Cooperation with Dr. Ulf Kessler in Lausanne

Visceral surgeon Dr. Ulf Kessler has been at Hirslanden Clinique Cecil as an attending physician for more than a year, and has his practice at CMD Lausanne. With his extensive experience in visceral surgery, he is a competent partner for Swiss1Surgery with Dr. Jörg Zehetner, Professor (USC), in the special field of reflux surgery, as well as surgical intervention with the LINX Reflux Management System.

With the cooperation of Dr. Ulf Kessler and Swiss1Chirurgie, the range of services for the use of the LINX Reflux Management System can now also be offered in Lausanne. In this way, we are extending our radius of action to western Switzerland in the interests of our patients.

In March 2022, the collaboration between Dr. Jörg Zehetner and Dr. Ulf Kessler successfully treated a patient with the LINX Reflux Management System for the first time at the Hirslanden Clinique Cecil in Lausanne. The 45-minute operation was minimally invasive and the patient was discharged from the hospital after two days without any symptoms.

What’s new?

Dr. Zehetner has already performed 350 surgeries with the LINX Reflux Management System in Bern since 2015. This surgery is considered for all patients with typical reflux symptoms, small to moderate diaphragmatic hernia and with normal esophageal function. Now this surgical technique, which has been tried and tested worldwide for ten years, is also available to patients in French-speaking Switzerland.

With Dr. Ulf Kessler, an ideal partner for such interventions was found. Dr. Ulf Kessler was in training for a period of three years to specialize in visceral surgery at the Hirslanden Klinik Beau-Site in Bern, and has already worked with Dr. Jörg Zehetner – as the responsible tutor for Upper GI Surgery and Bariatric Surgery.

During this time, the results of the first 150 operations with the LINX system were also published in Bern. Dr. Kessler’s scientific collaboration was a key factor in the success of the project. In the Hirslanden Center for Digestive Diseases in Lausanne, an ideal partner was found for Western Switzerland, especially since important accompanying specialties such as endoscopy and gastroenterology/hepatology are also on site there.

Interested patients and affected relatives from Western Switzerland can contact Dr. Kessler directly in the future. With his team on site in Lausanne, Dr. Kessler will then perform the assessment and, in collaboration with Swiss1Surgery with Dr. Zehetner, perform any surgical procedures using the LINX Reflux Management System.

Through this collaboration, the good care during the clinic phase and also the follow-up by an experienced specialist can be guaranteed.

The cooperation between Swiss1Surgery and Dr. Ulf Kessler is groundbreaking for this field. This means that the expertise of Dr. Jörg Zehetner, who has the most experience with the LINX system in Switzerland to date, can also be made available to patients in French-speaking Switzerland.

For patients with special questions, the Swiss1Surgery practice in Bern and the GGP Gastroenterology Group Practice with its special functional diagnostics naturally remain a direct and good point of contact.

For further questions we gladly refer to the website www.swiss1chirurgie.ch

Swiss1chirurgie with LINX Reflux Management System international leader in the treatment of reflux diseases

As part of an international project, Dr Zehetner from swiss1chirurgie has supported two new centres for the treatment of reflux disease in Saudi Arabia. In the process, the minimally invasive surgical technique known as LINX was also established there, which is one of the most successful and modern treatment methods for chronic heartburn worldwide.

LINX as a minimally invasive surgical technique is mainly characterised by the insertion of a magnetic ring at the lower end of the oesophagus. Put simply, this magnetic ring ensures that the annoying acid regurgitation, which is one of the unpleasant phenomena of chronic reflux diseases, can be successfully and permanently prevented. Such treatment of reflux disease is important because the acidic gastric fluid that constantly rises into the oesophagus also permanently affects the oesophagus itself. Untreated reflux disease not only affects the general well-being, but can also change the mucous membrane of the oesophagus due to the constant acid attack, and in the worst case can also cause cancer.

Reflux disease is one of the unpleasant side effects of changing eating habits, especially in developed industrialised countries. Even though the main focus is on combating unhealthy, unbalanced diets and curbing obesity, chronic reflux disease accounts for a high proportion of this patient group in particular.

With the relatively new LINX treatment technique, it has now been possible to establish a gentle and permanently effective treatment approach. Dr. Zehetner is one of the most successful users of LINX worldwide. With a total of 150 LINX surgeries since 2015 and 50 corresponding surgical procedures in 2018 alone, Dr Zehetner positions himself among the top 5 in LINX surgeries in Europe. All in all, he has been one of the top surgeons in Europe for years and is always involved in making new successful surgical techniques known and establishing them beyond the borders of Switzerland.

Together with Johnson&Johnson, Dr Zehetner was in Saudi Arabia from 29.06.2019 to 03.07.2019 to introduce and successfully open the first two centres for LINX reflux surgery. We have attached a picture series to this article. In addition, Dr Zehetner supports the establishment of the LINX centres as a trainer for J&J Preceptor, for example, also in Germany. A total of 15 such centres have been established there in the last three years. From 10 to 12 July 2019, Dr Jörg Zehetner will be the speaker at an Expert User Meeting on reflux disease in Hamburg. We will also be happy to report on this in the blog

1st EMEA GERD Symposium in Hamburg on 11 and 12 July 2019

Johnson&Johnson called for a symposium and the gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) specialists came. Also present was Professor Dr.med. Jörg Zehetner, who enjoys an exceptionally good reputation both in science and in the clinic as a globally recognised expert in minimally invasive surgical reflux methods.

Johnson&Johnson called for a symposium and the gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) specialists came. Also present was Professor Dr.med. Jörg Zehetner, who enjoys an exceptionally good reputation both in science and in the clinic as a globally recognised expert in minimally invasive surgical reflux methods.

The symposium was all about gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, which often causes persistent or recurrent acid regurgitation, severe heartburn or unpleasant burning in the stomach in its chronic course and thus complicates patients’ everyday lives. A proven method for surgical intervention is the LINX Reflux System, which has now been used in the clinic for ten years. This is a small chain consisting mainly of titanium-coated magnets that is placed around the end of the oesophagus in a minimally invasive procedure. With this system, the regurgitation of gastric acid is prevented, while all other physiological functions such as food intake, regurgitation of air or even vomiting remain unhindered by the LINX system.

Dr. Jörg Zehetner is one of the top 5 reflux specialists in Europe and is one of the nine leading experts in the field at Johnson&Johnson. These alone were good reasons to invite Dr Zehetner to speak at the symposium in Hamburg. In front of more than 85 participants, the specialist explained the excellent possibilities of LINX in his lecture and continued these thoughts in the workshop “Complex cases and complication management in reflux surgery”.

For those who do not know what to make of the abbreviation EMEA, please note: EMEA stands for “Europe, Middle East, Africa” and thus summarises the regions in which Johnson&Johnson is particularly involved with its expertise and products such as the LINX Reflux System. Of course, the commitment also extends to the global arena and supports the scientific and practical efforts of the respective medical experts.

For Dr Jörg Zehetner as well as for the other participants at the 1st EMEA GERD Symposium in Hamburg, the occasion was a good reason to gather the best and latest experiences in reflux surgery and thus define further standards for the benefit of patients.

In the attached picture spread, we show the best moments of the intensive work at the EMEA GERD Symposium 2019 in Hamburg.

Half of the world’s oesophageal cancer cases in just one country

With a population of around 1.4 billion (as of 2018) and a size of approximately 9.6 million square kilometres, China is the most populous country in the world and approximately 233 times larger than Switzerland. These incredible figures alone show that this is a country with huge potential in all kinds of areas.

Among the less pleasant statistics is the fact that the People’s Republic of China alone accounts for more than half of all oesophageal cancer cases worldwide. In general, this disease is much more widespread in Asia than in Europe, for example.

The unusually high incidence of oesophageal cancer in China was one of the reasons for holding the 2019 OESO World Congress in Beijing for the first time ever, rather than in Europe or the USA. The OESO is a medical society made up of leading surgeons, gastroenterologists, pathologists, radiologists and other professionals in the field of oesophagus and stomach. Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner, who offers a specialised range of services for reflux diseases and bariatrics in Switzerland with the Swiss1Chirugie locations in Bern, Brig and Solothurn, is one of these specialists with high recognition worldwide.

 

 

Exchange of experience and knowledge every minute

What was particularly interesting about the organisation of the OESO World Congress in Beijing 2019 was that in the main part, technical presentations were each only five minutes long, each followed by a discussion that was also five minutes long. This gave the opportunity to exchange and discuss a lot of expertise within a short time.

This not only encourages the exchange of scientific expertise and opinions. Ideas for new studies are also conceived quite quickly and compactly in this way and can then be further refined later.

Dr Jörg Zehetner was a sought-after expert

In addition to the lectures and opinion pieces of his professional colleagues, Dr. Jörg Zehetner was also a sought-after subject matter expert. His experience from many years of work in the United States and his specialisation in upper GI diseases were just the right profile for a lively exchange with his colleagues.

Topics such as oesophageal cancer, stomach cancer, reflux diseases and diaphragmatic hernias also played an important role in the professional exchange with colleagues. The interactions and complementarities of bariatric and reflux surgery, especially in operations of the oesophagus, stomach and intestine, are a broad field that did not lack a great deal of attention at this year’s OESO Congress.

In a special lecture, Dr Zehetner addressed the topic of the size of the hiatal hernia and the choice of surgical procedure.

The focus was on selecting the most suitable surgical procedure for the individual. Dr Zehetner, who is the only surgeon in Switzerland who is versed in all currently known surgical procedures in this field, emphasised that decision-making must always take place together with the patient if long-term success is to be ensured. Conventional gastric sleeves, partial fundoplication, variants with partial removal of the stomach, LINX reflux management system (magnetic ring), electrical stimulation with Endostim or the new reflux stop system are a selection of methods that must always be chosen well-considered and based on the patient.

Dr. Jörg Zehetner is one of the world’s recognised experts in the field of diaphragmatic hernia and reflux surgery and has published several articles on the subject. Accordingly, the corresponding lecture was listened to with pleasure and followed attentively.

For Dr. Zehetner, it is important in every case to carefully weigh up every intervention and always make a decision in the best interests of the patient. Sometimes, drug treatment may take precedence, as not every patient is suitable for surgery per se. This decision can only be made in discussion with the expert. In the run-up to this, a good counselling interview, a targeted diagnosis and the prognosis for healing are important stages.

Swiss1Chirurgie, with its locations in Bern, Brig and Solothurn, offers such expertise for all patients undergoing bariatric surgery or therapy for reflux disease, abdominal hernias and similar complaints. You can also find out what Swiss1Chirurgie with Dr Jörg Zehetner can do at www.swiss1chirurgie.ch and, of course, always in personal contact with the medical specialists.

Saudi doctors learn in Bern

After Dr Jörg Zehetner was able to familiarise a total of five surgeons from Saudi Arabia with the LINX Reflux Management System, a special reflux surgical technique, in the summer of 2019, the next five medical professionals from Saudi Arabia now stood together with the Swiss specialist at the virtual operating table. In a special workshop on the LINX Reflux Management System, the Saudi surgeons were trained in the modern techniques of the procedures. While the summer was spent teaching and training in Saudi Arabia, the November workshop took place in Bern.

Johnson & Johnson had once again selected Dr Zehetner as an expert, who now conducted the workshop lasting several days directly in the Swiss1Chirurgie clinic at Schänzlihalde 1 in Bern. In addition to other special facilities, a meeting room with state-of-the-art presentation and video technology is also available there. In this way, it was possible to clearly and comprehensibly demonstrate and try out how the LINX Reflux Management System is to be applied to patients in need of treatment. Dr. Jörg Zehetner was supported by his colleague Dr. Karl Miller, with whom he has already worked as J&J Faculty at several clinics in Saudi Arabia.

After Dr Jörg Zehetner was able to familiarise a total of five surgeons from Saudi Arabia with the LINX Reflux Management System, a special reflux surgical technique, in the summer of 2019, the next five medical professionals from Saudi Arabia now stood together with the Swiss specialist at the virtual operating table. In a special workshop on the LINX Reflux Management System, the Saudi surgeons were trained in the modern techniques of the procedures. While the summer was spent teaching and training in Saudi Arabia, the November workshop took place in Bern.

Johnson & Johnson had once again selected Dr Zehetner as an expert, who now conducted the workshop lasting several days directly in the Swiss1Chirurgie clinic at Schänzlihalde 1 in Bern. In addition to other special facilities, a meeting room with state-of-the-art presentation and video technology is also available there. In this way, it was possible to clearly and comprehensibly demonstrate and try out how the LINX Reflux Management System is to be applied to patients in need of treatment. Dr. Jörg Zehetner was supported by his colleague Dr. Karl Miller, with whom he has already worked as J&J Faculty at several clinics in Saudi Arabia.

EMEA trainings bring regions together

EMEA is the grouping of Europe, the Middle East and the Americas that Johnson & Johnson has put together specifically to further develop treatments and surgical techniques for reflux disease. At the same time, these are the regions where reflux diseases requiring treatment are becoming more frequent.

As with the training sessions in the two German cities of Speyer and Wiesbaden, the focus of the training sessions was once again on the LINX magnetic ring, which brings decisive advantages for the new treatment technique.

Reflux diseases on the rise

The number of new cases of reflux disease continues to increase in the EMEA regions. Reasons for this include a changed lifestyle with sumptuous food and a corresponding increase in obesity. Even though this is a rather new form of affluent disease in the Middle East, it is still on the rise. Accordingly, it is important to already familiarise the appropriate medical professionals with the current expertise on the LINX Reflux Management System.

Typical signs of chronic reflux disease are frequent acid regurgitation, heartburn and burning in the stomach. The decisive factor here is not the occasional occurrence of such complaints, but a continuous and/or frequent observation of such symptoms with the corresponding sequelae, which can manifest themselves primarily in damage to the oesophagus due to constant contact with stomach acid. Subsequent changes in the mucous membrane of the oesophagus can be the first signs of oesophageal cancer. It is therefore advisable, especially for reflux patients over the age of 50, to have a preventive check-up, which should also be combined with a gastroscopy.

For 20 percent of the Swiss population, this is not an unknown disease, while in the countries of the Middle East, however, similar accumulations can already be predicted now. If you want to learn more about reflux disease, we recommend studying the relevant specialist articles on the Swiss1Chirurgie website or in the Swiss1Chirurgie APP.

More quality in reflux treatment through improved education and training

For Dr. Jörg Zehetner, a faculty member of Johnson & Johnson, it is clear that quality in reflux treatment is primarily a question of the appropriate surgical techniques. Continuing education is also seen as correspondingly important, always focusing on the latest and most successful methods in reflux treatment.

Dr. Jörg Zehetner is one of the most experienced surgeons in this field, both nationally and internationally. Accordingly, it is also the right decision to continue to promote the training and further education of colleagues in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but also in the USA and in Saudi Arabia, for example, with this professionalism.

Together, J&J and Dr Zehetner are planning about two to three English-language EMEA workshops per year in Bern. In addition, there will be four to five further LINX workshops for German-speaking colleagues, also in Bern. This offer is completed by two to three further training series in Hamburg (at the J&J Institute Norderstedt, the J&J training and development centre) including a masterclass training series. This could at least meet the first major demand for specialised training series on the LINX Reflux Management System.

What is LINX, what can LINX do?

Swiss1Chirurgie informs – The LINX System

Constant acid regurgitation is not only annoying, but can also cause serious secondary diseases. What is summarised in technical language as reflux is an extremely unpleasant restriction of the quality of life for those affected.

The LINX system has been available for years for reflux therapy and has led to extremely positive results. You can find out what LINX is, what LINX can do and how it works in the detailed article, in the video or on the Swiss1Chirurgie website.

Learn more about the reflux therapy procedure

There are probably around 20 percent of the population who regularly or chronically complain of reflux of stomach acid into the oesophagus. However, acid regurgitation is not only extremely unpleasant, but can also cause serious health problems, including oesophageal cancer.

With LINX, a system is available that can effectively prevent the backflow of gastric juice into the oesophagus. This system is used as part of a minimally invasive surgical operation. After placement of the LINX system, the symptoms subside and patients can return to a normal life in most cases.

What is LINX?

In principle, the LINX system is a magnetic ring chain. At first glance, the system can be compared to an elastic pearl necklace, whereby here the pearls are on magnets that are titanium-coated and thus completely harmless to the organism. Due to the attractive forces acting on the magnetic beads, they are repeatedly attracted to each other in the absence of counterpressure, which leads to a narrowing of the chain. When mechanical tension is applied to the system, the chain expands and widens the passage.

What can LINX do?

The LINX system is placed around the lower end of the oesophagus in a minor surgical procedure. The attraction of the titanium-coated magnetic beads creates a reliable closure of the oesophageal outlet without compressing the oesophagus. Only when, for example, a certain internal pressure is exerted on the oesophagus by the intake of food, does the magnetic ring open so that the food pulp or even liquids can enter the stomach unhindered. In this way, the normal function of the oesophagus is efficiently supported and the reflux of gastric juice into the oesophagus can be prevented. The bottom line is that LINX is strong enough to close the oesophageal junction into the stomach, but weak enough to allow air to escape from the stomach or vomiting to occur.

Practical experience

The LINX system has been known and proven for years. In the Swiss1Chirurgie clinics, this system is preferably used for reflux therapy whenever possible. The experience is extremely good, which includes that there are hardly any complications with the system during and after the surgical procedure. Since 2015, Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner has already treated over 250 patients with the LINX system. For most people with reflux symptoms, this system is the first choice, provided there is otherwise normal oesophageal function.

In order to assess this condition, a preliminary assessment of oesophageal function and reflux symptoms is essential. This preliminary examination includes a gastroscopy and a functional test of the oesophagus. Ideally, these examinations are supplemented by manometry, which means measuring the pressure in the oesophagus.

Would you like more information? Do you yourself have complaints due to acid reflux? Then watch the video with Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner, visit the Swiss1Chirurgie website or make an appointment at one of the Swiss1Chirurgie clinics in Bern, Brig or Solothurn.

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