Artificial nutritional support in cancer patients after esophagectomy: 11 years of experience.

Esophageal cancer represents a high-risk group of patients. This study determines the association of artificial nutrition with morbidity, mortality, and survival and studies clinical situations that determine the choice between enteral (EN) and parenteral support (PN). This retrospective single-center study compared 2 periods: 1) treatment centered in surgical process with discretionary demand of support, and 2) elective therapeutic and nutritional interventions were systematized. Risks factors that determined use of PN and survival were included in 4 multivariate regression models: 2 logistic, 1 multinomial, and a survival Cox analysis. Significance determined with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 95%; inclusion criteria was P < 0.1. During an 11-yr period, 175 patients were studied. Artificial nutrition consisted of 45 jejunostomy EN, 28 PN, and 102 both. Risk factors that conditioned PN were first period (OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.13-5.14), stay in intensive care unit (ICU) >3 days (OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 0.93-3.71), and surgical reintervention (OR: 3.83; 95% CI: 0.94-16.95). Risk factors associated with mortality were first period (OR: 22.7; 95% CI: 2.31-172.05), respiratory infection (OR: 11.23; 95% CI: 2.33-55.5) and coloplasty surgery (OR: 13.16; 95% CI: 2.11-83.33). Longer survival was associated with second period (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.38-4.05) and lower neoplasm staging (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.21-1.69). A multidisciplinary management that includes nutritional support of esophagectomized patients is 1 of the factors that improves survival. Protocol implies greater use of EN; PN remains an important nutritional therapy.

[Surgical outcomes of esophageal cancer resection since the development of an Oesophagogastric Tumour Board]. / Resultados de la esofagectomía por cáncer tras la creación de un Comité de Tumores Esofagogástricos.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of oesophageal cancer with curative intent requires a multidisciplinary approach. Neoadjuvant therapy, the radicality of resection and extension of lymphadenectomy have been associated with increased operative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the results of surgical treatment of oesophageal cancer since the presence of an interdisciplinary esophagogastric tumour board. METHODS: Patients with cancer of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction who underwent oesophagectomy between January 2005 and March 2012 were included in this retrospective study. Data concerning type of resection, postoperative complications, mortality and survival were analysed. RESULTS: Of the 392 patients with a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer over the study period, 100 underwent oesophagectomy. Seventy-four patients received neoadjuvant treatment. Eighty-two patients underwent transthoracic resection while a transhiatal was used in 10 patients. Colon interposition was required in 8 cases. An R0 resection was achieved in 98 patients. Anastomotic leaks developed in 15 patients, 9 were intrathoracic and 6 were cervical. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 42% of patients, and intra-hospital and 90-day mortality was 2%. Median length of hospital stay was 16 days. The respective actuarial survival at 1 and 5 years were 82% and 56%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment with curative intention for oesophageal cancer is only possible in a quarter of patients diagnosed. The high morbidity rate was mainly due to intrathoracic complications.

Effect of Fish Oil Parenteral Emulsion Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters after Esophagectomy.

(Background) Esophagectomy (EPG) presents high morbidity and mortality. Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3FA) are a pharmaconutrient with benefits for postoperative morbidity. Studies of ω-3FA administered parenterally after esophagectomy are scarce. This study proposes to investigate the effect of combining fish oil lipid emulsions (LE) administered parenterally with enteral nutrition support. (Methods) Randomization was 1:1:1 in three groups: Group A received a LE mixture of 0.4 g/kg/day of fish oil and 0.4 g/kg/day of LCT/MCT 50:50, Group B received 0.8 g/kg/day of fish oil LE, and Group C received 0.8 g/kg/day of LCT/MCT 50:50. Variables were measured at recruitment time and day +1, +3, and +5. Inflammatory variables studied were Interlukin-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumoral necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10, IL-8 and CD25s. Safety, nutritional parameters and complications were analyzed. (Results) Administration of ω-3LE in the immediate postoperative period did not modulate the earlier inflammatory response. Statistically significant differences were found in IL-6 and CRP overall temporal evolution but were not found when studying the type of LE administered or in patients needing critical care. Administration of ω-3 resulted in safe and improved hypertriglyceridemia, depending on the dose. (Conclusions) ω-3FA has no impact on the early inflammatory postoperative response assessed for a short period but was safe. More studies for longer periods are needed.

Genetic factors associated with alterations in liver function test results in adult hospitalized patients treated with parenteral nutrition: A substudy of a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The presence of phytosterols in vegetable-based lipid emulsions has been associated with alterations in the results of liver function tests (LFTs). Serum levels of phytosterols are under strict genetic control. T-allele carriers in rs41360247 and C-allele carriers in rs4245791 of ABCG8genes are associated with higher phytosterolemia. The objective of this study was to determine the association between these single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and LFT result alterations in an adult hospitalized population treated with parenteral nutrition. METHODS: This is a substudy of a previous clinical trial (EudraCT 2014-003597-17). It included adult hospitalized patients who had received at least 7 d of parenteral nutrition with 0.8 g/kg/d of an olive/soybean lipid emulsion, randomized 1:1 to receive the same olive/soybean emulsion or 100% fish oil at a dose of 0.4 g/kg/d for 7 d. Plasma phytosterols and their fractions, rs41360247 and rs4245791 of ABCG8 genes, and LFT were determined. Analyses of variance were performed to determine the association between the SNPs and LFT values, as well as total phytosterol values and their fractions. Simple linear regressions were performed to analyze LFT variations and the different interactions of the SNPs studied with phytosterols and their fractions. Interactions of the synergic variable plasma phytosterol and its fractions with SNPs allow us to study the interaction of the SNPs with phytosterols with a regression. RESULTS: We included 19 participants. In the multivariate model, total phytosterols, sitosterol, and lanosterol were positively associated with increases in γ-glutamyltransferase. Significant increases with stigmasterol were associated with the T allele of rs41360247, whereas campesterol showed only a tendency to increase that was not significant. Increases in alkaline phosphatase were associated with T-rs41360247 independent of the presence of phytosterols. With stigmasterol, C-allele carriers of rs4245791 showed a tendency to increase, and also for sitosterol and lanosterol, although independent of the SNP analyzed. Increases in alanine aminotransferase were positively associated with total phytosterol and sitostanol, whereas lanosterol and stigmasterol were associated with the presence of the T allele of rs41360247. CONCLUSIONS: With both SNPs rs41360247 and rs4245791, the alteration in parameters of liver function in adult patients with short-term parenteral nutrition is conditional.

Robotic surgery for the treatment of achalasia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of the robotic approach for achalasia surgery in a tertiary center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with achalasia who underwent robotic surgery between May 2010 and April 2019 were analyzed. The study variables were collected in a prospective database and a descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: 45 patients (55.6% male) with a mean age of 44 years were included. The main symptom at diagnosis was dysphagia. 19 patients (42.2%) received endoscopic treatment prior to surgery, mostly pneumatic dilation (84.2%). Heller's myotomy associated with Toupet fundoplication was the surgical technique of choice, with a mean operative time of 211 min. The average stay was 5 days. There were 2 postoperative perforations (4.4%). Perioperative mortality was 0%. The mean follow-up was 64 months. At 3 and 5 years, a significant decrease in the Eckardt score was observed and the manometric study showed a decrease in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure at rest of 58% and 70%, respectively, with persistence of hypomotility of the esophageal body. Pathological gastroesophageal reflux was diagnosed in two patients (5.4%) and 4 (10.8%) presented recurrence of symptoms, requiring endoscopic pneumatic dilations. In 2 cases, the dilations were not effective, so an endoscopic myotomy was considered. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, robotic surgery is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of achalasia.

[Supercharged ileocoloplasty: an option for complex oesophageal reconstructions]. / Ileocoloplastia supercharged: una opción para reconstrucciones esofágicas complejas.

INTRODUCTION: Oesophageal reconstruction in a second time is a complex surgical operation which, in some cases, requires combining microvascular techniques to increase vascular flow to the conduit. "Supercharged" ileocoloplasty allows creation of a longer conduit that makes it possible to replace the entire oesophagus. We describe our initial experience with this technique for the total reconstruction of the oesophagus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the period from October 2007 to December 2009 identified 4 patients on whom a deferred oesophageal reconstruction was performed with a "supercharged" ileocoloplasty. The indications of this technique, morbidity and mortality, as well as functional results during follow up were evaluated. RESULTS: The indications of this technique were: previous failure of a left colon interposition (1), oesophageal disconnection due to a gastro-pleural fistula (1), total oesophagogastrectomy (1) and partial oesophagogastrectomy (1) due to the ingestion of caustic substances, respectively. Gastrointestinal complications were the most frequent. Two cervical fistulas were diagnosed which were resolved with an absolute diet, antibiotic therapy and enteral nutrition. There was no mortality. After a median follow up of 14.7 months, two patients were nourished exclusively by mouth, one by a mixed route (oral-enteral) and another exclusively by the enteral route due to an oesophageal stenosis 11 centimetres from the dental arch; this patient required dilations and is awaiting a jejunal graft. CONCLUSIONS: "Supercharged" ileocoloplasty is a complex treatment option for the total reconstruction of the oesophagus when no other alternatives are available. Postoperative morbidity is significant but the functional results are good.

Clinical, randomized, double blind clinical trial to study the effect of parenteral supplementation with fish oil emulsion in the nutritional support in esophagectomized patients.

INTRODUCTION: Esophagectomy is a major surgery with a high degree of catabolic and post-surgical inflammatory response accompanied by high morbidity and significant mortality. Post-surgical nutritional support via enteral administration of ω-3 fatty acids has been seen to be effective although its bad tolerance. There are few clinical trials with parenteral ω-3 fatty acids in these patients. We propose to investigate the effect of combining a parenteral fish oil lipid emulsion with the standard enteral nutrition (EN) support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind study in esophagectomized patients, and treated after surgery with parenteral lipid emulsions of ω-3 fatty acids or a mixture of ω-6 long-chain triglycerides/short-chain triglycerides 50%. These emulsions will be added to the standard nutritional support in continuous infusion until 5 days of treatment have been completed. Patients will be randomized 1:1:1 in Group A receiving 0.4 g/kg/d of fish-oil lipid emulsion and 0.4 g/kg/d of a lipid emulsion mixture of ω-6 long-chain fatty acids (LCT) plus medium-chain fatty acids (MCT) (total dose of 0.8 g/kg/d of lipid emulsion); Group B receiving 0.8 g/kg/d of fish oil lipid emulsion and Group C receiving 0.8 g/kg/d of LCT/MCT emulsion.The main objective is to determine whether 5 days administration of intravenous ω-3 fatty acid lipid emulsion is effective in normalizing interleukin-6 levels compared with LCT/MCT emulsions, and whether a 0.8 g/kg/d dose is more effective than 0.4 g/kg/d. Secondary outcomes include other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10, and parameters of morbidity, safety, nutrition and mortality.Samples will be collected at the time when surgery is indicated and on days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 21 to determine inflammatory, nutritional, hepatic and safety parameters. In addition, clinical follow-up will be continued throughout the hospital admision and up to 1 year after surgery. DISCUSSION: Studies of ω-3 fatty acids administered parenterally in esophagectomized patients are scarce. This study proposes to investigate the effect of combining fish-oil lipid emulsions administered parenterally with EN support. Potential benefits include fast incorporation of lipids to the cellular membranes and to the inflammatory cascade, and the use of only 1 pharmaconutrient. TRIAL REGISTRATION: FAR-NP-2017-01 EudraCT number: 2016-004978-17.https://reec.aemps.es/reec/public/detail.html searching the EudraCT number. VERSION IDENTIFIER: Version 2, 08/06/2017.

Robotic surgery for the treatment of achalasia. / Cirugía robótica en el tratamiento de la acalasia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of the robotic approach for achalasia surgery in a tertiary center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with achalasia who underwent robotic surgery between May 2010 and April 2019 were analyzed. The study variables were collected in a prospective database and a descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: 45 patients (55.6% male) with a mean age of 44 years were included. The main symptom at diagnosis was dysphagia. 19 patients (42.2%) received endoscopic treatment prior to surgery, mostly pneumatic dilation (84.2%). Heller's myotomy associated with Toupet fundoplication was the surgical technique of choice, with a mean operative time of 211minutes. The average stay was 5 days. There were 2 postoperative perforations (4.4%). Perioperative mortality was 0%. The mean follow-up was 64 months. At 3 and 5 years, a significant decrease in the Eckardt score was observed and the manometric study showed a decrease in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure at rest of 58% and 70%, respectively, with persistence of hypomotility of the esophageal body. Pathological gastroesophageal reflux was diagnosed in two patients (5.4%) and 4 (10.8%) presented recurrence of symptoms, requiring endoscopic pneumatic dilations. In 2 cases, the dilations were not effective, so an endoscopic myotomy was considered. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, robotic surgery is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of achalasia.

Phytosterolemia and γ-glutamyl transferase in adults with parenteral nutrition: Fish versus vegetal lipids: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Fish oil (FO)-based lipid emulsions (LEs) have been reported to prevent hepatic dysfunction in patients treated with parenteral nutrition (PN). We studied patients with alterations of γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) associated with the administration of PN containing olive/soybean (O/S)-based LE. The aim of this study was to determine whether the strategy of reducing the lipid dose by 50%, by changing to an FO-based LE, reduced plasma levels of phytosterols (PS) and GGT more effectively and safely, than the strategy of reducing lipid contribution by 50% while maintaining the same LE composition. METHODS: A randomized double-blind clinical trial was carried out in patients with normal initial GGT, who after a minimum of 1 wk of daily PN (0.8 g/kg of O/S-based LE) presented with GGT values twice the upper normal value. At the time of randomization 1:1, lipids were reduced to 0.4 g/kg daily. Group A maintained O/S LE and group B changed to FO LE. The primary endpoints were reduction of plasmatic PS and GGT on day 7 after randomization, performed in the study population per protocol by Student's t test and simple linear regression. Secondary outcomes included alkaline phosphatase (AP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and total bilirubin (BIL), and safety variables. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included. On day 7 after randomization, GGT and AP values were higher in the O/S group (n = 10; GGT: median [Med], 4.99; interquartile range [IQR], 4.09; AP: Med, 2.59 µkat/L; IQR 1.74) than in the FO group (n = 9; GGT: Med, 2.26 µkat/L; IQR, 1.07; AP: Med, 1.2 µkat/L; IQR 1.44). Although there were no differences in ALT and BIL values, the ALT decrease was larger and more statistically significant in the FO group than in the O/S group (P = 0.009). Total PS (Med, 21.10 µg/mL; IQR, 5.50) in the O/S group was higher than in the FO group (Med, 13.4 µg/mL; IQR, 10.65; P = 0.002). Significant decreases in PS and their fractions were observed, with the exception of campesterol and stigmasterol. CONCLUSION: Plasma accumulation of PS and high values of GGT, AP, and ALT can be prevented with the exclusive administration of FO-based LE.

Minimally invasive and robotic surgery in the surgical treatment of esophagogastric junction cancer. / Cirugía mínimamente invasiva y robótica en el tratamiento quirúrgico de las neoplasias de la unión esofagogástrica.

Minimally invasive surgery provides for the treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors under safe conditions, reducing respiratory and abdominal wall complications. Recovery is improved, while maintaining the oncological principles of surgery to obtain an optimal long-term outcome. It is important to have a sufficient volume of activity to progress along the learning curve with close expert supervision in order to guarantee R0 resection and adequate lymphadenectomy. Minimal invasiveness ought not become an objective in itself. Should total gastrectomy be performed, the risk of a positive proximal margin makes intraoperative biopsy compulsory, without ruling out a primary open approach. Meanwhile, minimally invasive esophagectomy has been gaining ground. Its main difficulty, the intrathoracic anastomosis, can be safely carried out either with a mechanical side-to-side suture or a robot-assisted manual suture, thanks to the 3-D vision and versatility of the instruments.

[Second time esophageal reconstruction surgery: coloplasty and gastroplasty]. / Reconstrucción esofágica en un segundo tiempo: coloplastia y gastroplastia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the morbidity and mortality of second time esophageal reconstruction in an Esophagogastric Unit. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Second time esophageal reconstruction surgery with coloplasty and gastroplasty was performed on 20 patients, from January 2001 to October 2006. The morbidity and mortality of each technique has been analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the 16 males and 4 women operated on was 54.3 +/- 17.5 years. The diagnoses at the first surgery were: 7 caustic ingestions, 7 Boerhaave syndrome, 3 iatrogenic perforations, 1 tracheal-esophageal fistula, 1 esophageal-jejunal dehiscence and 1 necrosis of the gastroplasty after transhiatal oesophagectomy. There were 14 (70%) right coloplasties, 4 (20%) left coloplasties and 2 (10%) gastroplasties with gastric conditioning. In 11 of the 20 patients gastroplasty was ruled out due to gastrectomy (8 cases) or previous gastric surgery (3 cases). It was noted on analyzing the morbidity: pleural effusion (65%), respiratory failure (45%), atelectasis (35%) and cervical anastomosis dehiscence (35%). Five patients were re-intervened: 3 due to intra-abdominal sepsis and 2 due to hemoperitoneum. Mortality was 10% (2 cases). In subsequent follow up there was 5% (1 case) of stenosis of the anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal reconstruction technique which in specialist units has an acceptable mortality rate (10%) and an insignificant morbidity. Coloplasty was the technique most used on these patients.