Cryotherapy versus radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus with or without early esophageal neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Clinical endoscopy 2024, 57(2), , pp.181-190
• Main Authors: Gomes, Igor Logetto Caetité, de Moura, Diogo Turiani Hourneaux, Ribeiro, Igor Braga, Marques, Sérgio Barbosa, de Sousa Carlos, Alexandre, Nunes, Beanie Conceição Medeiros, Hirsch, Bruno Salomão, de Oliveira, Guilherme Henrique Peixoto, Trasolini, Roberto Paolo, Bernardo, Wanderley Marques, de Moura, Eduardo Guimarães Hourneaux
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: barrett esophagus; cryotherapy; radiofrequency ablation; Systematic Review and Meta-analysis; 내과학
• ISSN: 2234-2400; 2234-2443
• DOI: 10.5946/ce.2023.065

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the first-line therapy for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE). Therefore, cryotherapy has emerged as an alternative treatment option. This study aimed to compare the efficacies of these two techniques based on the rates of complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) and dysplasia (CE-D). Adverse events and recurrence have also been reported. An electronic search was conducted using the Medline (PubMed), Embase, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases until December 2022. Studies were included comparing cryotherapy and RFA for treating dysplastic BE with or without early esophageal neoplasia. This study was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Three retrospective cohort studies involving 627 patients were included. Of these, 399 patients underwent RFA, and 228 were treated with cryotherapy. There was no difference in CE-IM (risk difference [RD], -0.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.25 to 0.19; p=0.78; I2=86%) as well as in CE-D (RD, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.15 to 0.09; p=0.64; I2=70%) between the groups. The absolute number of adverse events was low, and there was no difference in the recurrence rate. Cryotherapy and RFA were equally effective in treating dysplastic BE, with or without early esophageal neoplasia.