Invasive Endoscopic Therapy Research Articles

New treatment for gastric duplication cyst: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration combined with lauromacrogol sclerotherapy: A case report

BACKGROUND Gastric duplication cysts are very rare disease that are mainly diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonographic fine-needle aspiration biopsy. In the past, this disease was usually treated with traditional surgery and rarely with minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. However, minimally invasive endoscopic therapy has many advantages, such as no skin wound, organ preservation, postoperative pain reduction, early food intake, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter post-procedure hospitalization. CASE SUMMARY We report a case of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) combined with lauromacrogol sclerotherapy for pyloric obstruction due to gastric duplication cysts. CONCLUSION EUS-FNA combined with lauromacrogol sclerotherapy provides a new option for the treatment of gastrointestinal duplication cysts.

Endoscopic Diagnosis and Therapy for Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Gastric Cancer.

Epstein-Barr-virus-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) represents almost 7% of all GC and is a distinct subtype of GC with extreme DNA hypermethylation. EBVaGC is a tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte-rich tumor with little lymph-node metastasis in its early stage and with a relatively favorable prognosis in its advanced stage. Using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, we recognize EBVaGC as a mainly depressed type with SMT-like protrusion in the upper part of the stomach near the gastric mucosal atrophic border or remnant stomach. The EBVaGC recognition rate of 21.4% with the endoscopic motif is not high, and further progress in endoscopic diagnosis of EBVaGC is needed. As less invasive endoscopic therapy, the extension of the criteria of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early EBVaGC with little lymph-node metastasis should be discussed. Endoscopic diagnosis of EBVaGC may be relevant for the selection of patients who could benefit from endoscopic treatment or chemotherapy.

Protocol for an international multicenter randomized controlled trial assessing treatment success and safety of peroral endoscopic myotomy vs endoscopic balloon dilation for the treatment of achalasia in children.

Achalasia is a rare neurodegenerative esophageal motility disorder characterized by incomplete lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, increased LES tone and absence of esophageal peristalsis. Achalasia requires invasive treatment in all patients. Conventional treatment options include endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) and laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM). Recently, a less invasive endoscopic therapy has been developed; Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM). POEM integrates the theoretical advantages of both EBD and LHM (no skin incisions, less pain, short hospital stay, less blood loss and a durable myotomy). Our aim is to compare efficacy and safety of POEM vs. EBD as primary treatment for achalasia in children. This multi-center, and center-stratified block-randomized controlled trial will assess safety and efficacy of POEM vs EBD. Primary outcome measure is the need for retreatment due to treatment failure (i.e. persisting symptoms (Eckardt score > 3) with evidence of recurrence on barium swallow and/or HRM within 12 months follow-up) as assed by a blinded end-point committee (PROBE design). This RCT will be the first one to evaluate which endoscopic therapy is most effective and safe for treatment of naïve pediatric patients with achalasia.

Therapeutic Challenges for Gastric Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Take It or Leave It?

Background and Objectives: Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (gNENs) represent rare but increasingly recognized tumors. They are distinguished into three main clinical types (type-1, type-2, and type-3) according to gastrin level and at histological evaluation in well-differentiated G1, G2, or G3 lesions, as well as poorly-differentiated lesions. Small type-1 and type-2 neoplasms with low proliferation indices demonstrated excellent survival without progression during an extended follow-up period, and for these reasons, active endoscopic observation or endoscopic resection are feasible options. On the other hand, surgery is the treatment of choice for more aggressive type-3, G3, or infiltrating neoplasms. The present study aims to comprehensively review and compare the available therapeutic strategies for gNENs. Materials and Methods: A computerized literature search was performed using relevant keywords to identify all of the pertinent articles with particular attention to gNEN endoscopic treatment. Results: In recent years, different endoscopic resective techniques (such as endoscopic mucosal dissection, modified endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic full-thickness resection) have been developed, showing a high rate of complete resection for advanced and more aggressive lesions. Conclusions: Overall, gNENs represent a heterogeneous group of lesions with varying behavior which require personalized management. The non-operative approach for small type-1 gNENs seems to be feasible and should be promoted. A step-up approach with minimally invasive endoscopic therapies might be proposed, particularly for type-1 gNEN. On the other hand, it is important to recognize the negative prognostic factors in order to identify those rare cases requiring more aggressive approaches. A possible therapeutic algorithm for localized gNEN management is provided.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Selecting Patients for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastrointestinal Neoplasms.

Tumor invasion depth and lymph node metastasis determine the prognosis of gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasms. GI neoplasms limited to mucosa (m1 or m2) and superficial submucosa (sm1) can be treated effectively with minimally invasive endoscopic therapy, while the deep invasion of the submucosa (sm2 or sm3) is associated with lymph node metastasis, and surgical resection is required. Correct staging is therefore crucial for preoperative evaluation and planning. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) can be used to detect the depth of invasion due to its close proximity to the lesion. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS, when compared to conventional endoscopic staging, is debated as it can under- or overstage the lesion. We aim in this study to determine if EUS can accurately differentiate mucosal from submucosal GI neoplasms to select patients with early GI lesions for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or surgery. From March 2014 to February 2022, 293 patients with early superficial GI neoplasms were admitted to our endoscopic unit for EUS staging. To evaluate the accuracy of EUS, we compared the preoperative EUS findings with the definitive histopathologic findings on the resected specimen. Overall, 242 of 293 lesions were correctly staged by EUS (82.59%). In the evaluation of submucosal invasion or deeper, EUS understaged 38 of 293 (12.96%) and overstaged 13 of 293 (4.43%) lesions. EUS has excellent accuracy in staging superficial GI neoplasms; its use is highly recommended before ESD since it can also detect lymph node metastases around the lesions, thus changing the indication from ESD to surgery.

Diagnosis and Treatment in frontobasal fractures

Traumatic brain injury can result in frontobasal fractures (FBF). The goals of treatment for FBF are to eliminate primary morbidity and/or prevent secondary morbidity. Of particular importance in this regard is the proximity of important sensory organs for hearing, vision, smell, and taste, as well as their supplying nervous structures. Medical history, clinical findings, or CT scan are necessary and should lead to an individual evaluation. Depending on the severity of the fractures, the following disciplines may be involved in the treatment of FBF: neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and/or otorhinolaryngology. Particularly less invasive endoscopic endonasal therapy is aspecialty of otorhinolaryngologic surgeons and has not been widely established in other disciplines. The present work provides an overview of the current state of the art in terms of the following aspects, taking into account the current literature: anatomic principles, classification of fractures, diagnostics (in particular clinical examination, imaging, and laboratory chemistry tests), clinical symptoms, and treatment.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: recent innovations in endoscopic assessment and treatment.

Innovations in endoscopy have brought about some impressive improvements in diagnosing and treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD, as one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders in the world, has always been on the cutting edge of endoscopic interventions. A primary diagnosis of GERD is based on symptoms and an initial trial of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, which is devoid of adequately instructive value for therapeutic strategies. Endoscopy and optional biopsies can be used to directly observe and determine the abnormal structural and pathophysiological damage in the esophagus. The emergence of minimally invasive endoscopic therapy fills the gap between patients who are reluctant or insensitive to PPIs and candidates who are not indicated for surgical anti-reflux fundoplication. In this review, we discuss the utility of endoscopy and biopsy in patients with persistent GERD-related manifestations after proper medical anti-reflux treatment. Moreover, we portray a landscape of four current endoscopic GERD therapies and clarify the merits and disadvantages of each technique. Future research needs to concentrate on stratifying GERD patients based on personal conditions and elucidating the primary pathophysiology of GERD.

Ablative therapies of the biliary tree.

Cholangiocarcinoma, a malignancy of the epithelial cells in the intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary tree, is often diagnosed at later stages. Median survival duration ranges from 3 to 9 months with a less than ten percent 5-year survival rate. Thus, often treatment strategies are aimed more towards palliation instead of cure. With the majority of patients presenting with unresectable disease at the time of diagnosis, surgical intervention is not feasible, making less invasive endoscopic therapies more suitable. Initially, biliary stents were utilized for biliary decompression to mitigate cholestatic symptoms and prevent cholangitis; however, this strategy did not prove to provide significant survival benefit. Therefore, efforts to treat the tumor burden itself in addition to maintaining biliary patency became a focus of innovation and research in the endoscopic field. This study has led to the advent of therapies such as photodynamic therapy, radiofrequency ablation, and intraluminal brachytherapy. These options combined with biliary stenting have shown to not only offer the benefit of biliary decompression, but also to potentially improve stent patency and survival. Further, there is an anti-tumor effect of each of these modalities, portending an additional benefit in this subset of patients. Despite numerous retrospective and prospective studies assessing these ablative therapies, there is still a paucity of appropriately powered randomized controlled trials, and further research has yet to be done in the field. This review details the current literature entailing endobiliary ablative strategies.

Endoscopic transmural route for dissection of gastric submucosal tumors with extraluminal growth: experience in two cases

The spectrum of endoscopic resection methods, including full thickness techniques, has enabled removal of most smaller gastric submucosal tumours (SMTs). We developed an extended transmural endoscopic dissection technique for lesions...

Intragastric Obesity Balloon's Mysterious Vanishing In the Dark Alleys: Two Cases And Review Of the Literature

The morbidity and mortality associated with obesity have been known since the time of Hippocrates. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and becomes a more serious medical, social, and economic problem recently. Lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy have limited benefit. Bariatric surgery is an effective method of durable weight reduction with risks of life treating complications. Less invasive, safer and cheaper endoscopic therapies may be an alternative to surgery. The intragastric obesity balloon is a popular tool performed worldwide Intestinal obstruction due to migration of deflated balloon is a rare but life-threatening complication of this procedure.

Primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE) for the treatment of obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE) utilizes an incision-less operating platform system to create full-thickness plications in the gastric fundus and body (original POSE). Many studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of original POSE for the treatment of obesity. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature in an attempt to evaluate the outcomes of original POSE per the ASGE task force thresholds. Bibliographic databases were systematically searched for studies assessing the outcomes of POSE for the treatment of obesity. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that assessed outcomes of POSE were included. Studies were included if they reported percent total weight loss (%TWL) or percent excess weight loss (%EWL) and the incidence of serious adverse events (SAE). A total of seven studies with 613 patients were included. Two included studies were RCTs, while the remaining were observational studies. Pooled mean %EWL at 3-6months and 12-15months were 42.62 (95% CI 37.56-47.68) and 48.86 (95% CI 42.31-55.41), respectively. Pooled mean %TWL at 3-6months and 12-15months was 13.45 (95% CI 8.93-17.97) and 12.68 (95% CI 8.13-17.23), respectively. Subgroup analysis of two RCTs showed that weight loss at 1year was significantly higher in POSE patients (%EWL difference in means 19.45 (95% CI 4.65-34.24, p value = 0.01). The overall incidence of serious adverse events was only 2.84% and included GI bleeding, extra-gastric bleeding, hepatic abscess, severe pain, severe nausea, and severe vomiting. The mean number of total anchors placed in the fundus and body was 13.18 (95% CI 11.77-14.58), and the mean procedure time was 44.55min (95% CI 36.44-52.65). POSE, a minimally invasive endoscopic bariatric therapy, is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of obesity. The outcomes of POSE meet and surpass the ASGE joint task force thresholds. Future studies should evaluate newer versions of this procedure that emphasize gastric body plication sparing the fundus.

The modern management of Barrett's oesophagus and related neoplasia: role of pathology.

Modern management of Barrett's oesophagus and related neoplasia essentially focuses upon surveillance to detect early low-risk neoplastic lesions and offering organ-preserving advanced endoscopic therapies, while traditional surgical treatments of oesophagectomy and lymph node clearance with or without chemoradiation are preserved only for high-risk and advanced carcinomas. With this evolution towards figless invasive therapy, the choice of therapy hinges upon the pathological assessment for risk stratifying patients into those with low risk for nodal metastasis who can continue with less invasive endoscopic therapies and others with high risk for nodal metastasis for which surgery or other forms of treatment are indicated. Detection and confirmation of neoplasia in the first instance depends upon endoscopic and pathological assessment. Endoscopic examination and biopsy sampling should be performed according to the recommended protocols, and endoscopic biopsy interpretation should be performed applying standard criteria using appropriate ancillary studies by histopathologists experienced in the pathology of Barrett's disease. Endoscopic resections (ERs) are both diagnostic and curative and should be performed by clinicians who are skilled with advanced endoscopic techniques. Proper preparation and handling of ERs are essential to assess histological parameters that dictate the curative nature of the procedure. Those parameters are adequacy of resection and risk of lymph node metastasis. The risk of lymph node metastasis is determined by depth invasion and presence of poor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion. Those adenocarcinomas with invasion up to muscularis mucosae (pT1a) and those with superficial submucosal invasion (pT1b) up to 500µ with no poor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion and negative margins may be considered cured by endoscopic resections.

Endobariatrics and Metabolic Endoscopy: Can We Solve the Obesity Epidemic with Our Scope?

Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease that results in cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Currently, surgery represents the most effective treatment. However, the advent of minimally invasive endoscopic bariatric therapy (EBT) has shifted the treatment paradigm to less invasive, cost-effective procedures with minimal complications and recovery time that are preferred by patients. In this review, we will describe current and future EBTs, focusing on outcomes and safety. The endoscope has provided an incisionless portal into the gastrointestinal tract for placement of space-occupying devices and intraluminal procedures. EBTs are no longer solely manipulating anatomic alterations; instead, they aim to improve metabolic parameters such as glycated hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, and hepatic indices by targeting the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract. The endoscope has succeeded in facilitating clinically meaningful weight loss and improvement of metabolic parameters. Future, solutions to the obesity epidemic will likely entail genetic testing, evaluation of the microbiome, and delivery of personalized therapy, utilizing combination endoscopic modalities that change the anatomy and physiology of individual patients, with new targets such as the abnormal metabolic signal.

Prediction of lymph node metastasis in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A less invasive endoscopic therapy has been used as a routine treatment for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, lymph node metastasis (LNM) in SESCC limits the effectiveness of this medical procedure. This meta-analysis aimed to screen the risk factors for LNM in SESCC in Asia to provide evidence for clinicians in selecting treatment. We searched the main reference databases for research involving patients who received esophagectomy (open or minimally invasive) with lymph node dissection for SESCC. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Twenty studies including 3983 patients were obtained in this analysis. The meta-analysis showed that tumor size, macroscopic type of tumor, degree of differentiation, depth of tumor invasion, and lymphovascular involvement are risk factors of LNM in SESCC, whereas age, sex, and tumor location showed no association with LNM. Five variables were screened as predictive factors for LNM in SESCC. The incidence of LNM in SESCC is not rare, and the physicians must be careful when making clinical decisions.

Outcomes of Hemospray therapy in the treatment of intraprocedural upper gastrointestinal bleeding post-endoscopic therapy.

With increasing advances in minimally invasive endoscopic therapies and endoscopic resection techniques for luminal disease, there is an increased risk of post-procedure bleeding. This can contribute to significant burden on patient's quality of life and health resources when reintervention is required. Hemospray (Cook Medical, North Carolina, USA) is a novel haemostatic powder licensed for gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this single-arm, prospective, non-randomised multicentre international study is to look at outcomes in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeds following elective endoscopic therapy treated with Hemospray to achieve haemostasis. Data was prospectively collected on the use of Hemospray from 16 centres (January 2016-November 2019). Hemospray was used during the presence of progressive intraprocedural bleeding post-endoscopic therapy as a monotherapy, dual therapy with standard haemostatic techniques or rescue therapy once standard methods had failed. Haemostasis was defined as the cessation of bleeding within 5 min of the application of Hemospray. Re-bleeding was defined as a sustained drop in haemoglobin (>2 g/l), haematemesis or melaena with haemodynamic instability after the index endoscopy. A total of 73 patients were analysed with bleeding post-endoscopic therapy. The median Blatchford score at baseline was five (interquartile range 0-9). The median Rockall score was six (interquartile range 5-7). Immediate haemostasis following the application of Hemospray was achieved in 73/73 (100%) of patients. Two out of 57 (4%) had a re-bleed post-Hemospray, one was following oesophageal endoscopic mucosal resection and the other post-duodenal endoscopic mucosal resection. Both patients had a repeat endoscopy and therapy within 24 h. Re-bleeding data was missing for 16 patients, and mortality data was missing for 14 patients. There were no adverse events recorded in association with the use of Hemospray. Hemospray is safe and effective in achieving immediate haemostasis following uncontrolled and progressive intraprocedural blood loss post-endoscopic therapy, with a low re-bleed rate.

Magnetic cholecysto-duodenal anastomosis

Introduction There is a growing interest in minimally invasive endoscopic gallbladder drainage therapies. Unlike stenting, a technology based on magnetic compression could theoretically produce a durable drainage anastomosis without residual foreign material. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and technical feasibility of a cholecysto-duodenal magnetic compression anastomosis. Material and methods We performed a survival study of two Yorkshire pigs. Duodenal magnets were deployed endoscopically; reciprocal gallbladder magnets were placed laparoscopically, and the magnets were coupled. Pigs underwent serial endoscopy documenting magnet expulsion and evolution of cholecysto-duodenal anastomosis creation. Necropsies and histological evaluation were performed. Primary endpoints were technical success and safety. Secondary endpoints included anastomosis integrity, patency, and histologic characteristics. Results Magnets were successfully delivered and coupled. Patent, leak-free anastomoses formed by day 4. Magnets were expelled by day 10. All anastomoses were widely patent at one month (mean diameter 15 mm). Necropsy showed the absence of adhesions affecting the anastomosis. Histology showed complete re-epithelialization without inflammation or foreign body reaction. Conclusions Magnetic cholecysto-duodenal anastomosis for gallbladder drainage appears safe and feasible in the animal model. The anastomoses are patent, leak-free, and without inflammation from the presence of foreign material. Technical modifications for magnet delivery under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance are currently underway.

Treatment of walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

To review the current management of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN). The management of WOPN has evolved. Many collections do not require intervention and may resolve over time. Nutritional support and treatment of infection are two critical components of medical management. For collections requiring drainage, minimally invasive endoscopic therapies now play a primary role. Endoscopic transmural puncture with stent placement may provide access for drainage and decompression. More complex collections may require transluminal instrumentation with lavage, debridement, and necrosectomy. Concurrent pancreatic duct injuries including strictures, leaks, and disconnections are very common. Addressing the pancreatic ductal injury is a key component in the long-term success of management strategies. Providing high-level care for patients requires a multidisciplinary approach with providers specialized in the management of severe acute pancreatitis and associated complications. Minimally invasive management strategies improve the outcomes for patients with WOPN. Close follow-up, medical therapy, and nutritional support are required for most patients. Endoscopic transmural drainage and necrosectomy are the primary approaches for collections requiring intervention. Protocols for endoscopic drainage are being refined to reduce side effects and decrease the number of interventions required for resolution.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty in the management of overweight and obesity: an international multicenter study

Obesity is a pandemic affecting approximately 700 million adults worldwide, with an additional 2 billion overweight. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive endoscopic bariatric therapy that involves remodeling of the greater curvature in an effort to reduce gastric capacity and delay gastric emptying. A variety of ESG suture patterns has been reported. This study is the first to use a uniform "U" stitch pattern across all centers to simplify technical aspects of the procedure and limit cost. This also uniquely assessed outcomes in all body mass index (BMI) categories and changes in metabolic rate, lean body mass, and adipose tissue composition. This is a multicenter analysis of prospectively collected data from 7 centers including patients with overweight and obesity who underwent ESG. Primary outcomes included absolute weight loss, percent total body weight loss (%TWL), change in BMI, and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at 6 and 12 months in overweight and obese classes I, II, and III. Secondary outcomes included adipose tissue, lean body mass reduction, and metabolic rate analyzed by bioimpedance. Additionally, immediate or delayed adverse events (AEs) were analyzed. Clinical success was defined as achieving≥25% EWL at 1 year with≤5% serious AE (SAE) rate following the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)/American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) threshold. A total of 193 patients underwent ESG during the study period. All groups had >10% TWL and >25% EWL at 6 months of follow-up. On average, %TWL was 14.25% ± 5.26% and 15.06% ± 5.22% and the %EWL 56.15% ± 22.93% and 59.41% ± 25.69% at 6 months and 1 year of follow-up, respectively. %TWL was 8.91% ± .3%, 13.92% ± 5.76%, 16.22% ± 7.69%, and 19.01% ± .95% and %EWL 56.21% ± 2.0%, 62.03% ± 27.63%, 54.13% ± 23.46%, and 46.78% ± 2.43% for overweight and obesity classes I, II, and III, respectively, at 1 year. Male sex, age<41 years, and higher BMI were predictors of achieving a TWL≥10% at 1-year follow-up. There was a significant reduction in adipose tissue from baseline. SAEs occurred in 1.03%, including 2 perigastric collections needing surgery. ESG appears to be feasible, safe, and effective in the treatment of patients with overweight and obesity according to ASGE/ASMBS thresholds.

The evolution of treatment and complications of esophageal food impaction.

Esophageal food impaction is relatively common and increasing over time. Treatment ranges from medications to invasive endoscopic therapies. The endoscopic push technique has been advised against in favor of endoscopic retrieval for safety concerns. We sought to assess use patterns and safety of treatments for food impaction in a population-based retrospective review. A database of recorded esophageal food impactions in Olmsted County, MN, USA, from 1975-2011 was reviewed for patient demographics, treatment, and complications. A total of 645 impactions occurred, with increasing incidence over time, peaking at 23.2 per year (2000-2004). Medications (almost exclusively glucagon) were successful in relieving impactions 34.5% of the time when trialed. Urgent endoscopy was common (74.0%), as was the need for endoscopic therapy (67.1%). Endoscopic therapy increased over time, with the endoscopic push technique becoming most common. Esophageal complications (deep mucosal injury or perforation) increased over time but remained rare (peak 11%). There was no difference in complications between push and retrieval techniques. The endoscopic push technique is safe in comparison to endoscopic retrieval in esophageal food impactions. While complications surrounding impaction have increased, they remain rare. Medication trials are reasonable, as long as they do not delay endoscopy, and may prevent the need for emergent endoscopy in one-third of cases.

New Minimally Invasive Endoscopic and Surgical Therapies for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

GERD has become one of the most frequent pathology of the upper GI tract. It is a spectrum disease and is a progressive disease as well. Serious and severe complications are possible. The mainstream therapy in most of the patients is the medical therapy with PPI's. The most severe cases with an impaired LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) function as well as important anatomical disruptions are of surgical indication, the gold standard being laparoscopic fundoplication, an elective therapy with long term follow up outcomes at the expense of de novo symptoms associated with fundoplications in general. 30% to 40% of the patients are PPI refractory with partial symptom control, but they are not willing to go for the laparoscopic fundoplication because of the invasive character and because of potential postfundoplications syndromes. There is a "treatment gap" for these patients with GERD. For a well selected patient population with GERD, with mild forms of the disease, without complications and without major anatomical disruptions (patients with small hiatal hernias), patients who are refractory on PPI medication, there are today new alternative therapies, minimally invasive. These therapies are less aggressive and basically with no side effects or new onset symptoms that Laparoscopic Fundoplications will give. These are endoscopic therapies which improve the LES function: Stretta utilizes radiofrequence therapy, a novel technique describes mucosal resection at the level of the cardia, while a partial fundoplication from within the stomach can be realized with EsophyX, Muse or Gerd-X. Form all these procedures, EsophyX is the most advanced with more than 20,000 patients treated worldwide, with good clinical outcomes and with no de novo symptoms. The laparoscopic techniques treat hiatal hernias larger than 2 cm. Linx utilizes a magnetic ring at the LES level. EndoStim utilizes electrodes in order to stimulate the LES muscle. These procedures are effective on short term and there are few patients treated with Linx or EndoStim. More research for Linx and EndoStim is necessary with randomized clinical trials, with improvement of the devices and with long term follow up.