What is scarless surgery for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)?

The scarless procedure used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is called a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF). There is no incision, no scar and no pain associated with that incision. With the use of a standard endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter through the mouth and down the esophagus, where the valve at the end of the esophagus  is rebuilt and restored to its natural anatomy. This results in a barrier to stomach acid. Candidates for this procedure include those who have proven reflux and are not responsive to medications or do not want to be on medications long term. The new TIF procedure resolves heartburn in over 90%  of patients. It also results in complete cure of reflux in 70% to 80% of patients being off antacids.