A Surgeon's Role in the Management of Early Esophageal, EGJ and Gastric Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection and submucosal dissection (ESD) are indicated in a majority of mucosal esophageal, esophagogastric junction and gastric cancers (GC), and selected cases of submucosal cancers as well. SUMMARY: The presence of lymph node metastases in early esophageal cancer (EC) has been proven in up to 50% of -patients with sm3 cancers treated with surgical resection, and up to 18.5 and 30.5% in sm1 and sm2 cancer respectively. The presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), tumor depth >500 µm and poor tumor differentiation seem to be a common predictor of worse outcomes in literature reports. In case of early esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC) these predictors include LVI, tumor size >3 cm, Barrett's origin of the tumor and ulcerative tumor appearance. Extended indications for ESD in early GC are already adopted in high volume centers with high success rates (up to 98%). Jet, positive resection margins after ESD, LVI and poor tumor differentiation carry high metastatic potential, therefore advocating surgery. Limited resections and cooperative laparoscopic endoscopic approach may be implemented in cases of early EGJC and GC. Key Messages: The presence of LVI, depth of submucosal invasion, and poor tumor differentiation in cases of early EC, EGJC, and GC favor surgical treatment despite improvements in endoscopic techniques.

Can different subsets of ineffective esophageal motility influence the outcome of nissen fundoplication?

BACKGROUND: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease includes three different subsets that may affect symptom profiles. Our aim was to assess symptoms and functional outcome in patients with erosive esophagitis according to different subsets of IEM, before and after Nissen fundoplication (NF). METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study with prospective follow-up of 72 patients with reflux esophagitis and IEM in whom open NF was performed. Based on principal manometric esophageal body motility disorder, patients were divided in three groups: predominantly low-amplitude (LAC, N = 38), non-propulsive (NPC, N = 18), and simultaneous low-amplitude esophageal contractions (SC, N = 16). Patients underwent symptomatic questionnaire and stationary esophageal manometry before and 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery. RESULTS: Preoperatively, patients in NPC and SC groups had higher mean scores of dysphagia, without statistical significance as opposed to the LAC group (p = 0.239). Postoperative dysphagia occurred in 36 patients, without statistical significance between groups regarding dysphagia grades (p = 0.390). A longer duration of postoperative dysphagia was noted in the SC group (p < 0.05). Improvement of nadir values of contraction amplitudes in distal esophagus occurred postoperatively in all groups, significantly higher in LAC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Three years after NF, successful symptomatic and functional outcome was achieved in analyzed groups of patients with erosive esophagitis regardless of IEM subtype.

Significance of limited hiatal dissection in surgery for achalasia.

INTRODUCTION: It is speculated that postoperative pathologic gastroesophageal reflux after Heller's myotomy can be diminished if the lateral and posterior phrenoesophageal attachments are left intact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of limited hiatal dissection in patients operated due to achalasia. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, 3 years follow-up of 84 patients operated due to achalasia. In 26 patients, Heller-Dor with complete hiatal dissection was done (G1), limited hiatal dissection combined with myotomy and Dor's procedure was performed in 36 patients (G2), and with Heller's myotomy alone in 22 (G3). Stationary manometry and 24 h pH study were performed in regular postoperative intervals. RESULTS: Postoperatively, higher median values of lower esophageal sphincter resting pressures were marked in G2 and G3, while patients in G1 were presented with higher median values of pH acid score (p < 0.001). Abnormal DeMeester score 3 years after surgery was present in 23.1% of patients in G1 and 8.5% and 9.1% in G2 and G3 accordingly. There was no statistical difference between the groups concerning postoperative dysphagia recurrence. CONCLUSION: Indicating further long-term studies, 3 years after the operation limited hiatal dissection compared to complete obtains better reflux control in achalasia patients, regardless of Dor's fundoplication.

Perioperative myocardial ischemia in coronary artery disease patients undergoing abdominal nonvascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of perioperative myocardial ischemia (PMI) is the highest in patients who have coronary artery disease, and it is the best predictor of intrahospital morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of PMI in patients who have coronary artery disease and are undergoing abdominal nonvascular surgery. METHODS: A prospective, observational, clinical study of 111 consecutive patients with angiographically verified coronary artery disease, scheduled for open abdominal nonvascular surgery, was conducted. Patients received general anesthesia and were monitored by continuous electrocardiogram during surgery and immediately postsurgery (72 h period) in the intensive care unit at the University Clinical Center (Belgrade, Serbia). All of the patients had 12-lead electrocardiography immediately after the surgery, on postoperative days 1, 2 and 7, and one day before discharge from hospital. The patients were monitored until the 30th postoperative day. RESULTS: A total of 24 predictors for PMI were analyzed. The Pearson's chi(2) test and a binomial logistic regression model were used for statistical analysis. A significant difference in the incidence of PMI was found in the coronary artery disease patients with an associated risk factor (14 of 24 risk factors) compared with those without the risk factor. In particular, a highly significant difference in the incidence of PMI was found in coronary artery disease patients with angina pectoris, compared with those without angina pectoris. CONCLUSION: Using the multivariate logistic regression analysis, angina pectoris was an independent predictor of PMI.

The effect of metoprolol on perioperative outcome in coronary patients undergoing nonvascular abdominal surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effectiveness of the beta-1-adrenergic blocker, metoprolol. DESIGN: Prospective, observational, clinical study. SETTING: Operating room and intensive care unit of a tertiary-care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 111 ASA physical status II, III, and IV consecutive patients who were scheduled for open abdominal nonvascular surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into two stratification groups: 83 (74.8%) of 111 received metoprolol, and 28 (25.2%) of 111 were controls. Within 24 to 96 hours, the drug was used parenterally in a dose of 5, 10, and 15 mg per 24 hours. Metoprolol cardioprotection was applied during the whole perioperative period, in the form of tablets in a dose of 25, 50, and 100 mg per 24 hours until the 30th postoperative day. MEASUREMENTS: During surgery, and in the first 72 postoperative hours, patients were monitored by continuous ST-T segment monitoring. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was attached immediately after surgery; on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7; and one day before discharge from the hospital. Serum troponin-T level was controlled 6, 24, and 96 hours after surgery. MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative mortality of cardiac etiology after 30 days of surgery was 1.2% (1/83) in the metoprolol group versus 7.1% (2/28) in the nonmetoprolol group (P<0.05). The causes of death in these three patients were acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and malignant arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative cardioprotection significantly reduced mortality until postoperative day 30 in patients having open abdominal nonvascular surgery with general anesthesia.

Acute effects of ghrelin on insulin secretion and glucose disposal rate in gastrectomized patients.

CONTEXT: Plasma ghrelin concentration is diminished in gastrectomized patients. Acute ghrelin administration reduces insulin secretion, whereas insulin infusion has been shown to decrease ghrelin levels. Whether ghrelin has any effect on glucose utilization in humans is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to reveal the effect of ghrelin on insulin-mediated glucose disposal in gastrectomized patients. STUDY AND SETTING: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, hospital-based study. PATIENTS: Seven men and three women who all had a previous total gastrectomy and truncal vagotomy entered and completed the study. INTERVENTION: Each individual received infusion of saline alone or saline with ghrelin (5.0 pmol/kg.min) during a 5-h hyperinsulinemic (80 mU/m(2).min) euglycemic clamp on 2 separate days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed glucose disposal rate and concentrations of C-peptide, ghrelin, GH, IGF-I, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 and -1, cortisol, leptin, and adiponectin. RESULTS: Glucose disposal rate decreased during ghrelin infusion (control study 8.6 +/- 0.2 vs. 7.2 +/- 0.1 mg/kg.min P < 0.001). In experiments with saline infusion, levels of ghrelin (P < 0.001), C-peptide (P < 0.001), glucagon (P < 0.001), adiponectin (P = 0.005), cortisol (P = 0.012), IGF-I (P < 0.001), IGFBP-3 (P = 0.038), and IGFBP-1 (P = 0.001) fell in response to euglycemic hyperinsulinemia. GH concentration maintained at baseline, whereas leptin significantly rose (P < 0.001). In the ghrelin infusion study, the plateau level of ghrelin concentration (6963.6 +/- 212.9 pg/ml) was maintained from 90 min throughout the experiment. GH (P < 0.001) and cortisol (P = 0.04) concentrations rose, whereas C-peptide levels were more suppressed than in the control study (P < 0.001). Other hormones and IGFBPs changed similarly as in the study with saline infusion. CONCLUSION: It appears that ghrelin might be involved in the negative control of insulin secretion and glucose consumption in gastrectomized patients, at least after acute administration.