[Endoscopic Anti-Reflux Therapy for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Present-Day Perspective]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease has consistently been the most frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal disease in the USA and has an increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. The mainstay of therapy has traditionally been medical management, including lifestyle and dietary modifications. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of patients have a suboptimal response to proton pump inhibitors or are unwilling to take lifelong medication due to concerns about long-term adverse effects. In those patients found to be refractory to medical management or with a contraindication to medications, the next step up has been surgical anti-reflux procedures. Recently, innovative advancements in therapeutic endoscopy have created numerous options for the endoscopic management of gastroesophageal reflux disease offering a minimally invasive option for these patients. Nonetheless, the role of endoscopic procedures remains controversial due to limited long-term and comparative data, although they are beginning to be taken into consideration in the latest gastroesophageal reflux disease management guidelines. In this review we will discuss the various endoscopic therapy options available.