BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review was to evaluate transoral fundoplication devices for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease that have been commercially available within the last 5 years. METHODS: Literature databases including Medline and Pubmed were searched from January 2005 to November 2010. Both blinded and unblinded randomized studies were evaluated. RESULTS: We reviewed the literature for… Read more »
Nissen fundoplication after failure of endoluminal fundoplication: short term results
BACKGROUND: Endoluminal fundoplication (ELF) with EsophyX is a new attractive investigational procedure for the control of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this work is to evaluate the short-term results of Nissen fundoplication (NF) after failure of ELF. METHOD: During the period April 2007-January 2010, nine patients previously treated with ELF for GERD were… Read more »
Use of acid-suppressive drugs and risk of pneumonia: systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Observational studies and randomized controlled trials have yielded inconsistent findings about the association between the use of acid-suppressive drugs and the risk of pneumonia. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize this association. METHODS: We searched three electronic databases (MEDLINE [PubMed], Embase and the Cochrane Library) from inception to Aug. 28, 2009.… Read more »
Transoral incisionless fundoplication 2.0 procedure using EsophyX for gastroesophageal reflux disease
BACKGROUND: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) using the EsophyX™ system has been introduced as a possible alternative for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The efficacy of this procedure in our centers was evaluated. METHODS: Patients were selected for treatment if they had typical GERD symptoms, failed management with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a positive… Read more »
Heller myotomy and intraluminal fundoplication: a NOTES technique (Multimedia manuscript)
BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that the most effective treatment of achalasia is a surgical myotomy. Nevertheless, if a myotomy alone is performed, reflux may occur in up to 30% of patients. The aim of this study was to explore a transoral incisionless stepwise approach to both esophageal Heller myotomy and fundoplication. METHODS: The first… Read more »
Safety of proton pump inhibitor exposure
Abstract: Proton pump (H(+)/K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase) inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used to treat patients with acid-related disorders because they are generally perceived to be safe and effective. However, as with any pharmacologic agent, they have the potential for side effects. Many studies have examined the side effects of long-term or short-term PPI exposure. We review the… Read more »
Endoscopic, endoluminal fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: initial experience and lessons learned
BACKGROUND: Several devices have been developed to create an antireflux barrier endoscopically for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. All have failed to provide long-term symptom relief, were associated with clinically important complications, or were otherwise removed from the market. A new device, the Esophyx (Endogastric Solutions, Redmond, WA), provides the closest approximation experimentally to… Read more »
Prevalence, knowledge and care patterns for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in United States minority populations
BACKGROUND: While there is evidence of ethnic variation in the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, few population-based studies examine GERD symptom prevalence amongst the growing Hispanic minority in the US as well as Asians in the West. AIM: To examine the prevalence, awareness and care patterns for GERD across different ethnic groups. METHODS:… Read more »
Transoral incision free fundoplication (TIF) – A new paradigm in the surgical treatment of GERD
An estimated 10 billion dollars is spent treating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the USA every year. The present article reports a case of the safe and successful use of transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) using the EsophyX90™ device in the surgical treatment of GERD. Link to abstract on PubMed: Yushuva A, et al; J Surg Case… Read more »
Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication after failed EsophyX fundoplication
BACKGROUND: Reflux control may be ineffective in a substantial number of patients after endoluminal EsophyX fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Subsequent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) might be required to relieve symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of LNF after previous EsophyX fundoplication. METHODS: EsophyX failure was defined as recurrence or… Read more »