Stretta Radiofrequency Treatment for GERD: A Safe and Effective Modality

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the leading gastrointestinal disorders. Current treatments include lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapies, surgical fundoplications, and, more recently, endoscopic procedures. The rising concern of long-term side effects of the popular proton-pump inhibitors and the more recent evidence raising doubts about the durability of fundoplication have spurred reinterest in endoscopic procedures to treat reflux disorders. In the aftermath of several innovative antireflux procedures that were introduced and failed clinically or financially over the past decade, there is lingering confusion regarding the merits of the presently available interventions. This paper focuses on one endoscopic procedure, Stretta, which now enjoys the longest experience, a recent meta-analysis, and robust data supporting its safety, efficacy, and durability. Stretta reduces esophageal acid exposure, decreases the frequency of transient lower esophageal relaxation, increases patient satisfaction, decreases medication use, and improves quality of life. As such, this procedure remains a valuable nonsurgical treatment option in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Endoluminal treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease

“…While early complication rates approached 10%, these included minor transient problems such as fever, abdominal discomfort, and transient chest pain (26,28). Superficial mucosal ulcerations and mucosal injuries have been reported, but more recent studies have a major complication rate below 0.24% (31,33). Additional studies have proven that Stretta can be performed safely in patients who previously had a failed anti-reflux surgery (34), and patients that have undergone Stretta can also safely proceed with an anti-reflux surgery in the future (28).…”

The Effect of Zinc Supplementationon the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; a Randomized Clinical Trial

“…14 Affecting 33% of the world’s populace, GERD incurs noteworthy immediate and backhanded expenses, huge loss of profitability of the affected individuals, and irreversible impacts on the quality of life. 15 Due to the importance of GERD, design of more studies to identify its different aspects could be an effective task in the improvement of the general health. …”

Adult GORD: advances and challenges in management

“…This is an attractive day case procedure as an alternative to traditional antireflux surgery, but is not widely available. 14 In general, endoscopic techniques such as suturing devices and injection techniques have a smaller evidence base to support their use compared with traditional surgery but, after redesign from an earlier model, the Stretta device has now accumulated several years' worth of data and has the potential to become a standard therapy in the future.…”