Transoral incisionless fundoplication: current status

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) performed with the EsophyX device (Redmond, Washington, USA) is a totally endoscopic procedure with the objectives to mechanically repair a defective gastroesophageal valve and to reduce small hiatal hernias. The recent publication of randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up data offers the opportunity to reevaluate this treatment modality… Read more »

An Episode Payment Framework for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Symptomatic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Dysplastic and Nondysplastic Barrett’s Esophagus, and Anti-Reflux Surgical and Endoscopic Interventions

Health care currently constitutes approximately 17.4% of the Gross Domestic Product in the United States, with health care spending increasing by 6.2% annually, according to the US Department of Commerce.1,2 Efforts to contain costs include reforms to the overall delivery system, such as Accountable Care Organizations and Patient-Centered Medical Neighborhoods, as well as a variety… Read more »

Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication for Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Where Do We Stand?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic, progressive, and costly medical condition affecting a substantial proportion of the world population, predominantly the Western population. The available treatment options for patients with refractory GERD symptoms are limited to either laparoscopic surgery with significant sequelae or potentially lifelong, high-dose proton pump inhibitor therapy. The restoration of the… Read more »

An Evidence-Based Approach to the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

IMPORTANCE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is prevalent worldwide, particularly in developed countries. It is estimated that the prevalence of GERD in the United States is approximately 20% and that it is increasing because of the epidemic of obesity. OBJECTIVE: To review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of GERD. EVIDENCE REVIEW: A search… Read more »

A comparison of the endoscopic and laparoscopic view of the gastroesophageal junction in the use of transoral fundoplication

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic fundoplication requires accurate evaluation of the gastroesophageal junction (GJ) to determine if hiatal hernia repair is necessary before fundoplication. We compared the endoscopic and laparoscopic evaluations of the GJ. METHODS: A total of 53 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease underwent a laparoscopic repair of a hiatal defect before endoscopic fundoplication. The video of… Read more »

Update on novel endoscopic therapies to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease: A review

ABSTRACT: Endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have become increasingly popular in recent years. While surgical intervention with the Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication remains the gold standard, two endoscopic interventions, specifically, are gaining traction in clinical use (EsophyX and Stretta).  The EsophyX (EndoGastric Solutions, Inc., Redmond, WA, United States) was developed as a method of restoring the valve at the GE junction… Read more »

Real-time measurement of luminal compliance during transoral incisionless fundoplication

A 71-year-old woman who had a family history of esophageal cancer presented with symptoms of chronic heartburn. The patient expressed interest in definitive treatment, declining long-term medical therapy and opting to undergo transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) ([Fig. 1]). This was accomplished by using the EsophyX Device (EndoGastric Solutions, San Mateo, California, USA). Before and after the… Read more »

Does Measurement of Esophagogastric Junction Distensibility by EndoFLIP Predict Therapyresponsiveness to Endoluminal Fundoplication in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), an increased esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility has been described. Assessment of EGJ distensibility with the endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP) technique might identify patients responsive to transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), whereas postoperative measurement of EGJ distensibility might provide insight into the antireflux mechanism of TIF. Therefore,… Read more »