Stretta Safety

Indications, Contraindications And Warnings

INDICATIONS FOR USE
The Stretta System is intended for general use in electrosurgical coagulation of tissue and intended for use specifically in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

CONTRAINDICATIONS
There are no known absolute contraindications to the use of radiofrequency in humans. The use of the Stretta System is contraindicated when, in the judgment of the physician, radiofrequency surgical procedures would be contrary to the best interests of the patient.
The following is a list of patient groups in whom the use of the Stretta System for the treatment of GERD may be contraindicated.
1. Subjects under the age of 18
2. Pregnant women
3. Patients without a diagnosis of GERD
4. Hiatal hernia > 2 cm
5. Achalasia or incomplete LES relaxation in response to swallow
6. Poor surgical candidate, ASA IV classification

WARNINGS
The following is a list of patient groups who have not been specifically studied using the Stretta System for the treatment of GERD. The performance characteristics of the device for the following groups of patients have not been established.

  • Patient has an implant near the LES that could be conductive with RF energy
  • Normal 24-hour pH study
  • ALL GERD symptoms completely unresponsive to properly dose-escalated anti-secretory medication
  • Barrett’s metaplasia
  • Poor surgical candidate
  • Presence of dysphagia, esophageal bleeding, or gas bloat
  • Active esophagitis grades III or IV by Savary criteria
  • Endocarditis risk (mitral valve prolapse, heart valve replacement, etc.)
  • Untreated or unstable hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, collagen vascular disease, steroid use, immunosuppressed state, or cardiac pacemaker
  • Abnormal blood coagulation or use of anticoagulant or platelet anti-aggregation therapy

These complications are rarely seen but could potentially occur with the use of electrosurgery for the treatment of GERD (alphabetical order).

  • Bleeding - transient
  • Bloating
  • Chest pain - transient
  • Difficulty belching - transient
  • Dysphagia - transient
  • Epigastric discomfort - transient
  • Esophageal mucosal laceration
  • Fever - transient
  • Injury to esophageal mucosa
  • Perforation
  • Pharyngitis
  • Vomiting - transient with potential for bleeding or Esophageal injury

**If any vomiting occurs, contact your treating physician immediately. Excessive vomiting may result in perforation and more serious injury resulting in death.

The following complications have not been seen, but could possibly occur infrequently (alphabetical order).

  • Achalasia
  • Delayed gastric emptying - transient
  • Dental injury
  • Dyspnea
  • Infection
  • Larynx injury
  • Worsened GERD