Endoluminal gastroplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
Summary
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on on endoluminal gastroplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
NICE has reviewed this guidance and is reassessing the procedure. New guidance will be published as a result. Until the new guidance is published the NHS should continue to follow the recommendations in the guidance below.
Description
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition that can have a significant impact on the quality of life of an individual. It is caused by failure of the sphincter mechanism at the lower end of the oesophagus. Symptoms of GORD can be broadly grouped into those directly related to reflux episodes such as heartburn, regurgitation and waterbrash; and those symptoms caused by complications of reflux disease, including dysphagia and respiratory symptoms.
Drug therapy, combined with lifestyle modifications, is the standard treatment for patients with mild symptomatic GORD. Patients with more severe symptoms or oesophagitis may be treated with more intensive drug therapy and anti-reflux surgery may be needed. In these patients minimally invasive treatments such as endoluminal gastroplication may be considered as an alternative.
Endoluminal gastroplication is carried out on an outpatient basis. The procedure is done using a standard endoscope and an endoscopic sewing device. It works by creating plications, or pleats at the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) thereby decreasing the reflux of stomach acid into the oesophagus.
OPCS code:
Details
Surgical procedures
Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland
Association of Endoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland
British Society of Gastroenterology
Contact details:
(for general enquiries or comments)
(for procedure specific enquiries or comments)
ip@nice.org.uk
Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA
