Long-term results of laparoscopic partial posterior fundoplication in patients with esophageal reflux and disorders of esophageal peristalsis

BACKGROUND: Gastrosophageal reflux disease (GERD) of long duration is frequently associated with impaired esophageal body motility. This condition has been considered unsuitable for antireflux surgery. METHODS: In order to investigate the outcome of antireflux surgery in the presence of impaired esophageal peristalsis, we studied 67 consecutive GERD patients with poor esophageal body function who underwent laparoscopic partial posterior fundoplication. A standardized questionnaire, upper GI endoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring were performed preoperatively and at a median of 28 months (range, 6-54 months) postoperatively. Esophageal motility was analyzed for contraction amplitudes in the distal two thirds of the esophagus (level 3, 4, and 5), frequency of peristaltic, simultaneous and interrupted waves and total number of defective propagations. In addition, parameters defining the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were-evaluated. RESULTS: Following antireflux surgery 65 patients (97%) were free of heartburn and regurgitation and had no esophagitis on endoscopy, confirmed by histology. The rate of dysphagia was reduced from 49% preoperatively to 9% postoperatively (p < 0.001). There was significant improvement in esophageal peristalsis after the antireflux procedure. The median DeMeester reflux score was reduced from 33.3 to 1.1 (p < 0.001). Lower esophageal sphincter pressure and intra-abdominal length were normal after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Partial posterior fundoplication provides an effective antireflux barrier in patients with impaired esophageal body motility in the long term. Postoperative dysphagia is avoided by improving esophageal body function.     

幽门螺杆菌感染对胃食管反流病患者食管酸暴露及食管动力的影响

目的分析幽门螺杆菌（helicobacterpylor,Hp）感染胃食管反流病（gastroesophagealrefluxdisease,GERD）患者食管远端酸暴露及食管动力变化特点,探讨Hp感染与GERD的关系。方法GERD患者80例,分为Hp阳性组30例,Hp阴性组50例,同期20例慢性浅表性胃炎患者为对照组,对3组进行食管动力学检测和食管24hpH监测。结果Hp阳性组与Hp阴性组DeMeester评分、食管下括约肌压力、24hpH监测各项指标及食管动力学各项指标比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉O．05）;2组DeMeester评分均高于对照组（P〈0．05）,食管下括约肌压力低于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论GERD患者食管下括约肌压力较正常人群低,且存在过量酸反流;Hp感染与GERD发生可能无明显关系。     

Surgery of reflux esophagitis--a renaissance

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a high prevalence of 40% in Western countries. A dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter of unknown origin is the main etiology. Less common pathophysiological reasons are disorders of esophageal motility, delayed gastric emptying, gastric acid hypersecretion and bile reflux. As causal surgical therapy for these disorders fundoplication has been developed 50 years ago. This technique uses a wrap of gastric fundus around the distal esophagus as reflux barrier. Because of severe postoperative complications (dysphagia, gas bloat syndrome, gastric ulcer) and recurrence after fundoplication, medical therapy became the treatment of choice with the development of H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors in the 1970s. However, after improvement of surgical technique and introduction of laparoscopic fundoplication in 1991 surgery offers a secure and effective causal therapy. Randomized controlled trials proof the superiority of fundoplication versus medical therapy in regard of long term results, recurrence and cost effectiveness as well as the superiority of laparoscopic versus conventional open fundoplication in regard of recovery and cost effectiveness with equal long term results. Therefore, laparoscopic fundoplication by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon is the surgical therapy of choice. However the high prevalence of GERD requires careful selection of patients for surgery. A thorough preoperative evaluation including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy, esophageal manometry and 24 h-pH monitoring as well as upper gastrointestinal contrast study is essential. Today the indication for fundoplication is seen in young symptomatic patients, requiring a long-term medical therapy, in hiatal hernia with threatening complications as well as in complications of severe GERD, especially Barrett-esophagus. At present the advantages of total (Nissen) or partial (Toupet) wrap as well as the benefit of dissection of the short gastric vessels for total fundoplication are still unclear, especially concerning long-term results. To answer these technical questions further randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up have to be performed.     

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.     

腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补术联合不同抗反流术式治疗食管裂孔疝合并胃食管反流病的临床比较

目的探讨并比较腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补术联合不同抗反流术式治疗食管裂孔疝(HH)合并胃食管反流病(GERD)的效果。方法回顾性分析该院2014年1月-2017年1月行腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补术联合抗反流术治疗的HH合并GERD患者67例的病例资料。根据抗反流术式的方法分为3组,其中29例采用腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术(Nissen组),18例行腹腔镜Toupet胃底折叠术(Toupet组),20例行腹腔镜Dor胃底折叠术(Dor组)。比较3组手术情况及术后恢复情况,术后随访1年,观察手术前后胃镜、高分辨率食管测压及24 h食管pH监测结果,发放GERD-Q症状评分评估患者GERD症状,使用GERD相关生命质量量表(GERD-HROL),记录两组术后并发症发生率、手术失效率及复发率。结果 3组患者手术情况、术后恢复情况及术后第1年胃镜检查情况比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);Toupet组术后1年食管下括约肌(LES)静息呼吸平均值低于Nissen组和Dor组,反流时间、反流次数、无效吞咽高于Nissen组和Dor组,差异均有统计学意义(P 0.05),但Nissen组和Dor组比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),3组术后1年LES静息压最小值、24 h pH阻抗监测、DeMeester评分、GERD-Q症状评分和GERD-HROL量表评分比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);3组患者术后并发症发生率、手术无效率及复发率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补术联合3种胃底折叠术治疗HH合并GERD均可起到抗反流的效果,但Nissen和Dor手术在改善LES静息呼吸压力值、反流和无效吞咽方面的效果优于Toupet手术。     

Evaluation of esophageal function/pH in endoscopic therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) typically requires lifelong medical therapy or surgery for the management of patients with frequent symptoms. The current standard of care is to prescribe medical therapy using proton pump inhibitors. Patients with moderate-to-severe GERD require extended/maintenance therapy. Until recently, the only alternative to this approach was surgical intervention. Endoscopic therapy for GERD has emerged as a second alternative strategy. Primary endpoints for all interventions have aimed at symptomatic control and reduction/discontinuance of medication use. For surgical and endoscopic therapies, however, there are other physiologic endpoints that have attempted to define changes in lower esophageal sphincter pressure and esophageal acid exposure. For patients being evaluated for endoscopic GERD therapy, the author recommends comprehensive esophageal testing and pH testing.     

肝硬化患者血清一氧化氮和食管动力关系的研究

目的: 探讨肝硬化患者血清一氧化氮(NO)与食管动力的关系。方法: 35 例肝硬化患者(HC)和30 例健康人(HS)采用硝酸还原酶法测定血清NO含量;核素法测定食管液体通过时间和胃食管反流。结果: HC组血浆NO含量显著高于HS组(P<0.01);HC组胃食管反流发生率显著高于HS组;HC组中胃食管反流患者的NO含量显著高于无胃食管反流的患者(P<0.01),HC组的食管液体通过时间较HS组显著延长(P<0.01),但NO含量与食管通过时间无相关性(P>0.05)。结论: 肝硬化患者血浆NO含量的升高可能使食管下括约肌(LES)松弛而产生胃食管反流,但不影响食管蠕动功能。     

GERD患者内镜、病理改变与食管测压及pH动态监测之间关系的研究

目前，对GERD（GastoesophagealRefluxDisease，GERD）有不少研究报道，如GERD患者的24h食管pH动态监测、压力测定、内镜和病理等，但对它们之间关系的研究却无系列报道。据称，食管pH动态监测较其它任何临床诊断方法都有更高的敏感性和特异性，被认为是诊断GER的“金标准”。本研究即利用这一“金标准”对GERD患者进行食管PH动态监测及食管压力测定，同时研究其与内铺表现及病理改变之间的关系。1对象与布法1．1研究对象1．1．1正常对照组选择无胃肠肝胆疾病，无食管返流症状、无腹部手术史，心电图、血尿常规、内镇及病理检查…     

海洛因成瘾者食管运动功能研究

目的海洛因成瘾者常伴腹痛、胸部不适、反酸、反食等症状,是否存在食管运动功能紊乱有待探讨。方法随机抽取海洛因或瘾者41例。按年龄及性别配对41例健康对照组,采用PCPolygrafHR高分辨多通道灌注测压系统对82例研究对象进行食管动力的研究。测量下食管括约肌长度(LESL)、压力(LESP)、松弛率(LESR)、近端收缩压(NSP)、远端收缩村(FSP)等指标,并分析不同的吸毒年限、吸嗜方式、吸嗜量对食管动力的影响。结果海洛因成瘾者LESP、LESR与正常组相比(P<0.05),且病理性蠕动多峰波或双峰波、同步收缩比例则显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05);吸嗜量越大对食管动力损伤越大;肌肉注射、静脉注射海洛因对食管运动功能的损害明显大于香烟、烫吸方式。结论海洛因成瘾者存在食管运动功能紊乱,因此,其中吸嗜量、吸嗜方式与食管动力学指标异常有关系,在戒断康复治疗过程中,必须对此引起足够的重视。     

Pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: motility factors

Reflux esophagitis (RE) is characterized by excessive esophageal acid exposure. The number of acid reflux episodes, the way acid comes up after reflux and the delay of acid bolus clearance cause excessive esophageal acid exposure. Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation(TLESR) is the major mechanism of acid reflux in both healthy subjects (HS) and in patients with acid reflux disease, but there is no difference in the rate of TLESRs or in the rate of acid reflux during TLESRs above the LES between HS and patients with severe RE. In patients with severe RE, refluxed acid above the LES rises more easily to the proximal esophagus but it does not clear easily from the esophagus when compared with HS. The pathophysiology of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) is poorly understood, however with regard to esophageal motility in patients with NERD, the LES pressure, the pressure wave amplitude and the rates of successful primary peristalsis were similar to that of HS but the triggering of secondary peristalsis was defective. This may lead to prolonged contact time between refluxed gastric acid and esophageal mucosa thereby leading to symptoms.     

Antireflux surgery for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: mechanism of action

To determine the effects of Nissen fundoplication upon the symptoms of reflux and the diagnostic tests employed to evaluate reflux and to examine the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and lower esophageal sphincter pressure before and after fundoplication, 10 patients with symptomatic reflux were studied before and after operation. Clinical evaluation, barium esophagography, endoscopy with mucosal biopsy, esophageal manometry, acid-perfusion and acid-reflux testing, and gastroesophageal scintiscaning were performed on each patient before and after surgery. Following fundoplication, marked symptomatic, radiographic, endoscopic, and histologic improvement was observed. Serial acid-reflux tests at increasing gastroesophageal pressure gradients returned to normal after surgery. Lower-esophageal-sphincter (LES) pressure increased from 8.2 +/- 1.3 to 12.0 +/- 1.5 mm Hg (P less than 0.01). In addition, surgery resulted in a significant decrease in the gastroesophageal reflux index from 17.4 +/- 2.4 to 2.7 +/- 1.1% (P less than 0.001). Surprisingly, the pre- and postoperative resting LES pressures did not correlate significantly with corresponding gastroesophageal reflux indices for individual patients. We conclude that increased LES pressure alone does not explain adequately the functional and clinical improvement which follows fundoplication.     

Primary esophageal motility disorders

Esophageal motility disorders often manifest with chest pain and dysphagia. Achalasia is a disorder of the lower esophageal sphincter and the smooth musculature of the esophageal body. In achalasia the lower esophageal sphincter typically fails to relax with swallowing, and the esophageal body fails to undergo peristalsis. In contrast to spastic disorders of the esophagus, achalasia can be progressive and cause pronounced morbidity. Pseudoachalasia mimics achalasia in terms of symptoms but can be caused by infectious disorders or malignancy. Treatment for achalasia is nonstandardized and includes medical, endoscopic, and surgical options. Spastic disorders of the esophagus, such as diffuse esophageal spasm and nutcracker esophagus, and nonspecific esophageal motility disorder are benign and nonprogressive, with similar findings on esophageal manometry. Although the exact cause remains unknown, these disorders may represent a manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Treatment of spastic disorders includes medical and surgical approaches and is aimed at symptomatic relief.     

Laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Laparoscopic fundoplication became the gold standard in the surgical therapy of GERD. In comparison with open procedures, laparoscopic antireflux surgery has a lower morbidity rate, a better early and late postoperative outcome and is more cost-effective. Antireflux surgery can be performed after a critical evalutation of the patient including gastroscopy, biopsy, 24h-pH-manometry and after a long lasting conservative medical treatment. Indications for antireflux surgery are given by a failed medical treatment, an insufficient compliance, complications of GERD, i.e. stenosis, Barrett-esophagus and atypical reflux symptoms like chronic cough, hoarseness or thoracic pain with presence of a pathological pH-monitoring. Laparoscopic 360 degrees Nissen-fundoplication with crurorrhaphy is our standard procedure, whereas the 270 degrees Toupet technique in our tailored approach is the technique of choice for esophageal motility disorders. Results of antireflux surgery published in literature are discussed and compared with our own ten years experience with 124 cases of laparoscopic fundoplication.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in diabetic patients

Esophageal dysfunctions occur frequently in patients with diabetic autonomic neuropathy, and the complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has also been reported. However, the characteristics of the GERD complicated with diabetes are obscure, because no detail assessment was performed. We recorded esophageal motility and acid reflux simultaneously in diabetic patients, and the correlation between esophageal dysfunction and diabetic neuropathy was examined. Esophageal dysfunctions including GERD were significantly related to diabetic motor neuropathy. Although the GERD is frequently complicated with diabetes, the symptoms are not apparent in diabetic patients. Therefore, physicians treating diabetic patients should have GERD in mind regardless of the symptoms. We also examined the effect of aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) on the esophageal dysfunction in diabetic patients. Significant improvement of gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal motility were observed in diabetic patients by ARI treatment. ARI may be useful for the treatment of GERD complicated with diabetes.     

Esophageal peristalsis, lower esophageal function, and the methods of their evaluation

Esophageal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter(LES) function have an influence on gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). Incomplete contraction during primary and secondary peristalsis leads to poor clearance of refluxed gastric acid. Failure of LES function can result in a low basal LES pressure, absent or incomplete LES relaxation after swallowing, or an inadequate increase of LES pressure accompanying gastric activity. In addition, transient LES relaxation(TLESR) has been suggested as an important factor in GERD. Recent studies have indicated that TLESR has a relationship to nitric oxide(NO) and cholecystokinin(CCK).     

Pathophysiology of GERD: mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux and prolonged esophageal acid exposure time

GERD is characterized by excessive esophageal acid exposure time. This suggests that either the rate of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is higher and/or that the esophageal acid clearance time is longer. Transient LES relaxation (TLESR) is the single most common mechanism underlying GER in both normal subjects and patients with GERD. Whether or not the rate of TLESRs is higher in patients with GERD remains unclear. It is in the sitting or upright position that acid reflux mainly occurs, however, there seems to be no difference in the rate of TLESRs between both groups. The rate of TLESRs accompanied by acid reflux has been consistently shown to be significantly greater in patients with GERD than in normal subjects. Other mechanisms of reflux in patients with severe GERD are a hypotensive LES and ineffective esophageal motility which is found in severe GERD and which impairs bolus clearance of acid and thus increases acid contact time with the esophageal mucosa.     

Nissen vs. toupet fundoplication in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a serious phenomenon in pediatric health care. Without proper treatment, complications related to GERD can impede normal development and can lead to multiple hospitalizations and medical conditions. Previously, surgical intervention was limited to one technique, nissen fundoplication; however, the use of various forms of fundoplication surgery, primarily the toupet fundoplication, is currently increasing. Nurses need to be aware of treatment options and care of pediatric patients with severe GERD requiring surgical intervention, including common treatment modalities used prior to surgery and postoperative care necessary to promote positive results following fundoplication surgery.     

Surgical treatment for GERD

Surgical treatment for GERD is still indicated in a few cases. In particular, patients who resist PPI medical treatment, patients who do not comply well with medication, and young patients with strong subjective symptoms are candidates for surgical treatment. Others include patients with free reflux, with short esophagus, with esophageal stenosis, and with respiratory or oto-laryngological complications. The choice of operative method depends on the disease state and stage of GERD. The first choice of treatment in most cases is laparoscopic Nissen technique, and the second choice is laparoscopic Toupet method. The problem for surgeons is the need for extremely delicate technique in the reconstructive parts of the procedure in cases with a high degree of fundoplication and functional disorder. We adopted an operative technique that combines SPV, Toupet method and Hill method; we have found a good rate of patient acclimatization and high postoperative satisfaction. Time is still required, however, to bring laparoscopic surgery to the same level as open surgery.     

Diagnosis and treatment of esophageal motility disorders

Apart from gastroesophageal reflux disease, achalasia, non-cardiac chest pain and functional dysphagia are the most important manifestations of disturbed esophageal motility. Achalasia is characterized by esophageal aperistalsis and impaired deglutitive relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. The morphological correlate is a degeneration of nitrergic neurons in the myenteric plexus. Diagnosis is based on barium esophagram or esophageal manometry with the latter setting the gold standard. Endoscopic exclusion of a tumor at the gastroesophageal junction is mandatory. Appropriate therapeutic interventions are pneumatic dilatation or (laparoscopic myotomy) of lower esophageal sphincter. In patients unfit for these procedures endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin into the lower esophageal sphincter is appropriate. Non-cardiac chest pain may be of esophageal origin. Gastroesophageal reflux, spastic motility disorders and visceral hypersensitivity are arguable underlying mechanisms. The most important diagnostic procedure is 24 h esophageal pH metry correlating symptoms and reflux episodes. Proton pump inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants serving as visceral analgesics are appropriate therapeutic approaches. Functional dysphagia defines the sensation of impaired passage without mechanical obstruction or a neuromuscular disease with known pathology, e.g. scleroderma. Impaired transit is proven by esophageal scintigraphy or radiogram both using solid boluses. Manometry assesses the underlying mechanisms.     

腹腔镜抗反流手术在基层医院的应用*

目的研究腹腔镜胃底折叠术联合食管裂孔疝(HH)修补术治疗胃食管反流病(GERD)合并HH在基层医院应用的安全性和临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2016年1月-2018年1月共56例行腹腔镜胃底折叠术联合HH修补术治疗的GERD合并HH患者的临床资料。结果手术均获成功,无中转剖腹,手术时间56~180 min,平均(68.4±3.6)min,术中出血量30~200 ml,平均(40.3±5.6)ml,无严重并发症及死亡。所有患者术后密切随访6~24个月;术后半年GERD-Q量表评分和De Meester评分较术前均明显降低(P 0.05),食管下括约肌(LES)静息压较术前明显升高(P 0.05);术后1或2年随访48例患者临床症状完全消失、6例症状明显减轻、2例无效,上消化道X线钡餐检查无HH复发及消化道梗阻。结论在基层医院,腹腔镜胃底折叠术联合HH修补术治疗GERD合并HH是安全有效的,临床疗效满意。