A new method of treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been developed, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) said on Tuesday.

In a statement the CSIR said it had developed a novel injectable suspension to expand tissue and induce its regeneration.

"We have developed an injectable suspension of biocompatible, resorbable polycaprolactone (PCL) porous microspheres for injection into the LES muscle using an endoscopic needle," said one of the inventors Kersch Naidoo.

The patent is currently pending.

The CSIR said the suspension had potential application in several areas of soft tissue augmentation, and GERD was the first disease targeted.

GERD affects roughly 15 percent and 3 percent of the total US and South Africa populations respectively.

The council said that apart from the discomfort caused by the symptoms, GERD may lead to an increased risk of oesophageal cancer.

It is caused by chronic inflammation of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle which results in a state of permanent relaxation of the smooth muscle. This allows gastric fluids to enter the oesophagus and cause chronic heartburn.

"Many GERD sufferers have to take expensive medication for the rest of their lives. The main alternative to medication is surgery.

"Apart from the surgery being very invasive, studies have found that more than 62 percent of patients who undergo surgery return to medication within 10 years of surgery," said the CSIR.

The new endoscopic treatment would be administered via the gastrointestinal tract and the objective of the project to achieve short and long-term bulking effects in the LES muscle, and to provide a permanent solution to the condition through a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment.

Sapa