STRETTA

Overview

The STRETTA procedure is an advanced state-of-the-art endoscopic technique for the correction of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

The STRETTA catheter is a specially designed, FDA approved, device with a balloon and four needles. The catheter is connected to a control module, which delivers precisely monitored and controlled amounts of radio-frequency energy to the lower esophageal sphincter muscle or LES.

The entire procedure consists of two parts. Initially, an upper endoscopy or EGD is performed while the patient is sedated. This allows the physician to take precise measurements of the distance from the mouth to the LES or sphincter muscle between the esophagus and stomach. After measuring the distance, the physician will then insert the STRETTA catheter, through the mouth, to the specifically measured distance. The balloon is then inflated, the needles pushed into the muscle of the sphincter, and radio-frequency energy is transmitted via the needles.

the cause of gerd

GERD or reflux disease has been shown to be caused by too many relaxations of the LES. These relaxations are known as transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations or TLESR’s. Normally, these relaxations occur only 2-3 times per hour. In patients with GERD, the transient relaxations may occur dozens of times in an hour, allowing the stomach contents to vent up into the esophagus or throat. The associated symptoms may be chest burning or pain, difficulty swallowing, bloating, or fullness after meals. Other symptoms may also include: sore throat, chronic cough, hoarseness, voice alterations, asthma, bronchitis, choking or aspiration, sinusitis, and even in some cases, sleep apnea.

There is mounting evidence that the abnormal number of TLESR’s and therefore GERD, may be due to excessive nerve impulses to the LES muscle, causing it to relax too often or lack of adequate contraction of the sphincter muscle.

how the stretta procedure corrects gerd

When the STRETTA procedure is performed, radio-frequency energy is transmitted via the needles in the STRETTA catheter. This creates pinpoint areas of heat in the sphincter muscle, which in turn stimulates the muscle causing an increase in muscle bundles and muscle fibers in each bundle. The net effect is that the sphincter is remodeled and becomes thicker, stronger and longer (like the muscles of a weight lifter) and therefore relaxes less often.

There are two predominant effects, which then occur. The first effect is largely temporary and can be thought of as the barrier effect. There is an immediate swelling or edema of the tissue, which is followed by the body depositing a substance called collagen into the sphincter muscle. The thickened area helps to immediately reduce the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. While this effect lasts for a period of time, eventually the swelling or edema will disappear within the first several days; however much later most of the collagen is removed by the body, and some tissue thickening appears to remain. The reabsorption of the collagen usually takes 2-3 weeks.

The second or more permanent effect is known as the remodeling or muscle hypertrophy effect. This refers to the actual increase in the size and amount of muscle. Medical research has clearly demonstrated that as the result of the sphincter remodeling, the compliance of the muscle alters and the results in a stiffer stronger sphincter, causing the number of TLESR’s to be significantly reduced, and symptoms usually completely disappear.

medical evidence of effectiveness

In the past 10 years, many studies have been conducted with the STRETTA procedure in human subjects. The data reveals that, following the STRETTA procedure, TLESR’s and the symptoms of GERD or heartburn are significantly reduced or eliminated. The procedure is successful in over 90% of patients. Currently, the longest results show that in a majority of patients 10-11 years after STRETTA, there is no significant return of symptoms, and most patients remain either off of medications or on very reduced doses.

The procedure has also been demonstrated to reverse the problem of bloating and fullness, caused by delayed stomach emptying, a condition known as gastroparesis, which may be found in up to 35% of patients with GERD.

what to expect after the stretta procedure

Immediately after the procedure, due to the sedation, you may expect to feel very tired for the remainder of the day. Some patients have a sore throat or mild soreness in the chest area. You will be able to eat with some mild dietary restrictions and resume your normal medications immediately after the procedure. When eating you may experience a sensation of the food moving slowly down into your stomach.

You must continue your acid controlling medications, until instructed otherwise, by your physician for at least additional 4-8 weeks.

Your reflux symptoms are not expected to improve immediately. The STRETTA procedure is a long-term correction for reflux or heartburn. The effects usually develop slowly over time. It is very important that you do not expect immediate results. It may sometimes take as long as 8-12 months before the final improvements take place.

do’s and don’ts

1. Do not eat any foods with hard or sharp edges for 4-5 days, such as chips, pretzels, nuts, popped corn, or bones. Chew your food well, and do not eat rapidly.
2. Do resume normal activities as tolerated, including exercise, the day following the STRETTA procedure.
3. Do not forget to take your acid lowering medication, such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, Dexilant, Zantac, or Nexium, for at least the first month after your procedure. If you are not taking these medications you must immediately tell your doctor.
4. Do call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
   1. Severe chest or abdominal pain
   2. Nausea or vomiting
   3. Fever or chills
   4. Vomiting of blood or coffee ground appearing material
   5. Bloody or black tarry looking bowel movements
   6. Difficulty swallowing and/or breathing

side effects

The main side effect experienced after a STRETTA procedure is chest discomfort or pain. The discomfort ranges from a mild sensation of pressure or aching to intense pain. Up to 50% of patients experience chest discomfort and only 1-2% have severe pain. Your physician will supply you with detailed instructions on what medications to take for the pain and a prescription for a strong pain medication if necessary. The pain will normally only last 1-5 days, but rarely up to 1-2 weeks. If you have any questions at all, contact your physician.

Another problem, which occurs in only 2-3% of patients, is bloating, or increased belching or passing excess gas rectally. This may occur for 1-2 days or up to 2 weeks after the procedure. It usually requires medication like Phazyme.

how fast will i get better?

This is the both the most frequent and most important question. It is very important to not expect an immediate or instant improvement after the procedure. It takes at least 2 weeks for the tissue to heal, which is when a few patients may begin to experience some initial relief from their symptoms.

Everyone is different in their ability to heal and develop sphincter muscle enlargement and strength.. It is only when the tissue heals and the sphincter muscle becomes stronger, that the reflux begins to improve. The process may take as long as 8-12 months to occur, but for many it occurs by 3-5 months.

Do not set unrealistic expectations for when you will feel better. Otherwise you will be unnecessarily disappointed. The recovery and healing process is best described as “slow and steady wins the race.” Look for small weekly improvements to occur over time. Also, be aware that occasionally, despite an initial rapid improvement, you may experience a return of your symptoms of heartburn and reflux. This usually occurs when there is a reduction or disappearance of the barrier effect of the procedure prior to the full onset of the sphincter muscle hypertrophy effect.

This period, known as a lag phase, which typically is seen 3-8 weeks after the procedure, is only a temporary setback, which responds to the reintroduction of medication. If this lag phase or recurrence of symptoms occurs, it will usually pass in several weeks and continued improvement will resume. Only 25% of patients will experience the lag phase.

Once your heartburn and reflux symptoms begin to improve, your physician will start to decrease and eventually discontinue your medications.

summary

The STRETTA procedure is an effective and safe means of correction for the symptoms of heartburn and reflux. It is the only therapy available that was developed specifically to treat the underlying root cause of heartburn and reflux, known as transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations. This is accomplished by administering radio-frequency energy, during a simple endoscopic procedure, which allows rapid recovery, without surgery. The results of the 10 year data after the procedure clearly demonstrate continued effectiveness, in those patients who initially responded to treatment.