Scientists have developed a new procedure that implants a ring of magnetic beads to help prevent acid reflux in patients who suffer from gastric reflux disease.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or acid reflux disease is a digestive disorder that causes the stomach's contents to return back up into the esophagus.
The symptoms of GERD include heartburn, regurgitation, sore throat, cough, and chest pain.
Researchers at Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) developed an innovative laparoscopic procedure that uses a small, flexible band of titanium beads with magnetic cores, which is implanted around the patient's esophagus just above the stomach.
The magnetic attraction between the beads strengthens the weakened esophageal sphincter's barrier function. The band is strong enough to allow food and liquids to pass normally to the stomach, but immediately closes after swallowing to restore the magnetic barrier to reflux.
Following the procedure, patients are able to resume a normal diet and will typically resume normal activities in less than a week.
"This new procedure represents a substantial advancement in our ability to treat patients who suffer from GERD," said Mark Talamini, Chair of the Department of Surgery at Stony Brook University School Medicine and Founding Director of the Stony Brook Medical Innovation Institute.
"In addition to excellent clinical results, this procedure provides many lifestyle benefits compared to the traditional surgery for reflux called Nissen fundoplication.
"Studies show that implanting the magnetic beads often reduces or eliminates the need for medications and offers improved quality of life for our patients," he said.
Using the LINX Reflux Management System, the procedure is indicated for patients diagnosed with reflux who continue to have chronic reflux symptoms despite maximum medical therapy, said Aurora Pryor, Professor of Surgery at Stony Brook University School of Medicine.
The LINX device was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2012 after 10 years of development and testing, including two clinical trials with 144 patients.
A total of 400 implant procedures were performed over five years of clinical use. In one trial, 90 per cent of patients achieved a reduction in time exposed to acid, with 93 per cent reporting a 50 per cent or greater reduction in GERD over two years, researchers said.
