Polyflex self-expanding,removable plastic stents: assessment of treatment efficacy and safety in a variety of benign and malignant conditions of the esophagus

Background Historically, esophageal fistulas, perforations, and benign and malignant strictures have been managed surgically or with the placement of permanent endoprostheses or metallic stents. Recently, a removable, self-expanding, plastic stent has become available. The authors investigated the use of this new stent at their institution. Methods The study reviewed all the patients who received a Polyflex stent for an esophageal indication at the authors’ institution between January 2004 and October 2006. Duration of placement, complications, and treatment efficacy were recorded. Results A total of 37 stents were placed in 30 patients (14 women and 16 men) with a mean age of 68 years (range, 28–92 years). Stent placement included 7 for fistulas, 3 for perforations, 1 for an anastomotic leak, 7 for malignant strictures, and 19 for benign strictures (8 anastomotic, 1 caustic, 5 reflux, 2 radiation, and 2 autoimmune esophagitis strictures, and 1 post-Nissen gas bloat stricture). The mean follow-up period was 6 months. Stent deployment was successful for all the patients, and no complications resulted from stent placement or removal. Nine stents migrated spontaneously. Three of three perforations and three of five fistulas sealed. Only one stent was removed because of patient discomfort. One patient with a radiation stricture experienced tracheoesophageal fistulas secondary to pressure necrosis. Of 20 patients with stricture, 18 experienced improvement in their dysphagia. Conclusion Self-expanding, removable plastic stents are easily and safely placed and removed from the esophagus. This has facilitated their use in the authors’ institution for an increasing number of esophageal conditions. Further studies to help define their ultimate role in benign and malignant esophageal pathology are warranted.     

Clinical significance and prognostic value of apoptosis related proteins in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine the expression of cell cycle regulators [p53, p21^WAF1/CIP1 (p21), and Rb] and apoptosis related proteins Bax and Bcl-X_L and to evaluate the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological findings in patients with superficial squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus.Methods: We immunohistochemically investigated the expression of p53, p21, Rb, Bax, and Bcl-X_L in 79 patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma.Results: p21 overexpression was found in mucosal carcinoma (P = 0.05) and a high Bcl-X_L score was observed for submucosal carcinoma (P = 0.03). The patients with high Bcl-X_L score had more frequent lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis than did those with low Bcl-X_L score (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed significantly shorter survival in patients with high Bcl-X_L expression than in those with low Bcl-X_L expression, but Bcl-X_L expression was not identified as an independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis.Conclusions: Because Bcl-Xl expression correlated well with depth of tumor invasion, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis, examination of Bcl-X_L expression will help to estimate the properties in superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.     

Complete fundoplication is not associated with increased dysphagia in patients with abnormal esophageal motility

Abnormal esophageal motility is a relative contraindication to complete (360-degree) fundoplication because of a purported risk of postoperative dysphagia. Partial fimdoplication, however, may be associated with increased postoperative esophageal acid exposure. Our aim was to determine if complete fundoplication is associated with increased postoperative dysphagia in patients with abnormal esophageal motor function. Medical records of 140 patients (79 females; mean age 48 ±1.1 years) who underwent fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were reviewed retrospectively to document demographic data, symptoms, and diagnostic test results. Of the 126 patients who underwent complete fundoplication, 25 met manometric criteria for abnormal esophageal motility (≤30 mm Hg mean distal esophageal body pressure or ≤80% peristalsis), 68 had normal esophageal function, and 33 had incomplete manometric data and were therefore excluded from analysis. Of the 11 patients who underwent partial fundoplication, eight met criteria for abnormal esophageal motility, two had normal esophageal function, and one had incomplete data and was therefore excluded. After a median follow-up of 2 years (range 0.5 to 5 years), patients were asked to report heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and overall satisfaction using a standardized scoring scale. Complete responses were obtained in 72%. Sixty-five patients who underwent complete fundoplication and had manometric data available responded (46 normal manometry; 19 abnormal manometry). Outcomes were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. After complete fundoplication, similar postoperative heartburn, swallowing, and overall satisfaction were reported by patients with normal and abnormal esophageal motility. Likewise, similar outcomes were reported after partial fundoplication. This retrospective study found equally low dysphagia rates regardless of baseline esophageal motility; therefore a randomized trial comparing complete versus partial fundoplication in patients with abnormal esophageal motility is warranted. Presented at the Forty-First Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Diego, Calif., May 2l–24, 2000 (poster presentation).     

Thoracoscopic elongation of the esophagus in long gap esophageal atresia

Long gap esophageal atresia in which a primary anastomosis cannot be achieved remains a challenge. Elongation of the esophagus by traction on the 2 ends has been previously described. With the advent of thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia, there have thus far been no reports of thoracoscopic repair of long gap esophageal atresia. This paper describes the first successful repair of long gap esophageal atresia by thoracoscopic traction of the 2 esophageal ends and delayed thoracoscopic anastomosis.     

MANAGEMENT OF VARICEAL HEMORRHAGE: CURRENT CONCEPTS

Introduction

The treatment of portal hypertension is complex and the the best strategy depends on the underlying disease (cirrhosis vs. schistosomiasis), patient''s clinical condition and time on it is performed (during an acute episode of variceal bleeding or electively, as pre-primary, primary or secondary prophylaxis). With the advent of new pharmacological options and technical development of endoscopy and interventional radiology treatment of portal hypertension has changed in recent decades.

Aim

To review the strategies employed in elective and emergency treatment of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic and schistosomotic patients.

Methods

Survey of publications in PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, SciELO and Cochrane databases through June 2013, using the headings: portal hypertension, esophageal and gastric varices, variceal bleeding, liver cirrhosis, schistosomiasis mansoni, surgical treatment, pharmacological treatment, secondary prophylaxis, primary prophylaxis, pre-primary prophylaxis.

Conclusion

Pre-primary prophylaxis doesn''t have specific treatment strategies; the best recommendation is treatment of the underlying disease. Primary prophylaxis should be performed in cirrhotic patients with beta-blockers or endoscopic variceal ligation. There is controversy regarding the effectiveness of primary prophylaxis in patients with schistosomiasis; when indicated, it is done with beta-blockers or endoscopic therapy in high-risk varices. Treatment of acute variceal bleeding is systematized in the literature, combination of vasoconstrictor drugs and endoscopic therapy, provided significant decline in mortality over the last decades. TIPS and surgical treatment are options as rescue therapy. Secondary prophylaxis plays a fundamental role in the reduction of recurrent bleeding, the best option in cirrhotic patients is the combination of pharmacological therapy with beta-blockers and endoscopic band ligation. TIPS or surgical treatment, are options for controlling rebleeding on failure of secondary prophylaxis. Despite the increasing evidence of the effectiveness of pharmacological and endoscopic treatment in schistosomotic patients, surgical therapy still plays an important role in secondary prophylaxis.     

Portal hypertension and ascites

Portal pressure is the product of portal blood flow and resistance; an increase in either leads to increased portal pressure. Cirrhosis is the underlying cause in most cases, but portal hypertension can develop due to prehepatic, intrahepatic and posthepatic obstruction to the flow, secondary to variety of causes. Diagnosis can be established by a combination of non-invasive imaging or portal vasculature and clinical or serological markers for the cause underlying cirrhosis. Development of gastro-oesophageal varices and ascites are the most important clinical manifestation of portal hypertension. Non-selective beta-blockers and endoscopic band ligation are effective in primary and secondary prevention of variceal bleeding. Active variceal haemorrhage is managed using a combination of vasoactive drug (e.g. terlipressin) and endoscopic band ligation. If these measures fail, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion achieves haemostasis. Diuretic therapy with spironolactone and furosemide are the mainstays of management of ascites. If ascites becomes refractory, repeat large volume paracentesis and TIPS in selected cases help to control symptoms. Development of ascites is an important landmark in the natural history of cirrhosis and liver transplantation should be considered definitive treatment.     

MRI影像与CT影像融合技术在局部晚期食管癌放疗靶区勾画中的应用研究

目的:探讨磁共振弥散加权影像（DWI）联合T2WI影像融合电子计算机断层扫描（CT）影像技术在局部晚期食管癌放疗靶区勾画中的应用价值。方法:选取2018年3月-2019年3月本院收治的食管癌局部晚期患者31例为研究对象,患者均在放疗前行CT和MRI常规及DWI检查,采用Eclipse治疗计划系统将两种影像学图片融合,由3名放疗科医师在CT图像及融合图像上进行放疗靶区勾画,分别记作A、B、C组。比较两种勾画方案勾画食管癌大体肿瘤靶区(GTV)和临床靶区（CTV）体积、长度、厚度及其变异系数CV值和Ratio值（最大值/最小值）,分析CT图像与融合图像GTV和CTV体积差异的原因。结果: 以CT为基础勾画的GTV和CTV体积、长度、厚度均大于以融合图像为基础勾画,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。3名放疗医师以CT图像为基础勾画的各项指标CV值、Ratio均大于以融合图像为基础勾画,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）;多因素分析,颈段食管癌、T4期食管癌是影响CT图像与融合图像GTV和CTV体积差异的独立相关因素（均P＜0.05）。结论:相对于CT图像,DWI联合T2WI影像融合CT影像技术能有效指导食管癌放疗靶区勾画及不同医师靶区勾画一致性。     

胸腹腔镜食管癌根治术与开放食管癌根治术的疗效对比及对患者肺功能的影响

目的探讨胸腹腔镜食管癌根治术与开放食管癌根治术的疗效及对患者肺功能的影响。方法选取2017年1月～2018年1月我院治疗的60例食管癌患者作为研究对象,其中30例行胸腹腔镜食管癌根治术(研究组),余30例行开放食管癌根治术(对照组),治疗后对比两组各项手术观察指标及肺功能各项指标的变化情况。结果研究组患者的术中出血量明显少于对照组、留置胸导管时间明显短于对照组,研究组患者的手术时间明显长于对照组,两组患者的住院时间组间比较,差异不显著(P0.05)。两组患者治疗后的FEV1、FVC及FEV1/FVC分别较治疗前明显升高,其中,研究组患者治疗后的FEV1、FVC及FEV1/FVC水平分别显著低于对照组,差异具有显著性(P0.05)。结论胸腹腔镜食管癌根治术较开放食管癌根治术具有出血少、术后并发症少等优点,且对患者肺功能改善效果更好,值得广泛推广和应用。