ASGS Issues Position Statement Supporting TIF Natural Orifice Surgery For GERD

Main Category: Acid Reflux / GERD
Article Date: 13 Jul 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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EndoGastric Solutions (EGS), the recognized leader in the emerging field of Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS), announced that the American Society of General Surgeons (ASGS) has published a position statement endorsing its Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) procedure for the treatment of GERD. ASGS is the preeminent society of general surgeons with membership exceeding 2,000.

In the position statement published on the society's website , ASGS' Board of Trustees states, "transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) stands in sharp contrast to other natural orifice options in that it adheres to the fundamental surgical principle, which has guided surgical care for GERD for more than 50 years; specifically the creation of a full thickness gastric fundoplication in support of the lower esophageal sphincter." Based in part on the results of recently published scientific information on the long-term efficacy and durability of the TIF fundoplication procedure (Cadiere et al, Surgical Endoscopy, March 2009), the statement continues, "In clinical studies the TIF procedure has been shown to offer comparable results to more traditional procedures in the treatment of selected patients with GERD."

"Surgical care is a continuously evolving healing art, and the pursuit of excellence demands that we continuously evaluate new innovations," explained Robert Sewell, MD, immediate past president of ASGS . "ASGS is excited by the prospect of natural orifice surgery's ability to further revolutionize the way we treat our patients. One example of such an innovation is the new TIF antireflux procedure, which appears to offer results that are comparable to more invasive techniques. Tens of millions of patients in the U.S. suffer with a variety of symptoms associated with GERD, and many of them would be better served by surgical treatment. Any such treatment must be both effective and able to be performed with the lowest possible risk."

"This position statement is an important development in the adoption of natural orifice surgery and TIF specifically," commented Thierry Thaure, President and Chief Executive Officer of EndoGastric Solutions. "TIF is gaining acceptance among ASGS members and non-member general surgeons throughout the U.S. and is on the cusp of broad adoption. ASGS' endorsement will support EGS' ongoing efforts in surgeon training, reimbursement and patient awareness as we invest in making TIF the standard of care in GERD treatment."

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EndoGastric Solutions®