgeon at UHS, highlighted how GORD significantly impacts daily life with physical discomfort and psychological stress.
RefluxStop, a minimally invasive treatment, naturally restores the lower esophageal valve and offers a new option for some patients without side effects.
James Byrne, a surgeon at UHS, highlighted that current treatments for GORD often fall short.
PPI therapy helps with symptoms but doesn’t resolve the underlying cause, leaving patients with ongoing symptoms and acidity problems.
He explained that fundoplication surgery, which wraps the stomach around the lower esophagus to strengthen the valve, can lead to side effects such as swallowing difficulties and trouble burping or vomiting due to its rigid nature, NHS noted.
Byrne expressed optimism that RefluxStop could offer GORD patients fewer and milder side effects than traditional anti-reflux surgeries, which is promising for patients and healthcare providers.
Dr. Peter Forsell, CEO of Implantica and inventor of RefluxStop, is excited to bring the device to patients in Southern England.
He highlighted Implantica’s support for Noble, Byrne, and the UHS team.
“Evidence shows RefluxStop has a positive impact on both quality of life and the cost-efficiency of GORD treatment, so we are delighted to see it being rolled out further for patients,” Dr. Forsell said.
Watch how University Hospital Southampton performed RefluxStop using robotic surgery to stop acid reflux below:
Discover more from My Positive Outlooks
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.