New Procedure to Treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

At Massachusetts General Hospital, we perform the LINX procedure. The LINX procedure starts with minimal dissection of the left side of the esophageal hiatus. The esophageal hiatus is a natural opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus enters the abdomen. After opening the gastrohepatic ligament, the surgeon starts to create the retroesophageal tunnel. The tunnel allows for passage of the LINX device. The posterior vagus nerve is identified, and the tunnel continues between the posterior vagus nerve and the wall of the esophagus until it reaches the point where the surgeon started the procedure.

The tunnel is completed, and an elastic drain is placed to guide the sizing device through the tunnel. A multicolored sizing device is used to ensure that the appropriate-sized LINX is chosen by the surgeon. The sizing device is removed, and the LINX bracelet of magnetic beads is positioned around the esophagus with two double-stranded sutures.

Both sutures are tied to complete the procedure. Because the LINX procedure is minimally invasive, much surrounding normal tissue is preserved. This tissue helps hold the LINX device in place. Following the procedure, the patient is awakened and begins oral intake the day of the procedure. For more information about the LINX procedure, please visit massgeneral.org/LINX.