The effect of an effortful swallow on the normal adult esophagus.

The effect of an effortful swallow on the healthy adult esophagus was investigated using concurrent oral and esophageal manometry (water perfusion system) on ten normal adults (5 males and 5 females, 20-35 years old) while swallowing 5-ml boluses of water. The effects of gender, swallow condition (effortful versus noneffortful swallows), and sensor site within the oral cavity, esophageal body, and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were examined relative to amplitude, duration, and velocity of esophageal body contractions, LES residual pressure, and LES relaxation duration. The results of this study provide novel evidence that an effortful oropharyngeal swallow has an effect on the esophageal phase of swallowing.

Long-term outcomes of endoluminal gastroplication: a U.S. multicenter trial.

Background: Endoluminal gastroplication has shown promise for the treatment of GERD in short-term studies. Until now, long-term outcome data have been lacking.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter trial enrolled 85 patients with GERD to be treated with endoluminal gastroplication.