Endoscopic Procedure Improves GERD Symptoms

A study has concluded that a new treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) significantly improved symptoms, quality of life, and esophageal acid exposure while eliminating the need for acid-reducing medication A study has concluded that a new treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) significantly improved symptoms, quality of life, and esophageal acid exposure while eliminating the need for acid-reducing medication in the majority of patients. The study was published in the April issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

The treatment, called the Stretta Procedure, is a minimally invasive, outpatient encodscopic procedure performed in 60 minutes or less. Using a flexible, disposable catheter connected to a radiofrequency (RF) generator, the doctor delivers controlled RF energy to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle and gastric cardia to create thermal lesions. As the lesions heal, the barrier function of the LES is enhanced, reducing the frequency of reflux events. The procedure was developed by Curon Medical, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA, USA).

"Critically, a majority of the patients experienced such remarkable improvement that they no longer required the use of acid-reducing drugs,” said George Triadafilopoulos, professor of medicine at Stanford University and lead author of the study. "This is a significant advance in the treatment of this widespread and distressing disease.”




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