
Treatment of GORD: Three decades of progress and disappointments
Author(s) -
Galmiche Jean Paul,
Zerbib Frank,
Varannes Stanislas Bruley
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640613484021
Subject(s) - medicine , intensive care medicine , general surgery
The treatment of GORD has been revolutionized by the introduction, in the 1980s, of proton‐pump inhibitors as the mainstay of medical therapy and by the development of laparoscopic antireflux surgery which has definitively replaced open surgery. However, despite these major advances, many unmet therapeutic needs still persist and justify novel therapeutic approaches. The aim of this historical review is to recall the main discoveries in the treatment of GORD that have occurred during the last three decades and to discuss why some initially promising drugs or techniques have not translated into clinical applications. A careful analysis of these previous disappointing experiences should help to identify high priorities and better research programmes on the management of GORD.