ABSTRACT
Even though Barrett did not introduce the term ‘reflux oesophagitis’ until 1950,1 this entity is now considered to be the most common chronic disease afflicting the Western world. Forty per cent of the population complain of occasional heartburn, and a third of these require longterm medical treatment. A significant minority progress to Barrett’s metaplasia. Other complications include esophagitis, ulceration, stricture, herniation and neoplasia, many of which require surgery. The purpose of this chapter is to trace the evolution of such therapy.
