Double Tract Reconstruction Reduces Reflux Esophagitis and Improves Quality of Life after Radical Proximal Gastrectomy for Patients with Upper Gastric or Esophagogastric Adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to compare the difference between double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent radical proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy or double tract reconstruction were included in this study. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were included in this study and divided into two groups according to reconstruction method. The two groups were well balanced in perioperative safety and 3-year overall survival (OS). The rates of postoperative reflux esophagitis in the double tract reconstruction group and esophagogastrostomy group were 8.0% and 30.8%, respectively (p=0.032). Patients in the double tract reconstruction group had a better global health status (p < 0.001) and emotional functioning (p < 0.001), and complained less about nausea and vomiting (p < 0.001), pain (p=0.039), insomnia (p=0.003), and appetite loss (p < 0.001) based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Regarding the EORTC QLQ-STO22 questionnaire, patients in the double tract reconstruction group complained less about dysphagia (p=0.030), pain (p=0.008), reflux (p < 0.001), eating (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), dry mouth (p=0.007), and taste (p=0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that reconstruction method, postoperative complications, reflux esophagitis, and operation duration had a linear relationship with the global health status score. CONCLUSION: Double tract reconstruction could better prevent reflux esophagitis and improve quality of life without scarifying perioperative safety or 3-year OS.

Changes in quality of life from infancy to school age after esophagoesophagostomy for tracheoesophageal fistula: thoracotomy versus thoracoscopy.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the quality of life (QOL) of postoperative esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) cases, comparing open with thoracoscopic repair. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive EA/TEF repairs (2001-2014) was performed, excluding cases with birth weight less than 2000 g and severe cardiac/chromosomal anomalies. Of 37 cases, 13 had thoracoscopic repair (TR) and 24 had open repair (OR) according to the operating surgeon's preference. QOL was determined regularly by scoring responses to a standard questionnaire about oral intake, vomiting, bougienage, coughing, growth retardation, learning ability, and thoracic deformity. Lower scores reflected poorer outcome. QOL after TR and OR was compared 1 year postoperatively (POQ) and after starting school (ScQ). RESULTS: Subject demographics were similar. Apart from two anastomotic leaks that resolved spontaneously after TR, there were no intraoperative complications or recurrence of TEF. Laparoscopic fundoplication was required for gastroesophageal reflux in four cases (OR 1; TR 3) (p = ns). QOL scores went from 6.5 â†’ 11.5 in OR and 4.6 â†’ 11.3 in TR, respectively. Final ScQ scores were similar, but POQ was significantly higher after OR (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Initial QOL scores were significantly lower after TR, but by school age QOL scores were similar.

Long-term analysis of children with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: For children with esophageal atresia (EA) or tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), the first years of life can be associated with many problems. Little is known about the long-term function of children who underwent repair as neonates. This study evaluates outcome and late sequelae of children with EA/TEF. METHODS: Medical records of infants with esophageal anomalies (May 1972 through December 1990) were reviewed. Study parameters included demographics, dysphagia, frequent respiratory infections (> 3/yr), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), frequent choking, leak, stricture, and developmental delays (weight, height < 25%, < 5%, respectively). RESULTS: Over 224 months, 69 infants (37 boys, 32 girls) were identified: type A, 10 infants; type B, 1; type C, 53; type D, 4; type E, 1. Mean follow-up was 125 months. During the first 5 years of follow-up, dysphagia (45%), respiratory infections (29%), and GERD (48%) were common as were growth delays. These problems improved as the children matured. CONCLUSIONS: Children with esophageal anomalies face many difficulties during initial repair and frequently encounter problems years later. Support groups can foster child development and alleviate parent isolationism. Despite growth retardation, esophageal motility disorders, and frequent respiratory infections, children with EA/TEF continue to have a favorable long-term outcome.

A comparison of owner management and complications in 67 cats with esophagostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tubes.

Esophagostomy feeding tubes were placed in 46 cats. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes were placed in 21 cats. Owner management and complications and facility of use were evaluated retrospectively by review of medical records and owner survey. Both tube types were equally effective for maintenance of body weight, ease of owner management, and complication rates. All of 12 owners surveyed were comfortable with PEG tube management. Ninety-six percent of 24 owners surveyed were comfortable with esophagostomy tube management. The esophagostomy tube can be placed less invasively, without specialized equipment, making it an excellent alternative to the PEG tube.

Acalasia esofágica familiar / Familial esophageal achalasia

La presencia de acalasia esofágica en varios miembros de una misma familia de la misma generación, es un evento bastante raro. Su eventual asociación con algunas alteraciones metabólicas como deficiencia de glucocorticoides, o insensibilidad a la HACT, así como algunos defectos congénitos neuromusculares, microcefalia alacrimia, etc., sugiere que en algunos casos de acalasia esofágica, ésta obedezca a un patrón de herencia mendeliano. La alta frecuencia de consanguinidad entre los padres de estos pacientes, sugiere la posibilidad de una autosómica recesiva. Se reportan tres hermanas con acalasia esofágica, cuyos padres son consanguíneos, diagnosticados y operados en el Hospital de Gineco-pediatría del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, en la Ciudad de León, Gto. Se hace algunas observaciones en el fenotipo de dos de nuestros pacientes. Se comenta el tratamiento quirúrgico efectuado y finalmente la oportunidad de haber hecho un seguimiento a largo plazo (12 años)

[Esophageal resections in Denmark 1985-1988. A retrospective study of complications and early mortality]. / Esophagusresektioner i Danmark 1985-1988. En retrospektiv opgørelse af komplikationer og tidlig mortalitet.

In a retrospective investigation, 17 Danish Departments of Surgery reported on morbidity and mortality following surgical treatment of cancer of the oesophagus and cardia in the years 1985-1988. The study comprised 352 men and 112 women, representing 98% of the total number of resections performed in Departments of General Surgery (11%), Departments of Surgical Gastroenterology (24%) and Departments of Thoracic Surgery (65%). Nine departments performed less than five resections per year. Frequency of anastomotic leaks were 8.2%, and the mean hospital mortality was 16.6%. Mortality was significantly lower (median 9.6% and 7.0%) in departments performing more than 20 resections per year. It is concluded that in Denmark, surgical treatment of cancer of the oesophagus or cardia should be centralized to departments performing more than 20 resections per year.

[The quality of life after total gastrectomy for stomach carcinoma. Esophagojejunal plication with pouch versus esophagojejunostomy without pouch]. / Lebensqualität nach totaler Gastrektomie wegen Magenkarzinoms. Osophagojejunoplicatio mit Pouch versus Osphagojejunostomie ohne Pouch.

A group of 178 patients with total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma were divided into two groups matched for sex, age, tumour stage and follow-up interval (29 pairs, 46 men and 12 women; mean age 63.4 [39-74] years) according to the type of reconstruction performed, oesophagojejunal plication with pouch or simple oesophagojejunostomy without pouch. Those with left-extended gastrectomy, follow-up period of 9 months or less, and local recurrence or metastasis were excluded. Quality of life was evaluated by means of three standardized questionnaires sent to all the patients: (1) general physical complaints; (2) satisfaction with life; and (3) psychosocial burden. Patients with pouch reconstruction declared more favourable results in 90 of the 94 questions contained in the questionnaire (96%) than the patients without pouch. Patients in the former group also had significantly fewer general physical complaints (P less than or equal to 0.05) and were significantly more satisfied with life (P less than or equal to 0.05) than those without pouch. Correlation analysis for the entire group (n = 58) indicated significant relationships especially between quality of life and postoperative nutrition and body weight. Technical surgical problems of total gastrectomy having largely been solved, the question of quality of life must increasingly determine the choice of treatment.

Táctica quirúrgica en cáncer de cardias / Surgical tactic in cardias cancer

Se presentan 72 enfermos portadores de cáncer de la unión esofagogástrica operados y resecados. Se elabora una clasificación topográfica de utilidad quirúrgica (cáncer cardial puro, con proyección esofágica, con proyección gástrica y bipolar). Se analizan los resultados obtenidos de acuerdo a los estadios, a las operaciones realizadas y a la topografía de origen. La mortalidad global fue el 6,94%y la supervivencia a los 5 años el 13,88%. En los estadios I y II no hubo mortalidad y la supervivencia a los 5 años fue de 20,45%, resultados que contrastan con el 3,57%de los estadios III y IV. Resultaron aceptables las anastomosis subaórticas en los cánceres cardiales con escasa proyección esofágica poco aceptables la anastomosis subaórticas intratorácicas en los cánceres más extendidos y convicente en estos últimos la esofagogastrectomía con anastomosis cervical, preferentemente sin toracotomía

Táctica quirúrgica en cáncer de cardias / Surgical tactic in cardias cancer

Se presentan 72 enfermos portadores de cáncer de la unión esofagogástrica operados y resecados. Se elabora una clasificación topográfica de utilidad quirúrgica (cáncer cardial puro, con proyección esofágica, con proyección gástrica y bipolar). Se analizan los resultados obtenidos de acuerdo a los estadios, a las operaciones realizadas y a la topografía de origen. La mortalidad global fue el 6,94%y la supervivencia a los 5 años el 13,88%. En los estadios I y II no hubo mortalidad y la supervivencia a los 5 años fue de 20,45%, resultados que contrastan con el 3,57%de los estadios III y IV. Resultaron aceptables las anastomosis subaórticas en los cánceres cardiales con escasa proyección esofágica poco aceptables la anastomosis subaórticas intratorácicas en los cánceres más extendidos y convicente en estos últimos la esofagogastrectomía con anastomosis cervical, preferentemente sin toracotomía