Endoscopic Plication (GERD-X) for Treatment of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) has been launched by the Department of Advanced Endoscopy, MedIndia Hospitals, Chennai. Endoscopic plication (GERD-X) is an alternative and less invasive procedure compared to laparoscopic fundoplication for the treatment of GERD. In endoscopic plication, transmural sutures are applied at the gastro-esophageal (GE) junction thereby reconstructing the gastric cardia and accentuating the valvular mechanism to prevent reflux.
An article published in the Journal of Surgical Endoscopy, March, 2018, indicated that the success rates for this procedure range from around 80% to 90%. It further stated that only around 10% of the patients needed further PPI therapy on a daily basis after GERD-X treatment.
Advantages of Endotherapy in the treatment of GERD
The following are the advantages of endotherapy in the treatment of GERD.
(1) Day care procedure with treatment on an outpatient basis
(2) Therapy can be done under conscious intravenous sedation
(3) Repeatability of the procedure
(4) Cost savings as compared to surgical procedure