PubMed · 6862165
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
D H Winship. 1983. Upper esophageal sphincter: does it care about reflux?. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6862165/
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common worldwide disorder. Most patients have typical symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation and exacerbation of symptoms with large meal volumes, fatty meals, recumbency or bending forward. Patients who show typical symptoms for under 10 years may be treated empirically with lifestyle and dietary modifications plus acid-suppressing medications. The recent decrease in cost, established safety and wide availability of proton pump inhibitors make them the best choice for monotherapy. Other medical therapies include antacids, H(2) receptor antagonists and prokinetic agents. Patients who have alarm symptoms or long-standing symptoms should have an esophagoscopy to evaluate for complications of reflux. Patients who do not respond to therapy should have a test to confirm the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
BACKGROUND: The problem of eliminating gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with simple, effective and devoid of unpleasant side effects procedures is still unresolved. We tried to settle this problem with a magnetic device that should be applied to the distal end of the esophagus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two plastoferrite magnets of 2 x 4 x 0.5cm(1) were applied, on the opposite sides of a flaccid polyethylene tube mimicking the physical characteristics of the terminal esophagus. The two magnets attracting themselves compressed the tube, creating an artificial high-pressure zone that divided the tube in two segments. Both segments of the tube were connected to pressure transducers and a polygraph and one of them was connected to a hydraulic pump. The pressure was progressively increased in this segment up to a value sufficient to detach the magnets with consequent flowing of the water in the other segment of the tube. RESULTS: The progressive increase of the pressure in a segment of the tube detached the magnets allowing a free flow into the other segment when the pressure reached an average value of 9.75+/-1.05 mmHg (mean+/-SD). CONCLUSIONS: A couple of magnets clamping a tube with the characteristics of the distal esophagus is able to prevent the passage of liquid with a pressure value near to that of a normal lower esophageal sphincter. This magnetic device could be useful to maintain closed a sphincter unable to prevent gastroesophageal reflux.