Innovations in gastro-intestinal endoscopy: endoscopic antireflux therapies for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common disorder which significantly impairs the quality of life. Recently a number of endoscopic antireflux procedures have been described, with a view to the management of GORD, thus obviating the need for long-term proton pump inhibitors and the cost and potential risk of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Aim: To evaluate the status of new techniques using gastro-intestinal endoscopy for the management of GORD.

Methods: Review of the literature (publications and abstracts) regarding safety, efficacy, and durability of these new antireflux procedures.

Results: These antireflux techniques have produced significant improvement in GORD symptomatology and quality of life and have reduced the use of antireflux medication, without causing serious morbidity or mortality. However, the majority of these techniques have failed to adequately control oesophageal acid reflux.

Conclusions: Endoscopic antireflux therapies have the potential to treat patients with GORD. However, further studies are necessary to determine what modifications to these techniques are required in order to produce the maximum clinical efficacy and durability.