Transoral Fundoplication for Refractory Regurgitation Symptoms

This endoscopic surgical procedure was effective in 67% of patients.

Proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy has been relatively ineffective in treating symptoms of troublesome and predominant regurgitation, as opposed to heartburn, in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These patients are typically referred for antireflux surgery, which is traditionally a Nissen fundoplication. Although this procedure can be highly successful in expert hands, performance has varied widely between surgeons and adverse effects are frequent. Hence, this operation has fallen into relative disfavor. Alternately, transoral fundoplication (TF) has been available during the last decade.

To assess the efficacy of TF compared with PPIs in eliminating troublesome regurgitation, investigators randomized 87 patients to TF f…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors