Reflux Laryngitis: Frontiers
Evolving Concepts in the Management of Reflux Laryngitis
Investigating the Impact of Stomach Fluid Backflow on Other Voice Disorders
Many otolaryngologists now believe that untreated voice disorders
from laryngopharyngeal reflux can contribute to a number of other voice
disorders, including non-cancer, pre-cancer, and cancer lesions of the
vocal folds. For these reasons, actively managing laryngopharyngeal
reflux and reflux laryngitis is important.
Improved Drugs to Reduce Stomach Acid Production – Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
New research suggests that stronger, longer-lasting medicines to decrease stomach acid production (proton pump inhibitors)
can be produced. Such medicines could lead to more effective medical
therapy for reflux that fits well with everyday life, thus removing the
need for surgery.
Currently, Nissen fundoplication and other surgeries require general
anesthetic and a brief hospital stay. Researchers are now experimenting
with less invasive procedures that could be completed in an outpatient
setting and would not require general anesthesia.
Research suggests that radiowave surgery (radiofrequency ablation)
can be directed at the lower food pipe sphincter (lower esophageal
sphincter) to stiffen it, thus reinforcing it. This added stiffness, or
reinforcement, of the LES is intended to improve the barrier against
backflowing stomach acid and enzymes.
Some physicians believe that collagen or fat (both natural
substances within the body) can be injected into the LES to reinforce
it and protect the upper aero-digestive tract against reflux.
The evolution of minimally invasive procedures, such as radio
frequency ablation and use of natural injections, makes it likely that
the treatment of LPR and reflux laryngitis will change dramatically
over the next five years.
|
