Endoscopic and surgical treatments for achalasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although rare, esophageal achalasia is the best described primary esophageal motility disorder. Commonly used treatments are endoscopic botulin toxin injection (EBTI), endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD), and surgical myotomy with or without a fundoplication; however, reported outcomes mostly come from cohort studies. OBJECTIVE: To summarize and compare the safety and efficacy of endoscopic and surgical treatments for esophageal achalasia. METHODS: A systematic electronic Medline literature search of articles on esophageal achalasia. Treatment options reviewed included EBTI, EBD, and surgical myotomy using open and minimally invasive techniques. Main outcome measures were frequency of symptom relief, prevalence of post-treatment gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and complications. Outcome probability was estimated using weighted averages of the sample prevalence in each study, with weights equal to the number of patients. Outcomes, within or across studies, were compared using meta-analysis and meta-regression, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 105 articles reporting on 7855 patients were selected, tabulated and reviewed. Symptom relief after EBD was better than after EBTI (68.2% vs. 40.6%; OR 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2-9.8; P = 0.02), and the need for additional therapy was greater for patients receiving EBTI (46.6% vs. 25%; OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.05-6.5; P = 0.04). Laparoscopic myotomy, when combined with an antireflux procedure, provided better symptom relief (90%) than all endoscopic and other surgical approaches and a low complication rate (6.3%). The incidence of postoperative GER was lower when a fundoplication was added to a laparoscopic myotomy (31.5% without a fundoplication vs. 8.8% with; OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.0-19.4; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: EBD is superior to EBTI. Laparoscopic myotomy with fundoplication was the most effective surgical technique and can be considered the operative procedure of choice.

A clinical scoring system for predicting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in morbidly obese patients.

UNLABELLED: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is common in morbidly obese persons. Liver biopsy is diagnostic but technically challenging in such individuals. This study was undertaken to develop a clinically useful scoring system to predict the probability of NASH in morbidly obese persons, thus assisting in the decision to perform liver biopsy. Consecutive subjects undergoing bariatric surgery without evidence of other liver disease underwent intraoperative liver biopsy. The outcome was pathologic diagnosis of NASH. Predictors evaluated were demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables. A clinical scoring system was constructed by rounding the estimated regression coefficients for the independent predictors in a multivariate logistic model for the diagnosis of NASH. Of 200 subjects studied, 64 (32%) had NASH. Median body mass index was 48 kg/m(2) (interquartile range, 43-55). Multivariate analysis identified six predictive factors for NASH: the diagnosis of hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1-5.6), type 2 diabetes (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1-6.3), sleep apnea (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.3-12.2), AST > 27 IU/L (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.0), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 27 IU/L (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.4-8.0), and non-Black race (OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 1.9-37.1). A NASH Clinical Scoring System for Morbid Obesity was derived to predict the probability of NASH in four categories (low, intermediate, high, and very high). CONCLUSION: The proposed clinical scoring can predict NASH in morbidly obese persons with sufficient accuracy to be considered for clinical use, identifying a very high-risk group in whom liver biopsy would be very likely to detect NASH, as well as a low-risk group in whom biopsy can be safely delayed or avoided.

The use of medication after laparoscopic antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) significantly improves symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and quality of life. Nevertheless, 14-62% of patients report using antisecretory medication after surgery, although only a tiny percentage has proven recurrence of GERD. We sought to determine symptoms of GERD, quality of life, and use of medication before and after LARS, and to compare our findings with those from previous studies. METHODS: Five hundred fifty-three patients with GERD who underwent LARS were evaluated before and at 1 year after surgery. After surgery, multidisciplinary follow-up care was provided for all patients by surgeons, psychologists, dieticians, and speech therapists. RESULTS: Symptoms of GERD and quality of life improved significantly and only 4.2% of patients still required medication after surgery [proton pump inhibitors (PPI) (98.4 vs. 2.2%; p < 0.01), prokinetics (9.6 vs. 1.1%; p < 0.01), and psychiatric medication (8 vs. 1.6%; p < 0.01)]. CONCLUSION: LARS significantly reduced medication use at 1-year follow-up. However, these effects might be attributed, in part, to the multidisciplinary follow-up care. Further studies are therefore required to investigate which patients may benefit from multidisciplinary follow-up care and whether its selective application may reduce the need for medication after LARS.

The impact of roux limb length on weight loss after gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Extending the length of the Roux limb (RL) in gastric bypass (GBP) may improve weight loss in super obese patients (body mass index [BMI] > 50 kg/m(2)), but no consensus exists about the optimal length of the RL. We sought to determine the impact of RL length on weight loss in super obese patients 1 year after GBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-year weight loss outcomes were analyzed in all super obese patients who underwent consecutive and primary laparoscopic or open GBP between January 2003 and June 2006. Patients were divided into two groups according to RL length (100 vs. 150 cm). The RL length was at the discretion of the attending surgeon. Baseline and follow-up data were collected prospectively. Multiple linear regression was used to adjust for potential confounders in the weight loss outcomes. RESULTS: Twelve-month follow-up data were available in 137 (85%) of 161 patients with a BMI >or= 50 who underwent GBP during the study period. An RL of 100 or 150 cm was used in 102 (74.5%) and 35 patients (25.5%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, patients with the 150-cm RL lost more weight (68.5 vs. 55.3 kg, p < 0.01), had a greater change in BMI (25 vs. 21 kg/m(2), p = 0.01), and had greater excess weight loss (64 vs. 53%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A 150-cm RL provides better weight loss outcomes in super obese patients at 1-year follow-up.

Laparoscopic bariatric surgery improves candidacy in morbidly obese patients awaiting transplantation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate, at a university tertiary referral center, the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients with cirrhosis or end-stage lung disease (ESLD); and to determine whether these procedures help patients become better candidates for transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of selected patients with end-stage organ failure who were not eligible for transplantation because of morbid obesity who underwent LRYGB or LSG. The prospectively collected data included demographics, operative details, complications, percentage of excess weight loss, postoperative laboratory data, and status of transplant candidacy. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients, 7 with ESRD underwent LRYGB and 6 with cirrhosis and 2 with ESLD underwent LSG. Complications developed in 2 patients (both with cirrhosis); no patient died. The mean follow-up was 12.4 months, and the mean percentage of excess weight loss at > or =9 months was 61% (ESRD), 33% (cirrhosis), and 61.5% (ESLD). Obesity-associated co-morbidities improved or resolved in all patients. Serum albumin and other nutritional parameters at > or =9 months after surgery were similar to the preoperative levels in all 3 groups. At the most recent follow-up visit, 14 (93%) of 15 patients had reached our institution's body mass index limit for transplantation and were awaiting transplantation; 1 patient with ESLD underwent successful lung transplant. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study have provided preliminary evidence that LRYGB in patients with ESRD and LSG in patients with cirrhosis or ESLD is safe, well-tolerated, and improves their candidacy for transplantation.

Predictors, treatment, and outcomes of gastrojejunostomy stricture after gastric bypass for morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the rate of gastrojejunostomy (GJ) stricture following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), the independent predictors of stricture, and clinical outcomes with and without a stricture. METHODS: Univariate and multivariate analysis of peri-operative and outcomes data were prospectively collected from 379 morbidly obese patients who underwent consecutive open or laparoscopic RYGBP from January 2003 to August 2006. Predictors studied were age, gender, BMI, co-morbidities, surgical technique (hand-sewn vs linear stapler vs 21-mm vs 25-mm circular stapler; open vs laparoscopic; retrocolic retrogastric vs antecolic antegastric Roux limb course, and Roux limb length), and surgeon experience. Outcomes studied consisted of occurrence of GJ strictures, technical details and outcomes after endoscopic therapy, and excess weight loss (EWL) at 12 months. RESULTS: 15 patients (4.1%) developed a GJ stricture. The use of a 21-mm circular stapler was identified as the only independent predictor of a GJ stricture (odds ratio 11.3; 95% CI 2.2-57.4, P = 0.004). Endoscopic dilation relieved stricture symptoms in all patients (60% one dilation only). There was no significant difference in %EWL at 12 months between the patients with a stricture (median EWL 54%, IQR 49-63) vs. those without a stricture (median EWL 61%, ent predictor of GJ stricture. Endoscopic dilation relieved symptoms in all patients. Weight loss is independent of the anastomotic technique used and occurrence of a GJ stricture.

Spectrum and risk factors of complications after gastric bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To study the spectrum of and risk factors for complications after gastric bypass (GBP). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: All morbidly obese patients who underwent open or laparoscopic GBP between January 2003 and December 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications were stratified by grade: grade I, only bedside procedure; grade II, therapeutic intervention but without lasting disability; grade III, irreversible deficits; and grade IV, death. Data were analyzed using logistic regression to identify independent risk factors of complications after GBP. Predictors investigated were age, race, sex, marital and insurance status, body mass index, obesity-associated comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Class, operating room time, open or laparoscopic approach, and surgeon experience. RESULTS: Of the 404 morbidly obese patients who underwent consecutive open (n = 72) or laparoscopic (n = 332) GBP, 74 (18.3%) experienced 107 complications. Grade I and II complications were more frequent after open GBP (grade I, 19.4% after open vs 3.9% after laparoscopic operations, P < .001; grade II, 20.8% after open vs 8.4% after laparoscopic operations, P < .001), and 55% were wound related. Grades III and IV complications occurred in only 4 patients (1%), and frequency was similar for open and laparoscopic cases. Three factors were independently predictive of complications: diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.3; P = .02), early surgeon experience (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4-4.2; P = .001), and open approach (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.1-7.3; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Complications occurred in 18.3% of patients, but 95% were treated without leading to lasting disability. Presence of diabetes, early surgeon experience, and an open approach are risk factors of complications.

Quality of life in GERD patients: medical treatment versus antireflux surgery.

Medical and surgical treatments are able to improve symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome in GERD patients without therapy, under continuous medical treatment, and after laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Five hundred seventy-nine consecutive patients underwent medical or surgical treatment for GERD-induced symptoms. Patients were studied in detail before and after treatment by means of a symptom questionnaire, endoscopy, esophageal manometry, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, and a barium esophagogram. In addition, quality of life was measured by the means of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) questionnaire. Surgery was indicated and performed in 351 patients with persistent or recurrent GERD symptoms and/or complications, and in patients preferring surgery to medical treatment, despite the use of an adequate medication. The remaining 228 patients were treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in the standard dose, or if required, the double dose. The outcome was assessed 3 and 12 months after treatment. While symptoms and quality of life were highly impaired in GERD patients without therapy compared with normal people, a significant improvement was obtained by PPI therapy. Following surgery, quality of life was normalized in all subsections and was significantly higher compared with the medically treated group. These results stayed constant in short-term and intermediate follow-up. Medical and surgical therapies are both able to improve symptoms and quality of life in GERD patients. Nevertheless, the outcome is significantly better following surgery. It can be suggested that surgical treatment may be the more successful therapy in the long-term.

In vivo band manometry: a new access to band adjustment.

BACKGROUND: By application of a newly developed device for invasive pressure measurements, we have investigated band adjustments monitored by in vivo intraband pressures. With access to the port of the gastric banding device, pressures can be recorded inside the band system at rest and during bolus application with different adjustments of the band. METHODS: 25 patients (mean age 38.7, mean BMI 45.1, 80% women) had intraband pressure measurements at the first band adjustment 8.2 weeks (range 6 to 17) postoperatively. For this purpose, we adapted a pressure monitoring system with the TruWave disposable pressure transducer of Edwards. All patients underwent gastric banding using the Swedish adjustable gastric band (SAGB) by the pars flaccida technique. RESULTS: In vivo intraband pressures differ from ex vivo intraband pressures. With increasing fill volume in vivo measurements show increasingly higher pressures than ex vivo measurements. This difference can mainly be attributed to the influence of the enclosed tissue. The in vivo intraband pressures correlate with the amount of outflow obstruction. CONCLUSION: Intraband pressure measurement is an encouraging new access to gastric banding. It appears to be a feasible method to control band adjustment without need for x-ray studies in low pressure bands. We expect physiologically exact adjustments to achieve good weight loss and to prevent esophageal problems in the long term.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery provides excellent results and quality of life in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients with respiratory symptoms.

Medical and surgical treatment are able to improve symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome following laparoscopic antireflux surgery in GERD patients with primary respiratory-related symptoms and to investigate the quality of life index before and after therapy. Three hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients underwent surgical treatment for GERD-induced symptoms. Of this group 126 patients had primary respiratory symptoms related to GERD. All patients were studied by means of a symptom questionnaire, endoscopy, esophageal manometry, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, and a barium esophagogram. In addition, the quality of life was measured by the means of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). All patients had medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors preoperatively. A laparoscopic fundoplication was performed in all patients. The outcome was assessed 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Following surgery, all respiratory symptoms were significantly improved. While GIQLI was highly impaired before surgical therapy, a significant improvement of quality of life was obtained. Because medical treatment is likely to fail in GERD patients with respiratory symptoms, the need for surgery arises and may be the only successful treatment in the long term. Quality of life was significantly improved by surgical treatment.

A controversy that has been tough to swallow: is the treatment of achalasia now digested?

Esophageal achalasia is a rare neurodegenerative disease of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter that presents within a spectrum of disease severity related to progressive pathological changes, most commonly resulting in dysphagia. The pathophysiology of achalasia is still incompletely understood, but recent evidence suggests that degeneration of the postganglionic inhibitory nerves of the myenteric plexus could be due to an infectious or autoimmune mechanism, and nitric oxide is the neurotransmitter affected. Current treatment of achalasia is directed at palliation of symptoms. Therapies include pharmacological therapy, endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin, endoscopic dilation, and surgery. Until the late 1980s, endoscopic dilation was the first line of therapy. The advent of safe and effective minimally invasive surgical techniques in the early 1990s paved the way for the introduction of laparoscopic myotomy. This review will discuss the most up-to-date information regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of achalasia, including a historical perspective. The laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication performed at an experienced center is currently the first line of therapy because it offers a low complication rate, the most durable symptom relief, and the lowest incidence of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux.

Improvement in peripheral glucose uptake after gastric bypass surgery is observed only after substantial weight loss has occurred and correlates with the magnitude of weight lost.

INTRODUCTION: Altered gut and pancreatic hormone secretion may bolster resolution of insulin resistance after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), but the independent effects of weight loss and hormonal secretion on peripheral glucose disposal are unknown. METHODS: Two groups of nondiabetic morbidly obese patients were studied: RYGB followed by standardized caloric restriction (RYGB, n = 12) or caloric restriction alone (diet, n = 10). Metabolic evaluations (euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, meal tolerance test) were done at baseline and 14 days (both groups) and 6 months after RYGB. RESULTS: At baseline, body composition, fasting insulin, and glucose and peripheral glucose disposal did not differ between groups. At 14 days, excess weight loss (EWL) was similar (RYGB, 12.7% vs. diet, 10.9%; p = 0.12), fasting insulin and glucose decreased to a similar extent, and RYGB subjects had altered postmeal patterns of gut and pancreatic hormone secretion. However, peripheral glucose uptake (M value) was unchanged in both groups. Six months after RYGB, EWL was 49.7%. The changes in fasting glucose and insulin levels and gut hormone secretion persisted. M values improved significantly, and changes in M values correlated with the % EWL (r = 0.68, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in peripheral glucose uptake following RYGB was observed only after substantial weight loss had occurred and correlated with the magnitude of weight lost.

Preoperative lower esophageal sphincter manometry data neither impact manifestations of GERD nor outcome after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Experience with laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and manometrically intact lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is limited. The disease pattern may be different and LARS may fail to control reflux or result in higher rates of dysphagia. This is the first study investigating the impact of preoperative LES manometry data not only on manifestations of GERD and subjective outcome alone but also on objective outcomes 1 year after LARS. METHODS: Three hundred fifty-one GERD patients underwent LARS and had subjective symptom and quality of life assessment, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, barium swallow esophagogram, 24-h esophageal pH monitoring, and manometry pre- and 1 year postoperatively. Patients were divided into those with a preoperatively intact versus defective LES based on intraabdominal length and resting pressure. Baseline and 1-year postoperative follow-up data were compared. RESULTS: Preoperative manifestations of GERD were similar in each group. Postoperatively, all symptoms except flatulence, quality of life scores, and objective manifestations improved significantly in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative manometric character of the LES neither impacts the manifestations of GERD nor subjective and objective outcomes after LARS. Patients with GERD and manometrically intact LES have no higher risk for postoperative dysphagia.