| Theme |
Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Reflux Esophagitis |
| Title |
Endoluminal Therapies for Reflux Esophagitis |
| Author |
Kazuhide Higuchi |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University |
| Author |
Hirotoshi Okazaki |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University |
| Author |
Masatsugu Shiba |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University |
| Author |
Yasuhiro Fujiwara |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University |
| Author |
Tetsuo Arakawa |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University |
| [ Summary ] |
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common medical condition that typically requires lifelong medical therapy or surgery for the management of patients with frequent symptoms. The standard of care for patients with GERD is to begin treatment with acid suppressants. Currently, three endoluminal therapies for GERD are approved for use in western countries. Clinical trials have examined endoscopic suturing, injection intervention, and thermal approachs for treatmert of the area of the lower esophageal sphincter. These methods are found to be useful for the treatment of GERD. However, the reported follow up periods are short. Risk/benefit profiles must be carefully evaluated for each of these interventions over the long run. |