Endoluminal full-thickness plication and radiofrequency treatments for GERD: an outcomes comparison.
OBJECTIVE
Endoluminal therapies have emerged as adjuncts for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in select patients.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of endoscopic full-thickness plication and endoscopic radiofrequency treatments for patients with GERD.


METHODS
A total of 126 patients who underwent either endoscopic full-thickness plication (FTP) of the gastric cardia or endoscopic radiofrequency (RF) treatment of the esophagogastric junction during a 4-year period were included (68 underwent RF and 58 underwent FTP).


METHODS
Follow-up data was obtained for 51% of patients (mean follow-up, 6 months).


METHODS
Comparison of medication use, symptom scores, and pH values at baseline and follow-up.


RESULTS
In the RF group, patients with moderate to severe heartburn decreased from 55% to 22% (P < .01), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use decreased from 84% to 50% (P = .01). Decreases were also seen for dysphagia, voice symptoms, and cough. Percentage of time the pH was less than 4 was unchanged. In the FTP group, patients with moderate to severe heartburn decreased from 53% to 43% (P = .3), and PPI use decreased from 95% to 43% (P = .01). Percentage of time the pH was less than 4 decreased from 10.0% to 6.1% (P = .05). Decreases were also seen for regurgitation, voice symptoms, and dysphagia. There was no change in scores for chest pain or asthma in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
For patients with GERD, RF and FTP both resulted in a decrease in both PPI use and in scores for voice symptoms and dysphagia. In addition, RF resulted in decreased heartburn and cough, while FTP resulted in the most dramatic reduction in regurgitation. Our experience indicates that both procedures are effective, providing symptomatic relief and reduction in PPI use. For patients whose chief complaint is regurgitation, FTP may be the preferred procedure.
Jeansonne
Louis O
LO
Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Endosurgery Unit, 1364 Clifton Rd, Ste H124, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. lou@jeansonne.com
White
Brent C
BC
Nguyen
Vien
V
Jafri
Syed M
SM
Swafford
Vickie
V
Katchooi
Mina
M
Khaitan
Leena
L
Davis
S Scott
SS
Smith
C Daniel
CD
Sedghi
Shahriar
S
Lin
Edward
E
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000601:surgery*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome