Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication With Ineffective Esophageal Motility

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Background Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) presents a minimally invasive, endoscopic treatment for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), known for its efficacy and safety in patients with normal esophageal motility. However, the use of TIF in ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) remains largely unexplored. This study examined the outcomes of TIF in IEM patients. Methods Retrospective data from 164 patients, including 29 with IEM and refractory GERD, were analyzed to obtain assessments of disease‐specific quality of life through the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health‐Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (GERD‐HRQL) and proton pump inhibitor usage. Results Statistically significant improvements were seen in total, heart burn, and regurgitation GERD‐HRQL scores ( p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and reduction in PPI use (0 < 0.001) after TIF, with no significant difference in dysphagia risk ( p < 0.2). Conclusion This study underscores durable improvements that TIF can provide in quality of life in patients with both GERD and IEM, without compromising the increased risk of dysphagia. Although some patients resume antisecretory medications within 3–6 months, most stopped taking PPI after the procedure.