CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2018; 06(09): E1120-E1125
DOI: 10.1055/a-0603-3693
Original article
Owner and Copyright © Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2018

Endoscopic augmentation of gastroesophageal junction using a full-thickness endoscopic suturing device

Jimin Han
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine Daegu, South Korea
,
Matthew Chin
2   H. H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California, USA
,
Kyle J. Fortinsky
2   H. H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California, USA
,
Reem Sharaiha
3   Weill Cornell Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine New York, New York, USA
,
Christopher J. Gostout
4   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
,
Kenneth J. Chang
2   H. H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 08 February 2018

accepted after revision 03 April 2018

Publication Date:
11 September 2018 (online)

Abstract

Background and study aims This preliminary study was conducted to determine the feasibility and safety of endoscopic augmentation of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) using the Apollo OverStitch endoscopic suturing system in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms.

Patients and methods Endoscopic augmentation of GEJ was performed on 10 consecutive patients and the data were analyzed retrospectively. Using a double-channel gastroscope affixed to the endoscopic suturing platform, interrupted sutures were placed on the gastric side of the GEJ in 2 layers in order to create a narrowed and elongated GEJ.

Results Technical success was achieved in all patients, including those with a history of previous antireflux procedures (n = 7) and those with a hiatal hernia (n = 6). The median follow-up duration was 5 mo (range: 2 – 12). The median pre-procedure GERD-Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire improved from 20 (range: 11 – 45) to a post-procedure score of 6 (range: 3 – 25) (P = 0.001). The median duration of GERD symptom improvement after the procedure was 1 mo (range: 0.5 – 4). Adverse events were limited to 1 patient who developed nausea and vomiting, which was self-limited.

Conclusions The use of a novel endoscopic suturing technique for the treatment of GERD is feasible and safe. The procedure resulted in short-term GERD symptom improvement. Further prospective studies using refined techniques are currently underway to improve durability and to prove efficacy.

 
  • References

  • 1 El-Serag H, Sweet S, Winchester C. et al. Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. Gut 2014; 63: 871-880
  • 2 Peery A, Dellon E, Lund J. et al. Burden of gastrointestinal disease in the United States: 2012 update. Gastroenterology 2012; 143: 1179-1187
  • 3 El-Serag H, Becher A, Jones R. Systematic review: persistent reflux symptoms on proton pump inhibitor therapy in primary care and community studies. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 720-737
  • 4 Freedberg D, Kim L, Yang YX. The risks and benefits of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors: expert review and best practice advice from the American Gastroenterological Association. Gastroenterology 2017; 152: 706-715
  • 5 Cookson R, Flood C, Koo B. et al. Short-term cost effectiveness and long-term cost analysis comparing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with proton-pump inhibitor maintenance for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Br J Surg 2005; 92: 700-706
  • 6 Wills VL, Hunt DR. Dysphagia after antireflux surgery. Br J Surg 2001; 88: 486-499
  • 7 Lundell L. Complications after anti-reflux surgery. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2004; 18: 935-945
  • 8 Garg SK, Gurusamy KS. Laparoscopic fundoplication surgery versus medical management for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 11: CD003243
  • 9 Ganz R, Edmundowicz S, Taiganides P. et al. Long-term outcomes of patients receiving a magnetic sphincter augmentation device for gastroesophageal reflux. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 14: 671-677
  • 10 Jain D, Singhal S. Transoral incisionless fundoplication for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: where do we stand?. Clin Endosc 2016; 49: 147-156
  • 11 Håkansson B, Montgomery M, Cadiere GB. et al. Randomised clinical trial: transoral incisionless fundoplication vs. sham intervention to control chronic GERD. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2015; 42: 1261-1270
  • 12 Patti M, Allaix M, Fisichella PM. Analysis of the causes of failed antireflux surgery and the principles of treatment: a review. JAMA Surg 2015; 150: 585-590
  • 13 Banerjee S, Barth B, Bhat Y. et al. Endoscopic closure devices. Gastrointest Endosc 2012; 76: 244-251
  • 14 Stavropoulos S, Modayil R, Friedel D. Current applications of endoscopic suturing. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2015; 7: 777-789
  • 15 Velanovich V. Comparison of generic (SF-36) vs. disease-specific (GERD-HRQL) quality-of-life scales for gastroesophageal reflux disease. J Gastrointest Surg 1998; 2: 141-145
  • 16 Yanagimoto Y, Yamasaki M, Nagase H. et al. Endoscopic anti-reflux valve for post-esophagectomy reflux: an animal study. Endoscopy 2016; 48: 1119-1124
  • 17 Ilczyszyn A, Botha AJ. Feasibility of esophagogastric junction distensibility measurement during Nissen fundoplication. Dis Esophagus 2014; 27: 637-644
  • 18 Rinsma N, Smeets F, Bruls D. et al. Effect of transoral incisionless fundoplication on reflux mechanisms. Surg Endosc 2014; 28: 941-949
  • 19 Hill LD, Kozarek RA, Kraemer SJ. et al. The gastroesophageal flap valve: in vitro and in vivo observations. Gastrointest Endosc 1996; 44: 541-547
  • 20 Armstrong D, Bennett JR, Blum AL. et al. The endoscopic assessment of esophagitis: a progress report on observer agreement. Gastroenterology 1996; 111: 85-92