EGS announces performance of 3,500th NOS procedure

EndoGastric Solutions, Inc.Feb 18 2010

EndoGastric Solutions (EGS), the leader in the emerging field of Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS), today reported that the 3,500th Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS) procedure was performed in front of the over 110 surgeons from seven countries attending the first Advanced Techniques in Transoral Fundoplication CME course, held January 28-29 in Denver, CO.

“We are able to offer the benefits of TIF to a broader range of patients”

The course was directed by esteemed surgeons Reginald Bell, MD, Guy-Bernard Cadiére, MD, PhD, and Steven Rothenberg, MD, together with faculty members Donald Castell, MD, Philip Hanna, MD, and Theodore Stathos, MD. The course showcased the applicability of TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication) for a range of GERD fundoplication applications. Live procedure observation featured:

• Transoral fundoplication in early-stage disease
• Transoral fundoplication with laparoscopic crural closure in late-stage disease with large hiatal hernia
• Transoral fundoplication on a patient with a prior Nissen fundoplication
• Transoral fundoplication for the pediatric patient

“We are able to offer the benefits of TIF to a broader range of patients,” said Dr. Bell. “Using new techniques, we are now able to create a true esophagogastric fundoplasty that achieves acid normalization in a significant number of patients. We are also beginning to use a hybrid procedure to treat patients who need a hiatal hernia repair in addition to a fundoplasty, but who don’t want the risk of side effects associated with traditional fundoplication. The hybrid procedure uses minimal incisions to close the crura without significant dissection. We then use the TIF procedure to create an esophagogastric fundoplication. TIF is also proving to be a safe alternative to an often complicated Nissen redo procedure. Adhesions and scar tissue can make a Nissen redo difficult, while TIF can be performed transorally, creating a new GE valve to supplement the prior wrap. TIF is improving the quality of life of a significant number of patients with GERD.”

“The 3,500th case was a significant milestone event. EndoGastric Solutions is pleased that the EsophyX device and the TIF procedure are driving the evolution of surgery and improving treatment options for the range patients with GERD,” commented Thierry Thaure, President and Chief Executive Officer of EndoGastric Solutions. “The course was attended by a who’s who of leaders in the field of surgical intervention for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is this type of collaborative effort that will continue to advance Natural Orifice Surgery and the TIF procedure as it becomes the new standard of care for the surgical treatment of GERD.”