Endoscopic approaches to the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Endoscopic therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease represent a minimally invasive alternative to medical or surgical treatment. These devices include suturing, radiofrequency energy, and bulking agent technologies. Research into the use of these technologies in gastroesophageal reflux disease continues to accelerate, and the last 2 years have witnessed significant developments that may affect current and future clinical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

Long-term data from nonrandomized clinical trials have become available in the last 2 years for many gastroesophageal reflux disease endotherapies, providing some insight into their durability. Furthermore, two multicenter and one single-center sham-controlled trials were published recently, allowing comparison between groups.

SUMMARY

Although it is premature to propose the superiority of any individual approach, emerging data in this rapidly evolving field may inform current and future directions in the research and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.