[Reflux esophagitis].

Chronic Esophageal reflux induces reflux esophagitis, which is a common finding in gastroenterological practice. Reflux esophagitis produce symptoms like pirosis, regurgitation and in some cases respiratory complains resembling asthma or angina-like chest pain. The pathophysiology of this disease is based on a multifactorial origin, which usually results in the chronic evolution of the disease. In recent years, there have appeared new evidences pointing out to alterations in the relaxing mechanisms of the lower esophageal sphincter; however, some patients having reflux esophagitis show normal shincteric pressure. The sweep action of esophageal smooth muscle is a key point for sending back to stomach the eventually refluxed material; it has been demonstrated that this sweeping action is impaired in many patients having reflux esophagitis. Incompetence of lower esophageal sphincter seems to be related a local to neural alteration rather than to smooth muscle functional disturbance. Recent findings stablis a link between local nitric oxide release and relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Esophageal mucosaldisplay an intrinsic resistance to HCL, pepsin, bilis and enzymes deleterious action by a blockade of back-defusion of hydrogen ions contained in the refluxed material. Nevertheless, some other luminal and non-luminal factors are involved in this mucosalprotection. When these intrinsic resistance factors are abated, tisular lesions like ersion, ulcer and Barret's mucosal changes can occur; is of particular interest because its potential malignant evolution. Esophageal reflux usually resolves with medical treatmen, but in some particular cases surgical correction is indicated for improving the antireflux barrier.