Endoscopic Antireflux Surgery: Are We There Yet?

Excerpt

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is common in western societies. Up to 40% of individuals in these countries experience at least some reflux symptoms, and the provision of antisecretory medication for the treatment of reflux is now a major cost for all western countries. Established treatments for reflux entail antisecretory medication (usually a proton pump inhibitor) or antireflux surgery (usually achieved laparoscopically). Arguably, neither of these options is ideal. The perfect treatment for gastroesophageal reflux would probably be a single, 100% effective intervention, which is undertaken on an outpatient basis and is not associated with any risks or side effects. Currently, neither medical nor surgical therapy meets all of these criteria. …