Esophageal stricture as an initial manifestation of Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease located in the esophagus is rare, being exceptional as the initial manifestation of the disease. Erosive ulcerative esophagitis, stricture and fistula are forms of presentation, as in other esophageal pathologies, so the differential diagnosis is broad. The histologic features of esophageal Crohn's disease can be nonspecific and increase the diagnostic challenge. Esophageal Crohn's disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of esophageal strictures and may require esophagectomy if medical-endoscopic treatment is not effective.

[Influence of the lockdown due to COVID-19 on weight-loss results during the first year after sleeve gastrectomy]. / Influencia del confinamiento por COVID-19 en los resultados ponderales durante el primer año tras la gastrectomía vertical.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic has lead to lockdown of population in many countries. In Spain, the state of alarm was established from March 15 to June 20, 2020. Usually this fact decreased people's mobility and physical activity, in addition to producing or exacerbating psychological disorders. Our aim was to determine the influence that this condition had over the short-term ponderal results of patients undergoing laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy from May 2019 to May 2020. METHODS: Case-control study for comparing the percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL) and the percentage of total weight lost (%TWL) of patients that underwent a VG during the last year, so they were affected by lockdown in April and part of March 2020 (group 1), to the %EWL and %TWL of a control group (group 2), obtained from our previous series. RESULTS: The mean %EWL in group 1 is 47,37 ± 18,59 and in group 2 is 51,13 ± 17,59, being p = 0,438. Meanwhile, the mean %TWL in group 1 is 21,14 ± 8,17 and in group 2 is 24,67 ± 8,01, with p = 0,115. CONCLUSIONS: Population lockdown by COVID-19 did not get worse short-term results of vertical gastrectomy. More studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to draw firm conclusions.

Barrett's esophagus is a controversial condition.

We wish to respond to the comments provided by José Miguel Esteban López-Jamar and Ravishankar Asokkumar (1) about our report in this Journal (2). Some of the comments were perhaps prompted by inadequately explained or understood concepts, since they mention aspects that we never even considered or stated.

Barrett's esophagus: "All diseases are divine and all are human".

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a controversial condition. The significance of this condition lies in its premalignant potential, so it is important that clinically applicable biomarkers be identified for early detection and targeted prevention. Dysplasia is currently used as main biomarker, but others most recently surveyed in cancer also include microRNAs. Classically, BE was considered to be an acquired disease related to pathological gastroesophageal acid and bile reflux. However, some cases are associated with genetic predisposition, representing an inherited, familial form of BE. The actual gene, or genes, involved in this condition have not yet been identified. Main therapeutic options include medical treatment and antireflux surgery. Both types of treatment are equally efficient in controlling symptoms and neither is able to cause the metaplastic segment to disappear, which is why the risk of malignancy remains. However, we may use endoscopic radiofrequency to eradicate BE and replace it by the typical squamous epithelium of the esophagus. The currently accepted indications of radiofrequency in BE include low- and high-grade dysplasia, but not Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia. In conclusion, BE may have two different presentations: environmental ("human", reflux) or sporadic BE, which is the most common form, and genetic ("divine", inherited) or familiar BE, less common but with a greater risk for malignancy. As they might be two different diseases, surveillance programs and treatments should also be different.

Is prophylactic gastrectomy indicated for healthy carriers of CDH1 gene mutations associated with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer?

INTRODUCTION: hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is a recently reported hereditary cancer syndrome. Patients with suspected HDGC must be under surveillance via endoscopy and multiple biopsies. As an alternative, some studies suggest prophylactic gastrectomy (PG) for disease carriers. The goal of this article was to report our experience with a CDH1 mutation positive family who underwent PG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the index case was a 34-year-old female diagnosed with diffuse gastric adenocarcinoma and massive carcinomatosis. There was a family history of gastric adenocarcinoma in seven family members. A genetic study identified the c.1577G>A mutation, in exon 11 of the CDH1 gene via sequencing analysis. RESULTS: this mutation was also present in other six family members, who subsequently underwent prophylactic gastrectomy. The pathology study of resected gastric segments revealed multiple microscopic foci of adenocarcinoma in five of these individuals. These foci were not detected in the multiple endoscopies performed before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: we recommend prophylactic gastrectomy for CDH1 mutation carriers even in the absence of lesions during endoscopic screening.

Evolution of gastroesophageal reflux after laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy. A radiographic, manometric and pH-metric study.

INTRODUCTION: the relationship between laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy (LVG) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is still controversial. Therefore, its study is of great interest in order to obtain definitive conclusions. The goal of the study was to establish whether LVG modifies pH-metric GER in obese patients and to analyze the associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the first 26 patients who underwent LVG in our institution were enrolled in the study. A barium swallow, 24-hour ambulatory pH-metry and four-channel intraluminal esophageal manometry (IEM) were all performed before and one year after surgery. RESULTS: among the pH-metric data, there was a significant increase in the DeMeester index after the procedure (p = 0.028), while other parameters remained unchanged. Furthermore, 50% of patients with preoperative pH-metric GER had normal values at one year after surgery. IEM showed a decrease in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and in the mean wave amplitude at the distal third of the esophagus (p = 0.007 and p = 0.025, respectively). The rate of newly-developed hiatal hernias in the radiographic study was 36.4%. CONCLUSION: LVG mildly increases GER, which is likely related to the development of hiatal hernias and a decrease in LES pressure and esophageal sweep. However, LVG should not be contraindicated for patients with preoperative pH-metric GER, as this may clear after the procedure.

Influence of the lockdown due to COVID-19 on weight-loss results during the first year after sleeve gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic has lead to lockdown of population in many countries. In Spain, the state of alarm was established from March 15 to June 20, 2020. Usually this fact decreased people's mobility and physical activity, in addition to producing or exacerbating psychological disorders. Our aim was to determine the influence that this condition had over the short-term ponderal results of patients undergoing laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy from May 2019 to May 2020. METHODS: Case-control study for comparing the percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL) and the percentage of total weight lost (%TWL) of patients that underwent a VG during the last year, so they were affected by lockdown in April and part of March 2020 (group 1), to the %EWL and %TWL of a control group (group 2), obtained from our previous series. RESULTS: The mean %EWL in group 1 is 47.37±18.59 and in group 2 is 51.13±17.59, being P=.438. Meanwhile, the mean %TWL in group 1 is 21.14±8.17 and in group 2 is 24.67±8.01, with P=.115. CONCLUSIONS: Population lockdown by COVID-19 did not get worse short-term results of vertical gastrectomy. More studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to draw firm conclusions.

[Splenic late infarction after laparoscopic gastrectomy: a case report]. / Infarto esplénico tardío tras gastrectomía vertical laparoscópica: a propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic gastrectomy has emerged in recent years as an effective technique for the treatment of morbid obesity due to low mortality morbidity rates. Its complications include dehiscence suture line, and others such as splenic infarction. We discuss a case of splenic infarction after laparoscopic gastrectomy. CLINICAL CASE: 45 year old male with a BMI of 37.8 kg/m2, diabetes-II for 15 years, the last five in treatment with insulin, a fasting blood glucose around 140mg/dl, HbA1c of 7.3mg/dl and microangiopathy diabetic nephropathy. The patient underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and he was discharged from hospital 48hours later. 1 month later he presented at the hospital for epigastric pain and fever up to 40° C. An intra abdominal abscess was detected and there was no leakage. The spleen was normal. He was treated with radiological drainage. 9 months later the patient consulted again due to epigastric pain in upper left quadrant, associated with low-grade fever. Thoraco-abdominal CT images compatible with splenic infarction. Currently patient remains asymptomatic one year after surgery. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most popular procedures of bariatric surgery. Less common complications include abscess and the splenic infarction. Usually patients are asymptomatic, but sometimes cause fever and pain. Initial treatment should be conservative. Only in selected cases, would splenectomy be indicated. CONCLUSIONS: Splenic infarction is usually an early complication, but we should keep it in mind as a long term complication for patients with persistent fever and abdominal pain after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

[Epiphrenic diverticula: when and how to operate?]. / Divertículos epifrénicos: ¿cuándo y cómo operar?

The majority of epiphrenic diverticula arise due to a peristaltic mechanism caused by an oesophageal motor disturbance that establishes a barrier effect and causes mucosal and submucosal herniation through a weak point in the muscular layer. Intraluminal oesophageal manometry and video-radiology are important in assessing these patients, since they define the characteristics of the functional disorder, as well as the true relationship between the symptoms of the patient and the diverticulum. Surgical treatment is indicated in symptomatic patients, more so if there are respiratory complications. Left posterolateral thoracotomy followed by diverticulotomy, oesophageal cardiomyotomy and anti-reflux have been considered the surgery technique of choice. Oesophageal myotomy must go beyond, in a proximal direction, the neck of the diverticulum, and, in a distal direction, must progress 1-2 cm into the gastric wall. The laparoscopic approach has won many followers since it has been shown to be both safe and effective as open surgery, adding to the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.