The Plicator® Procedure

The Plicator® is an endoscopic device used to correct the underlying mechanical defect that causes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Plicator is used to grasp, fold, and fixate tissue at the junction between the esophagus and the stomach, thus tightening the valve that acts as a natural barrier to gastric reflux. The Plicator procedure is typically performed under conscious sedation in less then one hour, enabling patients to return home the same day. In a multi-center clinical study, the Plicator procedure was shown to be effective in eliminating the need for prescription heartburn medications in 70% of treated patients out to at least 1-year post-procedure. In addition, 80% of patients treated with the Plicator experienced a significant reduction in esophageal acid exposure.

Procedure Steps

Step One The physician will perform a routine upper endoscopy on the patient and then insert the Plicator® into the patient’s mouth, down the esophagus and into the stomach.
Step Two The Plicator is maneuvered to grasp tissue at the junction of the stomach and esophagus (the gastroesophageal junction).
Step Three The Plicator arms are closed, deploying a suture to secure the tissue fold, or plication.
Step Four The resulting full-thickness plication tightens tissue at the gastroesophageal junction, restoring the anti-reflux barrier.