How does that procedure differ from the use of polymer?
Dr Triadafilopoulos: The endoscopic treatment of reflux has undergone a similar revolution over the past few years. Several technologies have been introduced into the U.S. market and the general world market. One of the technologies is the Stretta procedure that applies radio frequency energy into the muscle of the gastroesophageal junction or valve mechanism, tightening it up in order to prevent reflux. Another treatment is the injection of a polymer compound into the valve muscle again to tighten it up. Other procedures that are applied are stapling or suturing of that area to reconfigure the structure and function of that valve. All of these have been available for the past five years providing new options for patients. The comparison to each other is just a technical issue; one applies a heating effect, the other applies a foreign material, bulking the tissue. Other methods apply some kind of plication or suturing technique. There are differences that are important from a technical
