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Argon Plasma Coagulation of Gastric Inlet Patches of the Cervical Esophagus Relieves Vocal and Respiratory Symptoms in Selected Patients

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Abstract

Objectives

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) of gastric inlet patches of the cervical esophagus (GIP) has been shown to relieve the globus sensation. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of APC therapy on a variety of laryngopharyngeal symptoms.

Methods

Patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms who had undergone endoscopic GIP eradication via APC therapy were eligible for a retrospective observational cohort study. Symptom relief was assessed by a five-grade scale during a structured interview. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, the chi-squared and t-test.

Results

A total of 45 patients (61.0 (52.0; 69.0) years, 26 (57.8%) female) were included after a follow-up time of 85.0 (55.3; 111.0) months. Symptoms included dysphagia (56.0%), dysphonia (51.0%), hoarseness (76.0%), the necessity of throat clearing (73.0%), globus sensation (56.0%) and heartburn (71.0%). Complete GIP eradication was achieved after one session in 25 (55.6%), repetitive sessions were needed in the remaining cases. Fourteen patients (31.1%) reported a very strong, 11 (24.4%) a strong and 8 patients (17.8%) an intermediate improvement; five patients did not benefit. The most apparent improvement was seen regarding hoarseness (from 2.6 ± 1.7 to 1.2 ± 1.3), the necessity of throat clearing (from 2.6 ± 1.7 to 1.1 ± 1.3), globus sensation (from 2.0 ± 1.9 to 0.9 ± 1.3) and heartburn (from 2.5 ± 1.8 to 1.4 ± 1.6). Adverse events included post-endoscopic pain (n = 6, 13.3%) and purulent pharyngitis (n = 2, 4.4%).

Conclusions

The APC therapy of GIP is safe and leads to long-term relief of laryngopharyngeal symptoms in carefully selected patients.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Angélique Wendt for her support during data collection and all the staff members that were involved in the treatment of the patients.

Funding

The authors declare that there has not been any funding, grant or other financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Universitätsklinik Bergmannsheil Bochum gGmbH, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany

    Thorsten Brechmann, Maximilian Mühlenkamp & Wolff Schmiegel

  2. Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Stadtring Kattenstroth 130, 33332, Gütersloh, Germany

    Thorsten Brechmann

  3. Department of Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum GmbH, Bochum, Germany

    Wolff Schmiegel

  4. Gastroenterologische Praxis, MVZ Josef Carrée, Katholisches Klinikum Bochum gGmbH, Betriebsstätte St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Germany

    Bernd Viebahn

Authors
  1. Thorsten Brechmann
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  2. Maximilian Mühlenkamp
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  3. Wolff Schmiegel
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  4. Bernd Viebahn
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Contributions

TB: conception and design of the study, data analysis and interpretation, supervision, drafting the manuscript; TB approved the final manuscript. MM: conducting the study, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, drafting the manuscript; MM approved the final manuscript. WS: supervision, revision of the manuscript, support in terms of gastroenterology, WS approved the final manuscript. BV: supervision, acquisition of data, revision of the manuscript, support in terms GIP; BV approved the final manuscript. All authors had unlimited access to the data. The manuscript, including related data, figures and tables has not been previously published and is not under consideration elsewhere.

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Correspondence to Thorsten Brechmann.

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Brechmann, T., Mühlenkamp, M., Schmiegel, W. et al. Argon Plasma Coagulation of Gastric Inlet Patches of the Cervical Esophagus Relieves Vocal and Respiratory Symptoms in Selected Patients. Dig Dis Sci 68, 1936–1943 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-022-07745-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-022-07745-9

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