Then an electrode-tipped needle is fed through the catheter to the tissue in the ring of muscles at the end of the esophagus. The electrodes deliver radiofrequency energy, which heats the tissue for one to two minutes. Cool water delivered through the catheter protects the surface of the tissue during the treatment. The procedure is repeated several times at different spots in the muscular ring. The entire process takes about one hour.
Patients can go home within a few hours.
Over the next few weeks, the treated tissue shrinks and becomes firmer, hopefully becoming a more effective barrier against backward flow of stomach contents. So far, doctors haven't seen any significant side effects from the new procedure. Some patients complain of discomfort in areas where the needles were inserted into the tissue. But this is easily treated with topical pain relievers and soon goes away. The Stretta procedure is still experimental and is being studied at several sites throughout the country.