Prospective study examining the impact of multichannel intraluminal impedance on antireflux surgery

Esophageal pH-impedance monitoring in children: position paper on indications, methodology and interpretation by the SIGENP working group

Multichannel intraluminal impedance pH (MII-pH) monitoring currently represents the gold standard diagnostic technique for the detection of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER), since it allows to quantify and characterize all reflux events and their possible relation with symptoms. Over the last ten years, thanks to its strengths and along with the publication of several clinical studies, its worldwide use has gradually increased, particularly in infants and children. Nevertheless, factors such as the limited pediatric reference values and limited therapeutic options still weaken its current clinical impact. Through an up-to-date review of the available scientific evidence, our aim was to produce a position paper on behalf of the working group on neurogastroenterology and acid-related disorders of the Italian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP) on MII-pH monitoring technique, indications and interpretation in pediatric age, in order to standardise its use and to help clinicians in the diagnostic approach to children with GER symptoms.

British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for oesophageal manometry and oesophageal reflux monitoring

These guidelines on oesophageal manometry and gastro-oesophageal reflux monitoring supersede those produced in 2006. Since 2006 there have been significant technological advances, in particular, the development of high resolution manometry (HRM) and oesophageal impedance monitoring. The guidelines were developed by a guideline development group of patients and representatives of all the relevant professional groups using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool. A systematic literature search was performed and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) tool was used to evaluate the quality of evidence and decide on the strength of the recommendations made. Key strong recommendations are made regarding the benefit of: (i) HRM over standard manometry in the investigation of dysphagia and, in particular, in characterising achalasia, (ii) adjunctive testing with larger volumes of water or solids during HRM, (iii) oesophageal manometry prior to antireflux surgery, (iv) pH/impedance monitoring in patients with reflux symptoms not responding to high dose proton pump inhibitors and (v) pH monitoring in all patients with reflux symptoms responsive to proton pump inhibitors in whom surgery is planned, but combined pH/impedance monitoring in those not responsive to proton pump inhibitors in whom surgery is planned. This work has been endorsed by the Clinical Services and Standards Committee of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) under the auspices of the oesophageal section of the BSG.

Evaluation of antireflux surgery using multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH measurement in neurologically impaired patients

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate esophageal function before and after antireflux surgery (ARS) in neurologically impaired (NI) patients using 24 h multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)-pH measurement.

METHODS

Seven NI patients (age, 0-33 years; median, 13 years) were assessed before and after ARS using 24 h MII-pH. We described reflux parameters such as pH reflux index, bolus exposure index, number of acidic and nonacidic reflux episodes, mean acid clearance time and median bolus clearance time, and esophageal motility parameters in dry swallows such as bolus presence time (BPT), total bolus transit time (TBTT), and total propagation velocity (TPV).

RESULTS

The postoperative reflux parameters such as pH reflux index, acid clearance time, bolus exposure index, and the number of acidic reflux episodes significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared with the preoperative ones. The esophageal motility parameters including all sites of BPTs, TBTT, and TPV did not change in the MII-pH measurement after ARS (P = non-significant).

CONCLUSION

ARS effectively reduced gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in NI patients without the impairment of esophageal motility by MII-pH measurement. MII-pH was useful to detect the subtype of GER before and after ARS and appeared to be appropriate for evaluating esophageal motility.

Surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Antireflux surgery has become a well-established therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications. The popularization of minimally invasive surgical techniques has brought about a revolution in the use of fundoplication for the long-term management of GERD. A reliable and objective understanding of the outcomes following fundoplication is important for all physicians treating GERD, so that informed decisions can be made regarding the optimal treatment strategy for a given patient. With ongoing study, the appropriate indications for surgical intervention among the array of potential antireflux therapies will continue to be elucidated.

Postoperative impedance-pH testing is unreliable after Nissen fundoplication with or without giant hiatal hernia repair

INTRODUCTION

Combined 24-h multichannel intralumenal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) is gaining popularity as a diagnostic tool for gastroesophageal reflux. Since the surgical reduction of hiatal hernias and creation of a fundoplication anatomically restores the gastroesophageal reflux barrier, one would assume that it effectively stops all reflux regardless of composition. Our aim is to evaluate the results of routine MII-pH testing in successful Nissen fundoplication patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty-two patients with normal acid exposure, confirmed by 24-h pH testing, after Nissen fundoplication were evaluated with symptomatic questionnaire, esophageal manometry and MII-pH testing more than 6 months after surgery. Patients were grouped into normal and abnormal based on postoperative impedance results. Patients with Nissen alone were separately compared to patients with Nissen + giant hiatal hernia (GHH).

RESULTS

Twenty-nine (47%) patients exhibited abnormal impedance after successful Nissen fundoplication. Abnormal impedance was associated with GHH repair, lower bolus pressures, and lower distal esophageal contraction amplitudes.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative testing with the standard MII-pH catheters using published normative values seems to be clinically irrelevant. Clinicians should analyze the results of routine MII-pH testing in the setting of a fundoplication critically as the current technology is associated with a high false positive rate.

Advances in diagnostic testing for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) contributes substantially to morbidity and to costs in the United States health care system. The burden of this disease has resulted in attempts at improving diagnosis and characterizing patients. Numerous research and technical advances have enhanced our understanding of both the utility and limitations of a variety of diagnostic modalities. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in GERD diagnostic testing and to discuss their implications for use in clinical practice. Topics addressed include esophageal pH monitoring, impedance testing, symptom association analyses, narrow-band imaging, and histopathology.

Evaluating outcomes of endoscopic full-thickness plication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with impedance monitoring

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic full-thickness plication allows transmural suturing at the gastroesophageal junction to recreate the antireflux barrier. Multichannel intraluminal impedance monitoring (MII) can be used to detect nonacid or weakly acidic reflux, acidic swallows, and esophageal clearance time. This study used MII to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic full-thickness plication.

METHODS

In this study, 12 subsequent patients requiring maintenance proton pump inhibitor therapy underwent endoscopic full-thickness plication for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. With patients off medication, MII was performed before and 6-months after endoscopic full-thickness plication.

RESULTS

The total median number of reflux episodes was significantly reduced from 105 to 64 (p = 0.016). The median number of acid reflux episodes decreased from 73 to 43 (p = 0.016). Nonacid reflux episodes decreased from 23 to 21 (p = 0.306). The median bolus clearance time was 12 s before treatment and 11 s at 6 months (p = 0.798). The median acid exposure time was reduced from 6.8% to 3.4% (p = 0.008), and the DeMeester scores were reduced from 19 to 12 (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic full-thickness plication significantly reduced total reflux episodes, acid reflux episodes, and total reflux exposure time. The DeMeester scores and total acid exposure time for the distal esophagus were significantly improved. No significant changes in nonacid reflux episodes and median bolus clearance time were encountered.

Recent advances in endoscopic antireflux techniques

Heartburn is the most common symptom associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and life-long proton pump inhibitor therapy is often required to control symptoms. Antireflux surgery is an alternative, but there may be significant side effects and the duration of therapeutic effect is variable. Several endoscopic antireflux techniques (E-ARTs) have been developed to enhance the function of the lower esophageal sphincter or alter the structure of the angle of His with the goal of recreating or augmenting the reflux barrier. Many methods are no longer available, and some await regulatory approval. This article reviews available data for the most common E-ARTs.

Total fundoplication controls acid and nonacid reflux: evaluation by pre- and postoperative 24-h pH-multichannel intraluminal impedance

BACKGROUND

Studies have demonstrated that Nissen fundoplication controls acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Combined 24-h pH and multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII-pH) allows detection of both acid and nonacid GER. Antireflux surgery is considered for any patient whose medical therapy is not efficient, particularly patients with nonacid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Nevertheless, fundoplication used to control nonacid reflux has not been reported to date.

METHODS

In this study, 15 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication had MII-pH both before and after the surgical procedure. The numbers of acid and nonacid GER episodes were calculated with the patient in both upright and recumbent positions.

RESULTS

The 24-h pH monitoring confirmed the postoperative reduction of exposure to acid (p < 0.05). Postoperatively, the total, acid, and nonacid numbers of GER episodes were reduced (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to the findings, MII-pH is feasible and well tolerated. It provides an objective means for evaluating the effectiveness of Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication in controlling both acid and nonacid GER.