Efficacy of transoral incisionless fundoplication for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Given poor symptomatic response rates and rising awareness of the adverse events associated with the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), endoscopic modalities for treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have become more prominent. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate feasibility, efficacy, and tolerability of transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) for the treatment of refractory GERD. METHODS: Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were performed to March 2017. Measured outcomes included immediate technical success rate and serious adverse events. Symptomatic improvement was measured using GERD Health-related Quality of Life (HRQL), Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptom Score (GERSS), and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI). Objective success was determined by hiatal hernia reduction and pH monitoring. RESULTS: 32 studies (1475 patients; 48.2 % male) met inclusion criteria. TIF success rate was 99 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 97 to 100; P < 0.001), with an adverse event rate of 2 % (95 %CI 1 to 3; P < 0.001). GERD HRQL, GERSS, and RSI improved significantly post-TIF (mean difference 17.72, 95 %CI 17.31 to 18.14; mean difference 23.78, 95 %CI 22.96 to 24.60; mean difference 14.28, 95 %CI 13.56 to 15.01; all P < 0.001, respectively). Hernia reduction occurred in 91 % of patients (95 %CI 83 to 98; P < 0.001). DeMeester scores improved significantly (mean difference 10.22, 95 %CI 8.38 to 12.12; P < 0.001). PPI therapy was discontinued post-procedure in 89 % of patients (95 %CI 82 to 95; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TIF appears to be a safe and effective endoscopic procedure for patients with refractory GERD. Future controlled trials are needed to directly compare efficacy, long-term durability, and safety between TIF and Nissen fundoplication.

A Rare Manifestation of a Bleeding Tubulovillous Duodenal Polyp Presenting as an Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.

Duodenal polyps have been reported in <1.5% of individuals who undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We present a case of a 76-year-old male with recurrent hematemesis who was found to have an intestinal-type, pedunculated tubulovillous adenoma in the descending duodenum. An isolated occurrence of nonampullary sporadic duodenal adenoma is a rare finding. Presentation as an upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is also extremely uncommon. Our patient's polyp was pedunculated, which is atypical, because most sporadic duodenal adenomas are morphologically flat or sessile. The purpose of this case is to present a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and to depict characteristics of an isolated duodenal tubulovillous adenoma and its treatment options.

An Extremely Rare Presentation of an Alpha-Fetoprotein-Producing Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is an extremely rare occurrence with very few cases reported in the literature. We report the case of a 76-year-old female who presented with progressive weakness, fatigue, and a decrease in appetite for weeks and who was found to have an AFP-producing EAC with an extraordinarily high AFP level of 46,135 ng/mL. CT angiography revealed abnormal thickening of the esophagus and multiple metastatic masses throughout the liver. Upper endoscopy revealed a large mass in the distal esophagus with extension into the stomach. Biopsy confirmed the EAC. Most cases are unsuccessfully treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Serial measurement of serum AFP may be useful for monitoring clinical status and treatment response.