title: Historical perspectives on the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
abstract: The current vogue in the historical evolution of the management of the problem of reflux is represented by augmentation procedures for the lower esophageal sphincter. Rather than employ a transperitoneal approach, these are directed at the sphincter by the transesophageal route and include stitching, collagen injection and radio-frequency-induced fibrosis. It is however probable that these techniques will suffer all the drawbacks of any mechanical intervention but somewhat decrease the morbidity of open, albeit minimally invasive surgery. Similarly, a specific pharmacotherapeutic probe targeting the lower esophageal sphincter, while long fantasized, remains to be identified.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, TMP 202, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. imodlin@optonline.net
authors.forename: Irvin M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Modlin
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kidd
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Lye
mesh_terms: D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000266:history*; D020699:Gastroscopes / Q000266:history; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000266:history*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000266:history; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010781:Photography