The plications which are formed reduce the size of the opening to the esophagus thereby preventing harmful reflux. The procedure is typically performed in the hospital endoscopy department or outpatient surgical center. No overnight hospital stay is required and patients go home the same day of the procedure. Typically, only mild sedation is required. General anesthesia is not used.
Patients usually return to normal activities the next day.
Complications are very infrequent, and include sore throat, vomiting and rarely bleeding or perforation. Studies have shown that this procedure can control symptomatic GERD and reduce the need for acid-controlling medications in over 70 percent of patients. Many patients have been able to completely come off medication. If you have had these tests done elsewhere in the recent past, your physician who is trained in ELG may simply review the workup at the time of consultation. On occasion, some tests may need to be repeated to ensure a good outcome.