Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction in patients older than 70 years: results of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by transthoracic esophagectomy.

AIM: The standard treatment of locally-advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma consists of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by surgical resection. Very little data are available concerning the feasibility of this strategy in patients older than 70 years of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2008, 118 patients underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia (Siewert I and II). These were divided into three groups for comparison: Group I (age less than 70 years, neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery; n=66); Group II (age greater or equal to 70 years, surgery alone; n=32); Group III (age greater or equal to 70 years, neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery; n=20). Data concerning comorbidities, type of intervention, morbidity, mortality, survival and quality of life were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no difference among the three groups with regard to comorbidity and preoperative evaluation. The patients in Groups I and III had more locally-advanced tumors (P<0.001). There was some disparity between the types of surgery proposed. The Lewis-Santy esophagectomy was most commonly used (90%, 50%, and 65% respectively). The 90-day mortality was 8%, 15%, and 15% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative pulmonary, cardiac, or digestive complications among the three groups. No difference was found in 5-year survival and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for elderly patients (age above 70 years) with esophageal adenocarcinoma did not seem to increase postoperative morbidity or mortality, nor was there any difference in quality of life, nor any effect on survival, no matter what the age of the patient.

[Neurogenic bladder in children: basic principles in diagnosis and treatment]. / Vessies neurologiques de l'enfant: approche diagnostique et thérapeutique.

The diagnosis of neurogenic bladder can be easy in myelomeningocele and much more difficult in occult dysraphia or medical etiologies. Careful clinical examinations and urodynamic investigations are mandatory for the diagnosis and the follow up of affected patients. Clinico-anatomical correlations are poor. If urinary leak is the first apparent symptom, preservation of the upper urinary tract is the main goal of the surgeon. If natural history of the neurogenic bladder is destruction of the detrusor and paralysis of the trigona, obstructive uropathy is the main physiological concern. Urinary leak must be integrated in the global context of the bladder function in order to determine urinary incontinence type. Ideal micturition is voluntary, must be complete, and needs the synergistic action of a reservoir with a good capacity, a normal compliance, and adequate sphincter outlet resistances. Continence is obtained by balancing these functions, and associating medical treatment and surgery is necessary. Bladder intermittent catheterization is the clue to obtain in most of the cases complete evacuation of the bladder and protection of the upper urinary tract. Increasing bladder capacity is achieved more often by augmentation cystoplasty (colon, ileus, stomach and ureter can be used). Autoplasty at the beginning, artificial tissue engineering will be the future. Augmentation of the bladder outlet resistances need surgical reconstruction (young dees, Pipi-salles procedures...) or uretral and bladder neck suspensions, artificial urinary sphincters, endoscopic injections of bulking agents. All these techniques can be proposed and combined according to the patient's gender, age and social environment. Continent cystostomy allows obtaining continence in difficult cases and after unsuccessful surgery of the bladder neck. Other techniques are under evaluation and sacral neuromodulation give at the moment some promising results. Managing neurogenic bladder must not be considered only in urological terms: orthopedic troubles, digestive and sexual disorders must not be forgotten in order to obtain at least an "acceptable social life".