management of reflux oesophagitis
Last reviewed 01/2018
General first-line measures against reflux oesophagitis include:
- losing weight
- stopping smoking
- elevating the head of the bed
- not lying down before a meal
- not eating before bedtime
- reducing the size of meals
Guidance as to the management of oesophagitis in primary care is provided by NICE (see linked item).
If the condition is intractable then surgical intervention may be indicated. This amounts to 5% of patients seen by a specialist, usually people troubled by the volume of fluid regurgitated rather than by the oesophagitis. The operation of choice is fundoplication which may be carried out in an open manner via transthoracic or transabdominal approaches, or via a laparoscope.
NICE guidance - management of oesophagitis in primary care
proton pump inhibitors in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease