Assessment of pyloric sphincter physiology after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy using an endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The most common functional complication after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy is the delayed emptying of the gastric conduit (DGCE) for which several diagnostic tools are available, e.g. chest X-ray, upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and water-soluble contrast radiogram. However, none of these diagnostic tools evaluate the pylorus itself. Our study demonstrates the successful measurement of pyloric distensibility in patients with DGCE after esophagectomy and in those without it. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Between May 2021 and October 2021, we performed a retrospective single-centre study of all patients who had an oncological Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and underwent our post-surgery follow-up programme with surveillance endoscopies and computed tomography scans. EndoFlip™ was used to perform measurements of the pylorus under endoscopic control, and distensibility was measured at 40 ml, 45 ml and 50 ml balloon filling. RESULTS: We included 70 patients, and EndoFlip™ measurement was feasible in all patients. Successful application of EndoFlip™ was achieved in all interventions (n = 70, 100%). 51 patients showed a normal postoperative course, whereas 19 patients suffered from DGCE. Distensibility proved to be smaller in patients with symptoms of DGCE compared to asymptomatic patients. For 40 ml, 45 ml and 50 ml, the mean distensibility was 6.4 vs 10.1, 5.7 vs 7.9 and 4.5 vs 6.3 mm2/mmHg. The differences were significant for all three balloon fillings. No severe EndoFlip™ treatment-related adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: Measurement with EndoFlip™ is a safe and technically feasible endoscopic option for measuring the distensibility of the pylorus. Our study shows that the distensibility in asymptomatic patients after esophagectomy is significantly higher than that in patients suffering from DGCE. However, more studies need to be conducted to demonstrate the general use of EndoFlip™ measurement of the pylorus after esophagectomy.

Patient-generated subjective global assessment versus nutritional risk screening 2002 for gastric cancer in Chinese patients.

Aim: Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) are used to evaluate patients' nutritional status. Materials & methods: The data of 114 gastric cancer patients with pyloric obstruction treated between July 2016 and July 2017 were assessed retrospectively. Results: Based on clinical evaluation, 70.1% had malnutrition, with 61.4% at nutritional risk by NRS2002 and 66.7% by PG-SGA. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.858 for PG-SGA and 0.706 for NRS2002. Sensitivity and specificity were 89 and 85% for PG-SGA and 78 and 76% for NRS2002. In both assessments, patients at risk showed more postoperative complications. Conclusion: PG-SGA was more suitable for evaluating the preoperative nutritional status of gastric cancer patients with pyloric obstruction, with higher diagnostic efficacy.

Peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy is efficacious and safe for refractory gastroparesis: prospective trial with assessment of pyloric function.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis is a functional disorder with a variety of symptoms that is characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. A recent series of retrospective studies has demonstrated that peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy (G-POEM) is a promising endoscopic procedure for treating patients with refractory gastroparesis. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of G-POEM. METHODS: 20 patients with refractory gastroparesis (10 diabetic and 10 nondiabetic) were prospectively included in the trial. Patients were treated by G-POEM after evaluation of pyloric function using an endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe. Clinical responses were evaluated using the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI), and quality of life was assessed using the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders - Quality of Life scale and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index scores. Gastric emptying was measured using 4-hour scintigraphy before G-POEM and at 3 months. RESULTS: Feasibility of the procedure was 100 %. Compared with baseline values, G-POEM significantly improved symptoms (GCSI: 1.3 vs. 3.5; P < 0.001), quality of life, and gastric emptying (T½: 100 vs. 345 minutes, P < 0.001; %H2: 56.0 % vs. 81.5 %, P < 0.001; %H4: 15.0 % vs. 57.5 %, P = 0.003) at 3 months. The clinical success of G-POEM using the functional imaging probe inflated to 50 mL had specificity of 100 % and sensitivity of 72.2 % (P = 0.04; 95 % confidence interval 0.51 - 0.94; area under the curve 0.72) at a distensibility threshold of 9.2 mm2/mmHg. CONCLUSION: G-POEM was efficacious and safe for treating refractory gastroparesis, especially in patients with low pyloric distensibility.

Operative outcomes of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in patients with congenital heart disease.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the outcomes of pyloromyotomy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) in children with and without congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: A retrospective, single pediatric center, case-control, matched cohort study was performed over 10years. A case of IHPS with CHD was paired with control patients of IHPS without CHD, matched by age and gender. Perioperative morbidity, 30-day mortality, length of hospital stay, and hospital cost were compared. Subgroups were analyzed based on the severity of CHD and the reason for admission. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients who underwent pyloromyotomy for IHPS with CHD (CHD group) were matched with 78 patients with IHPS without CHD (Non-CHD group). No 30-day mortality was identified in either group. Overall perioperative complications were not significantly different between groups (11.5% vs 5.2%, p=0.163). However, postoperative length of stay was longer in CHD group (6 vs 1days, p<0.001) and any subgroups of CHD as compared to Non-CHD group. CHD group patients admitted only for IHPS had short postoperative LOS, whereas those who developed pyloric stenosis during a hospital admission stayed longer postoperatively (1.5 vs 26.5days, p<0.001). Mean hospital costs in patients admitted for IHPS were $16,270 and $3591 for CHD group and Non-CHD group, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IHPS patients with CHD have prolonged postpyloromyotomy course, especially when inpatients with CHD incidentally develop IHPS.

Assessment of postoperative quality of life following pylorus-preserving gastrectomy and Billroth-I distal gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients: results of the nationwide postgastrectomy syndrome assessment study.

BACKGROUND: Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is increasingly being used to treat early gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach, with the hope of ameliorating postoperative dysfunction and improving quality of life (QOL). We evaluated symptoms of postgastrectomy syndrome (PGS) and QOL by means of a newly developed integrated questionnaire, the Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-45 (PGSAS-45), and compared PPG with Billroth-I distal gastrectomy (DGBI). METHODS: The PGSAS-45 consists of 45 items, including items from the SF-8 and GSRS instruments, as well as 22 newly selected items. It was designed to assess the severity of PGS and the living status and QOL of gastrectomized patients. The nationwide PGSAS surveillance study enrolled 2,368 gastric cancer patients who underwent various types of gastrectomy. In this study we analyzed 313 PPG patients and 909 DGBI patients. RESULTS: Body weight loss was -6.9% in the PPG group and -7.9% in the DGBI group (P = 0.052). The PPG group scored better on the diarrhea subscale (PPG; 1.8 vs. DGBI; 2.1, P < 0.0001), dumping subscale (1.8 vs. 2.0, P = 0.003), and frequency of additional meals (1.8 vs. 1.9, P = 0.034). Multiple regression analysis revealed that age and the preservation of the celiac branch of the vagus nerve were independent factors predicting diarrhea and dumping. CONCLUSIONS: It has been suggested that PPG is superior to DGBI for ameliorating PGS. Preservation of the celiac branch of the vagus nerve is recommended to reduce postoperative disorders regardless of the reconstruction method used.

Assessment of the length of myotomy in peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy (G-POEM) using a submucosal tunnel technique (video).

BACKGROUND: Peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy is a novel technique that has recently been described in the literature. There is little data to guide the length of myotomy created. The aim of study was to evaluate the proper incision length of the muscular layer during peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy using a submucosal tunnel technique. METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective ex vivo study. Fresh ex vivo porcine stomachs from animals weighing 80-100 kg and porcine stomachs from animals weighing 15-25 kg were used for pyloromyotomy. Four different myotomy lengths (1, 2, 3, and 4) were compared in the large animal series and three different myotomy lengths (1, 2, and 3) were compared in the small series. A total of 23 cases of the submucosal tunnel technique were performed by two endoscopists using 12 large stomachs and 11 small stomachs. RESULTS: The mean overall procedure time (± SD) of pyloromyotomy was 65.7 (± 14.3) min. In the large stomach series, the mean pyloric diameter (± SD) and change from baseline (as percentage) following a 1, 2, 3, and 4 pyloromyotomy were 13.3 ± 9.5 mm (7.1 %), 20.7 ± 11.7 mm (10.6 %), 31.1 ± 15.0 mm (15.2 %), and 33.0 ± 15.0 mm (16.0 %), respectively. In the small stomach series, the changes of mean pyloric diameter following a 1, 2, and 3 cm pyloromyotomy were 12.2 ± 5.6 mm (7.5 %), 23.1 ± 7.6 mm (13.1 %), and 28.0 ± 10.4 mm (15.5 %), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 3 cm pyloromyotomy for a large animal series and 2 cm for the small animal series appeared to be most appropriate for enlargement of the pylorus.

Factors that minimize postgastrectomy symptoms following pylorus-preserving gastrectomy: assessment using a newly developed scale (PGSAS-45).

BACKGROUND: Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is sometimes performed as a function-preserving surgery for the treatment of early gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to use an integrated assessment scale for postgastrectomy syndrome to determine the appropriate indicators and optimal methods for PPG. METHODS: The Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Study (PGSAS) is a multicenter survey based on an integrated questionnaire (PGSAS-45) consisting of 45 items. Questionnaire responses were retrieved from a total of 2,520 patients, each of whom had undergone one of six different types of gastrectomy procedures; 313 responses from patients who had received PPG were analyzed here. RESULTS: The size of the proximal gastric remnant (less than one-quarter, about one-third, or more than one-half of the original size) significantly influenced the change in body weight, the scores for dissatisfaction at the meal, and dissatisfaction for daily life subscale (P = 0.030, P = 0.005, P = 0.034, respectively). The nausea score in patients who underwent hand-sewn anastomosis was significantly lower than in those who underwent anastomosis with a linear stapler (P = 0.006). The scores for diarrhea subscale, increased passage of stools, and sense of foods sticking differed significantly depending on the length of the preserved pyloric cuff (P = 0.047, P = 0.021, P = 0.046, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that preservation of a sufficient proximal gastric remnant is recommended when utilizing PPG as function-preserving surgery.

Comparative analysis of the revenues of pylorus-preserving pancreatic head resections and laparoscopic cholecystectomies as prototypic surgical procedures in the German health-care system.

BACKGROUND: Although centralization of complex surgical procedures such as pancreaticoduodenectomies is associated with a reduction in morbidity and mortality rates, it is unclear whether such surgeries are adequately represented in the German disease-related group (DRG) system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Out of all patients who underwent pancreatic resections (n = 450) at our institution between January 2008 and November 2011, 76 patients who underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreatic head resection due to pancreatic head adenocarcinoma were selected for analysis. The revenues generated by these surgical procedures were compared with those of 144 patients who had undergone elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies for symptomatic gallstone disease between January 2009 and September 2010 in our hospital. RESULTS: In patients undergoing pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, revenues per case were 1,585.55 Euros, with an average length of hospital stay (ALOS) of 19.9 days (range 7-55 days) and an average postoperative hospital stay of 16 days; however, if the ALOS was exceeded, expenditures increasingly exceeded returns. Analysis of the cohort of patients with pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomies demonstrated average revenues per day of 79.27 Euros. In contrast, for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which was treated with high surgical standardization and stringent case management, the ALOS was only 2.8 days, producing average revenues of 288.80 Euros per day and total revenues of 817.53 Euros per case. CONCLUSION: At university hospitals, cost-effective realization of major pancreatic surgery is difficult, while highly standardized surgeries such as laparoscopic cholecystectomies can be performed at a favorable balance. This may be due to, firstly, an underrepresentation of university hospitals in the German DRG calculation basis and, secondly, to a relatively long preoperative hospital stay as a result of extensive diagnostic measures. We consider this kind of preoperative assessment paramount for an academic pancreatic center and thus argue for an increased reimbursement for these procedures.

Intraoperative Doppler assessment of gastric tube perfusion in esophagogastroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive method with a great potential for the assessment of perfusion in surgery. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of Doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of blood flow on the top of an Akiyama-fashioned stomach tube for esophagus substitution. A secondary point of interest was the real length gained after construction of the gastric tube. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Ivor-Lewis two stage gastro-esophagectomy was performed in 22 patients with carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus. Vascularization of the gastric tube was assessed in every patient by Doppler sonographies after every separate step of stomach mobilization. Control arteriographies were performed at 4 major steps of mobilization to evaluate the accuracy of Doppler measurements. RESULTS: Doppler assessment showed a sensitivity of 50 to 95%, specificity of up to 97% and overall accuracy between 95% and 75% during the separate steps of construction of the gastric tube. An approximate length of 4 cm was gained after the final mobilization and tubularization of the stomach. CONCLUSION: Our clinical trial revealed an excellent agreement between the results of Doppler sonography and arteriography. Doppler sonography proved to be a precise technique for the evaluation of stomach perfusion, especially for the needs of tissue viability assessment of the stomach tube in esophageal surgery.

Pyloromyotomy: a comparison of laparoscopic, circumumbilical, and right upper quadrant operative techniques.

BACKGROUND: Ramstedt pyloromyotomy through a right upper quadrant (RUQ) transverse incision has been the traditional treatment for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Recently, laparoscopic (LAP) and circumumbilical (UMB) approaches have been introduced as alternative methods to improve cosmesis, but concerns about greater operative times, costs, and complications remain. This study compares the three operative techniques and examines their advantages and complication rates. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing pyloromyotomy at a children's hospital between January 1997 and June 2003. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety patients underwent pyloromyotomy by LAP (n = 51), RUQ (n = 190), or UMB (n = 49). Complication rate, time to ad libitum feeding, incidence of emesis, and postoperative length of stay did not differ considerably among groups. Two LAP patients were converted to RUQ. Mucosal perforation occurred in three patients each in the RUQ and UMB groups, but none in the LAP group. Operative times were considerably less for LAP (25 +/- 9 minutes) than for RUQ (32 +/- 9 minutes) and UMB (42 +/- 12 minutes) (p < 0.05, ANOVA, Bonferroni). Charges related to operations and anesthesia were considerably greater for UMB (operation: US 1,574 dollars +/- US 433 dollars; anesthesia: US 731 dollars +/- US 190 dollars) compared with the other two groups (p < 0.05, ANOVA, Bonferroni), but did not differ between LAP (operation: US 1,299 dollars +/- US 311 dollars; anesthesia: US 586 dollars +/- US 137 dollars) and RUQ (operation: US 1,237 dollars +/- US 411 dollars; anesthesia: US 578 dollars +/- US 167 dollars). Data are presented as mean +/- SD. CONCLUSIONS: Advantages of LAP include a shorter mean operative time without higher complications or costs. UMB is associated with the greatest mean operative time and costs. Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is a safe and effective approach to the treatment of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Ad libitum feeding: safely improving the cost-effectiveness of pyloromyotomy.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Patients undergoing pyloromyotomy traditionally have been placed on complex postoperative feeding regimens. The authors evaluated the substitution of an ad libitum feeding regimen to determine if it could decrease length of hospital stay and cost without increasing the morbidity rate. METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive patients undergoing open pyloromyotomy were evaluated. The initial 31 patients were treated with a traditional protocol, whereas the next 25 patients received ad libitum feeding. Time to first full-strength feeding, amount and time of any emesis, and time to discharge were recorded. Hospital costs and number of readmissions were assessed. RESULTS: Patients in the ad libitum group had a statistically significant shorter time to discharge (25.1 hours versus 38.8 hours), which translated into a savings of $1,290 per patient. Whereas more patients in the ad libitum group experienced postoperative emesis (32% v 26%), this was not statistically significant. There was no other morbidity and there were no readmissions in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative ad libitum feedings resulted in significant decreases in hospital stay and associated costs without increasing morbidity. Ad libitum feeding is safe, simple, and cost effective, and may offer an avenue for short-stay pyloromyotomy in selected patients.

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.

A predictor analysis of patients' assessment of outcome after operation for duodenal ulcer. A one-year prospective study.

During a period of one year data were obtained concerning life events, non-specific psychological symptoms, individual social history and ulcer history in consecutive cases of patients about to undergo elective surgical treatment for duodenal ulcer. At a one-year follow-up, a blind clinical evaluation was performed, and information concerning the patients' assessment of outcome was obtained. Those patients who at the one-year follow-up stated no improvement due to the operation could be predicted to some extent from postoperative complications, partly from a long ulcer history. The patients who stated that the result did not come up to their expectations were predicted from older age, and from certain symptoms, especially severe headache. It is suggested that it is relevant to apply the patients' assessment of outcome for the purpose of evaluation, supplementing the clinical assessment of the more biomedical aspects of outcome.

Surgeon-endoscopists and the assessment of postoperative patients.

There is a definite need for surgeons with an interest in gastrointestinal problems to develop and maintain expertise in gut endoscopy. In this article we emphasize the interpretation of symptoms in postoperative patients as a focal point, although other illustrations might be cited. While stressing the role of surgeons in this respect, it is essential to underscore the complementary roles of surgeons and physicians, and to emphasize that both disciplines' points of view are needed to determine the source of patients' complaints. The special awareness that a surgeon brings to the analysis of these postoperative problems results from a knowledge of postoperative patients in general, supplemented by an awareness of technical factors that might either influence the operation's success or explain a new symptom occurring in the postoperative period.

Quantitative assessment of duodenogastric reflux after vagotomy with or without pyloroplasty-A clinical investigation.

The experiment consists in intravenous infusion of 99mTc-Hepatobida, fractioned aspiration of the gastric juice by means of a tube and measurement of radioactivity in the aspirated liquid. Patients are fasting for at least twelve hours and tests are started early in the morning. 5 mCi of 99mTc-Hepatobida are injected intravenously. Thereupon gastric juice is collected by means of a gastric tube every ten min during 90 min. Duodenogastric reflux is provoked by installing 100 ml of Intralipid. Sampling of gastric contents is continued as above. Radioactivities in the aspirate are compared in five patients before operation, after truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty, after highly selective vagotomy without pyloroplasty and after highly selective vagotomy without pyloroplasty. There is no typical pattern for either type of operation. We suggest that motor antral activity is more important than pyloric function.