First year experience of patients undergoing the Stretta procedure

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopic procedures
• GERD treatment

Background:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition.
• The Stretta procedure offers a novel endoscopic approach to GERD management.
• This treatment utilizes radiofrequency energy to target the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Stretta procedure for GERD.
• To assess the impact of Stretta on GERD symptoms, quality of life, and medication use.
• To analyze objective measures of esophageal acid exposure and LES function post-procedure.

Main Methods:

• Forty-one patients with GERD underwent the Stretta procedure.
• Pre- and post-procedure assessments included esophageal manometry, 24-h pH testing, and validated quality-of-life surveys (SF12, QOLRAD).
• Patients were followed for symptom improvement and changes in medication requirements.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in QOLRAD scores (p=0.002) and SF12 mental (p=0.001) and physical (p=0.001) scores at 6 months.
• Esophageal acid exposure decreased significantly (p=0.03), with a notable reduction in the Johnson-Demeester score (p=0.04).
• Sixty-five percent of patients were able to discontinue proton pump inhibitors; one case of transient gastroparesis was reported.

Conclusions:

• The Stretta procedure demonstrates promise as an endoscopic treatment for GERD.
• It leads to significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes and objective measures of reflux.
• Stretta offers a viable option for reducing medication dependence in GERD patients.