Comparison of Heartburn Treatments
| Nissen Fundoplication | LINX™ | TIF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Success Rate | Excellent* | Good | Low |
| Normalization of Esophageal pH | 100% | 60% | Low |
| Covered by Insurance | Always | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Invasiveness | Minimally Invasive | Minimally Invasive | No Incisions |
| Hospital Stay | 1 Night | 1 Night | Outpatient |
| Time Off Work | One Week | One Week | Few Days |
| Hiatal Hernia Repair | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dysphagia after Procedure | No | Yes | No |
| Foreign Objects | No | Yes | No |
| Durability | Very High | Unknown | Low |
| Reversibility | Reversible | Reversible | Reversible |
| Long-term Complications | Very Low | Device erosion, Esophageal dilation, persistent reflux | Recurrent reflux |
| Short-term Complication rate | < 1 % | < 1 % | < 1 % |
| Weight Loss | 4 to 15 Pounds | Variable | None |
| Contraindications | Previous Stomach Surgery | Large hiatal hernia, Barrett's esophagus Esophageal dysmotiliy Previous stomach surgery | Large Hiatal Hernia |
*The success rate of Nissen Fundoplication when performed by heartburn and acid reflux experts is very high reaching almost 100% at Houston Heartburn And Reflux Center.