Direct endoscopic full-thickness resection for submucosal tumors with an intraluminal growth pattern originating from the muscularis propria layer in the gastric fundus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is difficult to perform in a retroflexed fashion in the gastric fundus. The present study aims at exploring whether direct EFTR can be a simple, effective and safe procedure to treat intraluminal-growth submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria. METHODS: The patients with intraluminal-growth submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria in gastric fundus treated by direct EFTR between 01 January 2017 and 01 September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. In addition, we analyzed the patients with intraluminal-growth submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria in gastric fundus treated by traditional EFTR. The differences in tumor resection time, cost-effectiveness, and complication rate were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled in the present study, 20 patients of which were in the direct EFTR group and 20 patients of which were in the traditional EFTR group. En-bloc resections of gastric tumors were successfully performed in all 40 cases. There was no significant difference in the average tumor size of the two groups (24.3 ± 2.9 mm in direct EFTR group verus 24.0 ± 2.6 mm in the traditional group, p = 0.731), but significant difference existed in the operative time between two groups (35.0 ± 8.2 min in direct EFTR group verus 130.6 ± 51.9 min in the traditional group, p<0.05). No complications, such as postoperative bleeding and perforation, occurred in any groups. CONCLUSIONS: Direct EFTR is a safe, simple and cost-effective procedure for SMTs with an intraluminal growth pattern originating from the muscularis propria layer in the gastric fundus.

La funduplastia posterior: valoración a treinta años / Posterior fundoplasty: a thirty year evaluation

La funduplastia posterior constituye una técnica antirreflujo introducida en 1966 por uno de los autores (Guarner), después de un largo estudio experimental. El presente artículo valora un seguimiento de uno a 30 años en un grupo de 1499 pacientes, con una incidencia global de recidivas de 9.6 por ciento y una frecuencia reducida de efectos indeseables. Los autores establecen comparaciones con un grupo de 68 pacientes operados, también por ellos mismos, con la técnica original de Nissen y seguidos por un periodo similar. Comparan la funduplastia posterior con las principales operaciones en uso y ponen de manifiesto la efectividad del procedimiento. Una valoración con una serie tan amplia de casos y a tan largo plazo resulta poco frecuente en la literatura médica.

Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory symptoms of initially unsuspected gastroesophageal reflux in infants.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants is most commonly thought of as repeated excessive vomiting and failure to thrive, with most infants responding favorably to medical therapy. However, GER may also manifest exclusively with a variety of respiratory symptoms that, if not detected and treated early, may lead to life-threatening complications. During the period of 1987 to 1992, 39 neonates and infants underwent Nissen fundoplication for the treatment of respiratory symptoms attributed to GER. Symptoms included apnea and bradycardia (64%), pneumonia (31%), cyanosis (28%), cough (18%), and stridor (15%). Most patients were ascribed at least one incorrect diagnosis to explain respiratory symptoms. These include apnea of prematurity (38%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (31%), asthma (8%), and subglottic stenosis (8%). All patients underwent a variety of investigations and medical treatments without noticeable clinical improvement. These included bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy, and polysomnograms. Treatment such as antibiotics, theophylline, bronchodilators, steroids, and oxygen were directed at presumed primary respiratory disease. On the other hand, H2 blockers, metoclopramide, positioning, and thickened feeds were prescribed to treat GER without objective evidence of disease. Ultimately, GER was demonstrated by upper gastrointestinal series in 64%, pH probe in 61%, and both studies in 38%. All patients underwent Nissen fundoplication after failed attempts at medical therapy. A total of 95% of patients had resolution or substantial improvement of respiratory symptoms postoperatively. Preoperative hospitalization averaged 37.0 days, and postoperative stay averaged only 14.2 days. We present a series of patients with GER, all of whom presented with respiratory symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assessment of alkaline reflux in children after Nissen fundoplication and pyloroplasty.

During an eight month period, 22 children less than 15 years of age (mean age of three years and seven months) who underwent operative treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were selected for study. All were symptomatic and unresponsive to medical therapy. Preoperative evaluation included esophageal pH probe monitoring in 18 patients, gastric isotope emptying study in 18 patients and contrast studies of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract in ten patients. Four children with severe neurologic disorders who required placement of a feeding gastrostomy tube underwent fundoplication without preoperative evaluation. All 22 patients had GER and 14 had documented delayed gastric emptying (greater than 60 percent residual at 90 minutes) on radionuclide scan with appropriate meal for age. Each child underwent Nissen fundoplication and tube gastrostomy. Sixteen patients also had a modified pyloroplasty with a 2.5 to 4.0 centimeter vertical seromuscular incision on the antrum. When the patients achieved a full feeding schedule (postoperative day range three to 21 days, mean of 6.2 days), they were put on a fast for six hours and an aspirate was obtained from the gastrostomy tube. Analysis of pH and bile acid content served as indicators of alkaline reflux. The six children without pyloroplasty served as the control group. Intragastric pH ranged from 1.91 to 7.00 (mean of 3.71) and bile acid content ranged from 4 to 150 micrometers per liter (mean of 62 micrometers per liter). No significant differences were seen between patients with fundoplication alone and those with fundoplication and pyloroplasty (p = 0.97 for pH; p = 0.66 for bile acid content). Two patients with pyloroplasty showed slight elevation of intragastric bile acid content at the upper limits of normal. At follow-up evaluation from nine to 23 months (mean of 18 months), all patients were asymptomatic, with only two showing rare gagging. Additionally, nine patients have had complete resolution of their pulmonary symptoms. No patients demonstrated diarrhea, gas bloat or dumping. Nissen fundoplication combined with a modified pyloroplasty or "antroplasty" for delayed gastric emptying provides excellent clinical results with minimal demonstrable bile acid reflux and no change in intragastric pH at the one and one-half year follow-up evaluation.

Reflux control by fundoplication: a clinical and manometric assessment of the Nissen operation.

Ninety-two Nissen fundoplications were performed for relief of symptoms of reflux in patients without stricture and in whom the wrap was left in the abdomen. Of these, 25 were reoperations. Reflux secondary to a hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter was associated with a sliding esophageal hiatus hernia in 61 patients, and surgical or other manipulative maneuvers were responsible for a hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter in 5 patients. No obvious cause could be determined in the remaining patients. The operation was transabdominal in 74 patients and by thoracotomy in 18 patients. Fifteen patients required ancillary operative procedures. Follow-up studies averaged 5 3/4 years in 82 patients and revealed permanent control of reflux in 74 of them (90.2%). Eighty percent of the patients were able to belch after operation. Overall patient satisfaction was achieved in 67 patients (81.7%). Among those who underwent operation for the first time, 84.5% achieved satisfactory results, whereas only 75% of those who underwent reoperation were benefited. Poorest results were caused by too tight a wrap, a complication that became rare after the size of the indwelling stent was increased to 42F. Esophageal manometry documented effective and significant augmentation of the amplitude and length of the lower esophageal sphincter from preoperative values of 7.2 +/- 0.5 mm Hg and 2.4 +/- 0.1 cm to postoperative values of 15.6 +/- 0.6 mm Hg and 4.1 +/- 0.1 cm (p less than 0.001). We conclude that if patients are properly selected and the wrap loosely fashioned, permanent control of reflux can be achieved by the classic Nissen fundoplication in 90% of patients with relatively few complications and a high degree of patient satisfaction.