Joe Harker
A 'revolutionary' device which could stop severe acid reflux has been given to the first group of patients in the UK.
University Hospital Southampton and Imperial College London are the first NHS trusts in the UK to implant a device called RefluxStop.
RefluxStop is a small silicone ball which is implanted into the stomach wall and helps stop acid reflux, including particularly severe cases.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) occurs when contents from the stomach flow back into the oesophagus, and this happens because the muscle at the base of the oesophagus becomes too weak.
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It's all a bit science-y, but the salient facts are that one in five British adults suffer from severe acid reflux and it can lead to other damaging conditions known as ulcers or Barrett's oesophagus.
One in every 10 to 20 people with Barrett’s oesophagus will go on to develop oesophageal cancer within 10 to 20 years.
Surgeon Fergus Noble said that RefluxStop would be 'revolutionary' and praised the little silicone ball for being 'minimally invasive' while carrying 'no side effects'.
A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton said: "The new ‘revolutionary’ device, RefluxStop, is fixed to the upper part of the stomach wall and blocks movement of the lower oesophageal sphincter to hold it in its original, natural position and restore normal anatomy and function.
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"Made out of medical grade rounded solid silicone, the implant measures around 25mm – smaller than a ping pong ball – and is fitted via robotic-assisted laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery as a day case, with patients in theatre for less than two hours."
The first person with GORD to receive one of these devices is 30-year-old Southampton mum-of-two Danielle Harding.
"I began suffering with severe acid reflux in 2022 and it has affected my life in so many ways – anything that involves eating or drinking has caused me so much anxiety, especially outside of my home," she said of how the condition had affected her in an interview with the PA news agency.
"The signs are almost immediate with an intense pain in my chest as the reflux comes up the oesophagus and burns my throat, often resulting in me vomiting, it’s been horrendous."
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She'd first been prescribed medication from her GP which initially stopped the symptoms, only for them to return with a vengeance.
An endoscopy showed that she'd suffered significant damage to her oesophagus and that she would need to remain on a high dose of medication for life.
Harding said the RefluxStop was a 'no-brainer' for her and added: "I had the surgery a little over a month ago and my symptoms have completely disappeared.
"I’m absolutely delighted and am so grateful to Fergus and the team at UHS, it has changed my life."