Colo-rectal endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) with the over-the-scope device (FTRD®): A multicenter Italian experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic full-thickness resection(EFTR) with FTRD® in colo-rectum may be useful for several indications.The aim was to assess its efficacy and safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study 114 patients were screened; 110 (61M/49F, mean age 68 ±â€¯11 years, range 20-90) underwent EFTR using FTRD®. Indications were:residual/recurrent adenoma (39), incomplete resection at histology (R1 resection) (26), non-lifting lesion (12), adenoma involving the appendix (2) or diverticulum (2), subepithelial lesions(10), suspected T1 carcinoma (16), diagnostic resection (3). Technical success (TS: lesion reached and resected), R0 resection (negative lateral and deep margins),EFTR rate(all layers documented in the specimen) and safety have been evaluated. RESULTS: TS was achieved in 94.4% of cases. EFTR was achieved in 91% with lateral and deep R0 resection in 90% and 92%. Mean size of specimens was 20 mm (range 6-42). In residual/recurrent adenomas, final analysis revealed: low-risk T1 (11), adenoma with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) (24) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) (3), scar tissue (1). Histology reports of R1 resections were: adenoma with LGD (6), with HGD (1), low-risk (6) and high-risk (1) T1, scar tissue (12). Non-lifting lesions were diagnosed as: adenoma with HGD (3), low-risk (7) and high risk (2) T1. Adverse clinical events occurred in 12 patients (11%),while adverse technical events in11%. Three-months follow-up was available in 100 cases and residual disease was evident in only seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: EFTR using FTRD® seems to be a feasible, effective and safe technique for treating selected colo-rectal lesions. Comparative prospective studies are needed to confirm these promising results.

Life-threatening bleeding for a large cameron ulcer. A novel description of a tailored-surgical strategy: report of a case and literature overview.

Hiatal hernias (HHs) are usually divided into two main groups: sliding and para-esophageal (torsional) ones. Sometimes patients presenting HHs experience progressive anemia, whereas rarely an acute anemia with melena or hematemesis can occur. In such cases a Cameron ulcer should be suspected and a careful esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGDS) with a meticulous inspection of the mucosal folds along the neck of the hernia is the best examination in order to find out the ulcer itself. In front of massive hemorrhage due to a Cameron erosion, the first aim should be the control of the bleeding itself, in order to ree1Romastablish hemodynamic stability. The Authors report the case of a 72-year-old man presenting a severe bleeding secondary to a large Cameron ulcer in a para-esophageal hiatal hernia. Firstly, a combined medical-endoscopic therapy was tried; the patient underwent transfusions of pooled red blood cells and endovenous anti-acid therapy combined with an operative endoscopic treatment; unfortunately this initial approach failed, therefore the patient was referred to surgery. The surgeons realized a minimally invasive atypical gastric resection associated with the HH repair; the post-operative course was uneventful and no other rebleeding episodes occurred. The urgency treatment of a life-threatening bleeding for Cameron ulcers remains a very challenging problem as no univocal and standardized recommendation has been described in literature since now. In this case-report the Authors make an overview of the current literature on the treatment of Cameron ulcers, describing a novel surgical technique for massive upper gastro-intestinal bleeding secondary to these lesions.

Efficacy and safety of full-thickness resection device based on over-the-scope clip system for resecting of gastric lesions in selected patients. Case series from a referral center for gastrointestinal diseases treatment and literature overview.

Since gastroduodenal FTRD system is commercially available, several data have been reported in Literature concerning duodenal full-thickness resections, whereas few cases of gastric full-thickness resections has been described. In this case series We report three patients treated with this innovative tool for resecting lesions of the gastric wall. The indications ranged notably: a neuroendocrine tumor in a difficult to treat environment in the first case, a recurrent adenocarcinoma in a poorly surgical candidate patient in the second case and a pre-pyloric lesion for the third patient. In the third patient, a complete pyloric stenosis due to the clip deployment occurred. Clinical success rate was 100%. Even if current Literature is still poor of articles dealing with gastric full-thickness resection device based on over-the-scope-clip system. Our case series show how this novel tool might be take into consideration for whenever both surgery and standard endoscopic resection techniques are poorly feasible.

Fresh vein allograft survival in dogs after cyclosporine treatment.

Synthetic grafts are widely used for peripheral arterial reconstructions when autologous veins are not available, but their results have not been satisfactory. Venous allograft may be used as an alternative to synthetic prostheses. The aim of the study was to explore the immunosuppressive efficacy of Cyclosporine A (CyA) as a means of preventing venous allograft failures and rejection. We utilized 56 mongrel dogs. Immunological incompatibility was checked with the skin graft method. Donor inferior vena cava was transplanted into the infrarenal abdominal aorta of recipient animals. One group (group 1, 10 dogs) served as a control and three groups received CyA treatment regimens. Group 2 (10 dogs) received postoperative oral CyA treatment for 30 days. Group 3 (12 dogs) received a vein graft pretreated with a CyA solution without postoperative immunosuppressive therapy. Group 4 (9 dogs) received a vein graft pretreated with a CyA solution and postoperative CyA treatment for 30 days. Allografts were examined at 30 days for patency, aneurysmal dilatation, gross structural changes, inflammatory response, and lymphocytic infiltration. Sex chromatine assessment determined the origin (donor or recipient) of the endothelial cells. The allografts from groups 1 and 3 showed significant aneurysmal dilatation and perivenous inflammation when compared to dogs treated with oral CyA therapy (P < 0.0002). Moreover allografts treated with CyA therapy had a better-developed venous neointima (P < 0.009) with less fibrin (P < 0.02) and thinner medial (P < 0.0009) with less fibrin (P < 0.02), and thinner medial (P < 0.0009) and adventitial layers (P < 0.02). No significant differences were observed in neointimal thickness among the four groups. Lymphocytic infiltration was greater in the group of animals who did not receive oral CyA therapy (P < 0.0004). Barr bodies status showed significant differences between oral CyA treated groups and nontreated groups (P < 0.0003). Oral CyA therapy reduced aneurysmal dilatation and immunological response, promoted the development of a neoendothelium, and preserved the structure of the venous layers. Graft pretreatment with CyA flushing did not have a significant immunosuppressive effect.

[Spontaneous transmural rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome)]. / Rottura spontanea transmurale dell'esofago (sindrome di Boerhaave).

A case is presented of spontaneous transmural rupture of the lower third of the esophagus, penetrating the left pleural space. The patient underwent repair under 7 hours by combined approach (laparotomy and left thoracotomy). High mortality and morbidity of Boerhaave's syndrome can be lowered by prompt and careful evaluation of symptoms and radiological signs, so avoiding incorrect or late diagnosis. Results appear to be related more to the time interval between perforation and operation than to the specific technique used.

Cervical dysphagia is associated with gastric hyperacidity.

There is some controversy regarding the association of upper esophageal symptoms and acid gastroesophageal reflux. We carried out gastric acid analysis, 24-h esophageal pH measurement, and esophageal manometry in 150 patients with symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Of these, 22 (15%) had gastric acid hypersecretion [basal acid output level > 5 mmol/h (19 patients) or maximum acid output level > 30 mmol/h (13 patients)]. They were compared to 25 consecutive patients with normal gastric acid secretion. An incompetent lower esophageal sphincter was identified in a similar number of hypersecretors (HS) (59.1%) and normosecretors (NS) (44%). Esophageal acid exposure was more common in HS than in NS (score, 70 vs. 36.1, p < 0.05). This was reflected as a higher incidence of esophagitis in HS (67 vs. 14%, p < 0.0025). Symptoms of cervical dysphagia were present in eight of 22 HS and one of 25 NS (p = 0.009). There was no anatomical lesion on endoscopy to explain the dysphagia. Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) manometry showed normal pharyngeal pressure, resting UES pressure, and length in both groups. The mean closing UES pressure was 127 mm Hg in HS and 114 mm Hg in NS (0.1 > p > 0.05). The HS with cervical dysphagia were no different from HS without dysphagia in any respect. We conclude that patients with gastric acid hypersecretion have more acid reflux, esophagitis, and cervical dysphagia. This is not associated with demonstrable abnormality in stationary manometry. Prolonged measurement may be required to show any change.

Concomitant subclavian and carotid artery disease: the need for a combined surgical correction.

To determine the importance of carotid artery disease in patients undergoing revascularization of the proximal subclavian artery for a subclavian steal syndrome, an 18-year experience of 55 patients was reviewed. Concomitant carotid artery disease (> 50% stenosis) was present in 35 patients (Group I: 63.6%). Twenty patients (Group II: 36.4%) had no evidence of hemodynamically significant carotid disease. Twenty-five patients in Group I (Group IA: 71.4%) were treated by endarterectomy (CEA) for all their carotid lesions while one or both carotid lesions were left untreated in 10 patients (Group IB: 28.6%). The actuarial 5-year freedom rate from neurological events was 87.2% in Group IA, 34.9% in Group IB (p < 0.001) and 100% in Group II (Group IB vs. II, p < 0.001; Group IA vs. Group II, p = ns). All untreated carotid lesions had a deleterious effect on the early and late functional results after surgical reconstruction of the subclavian artery. We conclude that the combined correction of subclavian and carotid lesions should be recommended in every case.

Gastric hyperplastic changes and thymidine uptake after partial gastrectomy in rats.

Foveolar hyperplastic changes have been recently considered to be the most distinctive histological findings following partial gastrectomy, and their relationship to bile reflux has been proven. The present study was undertaken in order to determine whether an increase in 3H-thymidine uptake, which is an expression of increased gastric mucosal proliferative activity, might correspond to these hyperplastic changes. Histology and thymidine uptake values were assessed and compared in nineteen rats operated upon either with a Polya gastrectomy (11) or with a Roux-en-Y biliary diversion (8). Thymidine uptake values and the extent of gastric hyperplastic changes were greater in the Polya than in the Roux-en-Y group. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between thymidine uptake values and the extent of hyperplastic changes. Therefore, the relationship between hyperplastic changes and increased mucosal proliferative activity post-gastrectomy would seem to have been proven. Since bile acids have been shown to be able to stimulate cell proliferation in ileal and colonic mucosa, a role for bile reflux in the increased cell proliferation activity in the gastric stump can be hypothesized.

Gastric hyperplastic changes and thymidine uptake after partial gastrectomy in rats.

Foveolar hyperplastic changes have been recently considered to be the most distinctive histological finding after partial gastrectomy, and their relationship with bile reflux has been proven. The present study was undertaken to establish whether an increase in 3H-thymidine uptake--which is an expression of increased gastric mucosal proliferative activity--might correspond to these hyperplastic changes. Histology and thymidine uptake values were assessed and compared in nineteen rats operated upon either by means of a Polya gastrectomy (11), or with a Roux-en-Y biliary diversion (8). Thymidine uptake values and the extent of gastric hyperplastic changes were greater in the Polya than in the Roux-en-Y group. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between thymidine uptake values and the extent of hyperplastic changes. The relationship between hyperplastic changes and post-gastrectomy increased mucosal proliferative activity would thus seem to have been demonstrated. Since bile acids have been shown to stimulate cell proliferation in ileal and colonic mucosa, a rôle for bile reflux can be hypothesized for the increased cell proliferation activity in the gastric stump.

Three-dimensional imaging of the lower esophageal sphincter in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The resistance of the lower esophageal sphincter to reflux of gastric juice is determined by the integrated effects of radial pressures exerted over the entire length of the sphincter. This can be quantitated by three-dimensional computerized imaging of sphincter pressures obtained by a pullback of radially oriented pressure transducers and by calculating the volume of this image, in other words, the sphincter pressure vector volume. Validation studies showed that sphincter imaging based on a stepwise pullback of a catheter with four or eight radial side holes is superior to a rapid motorized pullback. Compared with 50 healthy volunteers, the total and abdominal sphincter pressure vector volume was lower in 150 patients with increased esophageal acid exposure (p less than 0.001) and decreased with increasing esophageal mucosal damage (p less than 0.01). Calculation of the sphincter pressure vector volume was superior to standard techniques in identifying a mechanically defective sphincter as the cause of increased esophageal acid exposure, particularly in patients without mucosal damage. The Nissen and Belsey fundoplication increased the total and intra-abdominal sphincter pressure vector volume (p less than 0.001) and normalized the three-dimensional sphincter image. Failure to do so was associated with recurrent or persistent reflux. These data indicate that three-dimensional imaging of the lower esophageal sphincter improves the identification of patients who would benefit from an antireflux procedure. Analysis of the three-dimensional sphincter pressure profile should become the standard for evaluation of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Billroth I versus Billroth II partial gastrectomy in the treatment of gastric ulcer.

Short- and long-term results of B-I and B-II reconstructions were compared in order to assess which anastomosis is to be recommended after partial gastrectomy for gastric ulcer. All the patients (287) electively operated for gastric ulcer 10-20 years ago were considered for the study. Operative mortality did not significantly differ, while duration of post-operative time before discharge and post-operative morbidity were significantly lower after B-I. Long-term percentage probability of survival was higher after B-I than after B-II (87.0 and 63.7 after 19 years, respectively), while quality of life was similar in the two groups. In the 64 subjects (26 B-I and 38 B-II) who underwent the study protocol, fasting bile reflux appeared more abundant and bile acid concentration greater after B-II than after B-I. While bacteria and nitrite concentrations did not differ in the two groups, bile acid pattern differed in a greater deoxycholic acid percentage concentration in the B-II group. In spite of an increased deoxycholic acid concentration and therefore a probably more lithogenic bile, gallstones were shown in 23.11% and 39.41% of the B-I and the B-II subjects, respectively, without significant differences. In conclusion, when partial gastrectomy is indicated for gastric ulcer, B-I reconstruction seems preferable to B-II because of its lower post-operative mobility, less evident entero-gastric reflux and histological consequences, less evident bile acid pattern changes from normal, and an apparently longer life-expectancy after discharge.

A variety of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV presenting with haematemesis and gastro-esophageal reflux.

A case of a variety of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type IV presenting with haematemesis and melaena and symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux is described. At referral, the manometric esophageal findings similar to scleroderma and the abundant gastroesophageal reflux seemed noteworthy. 3 years after surgery, bleeding and reflux symptoms appeared, perfectly cured by a total biliary diversion operation. The reported case suggests that patients with EDS type IV especially when presenting with haematemesis and melaena should be investigated for reflux, since bleeding might be due to the action of reflux on the fragile-walled vessels of such patients.

Non-acid gastroesophageal reflux. Detection and evaluation by means of combined esophageal and gastric pH-monitoring.

One hundred and fifteen partially-gastrectomized patients were submitted to combined gastric and esophageal pH-monitoring with the aim of studying non-acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Since the detection of non-acid GER seems to be linked to the possibility of detecting entero-gastric reflux, only those patients (61) in whom entero-gastric reflux could be evaluated were considered. 37.7% of the patients showed non-acid GER according to the personal definition of such a reflux (any sudden esophageal pH change of 0.5 or more with earlier or simultaneous entero-gastric reflux). On the contrary, with De Meester and coworkers' criteria, only 21.3% of the patients were considered alkaline refluxers. Slight symptoms and slight endoscopical/histological changes were present in 20-30% of both non-refluxers and refluxers (whichever method of GER evaluation was considered). Therefore, correlations between GER and symptoms, endoscopical changes and manometric findings seemed poor using either method of GER evaluation. However, since the theoretical basis of combined gastric and esophageal pH-monitoring seems correct and the application of new techniques and the development of the parameters of "normality" can hopefully increase our understanding, the routine use of gastric and esophageal pH-monitoring should not be abandoned.