Implantica AG (publ.), a leading medtech company known for its innovative body-implant technologies, has announced promising results from a recent study on its RefluxStop device. The study, titled “Pooled two-year results of the novel RefluxStop implantable device in management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Germany: Retrospective analysis,” reveals a substantial improvement in quality-of-life scores for patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) two years after receiving the implant.
Presented at the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland (AUGIS) 2024 Conference, the study underscores the device’s effectiveness and safety. AUGIS is renowned for its high-quality training programs and scientific meetings focused on the surgical treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in the UK.
The study, conducted across Germany, involved 158 patients and showed impressive outcomes. Patients experienced a 90.9% improvement in GERD-HRQL quality of life scores. Remarkably, 96.4% of participants were able to discontinue their regular proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication, a common treatment for GERD. The results are especially notable considering the challenging conditions faced by many participants, including 22% with large hiatal hernias (over 3 cm), 44% with active esophagitis, and 10% with precancerous Barrett’s esophagus.
The research was led by Dr. med. Moustafa Elshafei from Krankenhaus Nordwest in Frankfurt and Dr. med. Thorsten Lehmann from Klinikum Friedrichshafen in Friedrichshafen. Dr. Elshafei, who presented the findings at the AUGIS meeting, expressed enthusiasm about the technology’s reception. “We are delighted by the outcomes of this new procedure and the significant interest in RefluxStop at AUGIS,” he said. “It is encouraging to see UK peers so open to adopting this cutting-edge technology and advancing innovation in GERD treatment.”
Dr. Lehmann also praised the results, noting the potential benefits for patients with complex cases. “This study demonstrates that RefluxStop could provide durable benefits for patients with large hiatal hernias who previously were not candidates for traditional anti-reflux surgeries,” he said. “I am excited about the promising outcomes for the nearly 200 patients I have treated over the past three years and the future potential for many more.”
Dr. Peter Forsell, Founder and CEO of Implantica, expressed gratitude to the study’s lead surgeons. “I want to extend my thanks to Dr. Elshafei and Dr. Lehmann for their significant contributions in showcasing the impressive results of RefluxStop,” he said. “With GERD affecting an estimated 9.5 million people in the UK alone, we are thrilled by the growing interest from NHS centres. We anticipate that RefluxStop treatment will soon be available to more patients in the UK.”
The RefluxStop device represents a significant advancement in GERD treatment, offering new hope for patients with severe symptoms and challenging conditions.
