Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication for esophageal achalasia treatment after distal gastrectomy and Billroth-II reconstruction

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication is the standard surgical treatment for esophageal achalasia. However, there are few reports on the use of this method after gastric surgery. We report a case of a 78-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication for achalasia after distal gastrectomy and Billroth-II reconstruction. After the intraabdominal adhesion was sharply dissected using an ultrasonic coagulation incision device (UCID), Heller myotomy was performed 5 cm above and 2 cm below the esophagogastric junction using the UCID. To prevent postoperative gastroesophageal reflux (GER), Dor fundoplication was performed without cutting the short gastric artery and vein. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient is in good health without symptoms of dysphagia or GER. Although per-oral endoscopic myotomy is becoming the mainstay of treatment for achalasia after gastric surgery, laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication is also an effective strategy.     

术中食管测压在外科治疗贲门失弛缓症中的应用

[目的]利用食管测压技术,监测贲门失弛缓症患者行改良Heller手术术前、术中、术后食管动力学的改变,探讨改良Heller手术的机制及疗效.[方法]对21例贲门失弛缓症患者行经腹改良Heller手术,对患者术前、术中、术后食管测压,术前、术后24 h pH值检测及术后并发症、远期疗效等进行观察.[结果]21例均手术顺利,无手术死亡,食管测压显示术后食管下括约肌压力（LESP）、吞咽后食管下括约肌松弛百分比等指标明显改善,术后随访19例,1例偶有进食不畅,优良率达94.7%.[结论]经腹改良Heller术在治疗贲门失弛缓症中机制合理,并发症少,疗效满意.附加抗反流术式是防止反流的有效措施.术中食管测压对提高手术疗效有一定的指导作用.     

经口内镜下肌切开术与经胸Heller术治疗贲门失弛缓症的临床疗效对比

目的对比分析贲门失弛缓患者经口内镜下肌切开术(POEM)与经胸食管贲门部黏膜外肌层切开手术(即Heller术)的临床疗效及安全性。方法回顾性研究2012年1月-2014年10月该院78例确诊为贲门失弛缓症患者。其中,接受POEM术患者为42例,接受Heller术患者36例,观察并对比两组患者术后症状缓解情况、食管下段括约肌(LES)静息压力、Eckardt评分、术中和术后并发症发生率、手术时长、住院时间及住院费用等。结果两组患者术后均获得明显的临床缓解,POEM组患者的并发症发生率、Eckardt评分及LES静息压力和Heller术组相比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。而POEM组患者的手术耗时、住院时长及住院费用均明显低于Heller术组(P0.05)。结论 POEM作为一种近期疗效显著的内镜微创手术方式,与外科手术疗效相当,对患者造成的创伤小,痛苦小,使患者耐受性好,住院时间及住院费用减少,值得推广。     

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and fundoplication: findings and predictive value of early postoperative radiographic studies

Background: We describe the findings on esophagography, the frequency and appearance of leaks after laparoscopic Heller myotomy and fundoplication, and the utility of early postoperative studies for predicting clinical outcome.Methods: Our study group consisted of 40 patients who underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy and fundoplication in whom radiographic studies were performed during the early postoperative period. The radiographic reports and images were reviewed to determine the esophageal diameter, visualization or nonvisualization of the wrap, and the presence or absence of a leak. The esophageal diameter subsequently was correlated with the clinical findings to determine whether this was a useful parameter for predicting clinical outcome.Results: Two patients (5%) had small, sealed-off leaks on radiographic studies, and four (10%) had pseudo-leaks resulting from trapping of contrast material alongside the fundoplication wrap. Twelve (60%) of 20 patients with a dilated esophagus had esophageal symptoms on short-term follow-up versus three (15%) of 20 with a normal-caliber esophagus (p = 0.008), and five (56%) of nine patients with a dilated esophagus had symptoms on long-term follow-up versus six (43%) of 14 with a normal-caliber esophagus (p = 0.68).Conclusion: Radiographic studies are useful for showing leaks after laparoscopic Heller myotomy and fundoplication, but radiologists should differentiate true leaks from trapping of contrast material alongside the fundoplication wrap. The caliber of the esophagus on early postoperative studies is also a useful parameter for predicting short-term clinical outcome in these patients.     

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for management of gastrointestinal motility disorder

Achalasia is a type of esophageal motility disorder, consisting of relaxation dysfunction of the lower esophagus and disturbed esophageal peristalsis. Related clinical symptoms include dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss. Traditional treatment options include endoscopic botulinum toxin injection, endoscopic pneumatic dilation, and laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy. These therapies mainly relieve symptoms by reducing the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and reducing blood flow resistance at the esophagogastric junction. Based on endoscopic submucosal dissection and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a purely endoscopic method of myotomy with minimal invasiveness and a low rate of adverse events when performed by experienced operators. Since then, numerous studies have shown the significant clinical efficacy and safety of POEM. The purpose of this article is to introduce different modified POEMs, special indications for different POEMs, and their advantages as well as disadvantages.     

Benefits of laparoscopic trans-hiatal approach with Heller–Dor surgery in a case of mid-esophageal diverticulum

Compared to the more common epiphrenic diverticula, those located at the central section of the esophagus are quite rare. Minimally invasive approaches for mid-esophageal diverticula have lacked standardization. Certain mid-esophageal diverticula, like epiphrenic diverticula, have been attributed to esophageal motility disorders. Thus, we believe that surgery for esophageal diverticula requires preoperative evaluation of esophageal function, with additional surgery being performed in case of abnormalities. The laparoscopic trans-hiatal approach has been a common technique for managing epiphrenic diverticula but can also be used for mid-esophageal diverticula located far from the esophagogastric junction provided that the port location is carefully considered. Laparoscopic surgery is also preferable given that it is a minimally invasive procedure and allows for diverticulum resection and Heller myotomy and Dor surgery to prevent reflux in the same field of view. Hence, laparoscopic surgery may be a beneficial alternative to the traditional thoracic or thoracoabdominal techniques.     

Comparison and cost analysis of different treatment strategies in achalasia

Currently there are three acceptable long-term treatments of achalasia: pneumatic dilatation, laparoscopic Heller myotomy, and botulinum toxin injection. Primarily retrospective studies suggest equal efficacy of pneumatic dilatation and surgical myotomy, especially in centers with expertise in both treatments. Randomized prospective studies find pneumatic dilatation superior to botulinum toxin because of the need for serial frequent treatments with the latter therapy. All cost analysis studies support the superiority of pneumatic dilatation over the two other treatments.     

Intérêt de l’exploration par minisondes d’échoendoscopie pour le diagnostic et l’approche thérapeutique dans l’achalasie

Use of miniature sensors in echoendoscopy in cases of achalasia, a disorder concerning the esophagus and linked to a primary motor disturbance, provides diagnostic and probable prognostic elements in terms of efficacy of endoscopic therapy, which is based on pneumatic dilation. Measurement of wall thickening in the specific muscular tissues, a constant anomaly in this problem, and upward extension of that thickening are fully analysed and measured during this type of high-frequency ultrasonography exploration, contrary to the standard echoendoscopy. Thus, these new elements, added to the known predictive factors of poor long-term response to dilation (young patients, male gender, hyperpressure of the lower esophageal sphincter), could further enhance the pertinence of the therapeutic choice between further dilation therapy and surgery (Heller myotomy).     

Etiology and treatment of achalasia in the pediatric age group

Achalasia in children bears many similarities to the disorder in adults, both in terms of clinical features and in terms of the approach to therapy. Pharmacologic management is of limited temporary benefit until more definitive therapy is undertaken. Intrasphincteric injections of botulinum toxin provides safe but short-term relief from symptoms. Based on our review of the safety and effectiveness of pneumatic dilation, we advocate this procedure as the primary form of definitive therapy for achalasia in children. In patients who do not achieve satisfactory results from a series of graduated pneumatic dilations, Heller myotomy provides safe and effective surgical treatment.     

Distal esophageal spasm:Update on diagnosis and management in the era of high-resolution manometry

Distal esophageal spasm(DES)is a rare major motility disorder in the Chicago classification of esophageal motility disorders(CC).DES is diagnosed by finding of≥20%premature contractions,with normal lower esophageal sphincter(LES)relaxation on high-resolution manometry(HRM)in the latest version of CCv3.0.This feature differentiates it from achalasia type 3,which has an elevated LES relaxation pressure.Like other spastic esophageal disorders,DES has been linked to conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease,psychiatric conditions,and narcotic use.In addition to HRM,ancillary tests such as endoscopy and barium esophagram can provide supplemental information to differentiate DES from other conditions.Functional lumen imaging probe(FLIP),a new cutting-edge diagnostic tool,is able to recognize abnormal LES dysfunction that can be missed by HRM and can further guide LES targeted treatment when esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction is diagnosed on FLIP.Medical treatment in DES mostly targets symptomatic relief and often fails.Botulinum toxin injection during endoscopy may provide a temporary therapy that wears off over time.Myotomy through peroral endoscopic myotomy or via surgical Heller myotomy can provide long term relief in cases with persistent symptoms.     

Chest pain in a heart transplant recipient: A case report

BACKGROUNDHeart transplantation is recommended for the treatment of patients with refractory heart failure. Chest pain after heart transplantation is usually considered noncardiac owing to the denervated heart. However, data from case reports on tacrolimus-induced achalasia after heart transplantation are limited. We aimed to present a case of tacrolimus-induced achalasia that developed after heart transplantation, which was successfully relieved by laparoscopic Heller myotomy.CASE SUMMARYA 67-year-old man with a history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and dilated cardiomyopathy had congestive heart failure following orthotopic heart transplantation with tacrolimus treatment 12 years ago. At the 10-year follow-up after the heart transplantation, the patient presented with persistent cough, dysphagia, heartburn, and retrosternal chest pain lasting for 2 wk. Upper endoscopy revealed no specific findings. Two years later, the patient experienced the same symptoms, including chest pain lasting for 4 wk. Esophagogram and manometry confirmed the presence of achalasia. Previous reports showed that discontinuing calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) treatment and endoscopic botulinum toxin injection could treat CNI-induced achalasia. Owing to the risk of rejection of the transplanted heart and considering the temporary benefits of botulinum toxin injection in achalasia, the patient underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy. Dysphagia was relieved without complications. Eight months later, he had no signs of recurrence of the achalasia.CONCLUSIONIn transplant patients with chest pain and gastrointestinal symptoms, CNI-induced achalasia may be one of the differential diagnoses. Esophagogram/manometry is useful for diagnosis.     

Therapy of esophageal diverticula

Diverticula of the esophagus can be divided into two categories. Pulsion diverticula result from an increased pressure gradient through the upper esophageal sphincter resulting in herniation of the mucosa through a weak point of the muscle layer. There are two types: hypopharynx (Zenker) diverticulum and epiphrenic diverticulum. Traction diverticula result from inflammatory reactions in neighboring lymph nodes or as a result of embryonic malformation and are composed of all layers of the esophageal wall. The presence of a Zenker diverticulum in a symptomatic patient represents always an indication for surgical therapy. A successful procedure contains a diverticulectomy combined with cervical myotomy. For the treatment of epiphrenic diverticula the underlying motility disorder, determined by preoperative manometry, plays a crucial role in the length of the myotomy. In order to prevent postoperative reflux a partial fundoplication should be added. Independent of location or size surgical therapy of diverticula of the esophagus has a success rate of more than 90 percent.     

胃镜辅助胸腔镜改良Heller手术治疗贲门失弛缓症

目的探讨胃镜辅助胸腔镜改良Heller手术治疗贲门失弛缓症的效果及优势。方法对33例症状明显且保守治疗无效的的贲门失弛缓症患者采用胃镜辅助胸腔镜改良Heller手术治疗,观察术后食道梗阻解除的效果及并发症的发生情况,并术后随访半年,观察疗效。结果 33例贲门失弛缓症患者术后食道梗阻症状均有不同程度改善。其中1例由于胸腔粘连严重,改为开放手术;4例并发食管黏膜损伤,胸腔镜下修补食管。1例患者出现食管胸膜瘘,保守治疗1个月后瘘管愈合。1例患者术后出现胃食管返流,保守治疗后症状缓解。随访半年,仅1例于术后3个月再次出现食道梗阻,予扩张治疗后好转。结论胃镜辅助胸腔镜改良Heller手术治疗贲门失弛缓症手术效果明显,手术操作简单易行,并发症少,可在临床上推广应用。     

硬膜外镇痛与静脉镇痛对老年下肢关节置换及植入物内固定治疗后早期认知功能的影响

背景：术后认知功能障碍与老年人术后并发症的发生及死亡率密切相关。设定相同麻醉条件下硬膜外镇痛比静脉镇痛对老年患者下肢关节置换及内固定后早期认知功能的影响较小。目的：比较两种不同的镇痛方法对老年患者下肢骨科手术后早期认知功能的影响。方法：60例拟行择期下肢手术的老年患者,随机接受椎管内麻醉继以术后静脉镇痛或以硬膜外镇痛。结果与结论：术后认知功能障碍发生率静脉镇痛组为47%（14/30）,硬膜外镇痛组为30%（9/30例）,两组间差异非常显著（P〈0.01）。Logistic回归分析显示受教育年限短和髋关节置换术是发生术后早期认知功能障碍的独立危险因素。结果表明,老年患者在下肢关节置换及内固定后早期有38%的患者发生了认知功能障碍,且硬膜外镇痛较静脉镇痛发生术后认知功能障碍明显降低。受教育年限短和髋关节置换本身是术后早期认知功能障碍的危险因素。     

加速康复外科护理在原发性肝癌患者肝脏部分切除手术中的应用

目的 探讨加速康复外科护理对原发性肝癌患者肝脏部分切除术预后及并发症的影响.方法 选取该院2016年1~6月收治的50例原发性肝癌行肝脏部分切除手术患者为研究对象,根据随机数字表将患者分为观察组(n=25)及对照组(n=25),对照组采用常规性护理,观察组围手术期采用加速康复外科护理,比较两组患者手术情况、术后康复、炎症反应及并发症发生情况.结果 观察组术中出血量少于对照组(P<0.05),术后疼痛评分(VAS)低于对照组(P<0.05),患者肠道通气时间、恢复谱食时间、放置腹腔引流管时间、血清胆红素恢复正常时间及平均住院时间短于对照组(P<0.05).观察组术后第3天血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)低于对照组(P<0.05),而补体C3水平高于对照组(P<0.05).观察组术后并发症发生率低于对照组(P<0.05),而患者满意率高于对照组(P<0.05).结论 加速康复外科护理可有效减轻原发性肝癌患者肝脏部分切除术患者术后炎症反应,降低患者术后并发症发生率,促进患者术后康复,提高患者满意度.     

Surgical treatment of achalasia in the 21st century

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is a primary motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by poor mid-esophageal motility and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to properly relax. The optimal treatment of the disease would improve esophageal peristalsis and promote lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Currently, such therapy is not possible, so treatment of the disorder is aimed at relief of symptoms by disruption of the lower esophageal sphincter. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on all patients undergoing laparoscopic myotomy and Toupet fundoplication during a 6-year period. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients with a mean age of 44 years were treated during a 6-year period. Fifty-three patients underwent laparoscopic myotomy with Toupet fundoplication (91%), and four had laparoscopic myotomy without a fundoplication (6%). Fundoplication was not performed in two patients who had a megaesophagus. Two patients required conversion to an open operation. Sixty percent of patients were discharged the day after surgery; the average length of stay for all patients was 2.1 days. Ten percent of patients had minor complications; none required reoperation. Mortality was 0%, and 96% of patients rated their postoperative swallowing ability as excellent or good. CONCLUSION: Surgical myotomy is becoming first-line therapy for all patients with achalasia. A strong working relationship between surgeon and gastroenterologist helps to optimize patient care.     

硬膜外镇痛与静脉镇痛对老年下肢关节置换及植入物内固定治疗后早期认知功能的影响

背景:术后认知功能障碍与老年人术后并发症的发生及死亡率密切相关。设定相同麻醉条件下硬膜外镇痛比静脉镇痛对老年患者下肢关节置换及内固定后早期认知功能的影响较小。目的:比较两种不同的镇痛方法对老年患者下肢骨科手术后早期认知功能的影响。方法:60例拟行择期下肢手术的老年患者,随机接受椎管内麻醉继以术后静脉镇痛或以硬膜外镇痛。结果与结论:术后认知功能障碍发生率静脉镇痛组为47%(14/30),硬膜外镇痛组为30%(9/30例),两组间差异非常显著(P<0.01)。Logistic回归分析显示受教育年限短和髋关节置换术是发生术后早期认知功能障碍的独立危险因素。结果表明,老年患者在下肢关节置换及内固定后早期有38%的患者发生了认知功能障碍,且硬膜外镇痛较静脉镇痛发生术后认知功能障碍明显降低。受教育年限短和髋关节置换本身是术后早期认知功能障碍的危险因素。     

Effect of cricopharyngeal myotomy on pharyngoesophageal function: Pre- and postoperative cineradiographic findings

The pre- and postoperative cineradiographic findings in 14 dysphagic patients who underwent cricopharyngeal myotomy were compared. The reason for the operation was Zenker's diverticulum (7 patients), lack of cricopharyngeal coordination (5 patients), or a cervical esophageal web (2 patients). After the operation the function of the epiglottis, laryngeal vestibule, and pharyngeal constrictors was unaltered (11 patients) or improved (3 patients), although 4 cases showed residual impression due to the cricopharyngeal muscle. Postoperatively, 9 patients developed defective peristalsis and 10 had impaired tonicity of the cervical esophagus. It is concluded that myotomy alters the motor function of the pharyngoesophageal segment considerably. Moreover, certain functions of the pharynx proper are changed by this procedure.     

经口内镜下肌切开术治疗贲门失弛缓症的护理

目的探讨经口内镜下肌切开术(POEM)治疗贲门失弛缓症(AC)的临床方法和护理。方法研究确诊为AC并接受POEM治疗的6例患者的临床资料。POEM主要步骤:食管黏膜层切开;分离黏膜下层,建立黏膜下"隧道";胃镜直视下切开环形肌;金属夹关闭黏膜层切口。护士做好术前、术中配合和术后护理工作。结果 6例患者均成功完成POEM手术,手术时间60~128 min,平均76.5 min,黏膜下隧道长度9~12 cm,平均10.3 cm,环形肌切开长度7~10 cm,平均8.2 cm,1例出现皮下气肿,1例左侧气胸。术后随访l~10个月,6例吞咽困难均明显得到解除。结论 POEM治疗AC短期疗效肯定,可以迅速缓解患者吞咽困难,但其长期疗效及远期并发症仍有待随访观察。要求术者有较高的内镜操作水平,良好的术中医护配合及严密的病情观察和护理是手术成功的关键。     

热活检钳法与传统法经口内镜食管下括约肌切开术治疗贲门失弛缓症的疗效比较

目的 比较使用热活检钳的改良方法与使用三角刀的传统方法,在经口内镜食管下括约肌切开术（POEM）治疗贲门失弛缓症（AC）中的临床疗效。方法 前瞻性纳入2017年2月－2022年2月该院消化内科行POEM治疗的AC患者64例,随机分为热活检钳组和传统方法组,各32例,均行POEM。记录并比较两种手术方式的肌切开与隧道长度、术后住院时间、住院费用、手术时间和并发症发生情况。结果 两组患者均成功完成手术,两组患者手术肌切开长度、隧道长度、气体相关不良事件、住院时间、术后6个月胃食管反流率和术后3个月Eckardt评分比较,差异均无统计学意义（P > 0.05）;但术中出血、手术时间、住院费用和术后6个月Eckardt评分比较,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。结论 使用热活检钳法与传统法均能有效治疗AC,但热活检钳法能缩短手术时间,减少术中出血和住院费用,且长期疗效可能更显著,尤其适合在技术水平有限的临床机构中推广。