Effect of antireflux surgery for Barrett's esophagus: long-term results

Barrett's esophagus is a metaplastic change in the lower esophagus that results from long-standing gastro-esophageal reflux disease, associated with a risk of development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. This review examines the role of antireflux surgery in the management of Barrett's esophagus.

A systematic review of the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases (1974-2016) was undertaken to identify studies with long-term follow-up examining the role of antireflux surgery in Barrett's esophagus. Outcomes examined were: number of subjects, follow-up, rates of progression, regression and adenocarcinoma. Symptomatic outcomes, surgical morbidity and rates of surgical failure were included when available.

A total of 2403 articles were identified of which 9 met the inclusion criteria for this study using the PRISMA methodology. Citation tracking identified 3 further studies for inclusion. There were 962 patients included in this study, 731 who were found to have completed endoscopic follow up with a total of 3736 years of follow up. Annual incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma was found to be 0.18%. Thirty-five percent of patients (260 patients) had regression. Progression was seen in 8% (57 patients) postoperatively. There was no mortality.

There is insufficient evidence to recommend surgery over medical therapy to reduce cancer risk in Barrett's esophagus. Regression of features associated with cancer risk was more common after surgery than medical therapy. Surgery has been shown to improve patients' gastroesophageal reflux disease-specific quality of life. Long-term, antireflux surgery represents a cost effective method to manage Barrett's Esophagus with continued endoscopic surveillance.