Implantica AG (publ.) announced that the first RefluxStop? procedures have been successfully performed by the NHS at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Four patients with GORD underwent the RefluxStop(TM) procedure in early September at St Mary's hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

All had minimally invasive, keyhole surgery, were quickly discharged from hospital and have made an excellent recovery. All patients have been able to eat normally and have stopped taking medication to control their symptoms. Approximately 20% of the adult UK population have problems with severe acid reflux or GORD. For some, GORD is chronic and can cause severe pain, regurgitation, swallowing difficulties, cough, asthma, insomnia, voice loss, teeth and gum damage, nutritional problems and depression.

Three of the four GORD patients treated with RefluxStop(TM) at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, also had poor oesophageal motility, which means that their ability to push food down to the stomach is impaired and other surgical options were likely to be ineffective.