Enteral stenting versus gastrojejunostomy for palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction

Background and aims

Endoscopic placement of enteral self-expandable metallic stents is an alternative to surgical gastrojejunostomy (GJ) for palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Factors associated with clinical outcomes are not known. The aims of this study are to compare the overall complication rate and effectiveness (duration of oral intake) between endoscopic stenting (ES) and GJ in patients with GOO and identify predictors of clinical outcomes.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective cohort study at a single tertiary academic center. Patients who underwent ES or GJ for treatment of GOO between 1/2001 and 12/2010 were identified using an institutional claims database. The electronic medical records for each patient were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to study the association of treatment outcomes with patient factors and cancer therapy.

Results

120 patients had ES while 227 had GJ. Technical success was higher for GJ (99 vs. 96 %, p = 0.004). Complication rates were higher in the GJ group (22.10 vs. 11.66 %, p = 0.02). Reintervention was more common with ES [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 9.18, p < 0.0001]. Mean length of hospital stay (LOHS) was shorter (adjusted p = 0.005) in the ES compared with the GJ group. However, mean hospital charges, including reinterventions, were greater in the ES group (US $34,250 vs. US $27,599, p = 0.03). ES and GJ had comparable reintervention-free time in patients who had reintervention (88 vs. 106 days, respectively, p = 0.79). Chemotherapy [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 3 > 0.57, p = 0.04] and radiation therapy (adjusted HR 0.35, p = 0.03) were associated with significantly longer duration of oral intake after ES or GJ.

Conclusion

ES is associated with fewer complications, shorter LOHS, but higher reintervention rates and overall charges.     

Comparing the short-term outcomes of totally intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy with extracorporeal gastroduodenostomy after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a single surgeon’s experience and a rapid systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

Since delta-shaped gastroduodenostomy was introduced, many surgeons have utilized laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) with totally intracorporeal Billroth I (ICBI) for gastric cancer, because it is expected to have several advantages over laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with extracorporeal Billroth I (ECBI). In this study, we compared these two reconstruction options to evaluate their outcomes.

Methods

The data of 166 gastric cancer patients who underwent LDG performed by a single surgeon between April 2009 and February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The subjects were divided into ECBI (n = 106) and ICBI (n = 60) groups, and then the clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, symptoms, and change in BMI at 3 months after surgery were compared. Furthermore, a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.

Results

The operative time was significantly shorter in the ICBI group (197.4 ± 45.5 vs. 157.1 ± 43.9 min), but blood loss was similar between the groups. Regarding surgical outcomes, there were no significant differences in the length of hospital stay, soft diet initiation, visual analogue scale, frequency of analgesics injection, and postoperative white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels between the groups. The surgical complication rates were 5.7 and 13.3 % in the ECBI and ICBI groups, respectively, and one case of anastomosis leakage was observed in each group. At 3 months after surgery, reflux symptoms were more frequent in the ICBI group, but other gastrointestinal symptoms and the change of BMI were similar between the groups. The meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in the operative time, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, frequency of analgesic usages, and rates of anastomosis complications between the groups.

Conclusions

We could not demonstrate the clinical superiority of ICBI over ECBI based on our data and a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis. The anastomosis method may be selected according to patient conditions and the surgeon’s preference.     

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fiducial placement allows localization of small neuroendocrine tumors during parenchymal-sparing pancreatic surgery

Background

Parenchymal-sparing pancreatic surgery is ideal for lesions such as small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNET). However, precise localization of these small tumors at surgery can be difficult. The placement of fiducials under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance (EUS-F) has been used to direct stereotactic radiation therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This report describes two cases in which placement of fiducials was used to guide surgical resection. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of using EUS-F for intraoperative localization of small PanNETs.

Methods

A retrospective study analyzed two consecutive patients with small PanNETs who underwent EUS-F followed by enucleation in a tertiary-care referral hospital. The following features were examined: technical success and complication rates of EUS-F, visibility of the fiducial at the time of surgery, and fiducial migration.

Results

In the study, EUS-F was performed for two female patients with a 7-mm and a 9-mm PanNET respectively in the uncinate process and neck of the pancreas. In both patients, EUS-F was feasible with two Visicoil fiducials (Core Oncology, Santa Barbara, CA, USA) placed either within or adjacent to the tumors using a 22-gauge Cook Echotip needle. At surgery, the fiducials were clearly visible on intraoperative ultrasound, and both the tumor and the fiducials were successfully enucleated in both cases. No complications were associated with EUS-F, and no evidence of pancreatitis was shown either clinically or on surgical pathology. This investigation had the limitations of a small single-center study.

Conclusions

For patients undergoing enucleation, EUS-F is technically feasible and safe and aids intraoperative localization of small PanNETs.     

Proper preparation to reduce endoscopic reexamination due to food residue after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Background

Reducing food residue by proper preparation methods before endoscopy after distal gastrectomy can increase the quality of examination and decrease patient discomfort. We evaluated the risk factors for food residue and proper methods of preparation for endoscopy after distal gastrectomy.

Methods

Follow-up endoscopy with questionnaires was performed on 1,001 patients who underwent distal gastrectomy at Asan Medical Center between December 2010 and July 2011.

Results

Endoscopic examination failed in 94 patients (9.4 %) as a result of large amounts of food residue. Rates of failure were significantly higher in patients who ate a regular diet rather than a soft diet at last dinner before examination (13.9 vs. 6.1 %, p = 0.050), and in those who ate lunch rather than not eating lunch on the day before examination (14.6 vs. 7.7 %, p = 0.020). Multivariate analysis showed that the rate of failed examination was lower in patients who had a history of abdominal surgery (p = 0.011), those who ate a soft (p < 0.001) or liquid (p = 0.003) diet as a last meal rather than a regular diet, those who underwent Billroth I rather than Billroth II reconstruction (p = 0.035), patients with longer fasting time (p = 0.009), and those with a longer gastrectomy-to-endoscopy time interval (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients who undergo follow-up endoscopy after surgery should fast more than 18 h and ingest a soft or liquid diet on the day before examination.     

ERCP via gastrostomy vs. double balloon enteroscopy in patients with prior bariatric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

Background

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common bariatric surgery. The performance of ERCP in bariatric RYGB is challenging due to the long Roux limb. We herein compared the indications and technical outcomes of ERCP via percutaneous gastrostomy (GERCP) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBERCP) for patients with prior bariatric RYGB anatomy.

Methods

Between December 2005 and November 2011, consecutive ERCP patients who had undergone RYGB were identified using a prospectively maintained electronic ERCP database. Medical records were abstracted for ERCP indications and outcomes. In most cases, the gastrostomy was done by either laparoscopic or open surgery and allowed to mature at least 1 month before performing ERCP. The choice of route for ERCP was at discretion of managing physician.

Results

Forty-four patients (F = 42) with GERCP and 28 patients (F = 26) with DBERCP were identified. The mean age was younger in GERCP than DBERCP (44.8 vs. 56.1, p < 0.001). GERCP patients were more likely to have suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (77 %) as the primary indication whereas DBERCP was suspected CBD stone (57 %). The mean total number of sessions/patient in GERCP and DBERCP was 1.7 ± 1.0 and 1.1 ± 0.4, respectively (p = 0.004). GERCP access to the major papilla was successful in all but two (97 %), whereas duct cannulation and interventions were successful in all. In DBERCP, the success rate of accessing major papilla, cannulation and therapeutic intervention was 78, 63, 56 %, respectively. There was one (3.1 %) post-ERCP pancreatitis in DBERCP. Complications occurred in 11 GERCP procedures (14.5 %) and 10 were related to the gastrostomy. This was significantly higher than that of DBERCP (p = 0.022).

Conclusions

GERCP is more effective than DBERCP in gaining access to the pancreatobiliary tree in patients with RYGB, but it is hindered by the gastrostomy maturation delay and a higher morbidity. Technical improvements in each method are needed.     

Human applications of submucosal endoscopy under conscious sedation for pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery

Background

The submucosal endoscopy provide not only a reliable methods of access and closure for peritoneoscopy, but also an endoscopic working space for full-thickness resection. The aim of this study was to report the clinical outcome of submucosal endoscopy for pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 10 patients who received submucosal endoscopies. The indications of submucosal endoscopy were transgastric peritoneoscopy (TGP) and endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) of a gastric subepithelial tumor. All procedures were performed with a standard gastroscope under conscious sedation with the balanced propofol method in the endoscopic unit. After a 40 mm submucosal tunnel was created using an endoscopic submucosal dissection technique, (1) in TGP, balloon dilation of a serosal puncture and intraperitoneal exploration was performed; (2) in EFTR, a full-thickness incision and snaring resection was performed. Closure of the mucosal incision was performed by endoclips.

Results

All cases were technically feasible. The mean times for creating the submucosal tunnel, main procedure (peritoneal exploration or resection), and closure were acceptable (10.44 ± 2.42 minutes, 18.80 ± 9.41 minutes, and 5.63 ± 2.17 minutes, respectively). The mean hospital stay was 3.8 ± 1.48 days. All TGPs were diagnostic (4 peritoneal carcinomatosis and 1 tuberculosis). En bloc and complete resections were possible in all EFTRs (3 gastrointestinal stromal tumors and 2 schwannomas; mean tumor size, 20.8 ± 3.27 mm). There were no procedure-related complications, such as significant bleeding or peritonitis.

Conclusions

Human applications of submucosal endoscopy under conscious sedation for pure NOTES were feasible and safe.     

Relationship between distal screws and femoral arteries in closed hip nailing on computed tomography angiography

Background

Iatrogenic vascular injury as a result of closed hip nailing is not common, but is a regularly reported complication after hip fracture surgeries.

Methods

To prevent vascular injury in closed hip nailing by identifying the range of distances and angles between deep and superficial femoral arteries (DFAs and SFAs) and distal screws.

Patients and methods

Forty subjects who underwent computed tomography angiographies were included in this study. Imaginary lines marking the distal screws (proximal femoral nail antirotation-II [PFNA-II], 180 and 300 mm; inter-trochanteric/sub-trochanteric nails [ITST], 200 and 300 mm) were drawn on the scout film. On arterial phase images, angles between distal screw lines and those marking DFAs or SFAs, as well as the distance between each artery and far cortex, were measured using the cross-reference capabilities of the picture archiving and communication system.

Results

The short nails (PFNA-II 200 mm and ITST 180 mm) were closest to the DFAs, indicating that these nails are most likely to cause injury (PFNA-II 200 mm: 11.2 ± 13.7° anterior and 9.87 ± 5.83 mm; ITST 180 mm: 22.56 ± 15.92° posterior and 9.24 ± 4.74 mm). The short nails were relatively distant from the SFAs, which were located posteriorly to the long nails (PFNA-II 300 mm and ITST 300 mm).

Conclusions

These data indicate that insertion of distal screws into intramedullary nails increases the risk of injury to vascular structures. Surgeons must take care in drilling or inserting screws to ensure the prevention of vascular injury.     

The Effects of Surgical Cytoreduction Prior to Imatinib Therapy on the Prognosis of Patients with Advanced GIST

Background

Baseline tumor size is one of important prognostic factors for imatinib therapy in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgical cytoreduction before imatinib therapy can improve the prognosis.

Methods

A total of 249 patients with advanced GIST were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the degree of initial cytoreduction: 35 patients with ≥75 % of initial tumor bulk removed (cytoreduction group) and the other 214 patients (no cytoreduction group). The median follow-up was 44.0 months.

Results

Patients in the cytoreduction group were younger, in better performance, showed more initially metastatic disease, peritoneal metastases, but fewer liver metastases. The baseline tumor size when starting imatinib became significantly reduced in the cytoreduction group, which made significant difference between the two groups. By multivariate analyses, mutational status, tumor size, and granulocyte count at presentation were associated with progression-free survival. Age and tumor size were associated with overall survival. However, initial cytoreduction was not significantly related to the prognosis.

Conclusions

Cytoreduction before imatinib therapy appears not to improve the prognosis. Imatinib therapy should still represent the initial treatment for advanced GIST.     

Staging of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction: Comparison of AJCC 6th and 7th Gastric and 7th Esophageal Staging Systems

Background

Adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is currently staged by the esophageal staging criteria according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, 7th edition. We compared the performance of 6th gastric (G6), 7th gastric (G7), and 7th esophageal (E7) staging systems.

Methods

A total of 202 curatively resected adenocarcinomas of EGJ were analyzed. Patient outcomes were assessed according to G6, G7, and E7 staging. Tumor invasion to the subserosal or serosa layer was regarded as invasion to the adventitia for E7 staging. Performance was measured based on monotonicity (decreasing survival with increasing stage), distinctiveness (survival difference between different stages), and homogeneity (homogenous survival in the same stage).

Results

Each staging system was monotonous except for T1-2N0 lesions of E7. This was related to the introduction of histologic grade in E7 staging. Distinctiveness in each staging system was variable. As for the homogeneity, patients whose disease was staged as Ib (E7) exhibited different survival when reassessed by G6 and G7; again, this was related to histologic grading. Patients with IIIb (G7) and IIIc (E7) disease had different survival when reassessed by G6 staging, reflecting the poorer survival of patients with more than 15 lymph node metastases.

Conclusions

Staging of EGJ cancer based on the current AJCC, 7th edition, criteria of esophageal cancer staging has several limitations. We recommend considering modifications of the following in future updates of the staging system: accurate anatomical definition of tumor depth, removal of histologic grade from staging parameters, and classification of more than 15 lymph node metastases as a highly advanced stage.     

Quantitative Shear Wave Elastography as a Prognostic Implication of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC): Elasticity Index Can Predict Extrathyroidal Extension (ETE)

Objective

To investigate whether the quantitative elasticity index of shear wave elastography (SWE) can predict extrathyroidal extension (ETE) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) preoperatively.

Methods

A total of 208 patients with pathology confirmed PTC whom underwent SWE during preoperative staging US between April 2011 to June 2012 were included.SWE indices of E _mean, E _max, E _min of the index malignancy, the ratios between E _mean of the lesion and parenchyma (E _ratio-P), and muscle (E _ratio-M), and grayscale US findings, including ETE, multifocality, bilaterality, and central and lateral lymph node (LN) metastasis were evaluated. The correlations of SWE indices and grayscale US findings with pathologic prognostic factors of PTC were analyzed by Chi square or Fisher’s exact test, and multivariate regression analysis.

Results

ETE was associated with E _mean, E _max, E _min, and E _ratio-M (P = 0.005, 0.009, 0.016 and <0.001, respectively), multifocality was associated with E _mean, E _max, and E _min (P = 0.028, 0.007, and 0.004, respectively), and central LN metastasis was associated with E _ratio-M (P = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, E _mean and E _min were independent factors for predicting ETE (P = 0.032, 0.049, respectively).

Conclusions

Quantitative elasticity index of SWE could predict pathologic ETE, and SWE could be a complimentary method to grayscale US for preoperative prediction of prognostic factors of PTC.