Endoscopic Treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Should You Learn the Techniques?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as heartburn, is the most common and expensive digestive disease (1). It is a major public health problem, with 20% of the adult population reporting weekly heartburn symptoms (2). Severe GERD is a major risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (3). Treatment options for GERD consist of medications that reduce acid secretion (antisecretory agents), antireflux surgeries devised to restore the normal anatomy of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and, more recently, endoscopic interventions.