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EsophyX™ ELF is currently available in the EU & South Africa and is a single-use device for performing endoluminal fundoplications and tissue reconfiguration for the creation of gastroesophageal valves and reduction of hiatal hernias, in the treatment of GERD/NERD. Only a trained physician can determine is you are a good candidate for this or any other treatment options.
A new option is now available called Endoluminal Fundoplication (ELF) using the EsophyX™ device that creates a valve between the stomach and esophagus, reduces hiatal hernia, and restores the anatomy to its natural position. This is all done with a device that enters through the mouth, and performs the procedure from the inside of the stomach and esophagus. There are no skin incisions and no cutting of vessels. Because there is little to no cutting, there are also fewer scars inside and outside.
How can I find an EsophyX ELF trained physician?
Trained and certified EsophyX™ ELF physicians can be found in the online physician directory. It is important that you consult this directory to ensure that your physician has been trained to use the EsophyX™ ELF device by EGS Europe’s Endoluminal Training Team.
What is the Endoluminal Training Team?
EGS Europe’s Endoluminal Training Team is involved in every aspect of the EsophyX™ ELF device and procedure. Members of the Endoluminal Training Team are experienced medical professionals including surgeons, nurses, and procedure training specialists who are dedicated to patient safety.
What is endoluminal training?
Endoluminal training is critical to the safety and efficacy of any surgical procedure. All physicians who perform the EsophyX™ ELF procedure are trained and certified at the EGS Europe Endoluminal Training Team in Strasbourg in conjunction with IRCAD,
Europe’s leading physician training center.1
What can I expect when I visit my physician?
In order to be treated with the EsophyX™ ELF device, your physician will obtain information on the history of your GERD symptoms and will perform some tests to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Your physician will tell you to stop taking your PPI medication for at least 10 days, at which time you will have some additional tests and you will complete some brief questionnaires about how your GERD symptoms impact your life. If you have not been off PPI’s at least 10 days, the physician will reschedule you for a time when you have been.
It is very important that these tests be performed when you have not been taking medication for your GERD for at least 10 days. It is possible to take antacids during this time, and the antacids only need to be stopped 8 hours before the appointment for off-medication testing. After you have completed these tests and questionnaires when off PPI’s for at least 10 days, your physician will schedule a time for your EsophyX™ ELF procedure.
You may resume PPIs from this time until 1-2 weeks after your ELF procedure. It is possible that during the testing (on PPI’s, off PPI’s, and even immediately preceding the ELF procedure), that your physician may find additional information indicating that you are not an ideal candidate for the EsophyX™ ELF procedure at this time. They may recommend that you not receive the EsophyX™ ELF procedure or that you wait to receive the procedure at a later date.
What can I expect on the day of my procedure?
On the day of the EsophyX™ ELF procedure, it is important to be sure that you do not eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours before your procedure. The EsophyX ELF procedure cannot be performed if there is food in your stomach. The EsophyX™ ELF procedure will take a few hours, and is performed under general anesthesia.
The procedure involves putting the EsophyX™ device over a scope into your mouth to access your stomach. Tissue from the top of your stomach will be pulled to form a long flap. Fasteners are placed on this flap to hold it in place, creating a new valve between your stomach and esophagus. If you have a hiatal hernia, this will be reduced before the valve is created, so that your anatomy is in the proper, natural position.
What about after the procedure?
You will probably spend the night after the procedure in the hospital. You should expect to have some pain or discomfort in your chest for the first few days after the procedure. You may also have some irritation in your nose, a sore throat and/or some discomfort swallowing for a few days. These should all resolve in within the week after surgery. If they do not resolve, or if discomfort or other symptoms are severe, please notify your physician. By 2 weeks after the procedure, you should have stopped your PPI medication. You should not take any PPI’s or other medication to treat GERD symptoms after this point. If GERD symptoms reappear, and you feel you need medication, you should contact your physician. If you should need any medication, please document how often you take it to treat GERD after this time.
Is there any follow up?
Your physician will see you again at 6 months after your procedure to perform some tests that will assess the effectiveness of the EsophyX™ ELF procedure. At 1 year and at 2 years after your procedure, you will either receive a call from your physician’s office or go to the office for a visit.
Who can I contact to find out more about EsophyX™ ELF?
To contact an EGS Global representative in your country, including help finding a trained physician close to you, please click the request for information link below.
Is there more I can learn about GERD and the EsophyX™ ELF device and procedure?
Yes, please click on the link below to find out more information.
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