[Gastro-esophageal reflux. Treatment with an inert prosthesis, the Angelchik collar]

Although very little has been published on this subject, the American Heyer-Schulte Corporation has estimated at more than 13 000 the number of Angelchik prostheses inserted throughout the world since 1979. The prosthesis is a vulcanized silicone crescent which, when its two horns are brought closer together, forms a pneumatic ring around the abdominal oesophagus. The authors describe the operative procedure and analyze the mode of action of the prosthetic device which acts as a collar, a lasso and an anvil-block for the abdominal oesophagus and is particularly effective in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux.