Wilson-Cook sewing device: the device, technique, and preclinical studies.

Endoscopic treatment of GERD is still in its infancy, however the potential benefits of an endoscopic treatment for GERD are great. These procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, without the risks of general anesthesia. The absence of abdominal incisions eliminates the morbidity of wound infections and hernia formation. The procedures are certainly less painful than laparoscopic or open surgery for reflux disease. These procedures might even be more cost effective than long-term acid suppression. These benefits make endoscopic treatment for reflux disease an appealing alternative. While the ideal endoscopic therapy has not been developed, all of these approaches have promise for the future and with further study the role of endoscopic therapy for GERD will continue to be defined.