Resección laparoendoscópica de tumor de la unión gastroesofágica / Laparoendoscopic resection of a tumor of the gastroesophageal junction

RESUMEN La resección gástrica atípica ha demostrado ser beneficiosa para tumores submucosos. La técnica pre senta mayor riesgo cuando estos se desarrollan próximos a la unión esófago-gástrica (UEG). Para esta limitación se propuso la resección intragástrica mediante una técnica mixta combinando laparoscopia y endoscopia. En nuestro medio no existen publicaciones al respecto. Se trata de una mujer de 42 años, con lesión subepitelial-subcardial de 2 cm, evaluada mediante videoendoscopia alta (VEDA), compa tible con tumor del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) evaluado mediante ecoendoscopia. La lesión fue resecada mediante abordaje combinado laparoendoscópico. Bajo visión laparoscópica se introdujeron en cavidad abdominal trocares con balón, y bajo visión endoscópica intragástrica se introdujeron estos en el estómago y se fijó la pared gástrica a la pared abdominal insuflando dichos balones. Posterior mente se realizó la resección de la lesión con sutura mecánica. El abordaje combinado es seguro y eficaz, simple en manos entrenadas, pero constituye una opción reproducible en casos seleccionados.

ABSTRACT Atypical gastric resection has proved to be beneficial to treat submucosal tumors. The technique is more difficult when these tumors develop next to the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Intragastric resection combining endoscopic and laparoscopic approach was proposed to solve this limitation. There are no publications about this technique in our environment. A 42-year-old female patients with a 2-mm subepithelial tumor below the cardia evaluated by upper gastrointestinal (UGI) videoendoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound suggestive of a gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST) underwent resection using the combined laparo-endoscopic approach. Under laparoscopic guidance, balloon-tipped trocars were introduced in the abdominal cavity and then into the stomach using endoscopic view. The balloons were inflated to fix the gastirc wall to the abdominal wall. The lesion was resected using mechanical stapler. The combined approach is safe and efficient, and simple to perform for trained professionals, constituting a reproducible option in selected cases.

Retrospective analysis of the clinical effects of endoscopic mucosal dissection on treatment of early esophagogastric precancerous lesions.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective study about the clinical effects of endoscopic mucosal dissection on the treatment of early esophagogastric precancerous lesions. METHODS: A total of 132 patients with early esophagogastric precancerous lesions who were diagnosed and treated with concurrent surgery in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) group (n = 58) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) group (n = 74) according to different surgical methods. The data in the two groups were compared and analyzed in terms of surgical indicators, treatment status and incidence of postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in the whole block cutting rate, fractional cutting rate and complete cutting rate (P < 0.05). The mean operation time of ESD group was significantly longer than that of EMR group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the intraoperative bleeding rate, blood loss, average specimen area, length of hospital stay and treatment cost between the two groups (P > 0.05). The incidence and recurrence of postoperative complications, including bleeding, perforation and stenosis in the two groups, were observed within 1 year of postoperative follow-up. The incidence of complications in ESD group was slightly higher than that in EMR group, and the local recurrence rate in ESD group was lower than that in EMR group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ESD is an alternative surgical treatment for patients with early esophagogastric precancerous lesions.

Hypoglycemia caused by co-secretion of insulin from lung tumor and cardia cancer: first case report

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Non-islet-cell-tumor-induced hypoglycemia (NICTH) is caused on rare occasions by secretion of insulin from tumor cells that are reported to have a single tissue origin. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old male patient had cardia adenocarcinoma and concomitant lung adenocarcinoma with extensive metastases and repeated episodes of intractable hypoglycemia. Immunohistochemical staining for insulin showed that lung adenocarcinoma stained positive and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma stained weakly positive. These results indicate that tumor cells of different tissue origins co-secreted insulin. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on intractable hypoglycemia due to co-secretion of insulin from two kinds of primary tumor cells in a single patient.

Hypoglycemia caused by co-secretion of insulin from lung tumor and cardia cancer: first case report.

CONTEXT: Non-islet-cell-tumor-induced hypoglycemia (NICTH) is caused on rare occasions by secretion of insulin from tumor cells that are reported to have a single tissue origin. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old male patient had cardia adenocarcinoma and concomitant lung adenocarcinoma with extensive metastases and repeated episodes of intractable hypoglycemia. Immunohistochemical staining for insulin showed that lung adenocarcinoma stained positive and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma stained weakly positive. These results indicate that tumor cells of different tissue origins co-secreted insulin. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on intractable hypoglycemia due to co-secretion of insulin from two kinds of primary tumor cells in a single patient.

Esophagocardioplasty, vagotomy-antrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy: indication in cases with severe esophageal motor disfunction.

Almost 10% of patients with Crest syndrome associated with severe gastroesophageal reflux and 5-10% of patients with failed cardiomyotomy for achalasia present with cardial or distal esophageal organic stricture. Some of these cases are poor risk patients for surgery and therefore the surgeon must offer a safe procedure with low morbimortality, keeping in mind the pathophysiological motor pattern of these patients.In order to treat the stricture to improve the esophageal transit we treated patients with esophagocardioplasty associated with vagotomy-antrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy, thereby avoiding the potential acid or biliary reflux in poor risk patients in whom esophagectomy would be a very deleterious procedure. All four patients had a good postoperative evolution and late control demonstrated good esophagogastric transit with no postoperative esophagitis.

Pioneer Robotic Serra-Doria Operation for Recurrent Achalasia After Heller's Cardiomyotomy: A "New Quondam" Procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrence of achalasia may occur in 10%-20% of cases operated by Heller's cardiomyotomy. Most of these patients will require further surgery to relieve symptoms. Major technical difficulties can be found in these reoperations. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old female patient with relapsed idiopathic achalasia after Heller's technique was treated with an unusual procedure, for the first time in the literature, by minimally invasive access with robotic assistance. CONCLUSIONS: The Serra-Doria operation allows preserving the esophagus and alleviating dysphagic symptoms with low rates of postoperative complications. The use of robotic technology is perfectly feasible and allows minimally invasive access in complex cases and reoperations.

Early and late assessment of esophagocardioplasty in the surgical treatment of advanced recurrent megaesophagus / Avaliação precoce e tardia da esofagocardioplastia no tratamento cirúrgico do megaesôfago avançado e recidivado

ABSTRACT Background Since Chagas disease has esophageal manifestations with different degrees of involvement, the best surgical option is controversial, especially for patients with advanced chagasic megaesophagus and recurrent symptoms after previous treatment. Objective To assess the early and late outcomes of esophagocardioplasty in a series of patients with advanced recurrent chagasic megaesophagus. Methods This descriptive study included 19 older patients with recurrent megaesophagus grade III/IV and positive immunofluorescence for Chagas disease. They had undergone cardiomyotomy with anterior fundoplication a mean of 16.5 years ago. Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty was selected to treat the recurrence. The patients were followed to assess postoperative and late complications and the incidence of symptom recurrence. Results In early assessment, five (26.3%) patients presented clinical complications. One (5.2%) patient had a gastrointestinal fistula secondary to esophagogastric anastomotic leak, which responded well to conservative treatment. In the one-year follow-up, 18 (94.7%) patients could swallow normally and had no vomiting. Three years after surgery, 10 (62.5%) of 16 patients could swallow normally, and 3 (19.3%) patients complained of vomiting. Five years after surgery, only 5 (38.4%) of 13 patients could swallow normally and 7 (53.8%) had vomiting. Conclusion Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty for the treatment of advanced recurrent megaesophagus had mild postoperative complications and good success rate in the short-term follow-up. In the long-term follow-up, it proved to be a poor surgery choice because of the high incidence of symptom recurrence, compromising quality of life. This procedure should be indicated only for patients with advanced recurrent megaesophagus without clinical conditions to undergo esophageal resection.

RESUMO Contexto A doença de Chagas, por apresentar manifestações esofágicas com diferentes graus de acometimento, faz com que haja controvérsias quanto a melhor opção cirúrgica; principalmente para pacientes com megaesôfago chagásico avançado e com recidiva de sintomas após tratamento prévio. Objetivo Avaliar o resultado precoce e tardio da esofagocardioplastia em uma série de pacientes com megaesôfago chagásico avançado e recidivado. Métodos Estudo descritivo, com 19 pacientes idosos com megaesôfago Grau III/IV recidivado e com imunoflorescência positiva para doença de Chagas. A cirurgia prévia foi a cardiomiotomia com fundoplicatura anterior, com tempo médio de realização de 16,5 anos. A cirurgia de eleição para o tratamento da recidiva foi a esofagocardioplastia de Serra-Dória. Realizou-se avaliação precoce para estudar as complicações pós-operatórias e tardias, para avaliar a incidência de recidiva de sintomas. Resultados Na avaliação precoce, 5 (26,3%) pacientes apresentaram complicações clínicas. Um (5,2%) paciente apresentou fístula digestiva consequente a deiscência da anastomose esofagogástrica, mas com boa evolução com o tratamento conservador. Na avaliação de 1 ano de pós-operatório, 18 (94,7%) pacientes apresentavam deglutição normal e sem regurgitação. Com 3 anos de pós-operatório, de 16 pacientes analisados; 10 (62,5%) pacientes apresentavam deglutição normal e 3 (19,3%) se queixavam de regurgitação. Com 5 anos de pós-operatório, de 13 pacientes analisados; somente 5 (38,4%) apresentavam deglutição normal e 7 (53.8%) com regurgitação. Conclusão A esofagocardioplastia de Serra-Dória, no tratamento cirúrgico do megaesôfago avançado recidivado, apresentou complicações pós-operatórias de baixa morbidade e com boa resolutividade, na avaliação precoce. Na avaliação de longo prazo, demonstrou não ser um procedimento cirúrgico adequado, pela alta incidência de recidiva de sintomas, com comprometimento da qualidade de vida. Deve ser indicada somente em pacientes com doença avançada recidivada, sem condições clínicas de serem submetidas à ressecção esofágica.

EARLY AND LATE ASSESSMENT OF ESOPHAGOCARDIOPLASTY IN THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ADVANCED RECURRENT MEGAESOPHAGUS.

BACKGROUND: Since Chagas disease has esophageal manifestations with different degrees of involvement, the best surgical option is controversial, especially for patients with advanced chagasic megaesophagus and recurrent symptoms after previous treatment. OBJECTIVE: To assess the early and late outcomes of esophagocardioplasty in a series of patients with advanced recurrent chagasic megaesophagus. METHODS: This descriptive study included 19 older patients with recurrent megaesophagus grade III/IV and positive immunofluorescence for Chagas disease. They had undergone cardiomyotomy with anterior fundoplication a mean of 16.5 years ago. Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty was selected to treat the recurrence. The patients were followed to assess postoperative and late complications and the incidence of symptom recurrence. RESULTS: In early assessment, five (26.3%) patients presented clinical complications. One (5.2%) patient had a gastrointestinal fistula secondary to esophagogastric anastomotic leak, which responded well to conservative treatment. In the one-year follow-up, 18 (94.7%) patients could swallow normally and had no vomiting. Three years after surgery, 10 (62.5%) of 16 patients could swallow normally, and 3 (19.3%) patients complained of vomiting. Five years after surgery, only 5 (38.4%) of 13 patients could swallow normally and 7 (53.8%) had vomiting. CONCLUSION: Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty for the treatment of advanced recurrent megaesophagus had mild postoperative complications and good success rate in the short-term follow-up. In the long-term follow-up, it proved to be a poor surgery choice because of the high incidence of symptom recurrence, compromising quality of life. This procedure should be indicated only for patients with advanced recurrent megaesophagus without clinical conditions to undergo esophageal resection.

Global patterns of cardia and non-cardia gastric cancer incidence in 2012.

OBJECTIVE: Globally, gastric cancer incidence shows remarkable international variation and demonstrates distinct characteristics by the two major topographical subsites, cardia (CGC) and non-cardia (NCGC). Because global incidence estimates by subsite are lacking, we aimed to describe the worldwide incidence patterns of CGC and NCGC separately. DESIGN: Using Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Volume X (CI5X), we ascertained the proportions of CGC and NCGC by country, sex and age group (<65 and ≥65 years). These derived proportions were applied to GLOBOCAN 2012 data to estimate country-specific age-standardised CGC and NCGC incidence rates (ASR). Regional proportions were used to estimate rates for countries not included in CI5X. RESULTS: According to our estimates, in 2012, there were 260,000 cases of CGC (ASR 3.3 per 100,000) and 691,000 cases of NCGC (ASR 8.8) worldwide. The highest regional rates of both gastric cancer subsites were in Eastern/Southeastern Asia (in men, ASRs: 8.7 and 21.7 for CGC and NCGC, respectively). In most countries NCGC occurred more frequently than CGC with an average ratio of 2:1; however, in some populations where NCGC incidence rates were lower than the global average, CGC rates were similar or higher than NCGC rates. Men had higher rates than women for both subsites but particularly for CGC (male-to-female ratio 3:1). CONCLUSIONS: This study has, for the first time, quantified global incidence patterns of CGC and NCGC providing new insights into the global burden of these cancers. Country-specific estimates are provided; however, these should be interpreted with caution. This work will support future investigations across populations.

[Experience of the surgical management of the esophageal achalasia in a tertiary care hospital]. / Experiencia del manejo quirúrgico de la acalasia esofágica en un hospital de alta especialidad.

INTRODUCTION: Achalasia is a primary esophageal motor disorder. The most common symptoms are: dysphagia, chest pain, reflux and weight loss. The esophageal manometry is the standard for diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of the surgical management in patients with achalasia in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: A case series consisting of achalasia patients, treated surgically between January and December of 2011. Clinical charts were reviewed to obtain data and registries of the type of surgical procedure, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were identified, with an average age of 49.1 years. The most common symptoms were: dysphagia, vomiting, weight loss and pyrosis. Eight open approaches were performed and six by laparoscopy, with an average length of cardiomyotomy of 9.4 cm. Eleven patients received an antireflux procedure. The effectiveness of procedures performed was 85.7 %. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management offered at this tertiary care hospital does not differ from that reported in other case series, giving effectiveness and safety for patients with achalasia.

Introducción: la acalasia es un trastorno motor primario del esófago. La sintomatología más frecuente es la disfagia, dolor torácico, reflujo y pérdida de peso. La manometría esofágica es el estándar para su diagnóstico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la eficacia del manejo quirúrgico de los pacientes con acalasia en nuestro centro hospitalario. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de serie de casos en el que se incluyeron pacientes con acalasia tratados de manera quirúrgica entre enero y diciembre de 2011. Se revisaron los expedientes para obtener los datos y registros del tipo de procedimiento quirúrgico realizado, morbilidad y mortalidad. Resultados: se incluyeron 14 pacientes con edad promedio de 49.1 años. Los síntomas predominantes fueron: disfagia, vómito, pérdida de peso y pirosis. Se realizaron ocho abordajes abiertos y seis laparoscópicos, con una longitud media de cardiomiotomía de 9.4 cm. Once pacientes recibieron un procedimiento antirreflujo concomitante. La efectividad de los procedimientos realizados fue del 85.7 %. Conclusiones: el manejo quirúrgico ofrecido en nuestro centro no difiere de lo reportado en otras series de caso, lo que otorga efectividad y seguridad a los pacientes tratados con acalasia.

Long-term results of the Modified Thal procedure in patients with chagasic megaesophagus.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is a serious public health issue in South and Central America due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. The esophageal form of the disease leads to achalasia and consequent megaesophagus. In advanced or recurrent cases of megaesophagus, there is no consensus for which of three established techniques-the Serra-Dória procedure, subtotal esophagectomy, or Modified Thal cardioplasty-is best. Very few studies have investigated the average efficacy and long-term outcomes of the Thal procedure. The present study sought to bridge this gap. METHODS: The Modified Thal procedure was performed in 29 patients at Hospital Universitário de Brasília between 1998 and 2008. All underwent clinical and nutritional evaluation, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UDE) with chromoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring. RESULTS: Overall, 86 % experienced resolution of all symptoms after surgery. Most patients were classified as Visick grade I, II, or III. The average body mass index was 22.7 kg/m(2). UDE showed normal mucosa in 76 % of patients, and 11 % had unstained areas on chromoscopy. Esophageal manometry demonstrated incomplete lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation in 50 % of patients, complete LES relaxation in 21 %, and no LES relaxation in 29 %. All showed complete relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter. On 24-h pH monitoring, reflux was pathological in 50 % of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the modified Thal procedure improved symptoms-namely, dysphagia to liquids with resulting weight loss and malnutrition-in patients with megaesophagus. No correlations were found between clinical complaints, endoscopic findings, and degree of manometric abnormality in these patients.

Pneumatic dilation versus laparoscopic Heller myotomy for the treatment of achalasia: variables related to a good response.

Achalasia is a motor disorder characterized by esophageal aperistalsis and failure of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. The cardinal symptoms are dysphagia, food regurgitation and weight loss. The most effective treatments are pneumatic dilation (PD) of the cardia and Heller esophageal myotomy with partial fundoplication. There is still controversy regarding which treatments should be initially done. The aims of this study were to evaluate clinical response and the variables related to good results in both treatments. Ninety-two patients with achalasia diagnosed by esophageal manometry were randomized to receive either PD or laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication. After the procedure, patients were followed up clinically and submitted to esophageal manometry and pH monitoring. Three months after treatment, 73% of the patients from PD group and 84% of the surgery group had good results (P = 0.19). After 2 years of follow-up, 54% of the PD group and 60% of the surgery group (P = not significant) were symptom free. Variables related to a good response to PD were a 50% drop in lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) or a LESP <10 mmHg after treatment. Patients over 40 years old with LESP ≤32 mmHg before treatment and a drop in LESP >50% after treatment significantly achieved better responses after surgical treatment when compared with PD. The reflux rate was significantly higher in the PD group (27.7%) compared with the surgery group (4.7%), P = 0.003. We concluded that surgical treatment and PD for achalasia are equally effective even after 2 years of follow-up. The choice of treatment for achalasia should be based on the following parameters: treatment availability, rate of good results, complication rates, variables related to good responses and also the patient's wish.

Esophagocardioplasty as surgical treatment in relapsed non advanced megaesophagus.

BACKGROUND: It has always been very controversial to choose an ideal operation for patients with no advanced recurrent megaesophagus after previous treatment. The various existing techniques and the different degrees of disease are the major factors to this difficulty. AIM: To evaluate the early and late results of the Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty in patients who had recurrence of symptoms in non-advanced megaesophagus after having been submitted to cardiomyotomy. METHODS: Were studied 32 patients. The age ranged from 32 to 63 years. Nineteen had mild and 13 moderate dysphagia, and 14 had some degree of regurgitation. These subjects underwent the Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty and were evaluated the local and systemic complications occurred postoperatively. RESULTS: After the procedure could be followed 27 patients, 22 began to show normal swallowing, five mild dysphagia and three remained with some regurgitation. No patient died. Three had early pneumonia and in one occurred anastomotic leak. CONCLUSIONS: The Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty is adequate procedure for the surgical treatment of relapsed non advanced megaesophagus.

Esofagocardioplastia no tratamento cirúrgico do megaesôfago não avançado recidivado / Esophagocardioplasty as surgical treatment in relapsed non advanced megaesophagus

RACIONAL: Sempre foi muito controversa a escolha de uma operação ideal para portadores de megaesôfago não avançado com recidiva após tratamento prévio. As várias técnicas existentes e os diferentes graus da doença são os maiores fatores para essa dificuldade. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados precoces e tardios da esofagocardioplastia à Serra-Dória em pacientes que apresentaram recidiva dos sintomas de megaesôfago não avançado após terem sido previamente submetidos à cardiomiotomia. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 32 pacientes. A idade variou de 32 a 63 anos. Dezenove apresentavam disfagia moderada e 13 leve, sendo que 14 tinham algum grau de regurgitação. Esses indivíduos foram submetidos à esofagocardioplastia à Serra-Dória e foram avaliadas as complicações sistêmicas e locais ocorridas no pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Após o procedimento, puderam ser acompanhados 27 pacientes, sendo que 22 passaram a apresentar deglutição normal, cinco disfagia leve e três permaneceram com alguma regurgitação. Nenhum paciente morreu. Três tiveram pneumonia precoce e em um cocorreu fístula anastomótica. CONCLUSÕES: A esofagocardioplastia à Serra-Dória é procedimento adequado para o tratamento cirúrgico do megaesôfago recidivado não avançado.

BACKGROUND: It has always been very controversial to choose an ideal operation for patients with no advanced recurrent megaesophagus after previous treatment. The various existing techniques and the different degrees of disease are the major factors to this difficulty. AIM: To evaluate the early and late results of the Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty in patients who had recurrence of symptoms in non-advanced megaesophagus after having been submitted to cardiomyotomy. METHODS: Were studied 32 patients. The age ranged from 32 to 63 years. Nineteen had mild and 13 moderate dysphagia, and 14 had some degree of regurgitation. These subjects underwent the Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty and were evaluated the local and systemic complications occurred postoperatively. RESULTS: After the procedure could be followed 27 patients, 22 began to show normal swallowing, five mild dysphagia and three remained with some regurgitation. No patient died. Three had early pneumonia and in one occurred anastomotic leak. CONCLUSIONS: The Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty is adequate procedure for the surgical treatment of relapsed non advanced megaesophagus.

[Relationship between histologic type and location of gastric adenocarcinoma in the Rebagliati Hospital]. / Relación entre tipo histológico y la localización del adenocarcinoma gástrico en el Hospital Rebagliati.

INTRODUCTION: There is epidemiologic evidence that suggest the relation between the histological type and location of gastric adenocarcinoma. Knowing that there is a predominance of Helicobacter pylori infection in the antral region and this is considered an environmental factor; make us suppose that there is a relation among intestinal type and distal location. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the relation among histological type and location of gastric cancer, using the Lauren classification and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association classification. METHOD: During the period between January 1st 2007 and December 31th 2010, 460 patients with the proven diagnostic of adenocarcinoma were admitted for surgical treatment at the gastric cancer specialized ward of Rebagliati National Hospital, Lima, Peru. RESULTS: Female was more frequent in diffuse type (39% vs. 33%; p: 0,153), the mean age among intestinal type is greater than diffuse type (70,7 vs. 62,6 años; p<0,001). There is association among poorly differentiated with upper location (22% vs. 12,7%; p = 0,009), signet cell with middle location (50% vs. 32,5%; p: 0,006), tubular type with distal location (57,6% vs. 42,8%; p: 0,002), intestinal type with distal location (58,3% vs. 44,1%; p: 0,004), and diffuse type with upper location (19,3% vs. 12,5%; p: 0,049). CONCLUSION: Adenocarcinomas histologically differentiated or intestinal type are associated with distal location. Poorly differentiated type and signet ring cell type are associated with upper and middle location respectively.

[Prevalence of intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia and its relation with Helicobacter pylori strains cagA and vacA]. / Prevalencia de metaplasia intestinal en el cardias gástrico y su relación con cepas virulentas de Helicobacter pylori cagA y vacA.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal metaplasia progression is a consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux (CGR). Patients with this condition are frequently infected by Helicobacter pylori and show several symptoms including gastritis as well as ulcer formation. In addition, they present an increased risk for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. Several pathogenic markers for Helicobacter pylori such as ureC, vacA and cagA genes have been described. Evidence indicates that direct injury to the epithelial mucosa is caused by cytotoxins and enzymes codified by these genes. We undertook this study to establish a relationship between the presence of pathogenic Helicobacter pylori strains and the presence of metaplasia progression in patients with CGR. METHODS: We detected the presence of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA positive strains in patients with CGR. Using polymerase chain reaction, we analyzed 120 samples obtained from 60 patients with CGR and 60 control group patients, including samples from both anatomic areas: cardia and gastric antrum. RESULTS: We detected 56% of Helicobacter pylori positive patients; 57.5% of these patients were positive for either cagA(+) and/or vacA(+) Helicobacter pylori strains. Cardiac intestinal metaplasia was observed in 35% of the patients. A marked tendency was observed to develop cardiac intestinal metaplasia in those patients diagnosed with high-pathogenicity strains infected in both anatomic areas. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that infection with Helicobacter pylori can be considered a risk factor for developing gastric cardiac intestinal metaplasia.

Laparoscopic extended cardiomyotomy in children: an effective procedure for the treatment of esophageal achalasia.

PURPOSE: Achalasia of the esophagus is characterized by aperistalsis and incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter in response to swallowing. The objective of the present study is to present the experience of a modified Heller myotomy via a laparoscopic approach for the treatment of children who had this condition. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records of all patients who underwent this procedure from 2000 to 2009 was performed. The procedure consisted of an extended esophagomyotomy beginning on the lower part of the lower esophageal sphincter and continuing 5 to 6 cm above on the lower third of the esophagus, and then extended 3 to 4 cm below to the stomach, associated with an anterior 180-degree hemi-fundoplication according to Dor's technique. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included in the study. There were 8 female and 7 male patients. Mean operating time was 190 minutes with no intraoperative complications and 1 conversion to open surgery because of difficulty in dissecting an inflamed distal esophagus. In a mean follow-up period of 32.3 months, 2 patients had recurrence of mild dysphagia that disappeared spontaneously, and 1 required a single botulinum toxin injection with complete resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the laparoscopic extended Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication is a safe and effective method for the treatment for achalasia in the pediatric population even in advanced cases.

Inversed Y cardioplasty plus a truncal vagotomy-antrectomy and a Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy performed in patients with stricture of the esophagogastric junction after a failed cardiomyotomy or endoscopic procedure in patients with achalasia of the esophagus.

Laparoscopic anterior cardiomyotomy in addition to anterior Dor's fundoplication is the procedure of choice for achalasia of the esophagus with approximately 95% success rate. Redo cardiomyotomy is complicated and associated with rerecurrence of dysphagia. Twelve patients with failed redo myotomy were clinically evaluated with radiology, endoscopy, and manometry in whom achalasia type III or IV was confirmed. We propose as treatment for these selected cases an inversed Y cardioplasty + truncal vagotomy, a partial distal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy in order to facilitate esophageal emptying and avoid the appearance of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux as a side effect of this procedure. One patient was reoperated on in order to enlarge the cardioplasty. Disappearance of dysphagia was confirmed in all patients. Three patients presented reflux symptoms and were treated with 20 mg of Omeprazole 20 twice/day. No food retention, erosive esophagitis, or Barrett's esophagus were observed. The mean resting pressure decreased from 24.9 +/- 8.5 mm Hg to 7.5 +/- 2.5 mm Hg (P = 0.0001). Furthermore, esophageal diameter decreased significantly after a 5-year follow-up. This procedure could be an option for treating patients in which repeated Heller operations have failed.