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.
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