Table 3.

Statements of expertise of participating surgeons in included studies

Reference	Type of expertise described	Statement
Smith et al.42	Surgeons' previous experience	‘Over 20 years of experience treating GORD’
Ganz et al.46 Lipham et al.25		‘Experience with fundoplication’
Lipham et al.47		‘Proficiency in performing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and comfortable working at the oesophago‐gastric junction’
Bell et al.28		‘Trained and experienced in MSA’
Kuckelman et al.39	Training requirements	‘All surgeons had completed the training and certification process for MSA placement, including didactics, live case observations, and then proctoring on initial cases’
Louie et al.48		‘All participating study centres were required to have undergone training to implant the device and completed a minimum of five LINX™ implants’

GORD, gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease; MSA, magnetic sphincter augmentation.