The use of endoluminal vacuum (E-Vac) therapy in the management of upper gastrointestinal leaks and perforations.

INTRODUCTION: Upper intestinal leaks and perforations are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite the growing experience using endoscopically placed stents, the treatment of these leaks and perforations remain a challenge. Endoluminal vacuum (E-Vac) therapy is a novel treatment that has been successfully used in Germany to treat upper gastrointestinal leaks and perforations. There currently are no reports on its use in the USA. METHODS: E-Vac therapy was used to treat 11 patients with upper gastrointestinal leaks and perforations from September 2013 to September 2014. Five patients with leaks following sleeve gastrectomy were excluded from this study. A total of six patients were treated with E-Vac therapy; these included: (n = 2) iatrogenic esophageal perforations, (n = 1) iatrogenic esophageal and gastric perforations, (n = 1) iatrogenic gastric perforation, (n = 1) gastric staple line leak following a surgical repair of a traumatic gastric perforation, and (n = 1) esophageal perforation due to an invasive fungal infection. Four patients had failed an initial surgical repair prior to starting E-Vac therapy. RESULTS: All six patients (100 %) had complete closure of their perforation or leak after an average of 35.8 days of E-Vac therapy requiring 7.2 different E-Vac changes. No deaths occurred in the 30 days following E-Vac therapy. One patient died following complete closure of his perforation and transfer to an acute care facility due to an unrelated complication. There were no complications directly related to the use of E-Vac therapy. Only one patient had any symptoms of dysphagia. This patient had severe dysphagia from an esophagogastric anastomotic stricture prior to her iatrogenic perforations. Following E-Vac therapy, her dysphagia had actually improved and she could now tolerate a soft diet. CONCLUSIONS: E-Vac therapy is a promising new method in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal leaks and perforations. Current successes need to be validated through future prospective controlled studies.

Comparison of outcomes of laparoscopic Heller myotomy versus per-oral endoscopic myotomy for management of achalasia.

Achalasia is a rare disorder that has several treatment options. The gold standard of treatment is a surgical myotomy called a laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM). More recently, an endoscopic myotomy has become an option as well, called per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). An achalasia registry was queried for patients undergoing either LHM or POEM at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. Patient demographics, preoperative and postoperative data points, and Eckardt scores were collected. The patients were further stratified into their follow-up intervals, immediate postoperative and long-term follow-up, to assess surgical success. A subset analysis was done for success of treatment for patients who had redo surgery versus those undergoing the procedure for the first time. There were 12 patients in the POEM group and 11 patients in the LHM group. Both groups demonstrated mean lower esophageal sphincter pressures with failure to relax. Procedure length and hospital length of stay were similar between the two groups. There were three adverse events in each group, but none altered the patient's postoperative clinical course. Eckardt scores, used to assess success of the surgery, were 82% for POEM patients and 66% for LHM patients after 6 months. The outcomes for POEM and LHM in our early experience are similar to those reported in the literature for high-volume centers managing achalasia.

Laparoscopic marsupialization and hemisplenectomy for splenic cysts.

BACKGROUND: Splenic cysts are a rare clinical entity in the United States, and historically, management has consisted of either partial or total splenectomy via an open approach. Laparoscopic treatment of splenic cysts with preservation of splenic parenchyma offers several advantages. Compared with the open approach, a laparoscopic approach may result in less postoperative pain and a more rapid return to full activity. Compared with total splenectomy, splenic preservation eliminates the risk of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present two patients with splenic cysts. One patient was treated with laparoscopic marsupialization of the cyst and the other with laparoscopic hemisplenectomy. RESULTS: Both patients are without further symptoms at 26 and 5 months' follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic marsupialization and hemisplenectomy are appropriate treatment options for patients with splenic cysts.

Esophageal cancer prevention, cure, and palliation.

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia are the most rapidly increasing cancers in developed countries. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux, and Barrett's esophagus is a precursor. This disease most frequently affects middle-aged white men. Endoscopic surveillance should be performed on patients with Barrett's esophagus, and esophagectomy is often performed on persons with high-grade dysplasia. Ablation of Barrett's esophagus has been proposed to prevent cancer but the outcomes are unproven. Squamous carcinoma of the esophagus most often affects black men and is associated with alcohol and tobacco use. The diagnosis of esophageal cancer is made by endoscopy with biopsy. Optimal staging is with endoscopic ultrasonography for depth of invasion and regional nodes and CT scanning for distant metastases. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery is widely practiced, but survival benefits remain to be proven. Palliation of dysphagia may be achieved with surgery, radiation therapy, or endoscopic means, with the latter having fewer complications.

Gastric leiomyosarcoma presenting as a gastric wall abscess.

Gastric abscess is a rare disorder with approximately 500 cases reported. Two variants are seen diffuse (Phlegemous) or localized. We report a spindle cell tumor (leiomyosarcoma) presenting as a localized gastric wall abscess.

An outbreak of human and canine blastomycosis.

In the summer and fall of 1988, three humans and one dog in a lakeshore community in northern Wisconsin were found to have blastomycosis on the basis of the results of cultures and histologic studies; the infection was also suspected in one human and four dogs on the basis of clinical data. Serologic testing with use of enzyme immunoassay for antibody to the A antigen of Blastomyces dermatitidis was performed for 77 additional human residents and visitors in the area an average of 9 months after the outbreak. Titers of antibody of greater than or equal to 1:32 were considered presumptive evidence of blastomycosis, and measurement of such titers enabled identification of 18 additional suspected cases in this group, compared with none in a control group (n = 40). Of the 22 humans with confirmed and suspected cases, 16 (73%) were asymptomatic. Epidemiologic and meteorologic data gathered during this period suggested an associated between this outbreak and the presence of dust from excavation for a hotel across the lake. The result of this study further confirm the common occurrence of self-limited and subclinical infection with B. dermatitidis and suggest that excavation in an area endemic for B. dermatitidis is a risk factor for human and canine infection.

Cutting the defiant lower esophageal ring.

A symptomatic lower esophageal ring generally responds to standard bougienage therapy. However, a subset of patients with a lower esophageal ring defy dilation therapy. We have evaluated the efficacy of electrocautery incision of "defiant" lower esophageal rings, the data of which forms the basis of this report. Seven of 75 patients with a lower esophageal ring failed to respond to conventional esophageal dilation. All seven patients underwent electrocautery incision of a "defiant" lower esophageal ring with alleviation of dysphagia. One patient had recurrence of dysphagia that occurred 6 months after initial electrocautery incision. No major complication occurred, although one patient had transient chest pain. Subsequently, all patients have remained without symptoms at a mean follow-up of 36 months. Electrocautery incision of "defiant" lower esophageal ring is efficacious, safe, and results in long-term relief of dysphagia.

Premalignant changes in ulcerative colitis.

Colitis-associated carcinoma is often associated with, or preceded by, noninvasive epithelial neoplastic changes termed dysplasia. Surveillance colonoscopy with biopsies looking for dysplasia is now standard practice in the management of the cancer problem in ulcerative colitis. However, this practice continues to have a number of limitations and problems that need to be understood by surgeons who may be referring such patients. A number of recent reports indicate that colitis associated carcinoma is predominantly left-sided and incorporation of this distribution in the surveillance methods merits consideration. The molecular and genetic abnormalities involved in the pathogenesis of colitis associated neoplasia are being actively investigated and may yield supplementary methods to better define individual patient risk.

Outcome of surgical and endoscopic management of biliary pancreatitis.

The aims of the study were to compare the outcomes of biliary pancreatitis after endoscopic and surgical treatment and define the demographic and clinical characteristics that affect the outcomes. All inpatients with biliary pancreatitis followed at hospitals of the Department of Veterans Affairs during 1988-1994 were included in a case-control study. Of 2075 patients with biliary pancreatitis, 650 were first treated by biliary endoscopy and 1425 by cholecystectomy. Compared with cholecystectomy, biliary endoscopy was associated with older age, admission to nonsurgical service, more complicated pancreatitis, and choledocholithiasis. Seventy-one patients died. Death occurred more often in older patients with multiple comorbid conditions and complications of biliary pancreatitis. Overall length of hospital stay was positively correlated with complications, choledocholithiasis, comorbidity, and deferment of endoscopic or surgical procedure. After adjusting for other confounding variables, both types of treatment resulted in similar death rates and lengths of hospitalization. In conclusion, compared with cholecystectomy, biliary endoscopy is chosen preferentially in older patients with choledocholithiasis or a complication of their pancreatitis. Despite such selection bias, biliary endoscopy results in similar outcomes as surgery. Early intervention by either strategy reduces the length of hospital stay.

Endoscopic removal of an esophageal fibrovascular polyp.

Fibrovascular polyps are intraluminal pedunculated esophageal polyps, which can produce devastating consequences if untreated. Therapy for these lesions is traditionally surgical, with esophagotomy. The present report describes a case of endoscopic removal of a fibrovascular polyp, alleviating the need for hospitalization or further interventions. The natural history, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and therapies are reviewed.

Guidewire fracture during endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Aberrant current conductance during an endoscopic sphincterotomy is a potential hazard. However, such complications have remained primarily theoretical. In this case report, we describe the fracture of a 0.018" Teflon-coated guidewire while performing a sphincterotomy with a 7 French, dual-chambered papillotome. The fractured guidewire was free and loose in the biliary tree, but was subsequently retrieved with endoscopic techniques. Inspection of the papillotome revealed charring of the plastic area adjacent to the cutting wire tip. The electrocautery unit was found to be in normal operating condition after formal testing. We speculate that the papillotome was defective, allowing current flow directly from the cutting wire to the guidewire. The small diameter guidewire then allowed a greater current density, resulting in heat which eventually contributed to fracture of the guidewire. Aberrant current can be conducted over a non-insulated guidewire. This potential hazard can be avoided with an insulated (coated) guidewire or removal of a non-insulated guidewire.

Epidemiology of blastomycosis in a region of high endemicity in north central Wisconsin.

The clinical and epidemiologic features of 73 patients with laboratory-confirmed blastomycosis who were identified over an 11-year period in North Central Wisconsin are presented. Pulmonary disease was the sole manifestation in 77% of patients. More than one-half of all patients had symptoms that included fever, cough, weight loss, night sweats, and pleuritic chest pain. Virtually all were previously healthy, and most did not have an outdoor occupation. However, 82% of these patients lived or had visited within 500 m of rivers or associated waterways. The majority experienced the onset of symptoms between December and April. The estimated mean annual incidence rate of infection for Vilas County was 40.4 cases per 100,000 persons, and that for the largest city in the county was 101.3 cases per 100,000 persons. Several areas with an exceptionally high incidence of the infection were observed. We suggest that, in regions where blastomycosis is hyperendemic, clinical disease is most often pulmonary and occurs in immunocompetent individuals and that residence near an ecological focus may be a greater risk factor for acquisition of blastomycosis than is occupation.

In situ hybridization for telomerase RNA in routine cytologic brushings for the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Brush cytology for the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary malignancy has an overall sensitivity of 50%. Accurate and specific markers are therefore needed for the optimal evaluation of pancreaticobiliary strictures. Telomerase activity is present in 85% to 90% of all human cancers. We sought to determine the utility of in situ hybridization for telomerase RNA in endoscopic brushings for the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary malignancy. METHODS: Endoscopic brushings from 18 patients with pancreatic or biliary strictures were evaluated by routine cytology and in situ hybridization for telomerase RNA. RESULTS: Eight of 18 strictures were malignant. Cytology was positive in 5 patients, whereas telomerase RNA was positive in 6. All malignancies were diagnosed by either cytology or telomerase RNA; however, both studies were positive in only 3. There were no false-positive results by either technique. CONCLUSION: The detection of telomerase RNA in endoscopic brushings may be an important adjunct to cytology for cancer diagnosis in pancreaticobiliary strictures.

Chronic subcutaneous octreotide decreases gastrointestinal blood loss in blue rubber-bleb nevus syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A patient affected by blue rubber-bleb nevus syndrome had chronic gastrointestinal bleeding requiring weekly blood transfusions. Despite multiple surgical and endoscopic procedures to treat the venous malformations, the patient continued to bleed primarily from lesions in the small bowel. Therefore, this patient was treated with octreotide, a somatostatin analog known to decrease splanchnic blood flow and that is used for acute and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: Octreotide therapy, 5.7 microg/kg subcutaneously twice daily, was initiated, and the patient was followed up clinically. Complete blood counts, blood glucose concentration, pancreatic enzyme concentration, liver function tests, and growth hormone concentration were monitored during treatments. RESULTS: During the 4 weeks after initiation of octreotide therapy, hemoglobin concentration was maintained without the need for transfusions. Octreotide decreased the patient's monthly need for blood transfusion from 52 +/- 7 mL. kg-1. mo-1 of packed red blood cells to 23 +/- 7 mL. kg-1. mo-1. She had no detectable side effects or growth inhibition. Other medical interventions including -epsilonaminocaproic acid, nadolol, and total parenteral nutrition with bowel rest were not as effective as octreotide alone. CONCLUSION: Octreotide decreased the patient's need for blood transfusions. Possible mechanisms include altering blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract and direct effects on the venous malformations.