Ischemic Conditioning in the Right Colon and Terminal Ileum: An Experimental Rat Model.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative gastric ischemic conditioning (IC) improves the outcome of esophageal replacement gastroplasty and is associated with low morbidity. However, when the stomach cannot be used for esophageal replacement, a colonic replacement is required. The study aim was to assess the viability of right colon and terminal ileum IC in a rat model and the histological damage/recovery sequence and determine if neovascularization is a potential adaptive mechanism. METHODS: The study was conducted in Rattus norvegicus with ileocolic vascular ligation. Seven groups of animals were established (6 rats per group) with groups defined by the date of their post-IC euthanasia (+1, +3, +6, +10, +15, and +21 days). Comparisons were made with a sham group. Viability of the model was defined as <10% of transmural necrosis. The evaluation of histological damage used the Chiu score in hematoxylin and eosin sections of paraffin-embedded specimens with CD31 immunohistochemical assessment of neovascularization by the median of submucosal vessel counts in 5 high-magnification fields. RESULTS: Transmural colon necrosis occurred in 1/36 animals (2.78%) with no animal demonstrating transmural ileal necrosis. The maximum damage was observed in the colon on +1 day post-IC (average Chiu score 1.67, p = 0.015), whereas in the ileum, it was on days +1, +3, and +6 (average Chiu score 1.5, 1.3, and 1.17; p = 0.015, 0.002, and 0.015, respectively). In the +21-day group, histological recovery was complete in the colon in 4 (66.7%) of the 6 animals and in the ileum in 5 (83.3%) of 6 animals. There were no significant differences in quantitative neovascularization in any of the groups when compared with the sham group or when comparisons were made between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The tested animal model for IC of the colon and terminal ileum appeared to be feasible. Histological damage was maximal between the 1st and 3rd day following IC, but by day 21, recovery was complete in two-thirds of the rats. There was no evidence in this preliminary IC model that would suggest neovascularization as an adaptive mechanism.

A pilot randomized controlled trial on the utility of gastric conditioning in the prevention of esophagogastric anastomotic leak after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. The APIL_2013 Trial.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage (AL) after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Preoperative gastric conditioning (GC) improves blood perfusion of the gastroplasty, one of the most important factors for anastomotic viability. This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility of GC before oesophageal surgery in patients with oesophageal cancer or Siewert I-II esophagogastric junction cancer, who required an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized (1:1), open-label, single-centre, controlled, parallel-group, pilot clinical trial. Two study groups: 1) GC-group: patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy and GC before surgery; 2) Surgery alone (SA)-group: patients who underwent only Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Feasibility was assessed by means of the number of patients in whom a GC was performed, and the cumulative incidence of postoperative AL. Secondary endpoints were conduit necrosis (CN), hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, and anastomotic stricture. RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2018, 38 patients were randomized and analysed: 20 to GC-group and 18 to SA-group. 17 GCs (85%) were successfully performed, right gastric artery occlusion failed in three patients. Morbidity after GC occurred in 5/22 patients (all Clavien-Dindo ≤ IIIa). The cumulative incidence of AL was 15.0% (3/20, 95%CI: 5.2-36.0%) in GC-group and 33.3% (6/18, 95%CI: 16.3-56.3%) in SA-group, p-value: 0.184. CN: 0/20 vs. 1/18 (p-value: 0.474); surgical morbidity (Clavien-Dindo III-V): 7/20 vs. 12/18 (p-value: 0.070); hospital stay (median [range] days): 12 [9-45] vs. 27.5 [10-166] (p-value: 0.067). When only successful GCs (three arteries) were included for analysis, ischemia-related gastric conduit failure (AL and CN) was lower in the GC group (p-value: 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative arteriographic GC before Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is a feasible and safe procedure and seems it may reduce AL in patients with oesophageal cancer or Siewert I-II esophagogastric junction cancer.

Role of jejunoplasty in complex esophageal reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal reconstruction is a very complex surgical procedure, burdened by significant morbidity. Gastroplasty and coloplasty have classically been used. Free jejunal plasty has shown to be a very good option in the treatment of cervical esophagus pathology, but the role of supercharged jejunoplasty in thoracic esophagus reconstruction is still controversial. METHODS: A retrospective study of esophageal reconstructions with jejunoplasties performed in our unit between January 2011 and December 2019. Epidemiological data, indications, surgical technique, and morbidity and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: 67 procedures of esophageal reconstruction were performed, 10 of which were jejunoplasties: 5 free jejunums and 5 supercharged. Morbidity, mortality, mean stay and withdrawal time from enteral feeding were lower in free than in supercharged jejunums. CONCLUSIONS: Supercharged jejunoplasty was the last option for reconstruction of the thoracic esophagus. Median sternotomy access provides an excellent approach to the anterior mediastinum and the internal mammary vessels. The free jejunum would be the first choice, with the indemnity of the rest of the esophagus, in the reconstruction of the cervical esophagus.

Lymphography and embolization of the thoracic duct as a treatment for chylothorax after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. / Linfografía y embolización del conducto torácico como tratamiento del quilotórax tras esofagectomía por cáncer de esófago.

INTRODUCTION: Chylothorax is a rare complication in esophagectomies that is associated with increased postoperative mortality. Several factors have been described that may favor its appearance. Its treatment is controversial, and lymphography with percutaneous embolization of the thoracic duct is used by several groups. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Our retrospective study included patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer of the esophagus or the esophagogastric junction (Siewert I/II) between January 2010 and April 2019 and developed chylothorax as a complication. Epidemiological data, type of surgery, morbidity and treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: 274 cancer-related esophagectomies were performed in the study period. Thirteen patients (4.7%) were diagnosed with chylothorax in the postoperative period; 3 were resolved with conservative treatment. In the remaining 10 patients, lymphography was performed with aspiration of the cisterna chyli and thoracic duct embolization, which resolved the chylothorax in 9. One patient (10%) presented a biliary fístula after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphography with aspiration of the cisterna chyli and thoracic duct embolization is a technique with low morbidity that provides good results for the resolution of chylothorax after esophagectomy.

Does gastric conditioning decrease the incidence of cervical oesophagogastric anastomotic leakage? / ¿Puede el acondicionamiento gástrico disminuir la incidencia de dehiscencia anastomótica esofagogástrica cervical?

INTRODUCTION: Oesophageal reconstruction by gastroplasty with cervical anastomosis has a higher incidence of dehiscence. The aim of the study is to analyse the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing gastroplasty with cervical anastomosis following angiographic ischaemic conditioning of the gastric conduit. METHODS: Prospective analysis of patients who underwent gastric conditioning two weeks prior to oesophageal reconstruction, from January 2001 to January 2014. The conditioning was performed by angiographic embolization of the left and right gastric artery, and splenic artery. The main variable analysed was the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing gastroplasty with cervical anastomosis. Secondary variables analysed were the result of the conditioning, complications arising from that procedure and in the postoperative period, and mean length of postconditioning and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Gastric conditioning was indicated in 97 patients, with neoplasia being the most frequent aetiology motivating the oesophageal reconstruction (76%). 96 procedures were successfully carried out, arterial embolization was complete in 80 (83%). The morbidity rate was 13%, with no mortality. Postoperative morbidity was 45%; the most frequent complications associated with the surgery were respiratory problems. Six (7%) patients experienced cervical fistula, and all received conservative treatment. The rate of postoperative mortality was 7%. CONCLUSIONS: In our serie the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing gastroplasty with cervical anastomosis following angiographic ischaemic conditioning is 7%. Angiographic ischaemic conditioning is a procedure with acceptable morbidity.

[Body packer: review and experience in a referral hospital]. / Body packer: revisión y experiencia en un hospital de referencia.

Smuggling of illicit drugs by concealing them within the human body (body packer) is a medical-legal issue that has increased in the last few decades. Physicians, especially those working in the emergency department, should be familiar with the diagnostic and therapeutic management -usually conservative management- of this type of patient and their possible complications. The present article reviews the general concepts and physiopathology associated with transport of packages in the digestive tract and describes the experience of a referral hospital with a protocol specifically designed for these patients.