Health First LINX™Reflux Management System Form
Procedure is not covered
The LINX™ Reflux Management System
The LINX™ Reflux Management System is unproven and therefore NOT considered medically necessary for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease as per the guidelines defined in this policy.
Description:
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus and is caused by incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter at the gastroesophageal junction, allowing gastric acid to reflux into the esophagus.
Symptoms include heartburn, chest pain, dry cough, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation of food or sour liquid. Severity of GERD ranges from mild, intermittent symptoms that do not require treatment to chronic, severe reflux that could result in complications such as Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.
Conservative management of GERD includes:
- Lifestyle modification such as dietary changes (i.e., types of food to avoid, eating smaller, frequent meals and ambulation after meals)
- Weight loss
- Cessation of smoking
The second line of treatment consists of medications such as antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors and so on.
Surgical intervention is considered when medical therapy has failed. Nissen gastric fundoplasty is the gold standard for surgical treatment of GERD.
The LINX™ Reflux Management System:
(Torax Medical) consists of a series of titanium beads with magnetic cores that are connected by independent titanium wire to form an annular shape. Using standard laparoscopic techniques, the band is placed around the esophagus at the level of the gastroesophageal junction. The magnetic attraction between the beads is designed to provide strength to augment the lower esophageal sphincter without compressing the esophageal wall to prevent reflux. It is proposed that swallowing food or liquids creates sufficient pressure to overcome the magnetic bond between the beads, allowing the beads to separate and temporarily increase the size of the ring. The device is available in various sizes (ranging from 10-18 beads) and comes with a sizing tool to assist the physician in selecting an appropriate size.
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