[The Angelchik prosthesis--intermediate term evaluation and results].

The clinical effectivity of the Angelchik-antireflux-prosthesis seems to be comparable with fundoplication; the mode of action of both procedures can well be explained by the hypothesis of "neutralizing of the gastric opening pressure". To insert an Angelchik prosthesis is a minor procedure in comparison to the Nissen procedure with a markedly lower operative risk. The long-term results, however, are deteriorated by specific complications due to the use of allogenic material. Following to fundoplication the results remain to be comparably good as in short term period even after a follow up beyond of one decade. Accordingly, the insertion of an Angelchik device should be confined nowadays only on the cases when the risks of long-term complications can be neglected in favor of a technically simple procedure. As for further development of the basic idea, it seems to be consequent to introduce an artificial wrap made of resorbable material.