Endoscopic Treatment for GERD

Some patients with reflux continue to have symptoms even on regular medication, or do not want to remain on long-term medication. For them, endoscopic anti-reflux procedures can re-tighten the valve between the food pipe and the stomach without an external cut.

Two broad approaches are used at the clinic. Endoscopic fundoplication uses sutures placed through the scope to reshape the upper stomach into a one-way valve. ARMA (anti-reflux mucosal ablation) and related GERD-X procedures use controlled treatment of the lining at the junction to tighten the valve mechanism.

Performed under sedation or short general anaesthesia.

The endoscope is passed through the mouth. Depending on the technique chosen, sutures or controlled energy delivery is used at the junction between the food pipe and stomach.

The procedure usually takes 45 to 90 minutes. Most patients go home the same day or the next morning.

Bleeding, perforation and chest pain are recognised but uncommon. Some patients have mild swallowing difficulty in the first few weeks while the lining heals.

A small number of patients eventually need a repeat or alternative procedure.