Magnetic sphincter augmentation

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is an anti-reflux procedure with comparable outcomes to fundoplication, yet its use in patients with larger hiatal or paraesophageal hernias has not been widely reported. This review discusses the history of MSA and how its utilization has evolved from initial Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2012 for patients with small hernias to its contemporary use in patients with paraesophageal hernias and beyond.

Up to 30% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) suffer from laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) with symptoms, as chronic cough, laryngitis, or asthma. Besides life-style modifications and medical acid suppression, laparoscopic fundoplication is an established treatment option. Treatment-related side effects after laparoscopic fundoplication have to be weighted against LPR symptom control in 30-85% of patients after surgery. Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is described as an effective alternative to fundoplication for surgical treatment of GERD...

The surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has evolved significantly over the past century, driven by increased understanding of the physiology of the reflux barrier, its anatomic components, and surgical innovation. Initially, emphasis was on reduction of hiatal hernias and crural closure as the etiology behind GERD was felt to be solely related to the anatomic alterations caused by hiatal hernias. With persistence of reflux-related changes in some patients despite crural closure, along with the development of what is now modern manometry and the discovery of a high-pressure zone at the distal esophagus, focus evolved to surgical augmentation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)...

BACKGROUND: The most recent update of the Chicago Classification (CCv4.0) attempts to provide a more clinically relevant definition for ineffective esophageal motility (IEM). The impact of this new definition on predicting outcome after antireflux surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare utility of IEM diagnosis based on CCv4.0 to CCv3.0 in predicting surgical outcome after magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) and to assess any additional parameters that hold value in future definitions...

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is an alternative surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease; however, >1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is contraindicated for patients who have undergone MSA with the LINX Reflux Management System (Torax Medical, Inc. Shoreview, Minnesota, USA). This drawback can impose a barrier to access of MRI, and cases of surgical removal of the device to enable patients to undergo MRI have been reported. To evaluate access to MRI for patients with an MSA device, we conducted a structured telephone interview with all diagnostic imaging providers in Arizona in 2022...

Roemheld syndrome, also known as gastrocardiac syndrome, was first studied as a relationship between gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms through the vagus nerve. Several hypotheses have attempted to explain the pathophysiology of Roemheld syndrome, but the underlying process remains unclear. We present a clinically diagnosed case of Roemheld syndrome in a patient with a hiatal hernia whose gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms were successfully treated with robotic assisted hernia repair, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation...

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is among the most prevalent diseases in the United States. Mainstay therapy is lifestyle modification and medical therapy. If patients have GERD despite medical therapy, appropriate testing should be performed to determine if surgical or endoscopic therapy will provide improvement in their symptoms. Gold standard therapy is a minimally invasive fundoplication. Patients with body mass index <35, small or no hiatal hernia, normal motility, and pathologic GERD should consider magnetic sphincter augmentation...

AIMS: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common, chronic gastrointestinal condition characterized by heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and bloating. The current standard of care includes chronic treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or, in selected patients, laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery. RefluxStop is a novel implantable device indicated for GERD patients eligible for laparoscopic surgical treatment. The aim of this analysis was to assess the cost-effectiveness of RefluxStop against available treatment options for GERD...

Surgical intervention for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has historically been limited to fundoplication. Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is a less invasive alternative that was introduced 15 years ago, and it may have a superior side-effect profile. To date, however, there has been just a single published study reporting outcomes in a UK population. This study reports quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes and antacid use in patients undergoing MSA, with a particular focus on postoperative symptoms and those with severe reflux...

BACKGROUND: The geometry and compliance of gastrointestinal sphincters may be assessed by impedance planimetry using a functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP). We describe our institutional foregut surgeon experience utilizing FLIP in 1097 cases, highlighting instances where FLIP changed operative decision making. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of an IRB approved prospective quality database was performed. This included operative and endoscopic suite foregut procedures utilizing FLIP between February 2013 and May 2022...

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is a surgical intervention for well-characterized gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where the esophagogastric junction barrier is augmented using a bracelet of magnetized titanium beads. MSA could be an attractive option for patients with documented GERD who wish to avoid long-term pharmacologic therapy or whose symptoms are not adequately managed with lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic therapy. The 'ideal' MSA patient is one with prominent regurgitation, without dysphagia or esophageal motor dysfunction, with objective evidence of GERD on upper endoscopy and/or ambulatory reflux monitoring...

BACKGROUND: Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) erosion, disruption or displacement clearly requires device removal. However, up to 5.5% of patients without anatomical failure require removal for dysphagia or recurrent GERD symptoms. Studies characterizing these patients or their management are limited. We aimed to characterize these patients, compare their outcomes, and determine the necessity for further reflux surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 777 patients who underwent MSA at our institution between 2013 and 2021...

PURPOSE: We aim to review and quantitatively compare laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF), Nissen fundoplication (LNF), anterior partial fundoplication (APF), magnetic augmentation sphincter (MSA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and placebo for the treatment of GERD. A number of meta-analyses compared the efficacy of surgical and endoscopic procedures for recalcitrant GERD, but considerable debate on the effectiveness of operative strategies remains...

BACKGROUND: Studies show higher rates of dissatisfaction with antireflux surgery (ARS) outcomes in patients with chronic constipation. This suggests a relationship between colonic dysmotility and suboptimal surgical outcome. However, due to limitations in technology, there is no objective data available examining this relationship. The wireless motility capsule (WMC) is a novel technology consisting of an ingestible capsule equipped with pH, temperature, and pressure sensors, which provide information regarding regional and whole gut transit times, pH and motility...

This article is an expert review of published literature with the goal of defining the ideal patient selection for Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation (MSA) in Anti-reflux Surgery (ARS). The authors performed a literature search of outcomes after MSA for different patient populations. Although MSA utilization has expanded to include patients with advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obese patients, and patients with a history of bariatric surgery there is still a paucity of data to support its definitive use in these cohorts...

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Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is a successful treatment option for chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease; however, there is a paucity of data on the efficacy of MSA in obese and morbidly obese patients. To assess the relationship between obesity and outcomes after MSA, we conducted a literature search using MeSH and free-text terms in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Google Scholar. The included articles reported conflicting results regarding the effect of obesity on outcomes after MSA. Prospective observational studies with larger sample sizes and less statistical bias are necessary to understand the effectiveness of MSA in overweight and obese patients...

Laparoscopic placement of the LINX Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation (MSA) device has become an accepted alternative to fundoplication in appropriate patients. Initial studies of MSA targeted to patients with 'early' disease allowed for the most minimal dissection of the esophagus to place the device, without hiatal dissection or repair (NoHHR), in patients with no or minimal hernia findings at surgery. Subsequent studies have compared systematic formal hiatal dissection and repair (Formal HHR) with the original minimal dissection technique...

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) was introduced in 2007 as an alternative surgical procedure for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The majority of data since MSA's introduction has focused on short and intermediate-term results, demonstrating safety and high efficacy in terms of reflux symptom control, freedom from proton pump inhibitor use and normalization of distal esophageal acid exposure. However, GERD is a chronic condition that demands a long-term solution. Limited available data from studies reporting outcomes at 5 years or later following MSA demonstrate that the promising short- and mid-term efficacy and safety profile of MSA remains relatively constant in the long term...

Barrett's esophagus (BE) occurs in 5-15% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While acid suppressive therapy is a critical component of BE management to minimize the risk of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma, surgical control of mechanical reflux is sometimes necessary. Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is an increasingly utilized anti-reflux surgical therapy for GERD. While the use of MSA is listed as a precaution by the United States Food and Drug Administration, there are limited data showing effective BE regression with MSA...