Clinical biology and surgical therapy of intramucosal adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal ablation and endoscopic mucosal resection have been proposed as alternatives to surgical resection as therapy for intramucosal adenocarcinoma (IMC) of the esophagus. Acceptance of these alternative therapies requires an understanding of the clinical biology of IMC and the results of surgical resection modified for treatment of early disease. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 78 patients (65 men, 13 women; median age 66 years) with IMC who were treated with progressively less-extensive surgical resections (ie, en bloc, transhiatal, and vagal-sparing esophagectomy) from 1987 to 2005. RESULTS: The tumor was located in a visible segment of Barrett's esophagus in 65 (83%) and in cardia intestinal metaplasia in 13 (17%). A visible lesion was present in 53 (68%) and in all but 4 the lesion was cancer. In those patients with visible Barrett's, the tumor was within 3 cm of the gastroesophageal junction in 66% and within 1 cm in 37%. Esophagectomy was en bloc in 23, transhiatal in 31, vagal-sparing in 20, and transthoracic in 4. Operative mortality was 2.6%. Vagal-sparing esophagectomy had less morbidity, a shorter hospital stay, and no mortality. Of the patients who had en bloc resection, a median of 41 nodes were removed. One patient had one lymph node metastasis on hematoxylin and eosin staining and two others, normal on hematoxylin and eosin staining, had micrometastases on immunohistochemistry. Actuarial survival at 5 years was 88% and was similar for all types of resections. Two patients died from systemic metastases and seven from noncancer causes. CONCLUSIONS: IMC occurred in cardia intestinal metaplasia and in Barrett's esophagus. Two-thirds of patients with IMC had a visible lesion. Most tumors occurred near the gastroesophageal junction. Node metastases were uncommon, questioning the need for lymphadenectomy. A vagal-sparing technique had less morbidity than other forms of resection and no mortality. Survival after all types of resection was similar. Outcomes of endoscopic techniques should be compared with this benchmark.

The impact of reflux composition on mucosal injury and esophageal function.

The components of refluxed gastric juice are known to cause mucosal injury, but their effect on esophageal function is less appreciated. Our aim was to determine the effect of acid and/or bile on mucosal injury and esophageal function. From 1993-2004, 402 patients with reflux symptoms had 24-hour pH and Bilitec monitoring, manometry, and endoscopy with biopsies. Mucosal injury (esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus) and esophageal function (lower esophageal sphincter [LES] characteristics and body contractility) in patients with acid reflux, bile reflux, or both were compared with patients without reflux. Reflux was present in 273/402 patients; of these, 37 (13.5%) had increased exposure to bile, 82 (30.0%) had increased exposure to acid, and 154 (56.4%) had increased exposure to both. Mucosal injury was most common with increased mixed acid and bile exposure, followed by acid alone, and was uncommon with bile alone (P < 0.0001). Functional deterioration paralleled mucosal injury (P < 0.0001). Mixed acid and bile exposure was present in more than half of patients with reflux and was associated with the most severe mucosal injury and the greatest deterioration of esophageal function. This suggests that composition of gastric juice is the primary determinant of inflammatory mucosal injury and subsequent loss of esophageal function.

En bloc vs transhiatal esophagectomy for stage T3 N1 adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus.

HYPOTHESIS: En bloc esophagectomy (EBE) provides improved survival over transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) in patients with similarly sized transmural tumors (T3) and lymph node metastases (N1). DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study of 2 methods of esophageal resection for cancer. SETTING: University hospital (tertiary referral center for esophageal disease). PATIENTS: There were 49 patients (27 who underwent EBE and 22 who underwent THE) with similar T3 N1 disease and the following matched criteria: tumors of similar size and location, more than 20 lymph nodes in the surgical specimen, R0 resection, no previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and follow-up until death or for a minimum of 5 years. Main Outcome Measure Survival adjusted for differences in demographic and patient characteristics. RESULTS: The number of nodes harvested was greatest after EBE vs THE (median, 52 vs 29 [range, 21-85 vs 20-60]; P<.001). The median number of involved nodes was similar after EBE vs THE (median, 5 vs 7 [range, 1-19 vs 1-16]). The only 2 independent factors that affected survival in a Cox analysis were the number of involved lymph nodes (P =.01) and the type of resection (P =.03). Patients who underwent EBE had a survival benefit over those who underwent THE (P =.01). The survival benefit of EBE was seen only in patients with fewer than 9 involved lymph nodes (P<.001). CONCLUSION: En bloc esophagectomy confers a better survival than THE in patients with T3 N1 disease and fewer than 9 lymph node metastases.

Excellent quality of life after Nissen fundoplication depends on successful elimination of reflux symptoms and not the invasiveness of the surgical approach.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life, poor in patients with reflux disease, improves significantly after an antireflux operation. The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of the operative approach used for a fundoplication, as well as the successful elimination of reflux symptoms on long-term quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: A questionnaire, including the medical outcome study short-form health survey (SF-36), was completed by 105 patients who had undergone either a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (n = 72) or a transthoracic Nissen fundoplication (n = 33); median follow-up was 25 and 31 months, respectively. Patients were classified as completely or incompletely relieved of reflux symptoms based on the frequency of reflux symptoms and the use of acid-suppression medication. RESULTS: Patients selected for transthoracic Nissen fundoplication had significantly worse preoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease based on the presence of a large hiatal hernia, Barrett's esophagus, or stricture. Long-term quality of life was similar for the two approaches, but was significantly decreased in patients with recurrent reflux symptoms. Compared with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication patients, transthoracic Nissen fundoplication patients were less likely to use acid-suppression medication and tended to be more satisfied with their operation. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term quality of life was independent of the invasiveness of the procedure, but significantly dependent on successful elimination of reflux symptoms and the necessity for acid suppression medication. Patients who underwent a transthoracic Nissen fundoplication, despite having more advanced disease preoperatively, tended to have less reflux symptoms and less long-term acid-suppression medication usage after their procedure. These findings support the continued use of a transthoracic antireflux procedure in patients with advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Barrett's esophagus can and does regress after antireflux surgery: a study of prevalence and predictive features.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the factors leading to histologic regression of metaplastic and dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE). STUDY DESIGN: The study sample consisted of 91 consecutive patients with symptomatic Barrett's esophagus. Pre- and posttreatment endoscopic biopsies from 77 Barrett's patients treated surgically and 14 treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were reviewed. An expert pathologist confirmed the presence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) with or without dysplasia. Posttreatment histology was classified as having regressed if two consecutive biopsies taken more than 6 months apart plus all subsequent biopsies showed loss of IM or loss of dysplasia. Clinical factors associated with regression were studied by multivariate analysis, as was the time course of its occurrence. RESULTS: Histopathologic regression occurred in 28 of 77 patients (36.4%) after antireflux surgery and in 1 of 14 patients (7.1%) treated with PPIs alone (p < 0.03). After surgery, regression from low-grade dysplastic to nondysplastic BE occurred in 17 of 25 patients (68%) and from IM to no IM in 11 of 52 (21.2%). Both types of regression were significantly more common in short (< 3 cm) than long (> 3 cm) segment Barrett's esophagus; 19 of 33 (58%) and 9 of 44 (20%) patients, respectively (p = 0.0016). Eight patients progressed, five from IM alone to low-grade dysplasia and three from low- to high-grade dysplasia. All those who progressed had long segment BE. On multivariate analysis, presence of short segment Barrett's and type of treatment were significantly associated with regression; age, gender, surgical procedure, and preoperative lower esophageal sphincter and pH characteristics were not. The median time of biopsy-proved regression was 18.5 months after surgery, with 95% occurring within 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: This study refutes the widely held assumption that once established, Barrett's esophagus does not change. More than one-third of patients with visible segments of Barrett's esophagus undergo histologic regression after antireflux surgery. Regression is dependent on the length of the columnar-lined esophagus and time of followup after antireflux surgery.

Prevalence and risk factors for ischemia, leak, and stricture of esophageal anastomosis: gastric pull-up versus colon interposition.

BACKGROUND: Reports of esophageal anastomotic complications often involve more gastric than colonic reconstructions and are incomplete because of fragmented followup by physicians unfamiliar with the surgical procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred ninety-three consecutive esophagectomy patients had prevalence and risk factors determined for graft ischemia and anastomotic leak; 363 of these patients followed for more than 1 month (median 15 months) had prevalence and risk factors determined for anastomotic stricture. RESULTS: Conduit ischemia occurred in 36 (9.2%) and anastomotic leak in 43 patients (10.9%). Risk factor for ischemia was comorbid conditions requiring therapy (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.2 [95% CI 1.1-4.3]), and for leak were ischemia (OR: 5.5 [95% CI 2.5-12.1]), neoadjuvant therapy (OR: 2.2 [95% CI 1.1-4.5]), and comorbid conditions (OR: 2.1 [95% CI 1.1-3.9]). A stricture developed in 80 patients (22.0%). Risk factors were ischemia (OR: 4.4 [95% CI 2.0-9.6]), anastomotic leak (OR: 3.8 [95% CI 1.9-7.6]), and increasing preoperative weight (p = 0.022). The prevalence of ischemia was similar after gastric (10.4%) versus colonic (7.4%) reconstruction; leak and stricture were more common (14.3% versus 6.1%, p = 0.013, 31.3% versus 8.7%, p < 0.0001, respectively) and strictures were more severe (11.2% versus 2%, p = 0.001) after gastric pull-up. Patients free of ischemia and leak who developed stricture were more likely to have had a gastric pull-up (25% versus 7%, p < 0.0001). Dilatation was effective treatment in 93% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: After esophagectomy 10% of patients will develop conduit ischemia or an anastomotic leak and 22% will develop anastomotic stricture. Anastomotic leak and strictures are more common and the strictures are more severe after gastric pull-up compared with colon interposition. Dilatation is a safe and effective treatment.

Omeprazole does not reduce gastroesophageal reflux: new insights using multichannel intraluminal impedance technology.

Proton pump inhibitors are the mainstay of medical management in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although they provide relief from most symptoms, reflux may persist. We hypothesize that omeprazole does not reduce the total amount of gastroesophageal reflux but simply alters its pH characteristics. Six asymptomatic volunteers had combined 24-hour impedance pH monitoring before and after 7 days of omeprazole (20 mg BID). Multichannel intraluminal impedance was used to identify reflux episodes, which were classified as acid (pH < 4), weak acid (pH > 4 but decrease > 1 pH unit) and nonacid (pH > 4 and decrease < 1 pH unit) by pH measurements 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). A gastric pH sensor located 10 cm below the LES was used to verify the action of omeprazole. Impedance detected a total of 116 reflux episodes before and 96 episodes after omeprazole treatment. The median number of reflux episodes (18 versus 16, P = 0.4), median duration of reflux episodes (4.7 versus 3.6 minutes, P = 0.5), and total duration of reflux episodes (27.2 versus 42.4 minutes, P = 0.5) per subject were similar before and after omeprazole. Acid reflux episodes were reduced from 63% before to 2.1% after omeprazole (P < 0.0001), whereas nonacid reflux episodes increased (15% to 76%, P < 0.0001). Weak acid reflux episodes did not change (22.4% to 21.8%, P = 1.0). The proportion of reflux episodes greater than pH 4 increased from 37% to 98% (P < 0.0001). In normal subjects, omeprazole treatment does not affect the number of reflux episodes or their duration; rather it converts acid reflux to less acid reflux, thus exposing esophagus to altered gastric juice. These observations may explain the persistence of symptoms and emergence of mucosal injury white on proton pump inhibitor therapy.

The hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter: a motility disorder with manometric features of outflow obstruction.

The aim of this study was to define the clinical presentation, motility characteristics, and prevalence and patterns of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (HTLES). HTLES was defined by a resting pressure measured at the respiratory inversion point on stationary manometry of greater than 26 mm Hg (ninety-fifth percentile of normal). One hundred consecutive patients (80 women, 20 men; mean age 54.7 years, range 23 to 89 years), diagnosed with HTLES at our institution between September 1996 and October 1999, were studied. Patients with achalasia or other named esophageal motility disorders or history of foregut surgery were excluded, but patients with both HTLES and "nutcracker esophagus" were included. The most common symptoms in patients with HTLES were regurgitation (75%), heartburn (71%), dysphagia (71%), and chest pain (49%). The most common primary presenting symptoms were heartburn and dysphagia. The intrabolus pressure, which is a manometric measure of outflow obstruction, was significantly higher in patients with HTLES compared to normal volunteers. The residual pressure measured during LES relaxation induced by a water swallow was also significantly higher than in normal persons. There were no significant associations between any of the relaxation parameters studied (residual pressure, nadir pressure, duration of relaxation, time to residual pressure) and either the presence or severity of any symptoms or the presence of abnormal esophageal acid exposure. Seventy-three patients underwent 24-hour pH monitoring, and 26% had increased distal esophageal acid exposure. Compared to a cohort of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease but no HTLES (n=300), the total and supine periods of distal esophageal acid exposure were significantly lower in the patients with HTLES and abnormal acid exposure. Patients with HTLES frequently present with moderately severe dysphagia and typical reflux symptoms. Approximately one quarter of them have abnormal esophageal acid exposure on pH monitoring. Patients with HTLES have significantly elevated intrabolus and residual relaxation pressures on liquid boluses, suggesting that outflow obstruction is present.

Surgical management of hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter with dysphagia or chest pain.

Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is an uncommon manometric abnormality found in patients with dysphagia and chest pain, and is sometimes associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Preventing reflux by performing a fundoplication raises concerns about inducing or increasing dysphagia. The role of myotomy in isolated hypertensive LES is also unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of surgical therapy for isolated hypertensive LES and for hypertensive LES associated with GERD. Sixteen patients (5 males and 11 females), ranging in age from 39 to 89 years, with hypertensive LES (>26 mm Hg; i.e., >95th percentile of our control population) who had surgical therapy between 1996 and 1999 were reviewed. Patients with a diagnosis of achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm were excluded. All patients had dysphagia or chest pain. Eight of 16 patients had symptoms of GERD, four had a type III hiatal hernia, and four had isolated hypertensive LES pain. Patients with hypertensive LES and GERD or type III hiatal hernia had a Nissen fundoplication, and those with isolated hypertensive LES had a myotomy of the LES with partial fundoplication. Outcome was assessed as follows: excellent if the patient was asymptomatic; good if symptoms were present but no treatment was required; fair if symptoms were present and required treatment; and poor if symptoms were unimproved or worsened. All patients were contacted by telephone for symptom assessment at a median of 3.6 years (range 3 to 6.1 years) after surgery. Patients with hypertensive LES and GERD or type III hiatal hernia had significantly lower LES pressure than those with isolated hypertensive LES (29.9 vs. 47.4 mm Hg; P=0.013). Dysphagia and chest pain were relieved in all patients at long-term follow up. Outcome was excellent in 10 of 16, good in 3 of 16, and fair in 3 of 16. All patients but one were satisfied with their outcome. Patients with hypertensive LES are a heterogeneous group in regard to symptoms and etiology. Treatment of patients with hypertensive LES should be individualized. A Nissen fundoplication for hypertensive LES with GERD or type III hiatal hernia relieves dysphagia and chest pain suggesting reflux as an etiology. A myotomy with partial fundoplication for isolated hypertensive LES relieves dysphagia and chest pain suggesting a primary sphincter dysfunction.

Preoperative lower esophageal sphincter pressure affects outcome of laparoscopic esophageal myotomy for achalasia.

The primary aim of this study was to identify factors that influence outcome of the surgical treatment of achalasia. A secondary aim was to compare outcomes after laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication using either a Dor or Toupet hemifundoplication. Between 1994 and 2002, a total of 78 patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication. Preoperative investigations included esophageal manometry, a videoesophogram, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy. In 64 patients (35 males and 29 females), telephone contact was possible at a median 24 months (IQR 14-34). A Dor fundoplication was performed in 41 patients and a Toupet fundoplication in 23. Symptoms were assessed prior to surgery and at follow-up by an independent physician using standardized definitions to grade the severity of dysphagia, regurgitation, and chest pain. To assess outcome, dysphagia was categorized as persistent or resolved. Persistent was defined as dysphagia that occurred on a weekly or daily basis. Resolved was defined as dysphagia that occurred occasionally or not at all. At follow-up, patients were asked to make a personal evaluation of their outcome as to whether (1) their swallowing was improved by the procedure, (2) they were satisfied with the outcome, and (3) they would undergo surgery again under the same circumstances. There was a significant improvement in dysphagia and regurgitation scores after surgery (P<0.05). The scores for chest pain/heartburn remained unchanged. By physician assessment, dysphagia was resolved in 49 patients (77%) and persisted in 15 (33%). By patient assessment, 62 patients (97%) reported an improvement in the symptom of dysphagia, and 60 (94%) stated that they were satisfied with their improvement and would undergo surgery if they had to make the choice again. On univariate analysis, patients who had resolution of their dysphagia had a significantly higher resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure prior to myotomy (P=0.01) and on multivariate analysis only a high resting LES pressure prior to surgery was a predictor of resolution of dysphagia (P=0.015). Outcome comparison of patients with Dor and Toupet fundoplications showed no significant differences in physician assessment of postoperative symptom scores and resolution of dysphagia, patient assessment of outcome, or postoperative use of proton pump inhibitors. Ninety-four percent of patients are satisfied with their surgical myotomy for achalasia. By physician assessment dysphagia was resolved in 77% of patients. A high LES resting pressure before surgery predicted resolution of dysphagia.

Barrett's esophagus in females: a comparative analysis of risk factors in females and males.

OBJECTIVES: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms occur with similar frequency in males and females, yet Barrett's esophagus is less common in females. The reason for this disparity is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the factors related to Barrett's in females. METHODS: The records of 796 patients (462 male, 334 female) evaluated from 1990 to 2000 for symptoms of reflux were retrospectively reviewed. Physiologic abnormalities based on results of endoscopic, motility, pH, and Bilitec testing were identified, and factors related to the presence of Barrett's were determined using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Females with reflux symptoms were significantly less likely to have a positive 24-h pH test, a defective lower esophageal sphincter, or a hiatal hernia than males with reflux symptoms. Further, females with reflux on the basis of an abnormal 24-h pH test had significantly less esophageal acid exposure than males with reflux. In contrast, esophageal exposure to refluxed acid and bilirubin was similar in females (n = 50) and males (n = 136) with Barrett's. On multivariable analysis increased esophageal bilirubin exposure was the only significant factor associated with the presence of Barrett's in male and female patients with reflux disease. CONCLUSIONS: Females with reflux symptoms have less esophageal acid exposure on average than males. However, females and males with Barrett's have a similar severity of reflux, and the female gender does not protect against the development of Barrett's in the setting of advanced reflux disease. Esophageal bilirubin exposure is the major risk factor for the presence of Barrett's in patients with reflux disease.

Physiologic basis for the treatment of epiphrenic diverticulum.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitate and characterize the motility abnormalities present in patients with epiphrenic diverticula and to assess the outcome of surgical treatment undertaken according to these abnormalities. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The concept that epiphrenic diverticula are complications of esophageal motility disorders rather than primary anatomic abnormalities is gradually becoming accepted. The inconsistency in identifying motility abnormalities in patients with epiphrenic diverticula is a major obstacle to the general acceptance of this concept. METHODS: The study population consisted of 21 consecutive patients with epiphrenic diverticula. All patients underwent videoesophagography, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and esophageal motility studies. The diverticula ranged in size from 3 to 10 cm and were predominantly right-sided. Seventeen patients underwent transthoracic diverticulectomy or diverticulopexy with esophageal myotomy and an antireflux procedure. The length of the myotomy was determined by the extent of the motility abnormality. Transhiatal esophagectomy was performed in one patient with multiple diverticula. Two patients declined surgical treatment and another patient died of aspiration before surgery. Symptomatic outcome was assessed via a questionnaire at a median of 24 months after surgery. RESULTS: The primary symptoms were dysphagia in 5 (24%) patients, dysphagia and regurgitation in 11 (52%) patients, and pulmonary symptoms in 5 (24%) patients. The median duration of the primary symptoms was 10 years. Esophageal motility abnormalities were identified in all patients. An esophageal motor disorder was diagnosed only by 24-hour ambulatory motility testing in one patient, and 24-hour ambulatory motility testing clarified the motility diagnosis in five other patients. The most common underlying disorder was achalasia, which was detected in nine (43%) patients. A hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter was diagnosed in three patients, diffuse esophageal spasm in five, "nutcracker" esophagus in two, and a nonspecific motor disorder in two patients. One patient had an intraoperative myocardial infarction and died. Two patients had persistent mild dysphagia after surgery. The remaining patients had complete relief of their primary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of named motility disorders in patients with epiphrenic diverticula, and this condition is associated with the potential for lethal aspiration. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory motility testing can be helpful if the results of the stationary examination are normal or indefinite. Resection of the diverticula and a surgical myotomy of the manometrically defined abnormal segment results in relief of symptoms and protection from aspiration.

Manometry of the lower esophageal sphincter: inter- and intraindividual variability of slow motorized pull-through versus station pull-through manometry.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interindividual and intraindividual variability of slow motorized pull-through lower esophageal sphincter (LES) manometry compared to standard station pull-through LES manometry to measure LES overall length, abdominal length, and pressure and to report normal values for the slow motorized pull-through method. The slow motorized pull-through had significantly smaller coefficient of variation, indicating closer agreement between different examiners in analyzing a given tracing. The correlation coefficients for each parameter in normal subjects and symptomatic patients was significantly higher when using slow motorized pull-through for both patients and normal subjects for all three parameters. The 5th percentile of normal values obtained from 41 volunteers for LES overall length, abdominal length, and pressure was 2.7 cm, 1.4 cm, 5.1 mm Hg, respectively. The results indicate that the slow motorized pull-through method is more reproducible than the standard station pull-through method both between different observers and when the same examiner measures the same tracing on two different occasions.

Vagal-sparing esophagectomy: a more physiologic alternative.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the function of the vagal nerves and the gastric reservoir after vagal-sparing esophagectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Esophagectomy as currently performed includes division of the vagal nerves and surgical alteration of the stomach, with attendant postoperative dumping, diarrhea, reduced meal capacity, and weight loss. Vagal-sparing esophagectomy has been introduced as a technique for removal of the esophagus while preserving the vagal nerves and gastric reservoir. The procedure is touted as having a low morbidity and is applicable to patients with end-stage benign or early malignant disease. METHODS: A random sample of 15 patients at a median of 20 months after a vagal-sparing esophagectomy was compared to 23 asymptomatic normal subjects; 10 randomly selected patients, 29 months after esophagogastrectomy with colon interposition; and 10 randomly selected patients, 47 months after standard esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. Gastric mucosal acidification was tested with Congo red staining. Vagal secretory function was measured by gastric acid output and pancreatic polypeptide response to sham feeding. Vagal motor function was assessed by a technetium gastric emptying scan and a questionnaire to evaluate dumping and diarrhea. Gastric reservoir function was evaluated by measuring meal capacity and postoperative changes in body mass index. RESULTS: Vagal-sparing esophagectomy preserved the function of the vagi, as evident by an increase in gastric acid output, a rise in serum pancreatic polypeptide following sham feeding, and preservation of normal postoperative gastric emptying in 70% of the patients. After vagal-sparing esophagectomy, patients were free of dumping and diarrhea and were analogous to normal subjects in meal capacity but had a slight reduction in the speed of eating. CONCLUSIONS: Vagal-sparing esophagectomy preserves gastric secretory, motor, and reservoir function. Postoperatively, patients have normal alimentation, bowel regulation, and no weight loss. It is an ideal procedure for patients with end-stage benign disease, Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia, or esophageal carcinoma limited to the lamina propria.

The surgeon and the esophageal function laboratory

O cirurgiao tem desempenhado importante papel na investigacao e compreensao da fisiopatologia das doencas esofagicas benignas. Tecnicas sofisticadas de laboratorio podem e devem ser empregadas rotineiramente antes da intervencao cirurgica. Os testes sao de grande valor no diagnostico e no planejamento de tecnicas cirurgicas. O uso inadequado desses testes, inevitavelmente, resultara em maus resultados - o cirurgiao, assim, nao se demonstrara rejeitado a competir com avancos de terapeutica clinica.