Is absorbable mesh useful in preventing parastomal hernia after emergency surgery? The PARTHENOPE study.

PURPOSE: Colostomy is a frequent event in oncological or inflammatory bowel diseases. Its related morbidity includes retraction, infection and parastomal hernia (PH), which is a quite common late complication. Several surgical options are available for PH repair, the majority including mesh. However, results are often disappointing with relevant recurrence rates, up to 33%. The study aim was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of prophylactic biosynthetic mesh (BIO-A®, polyglycolide-trimethylene carbonate copolymer) placed during colostomy fashioning, in reducing PH. A prospective randomized controlled double-blind trial was conducted from January 2014 to December 2019 to compare conventional end-colostomy with end-colostomy reinforced with BIO-A mesh in ante-rectus position in patients undergoing colon diversion in emergency surgery. METHODS: Patients were clinically followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months and received a CT scan at 6 and 12 months. The postoperative morbidity and wound events were also evaluated. RESULTS: 55 patients receiving conventional colostomy considered as Control Group and 55 patients receiving BIO-A mesh supported colostomy (Mesh Group) were included in the study. At 12 months, the incidence of PH was 9 (12.7%) and 24 (43.6%) in the Mesh Group and Control Group, respectively (p < 0.05). Postoperative morbidity was similar between Mesh Group and Control Group (7 [12.7%] vs 4 [7.3%], respectively; p = 0.340). The multivariable analysis showed that not using a mesh (p = 0.042), age > 70 years (p = 0.041), diabetes (p < 0.001), colon dilation > 7 cm (p < 0.0001) and COPD (p = 0.009) were all related with postoperative PH. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic BIO-A mesh positioning during colostomy is an effective procedure reducing PH incidence at a 1 years follow-up guaranteeing low postoperative morbidity. STUDY DATASET IS AVAILABLE ON CLINICALTRIALS. GOV ID: NCT04436887.

Optimal number of multiple rapid swallows needed during high-resolution esophageal manometry for accurate prediction of contraction reserve.

BACKGROUND: Multiple rapid swallows (MRS) is a provocative test for assessment of contraction reserve, however reproducibility on repetitive MRS is incompletely understood. Our aim was to determine the optimal number of MRS sequences for consistent assessment of contraction reserve. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-nine consecutive patients (79 IEM and 80 normal motility) who underwent high-resolution manometers were enrolled. Ten single swallows (SS) and 10 MRS were performed. Gold standard for evaluation of the contraction reserve was the ratio between the mean DCI of 10 MRS and the mean DCI of 10 SS (MRS/SS DCI ratio). Rates of false negatives and false positives were calculated for increasing numbers of MRS sequences, using either mean DCI or the MRS with the highest DCI. KEY RESULTS: According to the gold standard, 50 IEM and 50 normal motility patients had contraction reserve. With progressively increasing numbers of MRS sequences, contraction reserve was detected using mean MRS DCI within three and four MRS sequences in IEM and normal motility respectively, whereas two and three MRS sequences were needed using the MRS sequence with the highest DCI. False positives were much higher with highest DCI method compared with mean DCI, (22% vs 9% respectively in IEM; 24% vs 9% in normal motility) when three MRS sequences were considered. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: At least three MRS are needed to reliably assess contraction reserve. The mean DCI of the three MRS sequences is the best variable to utilize as evidence of contraction reserve.

Radioguided thyroidectomy for follicular tumors: Multicentric experience.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of thyroid nodular diseases requires an integrated approach that has been widely established over the past years. This strategy includes: ultrasonography (US) with; implemented Color-Power-Doppler, conventional scintigraphy also with positive indicators, specific pathological studies targeted by immunohistochemically-assays, and the fine needle; aspiration biopsy (FNAB), which, usually, in case of "Follicular Lesions" (10-20%) findings is; unable to distinguish carcinoma from follicular adenoma, then indicating the necessity of surgery to; obtain a correct diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the scintigraphy with; positive indicators, both preoperatively in diagnostic approach of the thyroid nodules and; intraoperatively as a guide to the extension of the surgical excision. METHODS: On 4482 Thyroidectomy performed, we selected 360 cases of follicular neoplasms (192; females and 168 males). In the preoperative phase, these patients underwent 99 m Tc-sestaMIBI; scintigraphy with both early (10 min) and late (2 h) image acquisition, which were later; compared to the ones obtained by image subtraction of means 99 m Tc-pertechnetate. Following the; sestamibi administration before intervention, we selected the most up-taking nodularity with the; assistance of a specific surgical probe (Neoprobe), quantifying uptake with relation to the surgical pathology, for an amount of 324 total thyroidectomies and 36 hemi thyroidectomies. RESULTS: In all cases of multinodular goiter the benign nodules showed an intraoperative low sestamibi uptake whereas follicular carcinomas showed both a high preoperative uptake and, as a; percentage, the highest values of intraoperative uptake; on the other hand, follicular adenomas had; both pre-and intraoperative mean values of uptake. On the contrary, papillary carcinomas only; showed a mild uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative sestamibi scintigraphy confirmed its importance in improving the information obtained through different diagnostic investigations. Also intraoperatively, it pointed; out high-risk nodules more accurately. Therefore, radio (Sestamibi) guided surgery could have an; interesting rule in the thyroid follicular lesion treatment.

Postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index and nocturnal baseline impedance can link PPI-responsive heartburn to reflux better than acid exposure time.

BACKGROUND: Acid exposure time (AET) is considered the most useful parameter to predict response of reflux-related heartburn to medical or surgical treatment. However, recent studies showed high rates of heartburn response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in patients with normal AET. We aimed to compare the efficacy of postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index and mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) with AET in linking PPI-responsive heartburn to reflux. METHODS: Off-therapy impedance-pH tracings from 425 patients, 317 with PPI-responsive and 108 with PPI-refractory heartburn were blindly re-analyzed. Demographic and endoscopic characteristics, conventional impedance-pH variables, PSPW index, and MNBI were assessed with multivariate logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with PPI responsiveness. Prediction models were developed to assess the strength of reflux linkage with factors independently associated with PPI responsiveness by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) at receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis. KEY RESULTS: At multivariate logistic regression analysis, AET, MNBI, and PSPW index were the only factors independently associated with PPI responsiveness, abnormal values found in 60%, 76%, and 92% of PPI-responsive cases (P<.017). At ROC analysis, PSPW index (AUC:.794, P=.002) and MNBI (AUC: 0.742, P=.003), both separately and combined (AUC: 0.811, P<.001) linked reflux with PPI-responsiveness better than AET (AUC: 0.687). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: AET, PSPW index, and MNBI are independently associated with PPI-responsive heartburn. PSPW index and MNBI can link PPI-responsive heartburn to reflux better than AET and should become part of the standard analysis of impedance-pH tracings.

Effects of losartan on left ventricular mass: a three-year follow-up in elderly hypertensives with myocardial hypertrophy despite successful conventional antihypertensive treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Reversal of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients appears to be a desirable goal to the reduction cardiac risk. The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) seems to play a major role in the establishment and maintenance of LVH through the activated systemic RAS and the Intracardiac Angiotensin System (IAS). We focused on the effects of a three-year treatment with losartan supplement in hypertensive patients with LVH not responding to eight years of an effective previous antihypertensive pharmacological treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two groups of 28 sex-, age- and therapy-matched subjects with essential hypertension and LVH were taken into consideration. The two groups were in effective pharmacological treatment (BP < 140/90) for eight years previous to their enrollment. Patients of Group A were treated for three years with a losartan (100 mg/die) on-top treatment, whereas patients of Group B continued the follow-up of the previous conventional therapy. Both groups were submitted to an echocardiographic follow-up. RESULTS: Group A, showed a significant reduction of the mean LVH since the first step at six months with a further significant trend during the whole period (variance analysis: p < 0.001). Group B showed a non-significant trend toward LVH reduction during the three-year follow-up. No significant further reduction of systolic or diastolic blood pressure values was observed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of losartan in hypertensive and hypertrophic patients are in agreement with the results of LIFE Trial. However, the reduction of left ventricular hypertrophy in our patients seems to be related to changes inducted by losartan on the IAS, since no further hemodynamic effects were observed. Losartan induced both a significant reduction of LVH and an improvement of LV diastolic function with a subsequent expected beneficial shift on the prognosis.

The added diagnostic value of postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index and nocturnal baseline impedance in refractory reflux disease studied with on-therapy impedance-pH monitoring.

BACKGROUND: On-therapy impedance-pH monitoring in proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) yielded conflicting results. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index and mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) in PPI-refractory heartburn. METHODS: On-therapy impedance-pH tracings from 189 consecutive patients with PPI-refractory heartburn were blindly reviewed. Patients were subdivided into refractory reflux esophagitis (RRE), healed reflux esophagitis (HRE), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and functional heartburn (FH) according to endoscopic and conventional impedance-pH findings. The diagnostic accuracy of PSPW index and MNBI in separating NERD from FH was assessed with receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis. Objectively documented persistent reflux remission at 3-year follow-up in 53 patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication served to evaluate PSPW index and MNBI as independent predictors of PPI-refractory GERD confirmed by positive surgical outcome. KEY RESULTS: Median PSPW index and MNBI values were significantly lower in 39 RRE (16%; 1145 Ω) than in 41 HRE (25%; 1741 Ω) and in 68 NERD (29%; 2374 Ω) patients, and in all three GERD subgroups compared to 41 FH cases (67%; 3488 Ω) (P<.008). At ROC analysis, comparing NERD to FH the area under the curve was 0.886 with PSPW index and 0.677 with MNBI (P=.005). PSPW index was an independent predictor of PPI-refractory GERD (odds ratio 0.6983, P=.012). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: At on-therapy impedance-pH monitoring, PSPW index and MNBI efficiently distinguish PPI-refractory NERD from FH. The PSPW index represents an independent predictor of PPI-refractory GERD.

The GerdQ questionnaire and high resolution manometry support the hypothesis that proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia is a GERD-related phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship between proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). AIM: To compare high resolution manometry features and symptom profiles of patients with EoE, PPI-REE and GERD. METHODS: Consecutive patients diagnosed with EoE or PPI-REE according to international criteria (presence of at least one typical symptom of oesophageal dysfunction; at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field at mid/proximal oesophagus, persistence or resolution of eosinophils after an 8-week PPI trial), and a group of patients with proven GERD and oesophageal eosinophilia, prospectively completed the GerdQ questionnaire and underwent high resolution manometry. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with EoE, 17 with PPI-REE and 27 with GERD were enrolled. When compared to GERD, both EoE and PPI-REE had higher rates of dysphagia (15% vs. 94% vs. 88%, P < 0.0001), patients with EoE reported heartburn and regurgitation less frequently (26% vs. 85%, and 17% vs. 74%, respectively; P < 0.001 for each and had lower GerdQ score [1 (0-6) vs. 8 (6-12), P < 0.001] than GERD patients. There was no significant difference comparing PPI-REE and GERD patients. Patients with PPI-REE had a higher prevalence of erosive oesophagitis than patients with EoE (35% vs. 9%, P = 0.04), which was similar to that of GERD (48%, P = 0.54). Patients with EoE had a lower frequency of high resolution manometry features associated with GERD than patients with PPI-REE. There was no significant difference between PPI-REE and GERD patients. CONCLUSION: GERD, as assessed by GerdQ and high resolution manometry is common in patients with PPI-REE, which may share similar pathogenic mechanisms.

Vigor of peristalsis during multiple rapid swallows is inversely correlated with acid exposure time in patients with NERD.

BACKGROUND: Multiple rapid swallowing (MRS) during high-resolution manometry (HRM) is increasingly utilized as provocative test to assess esophageal peristaltic reserve. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between MRS response and impedance and pH (MII-pH) parameters in endoscopy negative heartburn (ENH) patients. METHODS: We enrolled consecutive ENH patients, who underwent HRM and MII-pH study, with a selected MII-pH profile: abnormal MII-pH (pH+/MII+); normal MII-pH (pH-/MII-). HRM was performed with 10 wet swallows (WS) and one MRS. Mean distal contractile integral (DCI) during WS and MRS were calculated. MII-pH parameters including acid exposure time (AET), reflux events, baseline impedance levels (BI) and the efficacy of chemical clearance evaluated with the postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index were measured. KEY RESULTS: We analyzed 103 patients: 49 MII+/pH+ (27 male), and 54 MII-/pH- (19 male). Mean age was similar between the two groups. As expected, mean AET and number of refluxes were higher in pH+/MII+ (p < 0.05). HRM was normal in all selected patients. Mean DCI-WS was similar between two groups (p = n.s.). Mean DCI-MRS- was higher in MII-/pH- vs MII+/pH+ (p < 0.05). The increase in DCI-MRS was inversely correlated with AET (-0.699; p < 0.001) and directly correlated with BI values (0.631; p < 0.001) and PSPW index (0.626; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Following MRS, patients with abnormal impedance-pH test showed suboptimal contraction response as compared with those with normal impedance-pH test. Moreover, MRS response was inversely correlated with AET and directly correlated with BI values and PSPW index.

Esophagogastric junction contractility for clinical assessment in patients with GERD: a real added value?

BACKGROUND: The role of esophagogastric junction contractile integral (EGJ-CI) as assessed by high-resolution manometry (HRM) is unclear. We aimed to correlate the EGJ-CI with impedance-pH findings in gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with GERD symptoms were enrolled. All patients underwent upper endoscopy, HRM, and impedance-pH testing. The EGJ-CI was calculated using the distal contractile integral tool box during three consecutive respiratory cycles. The value was then divided by the duration of these cycles. A value below 13 was considered as a defective EGJ-CI. We also assessed EGJ morphology, esophageal acid exposure time (AET), number of reflux episodes (NRE), and symptom association analysis (SAA). A positive impedance-pH monitoring was considered in case of abnormal AET and/or NRE and/or positive SAA. KEY RESULTS: Among 130 patients we enrolled, 91 had GERD (abnormal AET and/or elevated NRE and/or positive SAA) and 39 had functional heartburn (FH) (negative endoscopy, normal AET, normal NRE, and negative SAA). The GERD patients had a lower median value of EGJ-CI (11 [3.1-20.7] vs 22 [9.9-41], p < 0.02) compared to FH patients. Patients with a defective EGJ-CI had, more frequently, a positive impedance-pH monitoring or esophageal mucosal lesions at endoscopy (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively) than patients with a normal EGJ-CI. An EGJ-CI cut-off value of 5 mmHg cm yielded the optimal performance in identifying GERD at impedance-pH (sensitivity 89%-specificity 63%). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: A defective EGJ-CI at HRM is clearly associated with evidence of GERD at impedance-pH monitoring. Evaluating EGJ-CI may be useful to predict an abnormal impedance-pH testing.

Esophagogastric junction morphology is associated with a positive impedance-pH monitoring in patients with GERD.

BACKGROUND: High-resolution manometry (HRM) provides information on esophagogastric junction (EGJ) morphology, distinguishing three different subtypes. Data on the correlation between EGJ subtypes and impedance-pH detected reflux patterns are lacking. We aimed to correlate the EGJ subtypes with impedance-pH findings in patients with reflux symptoms. METHODS: Consecutive patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were enrolled. All patients underwent HRM and impedance-pH testing off-therapy. EGJ was classified as: Type I, no separation between the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and crural diaphragm (CD); Type II, minimal separation (>1 and <2 cm); Type III, ≥ 2 cm separation. We measured esophageal acid exposure time (AET), number of total reflux episodes and symptom association analysis. KEY RESULTS: We enrolled 130 consecutive patients and identified 46.2% Type I EGJ, 38.5% Type II, and 15.4% Type III patients. Type III subjects had a higher number of reflux episodes (61 vs 45, p < 0.03, vs 25, p < 0.001), a greater mean AET (12.4 vs 4.2, p < 0.02, vs 1.5, p < 0.001) and a greater positive symptom association (75% vs 72%, p = 0.732 vs 43.3%, p < 0.02) compared with Type II and I patients, respectively. Furthermore, Type II subjects showed statistically significant (overall p < 0.01) increased reflux when compared with Type I patients. Type III and II EGJ morphologies had a more frequent probability to show a positive multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring than Type I (95% vs 84% vs 50%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Increasing separation between LES and CD can cause a gradual and significant increase in reflux. EGJ morphology may be useful to estimate an abnormal impedance-pH testing in GERD patients.

Epiphrenic diverticula mini-invasive surgery: a challenge for expert surgeons--personal experience and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: While in the past, thoracotomy represented the traditional surgical approach for the treatment of epiphrenic diverticula, actually mini-invasive approach seems to be the preferred treatment as many series have been published in the recent years. This article describes the authors' experience with the laparoscopic approach for performing diverticulectomy, myotomy, and Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1994 to 2010, 21 patients (10 men and 11 women), mean age 58.5 years (range 45-74 years), with symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum underwent laparoscopic diverticulectomy, myotomy and Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 135 min (range = 105-190 min). Mean hospital stay was 14.2 days (range = 7-25 days). In 5 patients (23.8%), a partial suture staple line leak was observed. Conservative treatment achieved leak resolution in all the cases. One patient (4.8%) died of a myocardial infarction in the postoperative period. After a mean clinical follow-up period of 78 months (range = 6-192 months), excellent or good outcome was referred with no dysphagia in 16 patients (80%) and only mild occasional dysphagia in 4 patients (20%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of epiphrenic diverticula remains a challenging procedure also by mini-invasive approach, with major morbidity and mortality rates. For this reason, indications must be restricted only to selected and symptomatic patients in specialized centers.

Total thyroidectomy without prophylactic central neck dissection combined with routine oral calcium and vitamin D supplements: is it a good option to achieve a low recurrence rate avoiding hypocalcemia? A retrospective study.

AIM: Routine central neck dissection for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) to prevent a future recurrence is still a matter of discussion, due to the increased risk of injury to parathyroid glands, without a clear demonstrable benefits in terms of long-term survival. Aim of this study was to investigate if, treating patients with total thyroidectomy (TT) without prophylactic central lymphadenectomy can minimize the risk of hypocalcemia by routine administration of oral calcium and vitamin D supplements, providing at the same time a low recurrence rate. METHODS: In the set of a retrospective study, 221 patients affected by DTC were enrolled. All of them underwent to TT without prophylactic central lymphadenectomy. In the early postoperative period, oral calcium 2g/d taken twice (1 g every 12 hours) and vitamin D 1 g/d taken twice (0.5 g every 12 hours) were administered; changes in serum calcium and hypocalcemia-related symptoms were recorded. Follow-up was based on neck ultrasound and monitoring of serum Tg and Tg-antibodies levels every 6 months during suppressive l-tiroxine treatment. RESULTS: Symptomatic hypocalcemia developed only in 6.3% of patients, whereas laboratory hypocalcemia developed in 10%. Hypocalcemic symptoms were minimal in 4 patients. Intravenous calcium was administered to 6 patients with severe hypocalcemic symptoms. Permanent hypocalcemia developed in two patients. CONCLUSION: Until a conclusive evidence of the actual benefit of prophylactic central lymphadenectomy in the treatment of DTC, it may be avoided. The oral calcium and vitamin D supplements can take a role in the prevention of postoperative hypocalcemia and for increasing the likelihood of a safe and early discharge from the hospital.

Short-term outcomes after rehabilitation treatment in patients selected by a novel rehabilitation score system (Brusciano score) with or without previous stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for rectal outlet obstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine short-term outcomes of rehabilitation treatment in patients with or without previous stapled transanal resection (STARR) for rectal outlet obstruction by using a novel rehabilitation score system (Brusciano score). METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single tertiary referral institution including all patients with chronic functional constipation admitted to the outpatient unit from 2004 to 2009. RESULTS: Among 330 consecutive patients, 247 (74.8 %) (204 females and 43 males) showing a significantly higher rehabilitation score (mean of 15.7 ± 1.8; range, 7-25) than healthy controls (mean, 3.2 ± 1.2; range 2-6) (p < .0001) were selected for rehabilitation. Of the 247 patients evaluated, group A (no previous surgery) consisted of 170 patients (53 males; mean age, 44.8 ± 12.9 years; range, 19-80) of which 38 presented mixed constipation, whereas group B (previous surgery) consisted of 77 patients (18 males; mean age, 47.0 ± 11.2 years; range, 22-81). The Brusciano score, Agachan-Wexner score and quality of life improved in both groups of patients after treatment. Better improvements of Brusciano and Agachan-Wexner scores were observed in patients with previous STARR (group B). CONCLUSIONS: The rehabilitation score system employed in this study seems to be a useful tool in selecting and assessing the outcome of patients who might benefit from rehabilitation treatment. Constipation and quality of life were significantly improved by the rehabilitation treatment. Further studies are needed to clarify either the impact of rehabilitation treatment on long-term outcome of patients treated for rectal outlet obstruction or its role in those who develop problems over time.