Outcomes of endoluminal gastric plication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Daniel C. Demarco, MD, and Robert D. Anderson, MD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is very common in the USA. Although proton pump inhibitors are effective in alleviating GERD symptoms, many patients do not find relief with medication alone or become dependent on these medications for life. The lifelong cost of such medications can be burdensome.
For these reasons, many patients with GERD have undergone invasive procedures including Nissen fundoplication and more recent endoscopic techniques to alter their anatomy enough to prevent the reflux of acid into the esophagus. Newer procedures including endoluminal gastric plication (ELGP) look promising, but long-term follow up is needed to more thoroughly assess outcomes. We have studied the outcomes of 43 patients who underwent ELGP and analyzed the efficacy of this particular technique in alleviating symptoms and eliminating the need for proton pump inhibitors.