Comparison of Postoperative Complications After Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer with Antecolic Versus Retrocolic Reconstruction: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of 90-day anastomotic complications and other postoperative complications after total or partial gastrectomy with antecolic versus retrocolic reconstruction in a population-based setting. METHODS: This population-based nationwide retrospective cohort study included all patients undergoing total or partial gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in Finland in 2005-2016, with follow-up until 31 December 2019. Logistic regression provided odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 90-day mortality. Results were adjusted for age, sex, year of the surgery, comorbidities, tumor locations, pathological stage, and neoadjuvant therapy. RESULTS: A total of 2063 patients having gastrectomy with antecolic (n = 814) or retrocolic (n = 1249) reconstruction were identified from the registries. The anastomotic complication rate was 3.8% with antecolic reconstruction and 5.0% with retrocolic reconstruction. Antecolic reconstruction was not associated with a higher risk of anastomotic complications compared with retrocolic reconstruction in the adjusted analysis (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.44-1.09) of the whole cohort or in the predefined subgroups. The reoperation rate was 8.2% with antecolic reconstruction and 7.7% with retrocolic reconstruction, without statistical significance. In subgroup analysis of total gastrectomy patients, the risk of major complications was lower with antecolic reconstruction compared with retrocolic reconstruction (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of anastomotic complications did not differ after antecolic versus retrocolic reconstruction after total or partial gastrectomy. In total gastrectomies, the risk of major complications was lower after antecolic compared with retrocolic reconstruction.

Postoperative Complications After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Upfront Surgery in Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Nationwide Study in Finland.

BACKGROUND: To date, no large population-based studies have compared complications and short-term outcomes between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and upfront surgery in gastric cancer. More nationwide studies with standardized reporting on complications are needed to enable international comparison between studies. This study aimed to compare postoperative complications between neoadjuvant therapy and upfront surgery after gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in a population-based setting. METHODS: This population-based study based on the Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort included all patients 18 years of age or older undergoing gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in Finland during 2005-2016. Logistic regression provided odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), both crude and adjusted for key confounders. Different types of complications were graded based on the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group definitions, and major complications were assessed by the Clavien-Dindo scale. RESULTS: This study analyzed 769 patients. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not increase major postoperative complications after gastrectomy for gastric cancer compared with upfront surgery (OR, 1.12; 95% CI 0.81-1.56). Furthermore, it did not increase pneumonia, anastomotic complications, wound complications, or other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant therapy is not associated with increased postoperative complications, reoperations, or short-term mortality compared with upfront surgery in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Five-year Survival after McKeown Compared to Ivor-Lewis Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Population-based Nationwide Study in Finland.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to compare overall 5-year survival of esophageal cancer patients undergoing transthoracic esophagectomy with either neck or intrathoracic anastomosis, that is, McKeown and Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. BACKGROUND: No national studies comparing long-term survival after McKeown and ivor-Lewis esophagectomies in the West exist. METHODS: This population-based nationwide study included all curatively intended transthoracic esophagectomies for esophageal adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in Finland in 1987 to 2016, with follow-up until December 31, 2019. Cox proportional hazard models provided hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (ci) of all-cause 5-year mortality. The results were adjusted for age, sex, year of the operation, comorbidities, histology, stage, and neoadjuvant treatment. Adjusted model 2 included also tumor location and lymph node yield. RESULTS: A total of 990 patients underwent McKeown (n = 278) or Ivor-Lewis (n = 712) esophagectomy The observed overall 5-year survival was 43.1% after McKeown, and 45.9% after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. McKeown esophagectomy was not associated with the overall 5-year mortality (adjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI: 0.89-1.38), compared to Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Additional adjustment for tumor location and lymphadenectomy further attenuated the point estimate (HR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.85-1.33). Surgical approach was not associated with 90-day mortality rate (adjusted HR 1.15, 95% CI: 0.67-1.97). CONCLUSIONS: This population-based nationwide study suggests that overall 5-year survival or 90-day survival with McKeown and Ivor-Lewis esopha-gectomy for esophageal cancer are comparable.

Long-Term Survival After Transhiatal Versus Transthoracic Esophagectomy: A Population-Based Nationwide Study in Finland.

BACKGROUND: No population-based studies comparing long-term survival after transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) and transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) exist. This study aimed to compare the 5-year survival of esophageal cancer patients undergoing THE or TTE in a population-based nationwide setting. METHODS: This study included all curatively intended THE and TTE for esophageal cancer in Finland during 1987-2016, with follow-up evaluation until 31 December 2019. Cox proportional hazard models provided hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 5-year and 90-day mortality. The results were adjusted for age, sex, year of operation, comorbidities, histology, neoadjuvant treatment, and pathologic stage. RESULTS: A total of 1338 patients underwent THE (n = 323) or TTE (n = 1015). The observed 5-year survival rate was 39.3% after THE and 45.0% after TTE (p = 0.072). In adjusted model 1, THE was not associated with greater 5-year mortality (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.82-1.20) than TTE. In adjusted model 2, including T stage instead of pathologic stage, the 5-year mortality hazard rates after THE (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.72-1.05) and TTE were comparable. The 90-day mortality rate for THE was higher than for TTE (adjusted HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.45-1.14). In subgroup analyses, no differences between THE and TTE were observed in Siewert II gastroesophageal junction cancers, esophageal cancers, or pN0 tumors, nor in the comparison of THE and TTE with two-field lymphadenectomy. The sensitivity analysis, including patients with missing patient records, who underwent surgery during 1996-2016 mirrored the main analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This Finnish population-based nationwide study suggests no difference in 5-year or 90-day mortality after THE and TTE for esophageal cancer.

Macroscopic appearance of the major duodenal papilla influences bile duct cannulation: a prospective multicenter study by the Scandinavian Association for Digestive Endoscopy Study Group for ERCP.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Certain appearances of the major duodenal papilla have been claimed to make cannulation more difficult during ERCP. This study uses a validated classification of the endoscopic appearance of the major duodenal papilla to determine if certain types of papilla predispose to difficult cannulation. METHODS: Patients with a naïve papilla scheduled for ERCP were included. The papilla was classified into 1 of 4 papilla types before cannulation started. Time to successful bile duct cannulation, attempts, and number of pancreatic duct passages were recorded. Difficult cannulation was defined as after 5 minutes, 5 attempts, or 2 pancreatic guidewire passages. RESULTS: A total of 1401 patients were included from 9 different centers in the Nordic countries. The overall frequency of difficult cannulation was 42% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39%-44%). Type 2 small papilla (52%; 95% CI, 45%-59%) and type 3 protruding or pendulous papilla (48%; 95% CI, 42%-53%) were more frequently difficult to cannulate compared with type 1 regular papilla (36%; 95% CI, 33%-40%; both P < .001). If an inexperienced endoscopist started cannulation, the frequency of failed cannulation increased from 1.9% to 6.3% (P < .0001), even though they were replaced by a senior endoscopist after 5 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic appearance of the major duodenal papilla influences bile duct cannulation. Small type 2 and protruding or pendulous type 3 papillae are more frequently difficult to cannulate. In addition, cannulation might even fail more frequently if a beginner starts cannulation. These findings should be taken into consideration when performing studies regarding bile duct cannulation and in training future generations of endoscopists.

[Radio frequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus--can the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma be reduced?]. / Barrettin ruokatorven radiotaajuusablaatio--voiko ruokatorven adenokarsinooman riskiä vähentää?

Barrett's esophagus occurs in a little less than 2% of the population. Of the patients, very few develop esophageal adenocarcinoma, and on the other hand only a small part of esophageal adenocarcinoma patients are diagnosed with Barrett's lesion. If Barrett's lesion has a separate visible elevated or depressed lesion it should first be treated with endoscopic mucosal resection, and thereafter the remaining Barrett's lesion should be destructed by a new technique called radiofrequency ablation, RFA. After destruction of the aberrant mucosal lesion with RFA it will be replaced with normal esophageal mucosa and the risk for malignant trasformation is dimished near to zero. RFA is considered the first-line treatment treatment option of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus.

Stapled vs handsewn anastomosis and anastomotic leaks in gastric cancer surgery-a population-based nationwide study in Finland.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence regarding anastomotic technique and postoperative complications in gastric cancer surgery. This study aimed to evaluate whether there are differences between stapled and handsewn anastomosis and anastomotic leaks. METHODS: This was a population-based, retrospective, nationwide cohort study in Finland using the Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort. Patients undergoing gastrectomy with available postoperative complication data were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios with 95% CIs, adjusted for calendar period of surgery, age at surgery, sex, comorbidity, tumor stage, neoadjuvant therapy, minimally invasive surgery, type of gastrectomy, radical resection, and type of anastomosis. RESULTS: Of the 2164 patients, 472 of all patients (21.8%) had handsewn anastomosis and 1692 of all patients (78.2%) had stapled anastomosis. In the unadjusted analysis, anastomotic leaks were significantly lower in the handsewn group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22-0.79) than the stapled group, but after adjustment for known prognostic factors, this association was no longer significant (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.27-1.21). In the analysis stratified by gastrectomy type (distal or total), no differences in anastomotic leaks were observed between anastomotic techniques. CONCLUSION: In this population-based nationwide study, anastomotic technique (stapled or handsewn) was not associated with anastomotic leaks in any, distal or total, gastrectomy.

Postoperative delayed emptying after total, subtotal, or distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the rate of delayed emptying and other 90-day postoperative complications after total, subtotal, and distal gastrectomies for gastric adenocarcinoma in a population-based setting. METHODS: This study included all patients who underwent total, subtotal, or distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer in Finland in 2005-2016, with follow-up until December 31, 2019. Logistic regression provided the odds ratios with 95% CIs of 90-day mortality. The results were adjusted for age, sex, year of surgery, comorbidities, pathologic stage, and neoadjuvant therapy. RESULTS: A total of 2058 patients underwent total (n = 1227), subtotal (n = 450), or distal (n = 381) gastrectomy. In the total, subtotal, and distal gastrectomy groups, the rates of 90-day delayed emptying were 1.7%, 1.3%, and 2.1% in the whole cohort and 1.6%, 1.8%, and 3.5% in the subgroup analysis of R0 resections, respectively. The resection type was not associated with the risk of delayed emptying. Subtotal gastrectomy was associated with a lower risk of major complications and reoperations, whereas distal gastrectomy was associated with a lower risk of anastomotic complications. CONCLUSION: The extent of resection did not affect delayed emptying, whereas fewer postoperative complications were observed after subtotal or distal gastrectomy than after total gastrectomy.

Preoperative Esophageal Stenting and 5-Year Survival in Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: a Population-Based Nationwide Study from Finland.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative esophageal stenting is proposed to have a negative effect on outcomes. The aim was to compare a 5-year survival in patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer with and without preoperative esophageal stent in a population-based nationwide cohort from Finland. The secondary outcome was 90-day mortality. METHODS: This study included curatively intended esophagectomies for esophageal cancer in Finland between 1999 and 2016, with follow-up until December 31, 2019. Cox proportional hazards models provided hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of overall 5-year and 90-day mortality. Model 1 was adjusted for age, sex, year of the surgery, comorbidities, histology, pathological stage, and neoadjuvant therapy. Model 2 included also albumin level and BMI. RESULT: Of 1064 patients, a total of 134 patients underwent preoperative stenting and 930 did not. In both adjusted models 1 and 2, higher 5-year mortality was seen in patients with preoperative stent with HRs of 1.29 (95% CI 1.00-1.65) and 1.25 (95% CI 0.97-1.62), respectively, compared to no stenting. The adjusted HR of 90-day mortality was 2.49 (95% CI 1.27-4.87) in model 1 and 2.49 (95% CI 1.25-4.99) in model 2. When including only neoadjuvant-treated patients, those with preoperative stent had a 5-year survival of 39.2% compared to 46.4% without stent (adjusted HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.00-1.80), and a 90-day mortality rate of 8.5% and 2.5% (adjusted HR 3.99, 95% CI 1.51-10.50). DISCUSSION: This nationwide study reports worse 5-year and 90-day outcomes in patients with preoperative esophageal stent. Since residual confounding remains possible, observed difference could be only an association rather than the cause.

Population-based nationwide incidence of complications after gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in Finland.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of postoperative complications after gastrectomy for gastric cancer is not well known. More population-based studies using established complication classifications are needed for international comparison. The aim of this study was to evaluate the population-based incidence of postoperative complications after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: This population-based study based on the Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort included all patients at least 18 years of age undergoing gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in Finland during 2005-2016. The occurrence of complications 30 and 90 days after surgery was graded based on the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group definitions and the severity of complications was assessed using the Clavien-Dindo scale. RESULTS: This study included a total of 2196 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 906 (41.3 per cent) of patients during 30 days after surgery and in 946 (43.1 per cent) during 90 days after surgery. Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complications occurred in 375 (17.1 per cent) of patients. The most common complications 90 days after surgery by Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group upper-level categories were gastrointestinal (n = 438; 19.9 per cent), including anastomotic leak, infectious (n = 377; 17.2 per cent) and pulmonary (n = 335; 15.3 per cent) complications. Postoperative mortality rate was occurred in 72 (3.3 per cent) patients within 30 days and in 161 (7.3 per cent) patients within 90 days after surgery. The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was 9 days (interquartile range 4-14). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications are common across all types of gastrectomy and the majority occur during the first 30 postoperative days. This study informs the patients and caregivers of the expected outcomes of gastrectomy.

Female gender and post-ERCP pancreatitis: is the association caused by difficult cannulation?

OBJECTIVE: Female gender is a well-known risk factor for the development of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis, but the underlying mechanism for this increased risk has remained unknown. We hypothesize that cannulation difficulty might play a part in this association. The aim of the current study was to determine whether the female papilla is more difficult to cannulate than the male papilla. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective data collection with emphasis on cannulation was conducted in 364 consecutive biliary ERCP procedures performed by very experienced ERCP endoscopists through native papilla in a tertiary referral university hospital. RESULTS: Although the cannulation times seemed to be longer and alternative cannulation techniques seemed to be needed more frequently for successful cannulation in female than male patients, no statistically significant differences (p = 0.061 and 0.054, respectively) in the cannulation process could be found between the genders. CONCLUSIONS: The study was not able to confirm that the cannulation of the female papilla is more troublesome than the cannulation of the male papilla.

Double-guidewire-assisted biliary cannulation: experiences from a single tertiary referral center.

BACKGROUND: Even in experienced hands, a common problem with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is difficulty reaching a deep biliary cannulation. The most recent alternative method for difficult biliary cannulation is the double-guidewire technique. The current prospective study aimed to clarify the feasibility and safety of the double-guidewire-assisted biliary cannulation at the authors' institution. METHODS: All consecutive patients (n=284) admitted for biliary ERCP during 2009 who had unhindered access to a native papilla were included in the study. The application and success rates of the double-guidewire method for deep biliary cannulation and the complications of ERCP procedures using the double-guidewire technique were determined. The overall success rate for biliary cannulation in these cases also was determined, and the times from the first touch to the papilla to deep biliary cannulation and for the entire ERCP procedure were recorded. RESULTS: The double-guidewire-assisted cannulation technique was applied in 18% (50/284) of ERCPs with a success rate of 66% (33/50). In these 50 cases, the overall success rate for biliary cannulation was 98% (49/50). The median cannulation time was 8 min, and the median duration of the entire ERCP procedure was 20 min. The rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis was 2% (1/50). CONCLUSIONS: The double-guidewire technique is a feasible and safe method for difficult biliary cannulation with low rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis. However, it seems important to proceed to alternative cannulation techniques if the double-guidewire technique appears troublesome.

Endoscopic palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice in extremely elderly patients: plastic stent is enough.

Although the price of biliary metal stents is manyfold higher when compared to plastic stents, the lower frequency of recurrent obstructions makes metal stents superior to plastic stents for endoscopic palliation of malignant biliary stricture in most patients. Is this the case in extremely elderly patients as well? A retrospective data review comprising prospective data collection and double-entry bookkeeping of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCP) with biliary strictures referring to malignancy in 14 patients aged 90 years or older at our institution in 1997-2007. Plastic stents were successfully inserted in 11 out of 14 patients, yielding a technical success rate of 79 %. In the remaining three patients, high biliary obstruction was relieved percutaneously in two cases while the general condition of one patient was so poor that terminal care decision was made in that case. There was no recurrent biliary obstruction in any of the patients with plastic stents prior to death which occurred after a mean of 2.8 months, giving a clinical success rate of 100 %. To be concluded, in extremely elderly patients with malignant obstructive jaundice, palliation with plastic stent is effective enough.

Cohort profile: gastric cancer in the population-based, Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort (FINEGO) Study.

PURPOSE: The Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort (FINEGO) was established with the aim of identifying factors that could contribute to improved outcomes in oesophago-gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to describe the patients with gastric cancer included in FINEGO. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10 457 patients with gastric cancer or tumour diagnosis in the Finnish Cancer Registry or the Finnish Patient Registry during 1987-2016 were included in the cohort, with follow-up from Causes of Death Registry until 31 December 2016. All of the participants were at least 18 years of age, and had undergone either resectional or endoscopic mucosal surgery with curative or palliative intent. FINDINGS TO DATE: Of the 10 457 patients, 90.1% were identified to have cancer in both cancer and patient registries. In all, the median age was 70 at the time of surgery, 54.5% of the patients were men and 64.4% had no comorbidities. Education data were available for 31.1% of the patients, of whom the majority had had <12 years of formal education. Of the 7798 with cancer staging data available, 41.1% had a local cancer. Adenocarcinoma was the most common (94.2%) histological type. Almost all patients underwent open gastrectomy and 214% in hospitals with annual volume of more than 30 gastrectomies per year. A total of 8561 deaths occurred during the study period, of which 6474 were due to oesophago-gastric cancers. The 5-year survival was 34.6% and 5-year cancer-specific survival was 39.7%. FUTURE PLANS: The data in FINEGO can be currently used for registry-based research but is being expanded by data extraction from patient records and scanning of histological samples from the Finnish biobanks. Initially, we are planning on studies on the national trends in treatment and mortality, and studies on the demographic factors and their influence on survival.

Cohort profile: a nationwide population-based retrospective assessment of oesophageal cancer in the Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort (FINEGO).

PURPOSE: The Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort (FINEGO) was established to combine the available registry data with detailed patient information to form a comprehensive, retrospective, population-based research platform of surgically treated oesophageal and gastric cancer in Finland. This cohort profile describes the 2045 surgically treated patients with oesophageal cancer included in the FINEGO cohort. PARTICIPANTS: Registry data were collected from the National Cancer, Patient, Education and Death Registries from 1 January 1987 to 31 December 2016. All patients over 18 years of age, who had either curative surgery, palliative surgery or salvage surgery for primary cancer in the oesophagus are included in this study. FINDINGS TO DATE: 2045 patients had surgery for oesophageal cancer in the selected time period. 67.2% were man, and the majority had only minor comorbidities. The proportions of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas were 43.1% and 44.4%, respectively, and 12.5% had other or missing histology. Only about 23% of patients received neoadjuvant therapy. Oesophagectomy was the treatment of choice and most patients were treated at low-volume centres, but median annual hospital volume increased over time. Median overall survival was 23 months, 5-year survival for all patients in the cohort was 32.9% and cancer-specific survival was 36.5%. FUTURE PLANS: Even though Finland only has a population of 5.5 million, surgery for oesophageal carcinoma has not been centralised and therefore previously reported results have mostly been small, single-centre cohorts. Because of FINEGO, we now have a population-based, unselected cohort of surgically treated patients, enabling research on national trends over time regarding oesophageal cancer, including patient characteristics, tumour histology, stage and neoadjuvant treatment, surgical techniques, hospital volumes and patient mortality. Data collection is ongoing, and the cohort will be expanded to include more detailed data from patient records and national biobanks.

Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort (FINEGO) for studying outcomes after oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery: a protocol for a retrospective, population-based, nationwide cohort study in Finland.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancers is associated with high morbidity, mortality and poor quality of life postoperatively. The Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort has been established with the aim of identifying factors that could contribute to improved outcomes in oesophago-gastric cancer. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: All patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer diagnosed in Finland between 1987 and 2015 will be identified from the Finnish national registries. The Finnish Cancer Registry and Finnish Patient Registry will be used to identify patients that fulfil the inclusion criteria for the study: (1) diagnosis of oesophageal, gastro-oesophageal junction, or gastric cancer, (2) any surgical treatment for the diagnosed cancer and (3) age of 18 or over at the time of diagnosis. Clinical variables and complication information will be retrieved in extensive data collection from the medical records of the relevant Finnish hospitals and complete follow-up for vital status from Statistics Finland. Primary endpoint is overall all-cause mortality and secondary endpoints include complications, reoperations, medication use and sick leaves. Sub-studies will be implemented within the cohort to investigate specific populations undergoing oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery. The initial estimated sample size is 1800 patients with surgically treated oesophageal cancer and 7500 patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Ethical Committee in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland and The National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland. Study findings will be disseminated via presentations at conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: primary and long-term results from a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic bile duct injury carries high morbidity. After the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy the incidence of these injuries has at least doubled, and even after the learning curve, the incidence has plateaued at the level of 0.5%. METHODS: A total of 32 patients sustained biliary tract injuries of the 3736 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in and around Turku University Central Hospital between January 1995 and April 2002. The data concerning primary treatment and long-term results were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The overall incidence for bile duct injuries, including all the minor injuries (cystic duct leaks and bile duct strictures), was 0.86%; for major injuries alone the incidence was 0.38%. Nineteen percent of the injuries were detected intraoperatively. All the cystic duct leaks were treated endoscopically with a 90% success rate. Of the bile duct strictures 88% were treated successfully with endoscopic techniques. Ninety-three percent of the major injuries, including tangential lesions of common bile duct and total transections, were treated operatively. The operation of choice was either hepaticojejunostomy or cholangiojejunostomy in 69% of the cases; the rest were treated with simple suturing over a T-tube or an endoscopically placed stent. The long-term results, with a median follow-up period of 7.5 years, are good in 79% of the operated patients and in 84% of the whole study population. Mortality rate was 3% and acute or chronic cholangitis was seen in 13% of the patients during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Most of the minor bile duct injuries, including cystic duct leaks and bile duct strictures, are well treatable with endoscopic techniques, whereas most of the major injuries require operative treatment, which at optimal circumstances gives good results.

Late subjective results and symptomatic outcome after laparoscopic fundoplication.

Laparoscopic fundoplication is generally accepted as a routine surgical approach in the treatment of moderate or severe gastro-esophageal reflux disease. However, there are few reports on the long-term results after this procedure. Between 1996 and 2001, 468 patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication of which 464 patients were available for follow-up. The follow-up data were collected both from the hospital records and by a structured questionnaire, which were completed by 441 patients (95%). Eighty-nine percent (n=394) of the patients regarded the result of their surgery excellent, good, or satisfactory at a median follow-up of 51 months. With the benefit of hindsight 83% of the patients would again choose surgical treatment. Eighty-seven percent of the patients had no significant reflux symptoms. Bloating or increased flatulence were the most common side-effects. One hundred thirty-two patients (30%) had started to use antireflux medications postoperatively, but only 51 of them used it daily. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication provides a good and effective alternative to a life-long use of antireflux medication.