Gastroesophageal reflux

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common medical problem routinely encountered by physicians across the continuum of care. Its incidence is estimated to be between 10 and 22 % in Western populations, with that number increasing to 40 % when patients with mild symptoms are included. Typical symptoms of GERD include heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, chest pain, and water brash (hypersalivation). Extraesophageal manifestations of GERD include odynophagia, chronic cough, asthma, laryngitis, globus hystericus, or dental erosions. With the widespread adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques, surgery is playing an increasingly important role in the management of GERD.