University Hospital Southampton (UHS) has become the first NHS trust in the UK to implant a novel device to treat patients with severe acid reflux disease using robotic surgery.
Known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), the condition occurs when contents from the stomach flows back into the oesophagus.
The new “revolutionary” device, RefluxStop, is fixed to the upper part of the stomach wall and blocks movement of the lower oesophageal sphincter to hold it in its original, natural position and restore normal anatomy and function.
Made out of medical grade rounded solid silicone, the implant measures around 25mm – smaller than a ping pong ball – and is fitted via robotic-assisted laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery as a day case, with patients in theatre for less than two hours. It is the second site in the UK to implant RefluxStop after Imperial College London, but the first to do so using robotic surgery.
The non-active implant is expected to last a lifetime and patients who receive the surgery should see an almost immediate improvement to their symptoms once they have fully recovered from the procedure.
Current standard treatments for GORD include a drug therapy called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and a surgical procedure known as the fundoplication method, but these are not suitable for all patients and some continue to experience symptoms.
Fergus Noble, consultant general and oesophagogastric surgeon at UHS, said: “We are delighted to be the first site in the south to offer this procedure to patients suffering with this chronic and debilitating condition and the first in the UK to implant it using robotic surgery.
“GORD can have such a severe impact on a person’s daily life as not only do they suffer with the physical impact whenever they swallow and eat, but also the psychological impact of living with the condition.
“RefluxStop is revolutionary in that it is minimally invasive, restores the lower oesophageal valve to its natural position with no side effects and offers some patients a viable treatment option for the first time.”
James Byrne, consultant general and upper gastrointestinal surgeon at UHS, added: “This is a really positive development for patients with GORD as we know current treatments are not always suitable or successful.
“PPI therapy treats the symptoms of the condition and not the cause, meaning patients can still suffer with symptoms and acidity remains present, while fundoplication surgery involves wrapping the stomach around the bottom of the oesophagus to strengthen the sphincter valve.
“However, as it is not a valve and cannot open and close, patients often experience side effects after surgery such as difficulty swallowing and an inability to belch or vomit. We believe people having RefluxStop may have less frequent and severe side effects than other anti-reflux procedures and this is fantastic news for patients and clinicians.”
Dr. Peter Forsell, founder and CEO of Implantica and the inventor of the RefluxStop device, said: “I am excited to see RefluxStop become available to patients in the South of England and we are proud to support Fergus, James and their wider team at UHS.
“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.”
