They are particularly helpful in healing heartburn in patients who do not benefit from frequently used medications to cure the disease.
This persistent condition, also known as the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is characterised by the backing up of stomach acid into the oesophagus, which causes irritation in the oesophagus lining. The result is inflammation. Unrelenting and severe heartburn is the general symptom of GERD.
Many patients of GERD benefit by a group of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. These drugs comprise AstraZeneca Plc’s Nexium and Prilosec, Protonix of Wyeth, Eisai Inc’s Aciphex. But for those who do not reap any benefit from these drugs, are not left with any alternatives except for surgery.
Published in the journal Archives of Surgery, the latest study highlights two seldom performed endoluminal therapies that lessened heartburn in a substantial number of patients who undertook them. Both the concerned procedures are performed with an endoscope.
The two processes are- full thickness plication, and radiofrequency therapy. While the former employs the endoscope to constrict the junction between the oesophagus and the stomach, the latter works on heart to perk up the function of the valve between the oesophagus and stomach.
In the study, 68 patients had the radiofrequency therapy while 58 went through full-thickness plication.
Dr. Louis Jeansonne IV from Ochsner Medical Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a researcher, said in a telephone interview, “I think medication is still the first thing that people should try for reflux. Surgery is still the most effective treatment in people who don’t have relief with medications. But this study shows that this therapy without surgery is a viable option in patients who either can’t have surgery or don’t want surgery.”
Laparoscopic fundoplication is the surgery used to cure acid reflux disease, wherein doctors wrap the top of the stomach around the lower part of the oesophagus for generating an obstruction to the acid reflux.
In more than 80 percent of the instances where people stop taking the medicines, acid reflux comes back again.
Dr. Edward Lin of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, said, “It’s nice to be able to offer something less invasive.” Lin is another researcher who was a part of the study. Lin observed that the two nonsurgical procedures in question are rare partly due to the fact that health insurance companies do not pay for them.
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