A Comparative Study between Nissen's Fundoplication with or without Endoscopic Mucosal Resection in the Treatment of Barrett’s Oesophagus: a Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background It is already known that Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition in which the normal squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium (intestinal metaplasia or gastric metaplasia) due to GERD. Most observers believe that there is a progression from intestinal metaplasia to low-grade dysplasia (LGD) to highgrade dysplasia (HGD) to cancer. The relative risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with BE appears to be 30-fold higher. Conventional therapies include medical treatment (profound acid inhibition), endoscopic treatment (like endoscopic mucosal resection) and surgical treatment (fundoplication). Methodology Types of studies: Published studies about the efficacy of Nissen’s Fundoplication with or without Endoscopic Mucosal Resection in the treatment of Barrett’s Oesophagus (carried out in the period between 2015 – 2020), types of participants Patients with clinically proven Barrett’s Oesophagus diagnosed by endoscopy and biopsy, types of interventions Nissen’s Fundoplication (Open or Laparoscopic) with or without Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, types of outcome measures Outcome of treatment in the form of Complete Remission of Columnar Metaplasia of the oesophageal mucosa or regression in recurrence rate as proved by follow-up endoscopy. Results The strategy of endoscopic therapy for Barrett’s metaplasia, dysplasia and/or intramucosal cancer along with fundoplication results in similar durability and recurrence rates when compared to patients being managed with PPIs following endoscopic therapy. However, fundoplication along with endoscopic therapy is superior to either of them alone in preventing further progression of disease and the development of cancer, particularly in refractory patients. Fundoplication is an important strategy along with endoscopic therapy for Barrett’s to achieve and maintain CR-IM, and to facilitate the eradication of persistent dysplasia. Conclusion Endoscopic mucosal resection after Nissen's Fundoplication is a safe modality, with high rate of success in complete eradication of BE in symptomatic GERD patients, especially those with severe anatomical impairment in distal esophageal segment. As a concurrent procedure, endoscopic procedures may be beneficial in the terms of reducing the early recurrence rates, which seems to be important issue during the management of BE. By doing synchronous endoscopic procedures and fundoplication, one might observe a true anatomy of esophagogastric junction in its entirety and might be able to truly observe the distal extent of columnar esophagus.