title: Delivery of radiofrequency energy to the gastroesophageal junction (Stretta procedure) for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency (RF) energy treatment is increasingly offered before invasive surgical procedures for selected patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients undergoing the Stretta procedure were prospectively evaluated with upper endoscopy, manometry, 24-hour pH testing, SF-36 surveys, and GERD-specific questionnaires (GERD HRQL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant clinical improvement was observed in 91% of patients (29/32). Mean heartburn and GERD HRQL scores decreased (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), and physical SF-36 increased (p = 0.05). At a minimum follow-up of 12 months, median esophageal acid exposure decreased (p = 0.79) and was normalized in eight patients. Median lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was unchanged. Esophagitis healed in six of eight patients, but two patients with nonerosive disease developed asymptomatic grade A esophagitis during follow-up. At 12 months, 56% of patients were off proton pump inhibits. Morbidity was minimal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF delivery to LES is safe and significantly improves symptoms and quality of life in selected GERD patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, ASLNA5 Hospital Maresca, Torre del Greco, Italy. cipollet@tin.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cipolletta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rotondano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dughera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Repici
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Angelis
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vingiani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Battaglia
mesh_terms: D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies