Advances in transoral fundoplication for oesophageal reflux

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »