Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Abstract

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are quite common, affecting approximately 35-40% of the adult population in the Western world. [1,2] Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. [3] GERD occurs when the esophageal mucosa is bathed in acid-containing secretions. Under normal conditions, several mechanisms exist to minimize esophageal acid exposure. The most important mechanism is the lower esophageal sphincter, which remains closed between swallows, separating the gastric and esophageal compartments. Other factors contributing to esophageal protection include saliva, esophageal bicarbonate secretion and esophageal motility. Özet Gastroözefajial reflü hastal›¤›, Bat› dünyas›ndaki yetiflkin nüfusun yaklafl›k %35-40 kadar›n› etkileyen bir rahats›zl›kt›r. Laringofaringeal reflü ise, bunun larinks ve farinksi etkileyen, özefagus d›fl› bir türevidir. Son y›llarda birçok otorinolaringolojist, yak›nmas› olan hastalarda laringofaringeal reflünün hadiseye katk›s›n› saptay›p tan›mlad›lar. Laringofaringeal reflünün kesin s›kl›¤› bilinmemekle birlikte; kulak burun bo¤az polikliniklerine baflvuran hastalar›n %10'unda altta yatan nedenin bu oldu¤u düflünülmektedir. Bu çal›flmada, laringofaringeal reflünün ana hatlar›n› tan›mlamaya ve günümüzdeki tan› ve tedavi seçeneklerini özetlemeye çal›flt›k.