Authors' recommendations: The available evidence is insufficient to show that radiofrequency ablation plus surveillance achieves a better net health outcome than surveillance alone among patients with nondysplastic or low-grade dysplastic Barrett's esophagus. Stricture occurs in up to 6% of patients. Stricture carries difficult to quantify risks of esophageal perforation and death, but these events are likely to have a nonzero probability. If the risk of procedure-related mortality is more than zero, evidence is needed to show that it is offset by a sufficiently large reduction in disease progression. Thus, it cannot be concluded that radiofrequency ablation of nondysplastic or low-grade dysplastic Barrett's esophagus improves the net health outcome. There is considerable variation in the technique of performing radiofrequency ablation. Both circumferential and focal ablation devices are typically used to treat a patient. It is unclear if circumferential ablation should be used more than once. It is also unclear how many follow-up ablation treatments are needed. Endoscopic mucosal resection may contribute toward any effects ablation may have on disease progression.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2010

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: BlueCross BlueShield Association

Contact Address: BlueCross BlueShield Association, Technology Evaluation Center, 225 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Tel: 888 832 4321

Contact Name: tec@bcbsa.com

Contact Email: tec@bcbsa.com

Copyright: <p>BlueCross BlueShield Association (BCBS)</p>