Findings from University College broaden understanding of acid reflux disease therapy
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- Research findings, 'Antireflux surgery,' are discussed in a new report. "Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is extremely common throughout Europe and the United States. This review on antireflux surgery examines the best evidence for surgical treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease," scientists in London, the United Kingdom report. "Comparison is made with medical antireflux therapy including histamine H2 receptor antagonist and proton pump inhibitor therapy. The randomized trials and systematic reviews available on gastro-esophageal reflux disease are reviewed and where data are scarce, the largest cohort studies available are discussed. Overall, laparoscopic antireflux surgery is safe and has a similar efficacy to open antireflux surgery and best medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors. There is a failure rate, which in some series is greater than 50% at 5 years. Due to the cost of a proportion of patients still taking antireflux medications, it cannot be recommended on cost-effectiveness grounds over best medical therapy. The choice of procedure lies between complete wrap with Nissen's fundoplication and partial fundoplication (most frequently Toupet). Division of the short gastric vessels is not usually necessary and is associated with increased wind-related complications. Total fundoplication tends to produce superior reflux control, but at the cost of increased risk of dysphagia," wrote P.A. Gatenby and colleagues, University College. The researchers concluded: "There is a trend for antireflux surgery to be superior to best medical therapy in cancer prevention in Barrett's oesophagus, but this has not reached statistical significance." Gatenby and colleagues published their study in Minerva Chirurgica (Antireflux surgery. Minerva Chirurgica, 2009;64(2):169-81). For additional information, contact P.A. Gatenby, University College London Medical School, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, Royal Free Campus, London, UK. The publisher's contact information for the journal Minerva Chirurgica is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA. Keywords: United Kingdom, London, Acid Reflux Disease Therapy, Clinical Trial Research, Gastroenterology, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Gastrointestinal, Surgery, Therapy, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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