Laparoscopic surgery for gastro-esophageal acid reflux disease

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a troublesome disease for many patients, severely affecting their quality of life. Choice of treatment depends on a combination of patient characteristics and preferences, esophageal motility and damage of reflux, symptom severity and symptom correlation to acid reflux and physician preferences. Success of treatment depends on tailoring treatment modalities to the individual patient and adequate selection of treatment choice. PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were searched for systematic reviews with an abstract, publication date within the last five years, in humans only, on key terms (laparosc* OR laparoscopy*) AND (fundoplication OR reflux* OR GORD OR GERD OR nissen OR toupet) NOT (achal* OR pediat*). Last search was performed on July 23nd and in total 54 articles were evaluated as relevant from this search. The laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication is the therapy of choice for normal-weight GERD patients qualifying for laparoscopic surgery. No better pharmaceutical, endoluminal or surgical alternatives are present to date. No firm conclusion can be stated on its cost-effectiveness. Results have to be awaited comparing the laparoscopic 180-degree anterior fundoplication with the Toupet fundoplication to be a possible better surgical alternative. Division of the short gastric vessels is not to be recommended, nor is the use of a bougie or a mesh in the vast majority of GERD patients undergoing surgery. The use of a robot is not recommended. Anti-reflux surgery is to be considered expert surgery, but there is no clear consensus what is to be called an ‘expert surgeon’. As for setting, ambulatory settings seem promising although high-level evidence is lacking.     

腹腔镜胃底折叠术治疗胃食管反流性疾病

目的　探讨腹腔镜胃底折叠术治疗胃食管反流性疾病的可行性及安全性。方法　回顾性分析 2 0 0 1年 6月至 2 0 0 4年 3月对 4 2例行腹腔镜胃底折叠术的胃食管反流性疾病患者的临床资料。结果　 33例行腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术 ,9例行腹腔镜Toupet胃底折叠术。术后症状评分由11 5 6± 1 32降到 2 0 4± 1 36 ,食管下段压力由 (7 32± 1 34)mmHg提高到 (18 2 0± 3 4 3)mmHg ,2 4hpH值监测评分由 183 36± 96 76降低到 8 0 4± 2 12 ,均较手术前有明显改善 (P <0 0 1) ,并达到正常范围。无手术并发症 ,无中转开腹及死亡病例。结论　对于严重的胃食管反流性疾病 ,腹腔镜胃底折叠术是一种安全、有效的治疗方法     

Medication therapeutic strategies for gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition in industrialised countries. According to a recently published, globally accepted definition and classification of GERD, clinical presentations include oesophageal and extraoesophageal syndromes, with extraoesophageal syndromes divided into established and proposed associations. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are the drug class of choice for all patients with GERD, irrespective of the severity. The individual strategy of treatment (e. g., dose and duration of PPI) depends on the clinical presentation. As a rule, the magnitude of acid control gained by PPIs is related to clinically meaningful outcome parameters: speed and extent of symptom control, healing of reflux oesophagitis, maintenance of symptomatic and endoscopic remission of the disease. In individual cases, the efficacy of PPI therapy can be improved by switching from one compound to another and by increasing the frequency of dosing. Current evidence suggests that PPI therapy is remarkably safe without any relevant differences between the PPIs on the market.     

胃食管反流病内镜治疗的评价

胃食管反流病(gastro-esophageal reflux disease，GERD)是临床常见病，严重影响广大病人的生活质量。目前治疗的主要药物为质子泵抑制剂(proton pump inhibitor，PPI)，但仍有20％患者药物治疗无效，约20％患者因停药后复发而需要长期大剂量PPI维持，给患者带来巨大经济负担，近年来，随着内镜技术的不断发展与完善，国外学者对内镜治疗GERD进行了一些探索和研究，获得令人鼓舞的效果。     

间质性肺疾病与胃食管反流

胃食管反流可以引起慢性咳嗽和哮喘,除此之外胃食管反流和一些间质性肺疾病,如特发性肺纤维化、闭塞性细支气管炎伴机化性肺炎、结缔组织疾病中的系统性硬化相关性肺疾病等也存在比较明显的关系,胃食管反流在上述疾病中高发.虽然胃内容物造成的肺组织损伤在动物实验中已得到证实,但是胃食管反流与间质性肺疾病的明确关系还需要更深入的研究和实验来阐明.本文主要综述近年来关于胃食管反流与间质性肺疾病关系的研究进展.     

儿童胃食管反流的X线诊断

目的总结儿童胃食管反流（GER）的X线诊断经验，评价X线钡餐对GER的诊断价值方法儿童GER103例，年龄3岁～14岁，作回顾性分析，钡餐以5min内有3次反流确认为GER，重点观察反流的程度、形式以及食管对反流物的清除力（廓清）结果根据反流高度分为Ⅰ级（2例），Ⅱ级（42例），Ⅲ级（34例），Ⅳ级（7例）反流的形式分为少量间歇、多量连续及混合3型．食管的廓清力分主动、被动、缓慢3型Ⅰ，Ⅱ级的病例反流形式以少量间歇为主、廓清以“主动”或“被动”为多；而Ⅲ，Ⅳ级的病例以多量连续反流、缓慢廓清为多．在103例中，约有1／3病例有胃窦、十二指肠球部炎症等合并症．结论X线钡餐检查方法简便，易被接受能直接发现GER，还能估计反流量以及反流物对食管造成的损害．对儿童GER的诊断和治疗有重要参考价值．     

Persistent dysphagia after laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-esophageal reflux disease

SUMMARY.  Persistent postoperative dysphagia is a potentially severe complication of fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze our experience of laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD in 276 consecutive patients, to determine the frequency of postoperative dysphagia and assess treatments and outcomes. There was no relation between preoperative dysphagia, present in 24 patients (8.7%), and postoperative DeMeester grade 2 or 3 dysphagia, present in 25 patients (9.1%). Ten (3.6%) patients had clinically significant postoperative dysphagia, eight (2.9%) underwent esophageal dilation, with symptom improvement in five. Four (1.4%) of our patients (two with failed dilation) and 11 patients receiving antireflux surgery elsewhere, underwent re-operation for persistent dysphagia 12 months (median) after the first operation. DeMeester grade 0 or 1 dysphagia was obtained in 10/13 evaluable patients. Our experience is fully consistent with that of the recent literature. Redo surgery is necessary in only a small fraction of operated patients with GERD with good probability of resolving the dysphagia. Best outcomes are obtained when an anatomical cause of the dysphagia is documented preoperatively.     

Association between dinner-to-bed time and gastro-esophageal reflux disease

OBJECTIVE: It is generally recommended that patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) refrain from eating within 3 h of going to sleep. In addition to a remarkable lack of supporting clinical evidence, whether GERD patients have shorter dinner-to-bed time is unknown. This study was designed to determine a possible association between dinner-to-bed time and GERD, compared with healthy adults. METHODS: In a matched case-control study, we enrolled 147 GERD patients, and age- and sex-matched 294 controls without GERD symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation during the previous year. Dinner-to-bed time, defined as the time intervals until going to bed after finishing eating dinner, was examined by a self-report questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for GERD. RESULTS: After adjustment for smoking habits, drinking habits, and body mass index, shorter dinner-to-bed time was significantly associated with an increased OR of GERD (p < 0.0001) and the OR for patients whose dinner-to-bed time was less than 3 h was 7.45 (95% CI 3.38-16.4) compared with patients whose dinner-to-bed time was 4 h or more. These observations were consistent in both patients with non-erosive GERD and erosive esophagitis, and there was no significant difference in dinner-to-bed time intervals between non-erosive GERD and erosive esophagitis. CONCLUSION: In this matched case-control study, shorter dinner-to-bed time was significantly associated with an increased OR for GERD.     

胃食管反流性咳嗽的临床特征与诊断探讨

目的分析胃食管反流性咳嗽(GERC)的临床特征,为临床诊断GERC提供资料。方法收集我所2003年6月—2004年6月因慢性咳嗽而就诊的患者,对疑为GERC或诊断不明者行食管24hpH值监测,记录患者反流症状与呼吸道症状,包括监测期间出现的反胃、反酸、胸骨后烧灼感、胸闷和咳嗽等,记录食管上、下电极的Demeester总积分及24h食管pH<4的反流次数、反流时间>5min的次数、最长反流时间,计算总、立位、卧位pH<4的时间占监测时间的百分比,并与非GERC组患者(23例)进行比较。结果共评价250例慢性咳嗽,资料完整的192例,根据病情需要有50例行食管24hpH值监测,确诊GERC20例(GERC组),有13例存在进食相关性咳嗽,显著多于非GERC组(P<0.01),而伴反流相关症状、胃病史的发生率2组差异无统计学意义。进食相关性咳嗽对提示GERC诊断的特异性、阳性预计值和敏感性分别为91.3%、86.7%、65%。食管24hpH值监测结果显示:下电极立位pH<4的时间占监测时间的百分比显著大于卧位(P<0.05),餐后反流明显大于餐时反流(P<0.01)和立位反流(P<0.05)。结论进食相关性咳嗽对GERC的诊断有重要价值。食管24hpH值监测结果显示,GERC以餐后反流及立位反流为主,与临床表现相一致。     

质子泵抑制剂(奥美拉唑)试验在胃食管反流病中的诊断价值

目的　探讨质子泵抑制剂奥美拉唑 (商品名 :洛赛克 )试验对胃食管反流病 (GERD)的诊断价值。方法　根据临床反流症状、食管 2 4hpH监测、胃镜检查结果 ,将 15 2例有反流症状的GERD(12 3例 )与非GERD病人 (2 9例 )随机、双盲分成奥美拉唑 2 0mg/d(A组 ,5 0例 )、40mg/d(B组 ,5 1例 )及对照组 (C组 ,5 1例 ,第一周用安慰剂 ,第二周改用奥美拉唑 40mg/d) ,服药时间为 1周和 2周 ,记录服药前后病人烧心、反酸、反食、胸骨后疼痛症状积分的改变 ,按症状积分下降值判定诊断 ,与食管 2 4hpH监测、胃镜检查结果进行对比分析。结果　A、B、C三组的GERD病人 ,服药 1周后反流症状积分下降分别为 :5 .0± 4.8、4.9± 4.6、2 .3± 4.0 ,下降率分别为 35 .5 %、34 .9%、15 .3%。以症状积分下降 2分为标准 ,奥美拉唑试验诊断GERD的价值最佳。不同服药剂量分析 ,2 0mg/d服 1周组 ,试验敏感性、特异性分别为 82 .5 %、40 .0 %,符合率 76 .7%;40mg/d组则分别为88.1%、44 .4%和 81.0 %。两者比较差异无显著性。对服药时间分析 ,则以服奥美拉唑 2 0mg/d 1周为佳。结论　奥美拉唑试验是GERD临床诊断的一种可靠方法。     

在新的起点上加强我国对胃食管反流病的临床研究

胃食管反流病（gastroesophageal reflux disease,GERD）的发病率在世界范围内呈逐年上升趋势。目前我国对GERD的基本概念认识不足,并就相关问题没有达成一致意见,这种情况影响着我国在GERD方面的诊疗和研究进展,有关GERD研究和诊断治疗的总体水平不高,因此有必要就GERD相关问题形成统一的认识。故2006年8月26日在三亚市召开了全国胃食管反流病学术研讨会,并于8月27日召开了由18位国内专家参加的GERD共识意见讨论会。     

Transoral incisionless fundoplication for gastro-esophageal reflux disease: Techniques and outcomes

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease(GERD)is a verycommon disorder that results primarily from the loss of an effective antireflux barrier,which forms a mechanical obstacle to the retrograde movement of gastric content.GERD can be currently treated by medical therapy,surgical or endoscopic transoral intervention.Medical therapy is the most common approach,though concerns have been increasingly raised in recent years about the potential side effects of continuous longterm medication,drug intolerance or unresponsiveness,and the need for high dosages for long periods to treat symptoms or prevent recurrences.Surgery too may in some cases have consequences such as longlasting dysphagia,flatulence,inability to belch or vomit,diarrhea,or functional dyspepsia related to delayed gastric emptying.In the last few years,transoral incisionless fundoplication(TIF)has proved an effective and promising therapeutic option as an alternative to medical and surgical therapy.This review describes the steps of the TIF technique,using the Esophy X#174;device and the MUSETM system.Complications and their management are described in detail,and the recent literature regarding the outcomes is reviewed.TIF reconfigures the tissue to obtain a full-thickness gastroesophageal valve from inside the stomach,by serosato-serosa plications which include the muscle layers.To date the procedure has achieved lasting improvement of GERD symptoms(up to six years),cessation or reduction of proton pump inhibitor medication in about 75%of patients,and improvement of functional findings,measured by either p H or impedance monitoring.     

Helicobacter pylori and gastro-esophageal reflux disease: clinical considerations

In the last decade, several studies have approached the issue of a potential relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The different aspects debated were the possibility that the bacterium could have a protective role or worsen the disease or have no relationship at all. Hitherto, although some researchers have proposed fascinating pathogenic pathways, no scientific evidences exist to support the need to treat or not H. pylori infection in order to modify the natural history of GERD. In this review, the authors report the main updated considerations regarding this matter.     

Functional state of the gastro-duodenal area in gastro-esophageal reflux disease]

The complex study of stomach and duodenal function was performed in 150 patients with GERD. It was revealed that 84,3% of patients had increased stomach acid-production. In GERD exacerbation we found the disturbance of gastric mucosa decreasing protective properties of esophageal, stomach and duodenal mucosa. The patients had increased intragastral and intraduodenal pressure leading to decreasing of closing function of pylorus. Due to dynamic gastroscintigraphy the slowing of stomach evacuation was revealed in 69,2% patients, the acceleration - in 7,7% patients. The prevalence of bradyperistalsis was found in elecrogastromyography. The role of hormones (gastrin, insulin, cortisol, thyrotrophin, thyroxin) in disorders of gastro-duodenal complex function was shown. The complex investigation of gastro-duodenal complex function opens the pathophysiologic base of GERD and these data may be used in the choice of adequate therapy.     

The potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Background  

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) defined as a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Many drugs are used for the treatment of GERD such as omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) which is a widely used antiulcer drug demonstrated to protect against esophageal mucosal injury. Melatonin has been found to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa from oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species in different experimental ulcer models. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of exogenous melatonin in the treatment of reflux disease in humans either alone or in combination with omeprazole therapy.     

Follow-up of a cohort of children and adolescents with gastro-esophageal reflux disease who were free of reflux esophagitis at initial diagnosis

Abstract

Objective. Few studies have examined the incidence of complications from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children and adolescents in primary care. Here we aimed to describe the natural history of GERD in a pediatric population with no reflux esophagitis at initial diagnosis, assessing diagnoses of new esophageal complications and extra-esophageal conditions. Material and methods. We used The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database (which includes data on more than 2 million patients) to identify individuals aged 1–17 years with a first diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux or heartburn in the period 2000–2005, via a computerized search followed by a manual review of the patient records. This search identified 1242 individuals with an incident diagnosis of GERD but no record of esophagitis. This cohort was followed-up to detect new diagnoses of esophageal complications and extra-esophageal conditions. Results. During a mean follow-up period of almost 4 years, 40 children and adolescents had a confirmed new diagnosis of reflux esophagitis (incidence: 10.9 per 1000 person-years). No cases of Barrett's esophagus, esophageal stricture or esophageal ulcer were reported. Individuals with GERD had double the risk of an extra-esophageal condition such as asthma, pneumonia, cough or chest pain compared with children and adolescents with no diagnosis of GERD. Conclusions. Children and adolescents with GERD may be at risk of developing reflux esophagitis and a range of other extra-esophageal conditions, but more severe esophageal complications are rare.     

Anesthetic management of the SRSTM endoscopic stapling system for gastro-esophageal reflux disease

The SRS TM Endoscopic Stapling System(Medigus,Tel Aviv,Israel) is a new tool capable of creating a totally endoscopic fundoplication,combined with an endoscope,endoscopic ultrasound and a surgical stapler.SRS TM endoscopic stapling for gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a minimally invasive,outpatient procedure,which requires general anesthesia with positive-pressure ventilation.Keeping the patient on positive endexpiratory pressure(PEEP) may minimize the pressure gradient between the esophagus and the mediastinum,as well as help to prevent air from leaking around the screws and causing pneumomediastinum.In addition,in patients with hiatal hernia,higher PEEP levels may be required to increase intra-thoracic pressure and to force the stomach to slide into the abdomen for ease of endoscopy.We advise smoother emergence from anesthesia,taking precautions for retching,postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV),while coughing and gagging during extubation and PONV may affect the success of the procedure.Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil seems to be a good choice for these reasons.