LINX Reflux Management System

Hoag is pleased to offer the new and revolutionary LINX Reflux Management System, an FDA-approved device that treats GERD symptoms and stops reflux.

Why Choose Hoag for Your LINX Care?

Hoag is one of only three centers in California to offer this life-changing technology. The program is led by Gastrointestinal Surgeon and Hoag-USC Surgical Center for Digestive Diseases Foregut Cancer Program Director, John Lipham, M.D., one of the first two surgeons in California approved to implant the LINX device. Dr. Lipham has over five years of experience with the LINX system, and acted as a principle investigator during the clinical trial. He is lead author on the recent clinical paper that reported the four-year data on the LINX System, that was published in Surgical Endoscopy.

Dr. Lipham was also recently published in the well-respected New England Journal of Medicine as a co-author for the 2-year data paper on LINX. View the New England Journal of Medicine abstract​.

 

How LINX Works

The LINX Reflux Management System, provided by Torax® Medical Inc., is a small medical device that is implanted laparoscopically at the lower esophageal sphincter during a short outpatient procedure.

A Better Treatment for GERD: LINX Reflux Management System

LINX: Find Relief from Chronic Reflux at Hoag

“The LINX device looks like a little bracelet of magnetic beads,” explains John Lipham, M.D. Foregut Cancer Program Director and Chief of USC Affiliated Academic Programs at Hoag. “The magnetic attraction between the beads is intended to help the lower esophageal sphincter resist opening to gastric pressures, preventing reflux from the stomach into the esophagus.”

When a person swallows, the magnetic force between the beads is overcome by the higher pressure of the force of swallowing, causing the device to expand to accommodate food or liquid. However, once the food or liquid passes through the valve, the LINX device returns to its normal state of keeping the valve clear.

The LINX System is designed to help the lower esophagus resist opening to gastric pressures, expand to allow for normal swallowing, and is then designed to close immediately after swallowing.

And because the magnetic beads open with pressure, this device allows patients to also belch, vomit and swallow normally. This is an important benefit to patients, because it eliminates the gas and bloating issues associated with traditional reflux surgery.

 

Why Trusted Hoag Physicians Use LINX:

  • Minimally Invasive: The LINX System is implanted through small incisions, and requires very minimal alteration to the body’s anatomy, in case traditional surgical methods, such as Nissen Fundoplication, are needed in the future.
  • Can Be Removed: If necessary, the LINX device can be removed during a short laparoscopic procedure similar to the original implant procedure.
  • Well-tolerated: Following surgery, individuals often go home the same day or the next day, and are able to maintain a normal diet following surgery, unlike Nissen fundoplication, which requires a strict diet to control excess gas, diarrhea and possible swallowing issues.

 

Benefits to LINX Patients:

  • Reduction in acid exposure to your esophagus
  • Improvement in heartburn and regurgitation symptoms
  • Reduction or elimination of GERD medications
  • Less invasive surgery compared to the standard surgical treatment for GERD
  • Ability to resume a normal diet following surgery
  • Discharge the same day or the next day after surgery
  • Minimal side effects, such as being unable to belch or vomit

For more information on the LINX System, please download the LINX Reflux Management System Info Guide.

 

Are You a Candidate for LINX?

You may want to consider the LINX System if you suffer daily from GERD symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation and nausea, or severe enough symptoms that effect your job performance, sleep and overall quality of life.

The technology is best suited for patients, 21 and older, with mild to moderate reflux that cannot be adequately controlled by medication, or for patients who do not want to take medication to manage the disease.

For patients, this means the end of daily symptoms and medications, and for some, it could mean the prevention of serious medical conditions such as Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.