Pregnancy and Gastric Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Cases of digestive cancers diagnosed during pregnancy are rare. The increasing prevalence of pregnancy in women aged 30-39 years (and not exceptionally 40-49 years) could explain the frequent co-occurrence of cancers and pregnancy. The diagnosis of digestive cancers in pregnancy is difficult due to the overlap between neoplasm symptomatology and the clinical picture of pregnancy. A paraclinical evaluation may also be difficult depending on the trimester of the pregnancy. Diagnosis is also delayed by practitioners' hesitation to use invasive investigations (imaging, endoscopy, etc.) due to fetal safety concerns. Therefore, digestive cancers are often diagnosed during pregnancy in advanced stages, where complications such as occlusions, perforations, and cachexia have already arisen. In this review, we highlight the epidemiology, clinical aspects, paraclinical evaluation, and particularities of the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer during pregnancy.

Esophageal diverticula: from diagnosis to therapeutic management-narrative review.

Background and Objective: Esophageal diverticulum (ED) is a relatively rare condition, characterized by high etio- and pathophysiological versatility, with an uncommon clinical impact, consequently requiring a complete and complex diagnostic evaluation, so that the therapeutic decision is "appropriate" to a specific case. The aim of the paper is, therefore, a reassessment of the diagnostic possibilities underlying the establishment of the therapeutic protocol and the available therapeutic resources, making a review of the literature, and a non-statistical retrospective analysis of cases hospitalized and operated in a tertiary center. Methods: Thus, classical investigations (upper digestive endoscopy, barium swallow) need to be correlated with complex, manometric, and imaging evaluations with direct implications in therapeutic management. Moreover, in the absence of a precise etiology, the operative indication needs to be established sparingly, with the imposition of the identification and interception of the pathophysiological mechanisms through the therapeutic gesture. Key Content and Findings: The identification of the pathophysiological mechanisms is mandatory for the management of diverticular disease, the result obtained-restoring swallowing and comfort/good quality of life in the postoperative period-is directly related to the chosen therapeutic procedure. In addition, management appears to be a difficult goal in the context of the low incidence of ED but also of the results that emphasize important differences in the reports in the medical literature. Although ED is a benign condition, surgical techniques are demanding, impacted by significant morbidity and mortality. The causes of these results are multiple: possible localizations anywhere in the esophagus, diverticulum size/volume from a few millimeters to an impressive one, over 10-12 cm, metabolic impact in direct relation to the alteration swallowing, numerous diverticular complications but, perhaps most importantly, alteration of the quality of the diverticular wall by inflammatory phenomena, with an impact on the quality of the suture. Conclusions: The accumulation of cases in a tertiary profile center, with volume/hospital, respectively volume/surgeon + gastroenterologist could be a solution in improving the results. One consequence would be the identification of alternative solutions to open surgical techniques, a series of minimally invasive or endoscopic variants can refine these results.

Giant Gallbladder Tumor, Unusual Cancer-Case Report and Short Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Giant gallbladder is an uncommon condition that can result from a benign pathology and rarely presents with malignancy. Intracholecystic papillary-tubular neoplasm (ICPN) is a relatively new entity first described by V. Adsay in 2012 and included in the World Health Classification of Digestive System Tumours in 2019. Intracholecystic papillary-tubular neoplasm is a preinvasive lesion with an incidence of around 1% that may present as four histologic subtypes-biliary, gastric, intestinal, or oncocytic-of which the biliary subtype has the highest risk of associated invasive cancer. Although invasive carcinoma is present in about 50% of cases of ICPN, these patients have a significantly better prognosis than those with usual gallbladder cancer, suggesting that the entities may have distinct biological signatures. CASE REPORT: A 77-year-old female presented to the hospital with progressive swelling in the right hemiabdomen, a loss of appetite, and weight loss. MRI highlighted a giant abdominal tumor located in the right hypochondrium and right abdominal flank with liver invasion (segment V). Preoperatively, a gallbladder 25 × 17 cm in size was noted, and the patient underwent radical cholecystectomy. It was surprising to find such a giant malignant gallbladder tumor, diagnosed as invasive poorly cohesive carcinoma associated with ICPN. DISCUSSION: A megacholecyst is a rare discovery. Although most often found in benign pathologies, giant gallbladder cancer can be considered. The neoplastic features and the loco-regional extension of the tumor must be evaluated by imaging scans. Few cases of giant benign gallbladder have been reported in the literature; however, this appeared to be the largest resectable gallbladder carcinoma reported to date according to the literature. CONCLUSION: The stage of gallbladder neoplasia is not correlated with the size of the gallbladder. Regardless of tumor size, the prognosis seems to be directly related to the stage, morphology, and resectability.

Rare Diaphragmatic Hernias in Adults-Experience of a Tertiary Center in Esophageal Surgery and Narrative Review of the Literature.

A rare entity of non-hiatal type transdiaphragmatic hernias, which must be clearly differentiated from paraoesophageal hernias, are the phrenic defects that bear the generic name of congenital hernias-Bochdalek hernia and Larey-Morgagni hernia, respectively. The etiological substrate is relatively simple: the presence of preformed anatomical openings, which either do or do not enable transit from the thoracic region to the abdominal region or, most often, vice versa, from the abdomen to the thorax, of various visceral elements (spleen, liver, stomach, colon, pancreas, etc.). Apart from the congenital origin, a somewhat rarer group is described, representing about 1-7% of the total: an acquired variant of the traumatic type, frequently through a contusive type mechanism, which produces diaphragmatic strains/ruptures. Apparently, the symptomatology is heterogeneous, being dependent on the location of the hernia, the dimensions of the defect, which abdominal viscera is involved through the hernial opening, its degree of migration, and whether there are volvulation/ischemia/obstruction phenomena. Often, its clinical appearance is modest, mainly incidental discoveries, the majority being digestive manifestations. Severe digestive complications such as strangulation, volvus, and perforation are rare and are accompanied by severe shock, suddenly appearing after several non-specific digestive prodromes. Diagnosis combines imaging evaluations (plain radiology, contrast, CT) with endoscopic ones. Surgical treatment is recommended regardless of the side on which the diaphragmatic defect is located or the secondary symptoms due to potential complications. The approach options are thoracic, abdominal or combined thoracoabdominal approach, and classic or minimally invasive. Most often, selection of the type of approach should be made taking into account two elements: the size of the defect, assessed by CT, and the presence of major complications. Any hiatal defect that is larger than 5 cm2 (the hiatal hernia surface (HSA)) has a formal recommendation of mesh reinforcement. The recurrence rate is not negligible, and statistical data show that the period of the first postoperative year is prime for recurrence, being directly proportional to the size of the defect. As a result, in patients who were required to use mesh, the recurrence rate is somewhere between 27 and 41% (!), while for cases with primary suture, i.e., with a modest diaphragmatic defect, this is approx. 4%.

The Features of Stomach Vascularisation Pattern and Their Impact on Oesophageal Reconstruction with a Gastric Pull-up.

Regardless of the reconstruction surgery used, the fundamental concepts of visceral reconstruction are based on the vascular support needed for the substituting graft. The vascular factor is the main element of any reconstruction technique, as an underlying condition for the visceral material stretch and, along with other factor, for the suture safety. In the case of the stomach, a consistent vascular flow and the minimal vascular anatomy variations are the first theoretical argument. A second argument is based on the intraparietal vascular network features allowing for supplementing visceral perfusion as the blood flow is stopped in one or more pediculi. Graft hypoperfusion is, however, a potential cause of failure, and the most frequently invoked complication is, therefore, a high risk of anastomosis fistulae. A series of modern techniques - arteriography data for the pre-operative vascular reconstruction or Doppler laser fluorometry intraoperative assessments, graft oximetry, laser speckle (spot) scan or the use of indocyanine green staining (ICG) - represent methods of early determination of the gastric graft perfusion/microperfusion quality used in reducing such risks. The doubts regarding the gastric perfusion mandate the use of vascular augmentation techniques. If such techniques are not used, the final outcome is uncertain and difficult to correct.

Management of Esophageal Perforations During Achalasia Treatment Experience of the General and Esophageal Surgery Clinic, Sf Maria Hospital.

Introduction: Achalasia is a motility disorder characterized by the absence of optimal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) with swallowing and lack of peristalsis of the esophageal body. Excepting temporary medical options, the treatment aims to lower the LES pressure by endoscopic or surgical means. Either method involves a risk of perforation. We analyzed the management of esophageal perforations in patients who received treatment for achalasia. Material and Method: we conducted a retrospective study of patients with achalasia hospitalized and treated in the Clinic of General and Esophageal Surgery within the Sf. Maria Clinical Hospital in Bucharest between January 2016 and December 2021. Results: There were 57 patients, 35 men, with a mean age of 50 years and a mean duration of symptoms of 35 months. Almost all (91.89%) patients presented with dysphagia. Preoperative manometry was performed in 52 patients, of whom 17 were type I, 35 were type II. The treatment was laparoscopic Heller eso-cardiomyotomy (LHM) in most cases (55), with Dor anterior fundoplication. There were 10 recurrent cases after dilation or surgery in another medical unit. There were 3 mucosal perforations after LHM. The treatment varied from simple suture to a combined endoscopic and surgical approach, involving the use of esophageal stent, abscess drainage, and feeding jejunostomy. We also present the management of two cases of esophageal perforation after endoscopic dilation, in which the support of the surgical team was necessary. Conclusion: Esophageal perforation in the treatment of achalasia, either endoscopic or surgical, requires immediate identification and treatment to provide the best chance of favorable evolution. The treatment of achalasia is indicated to be performed in dedicated centers, prepared even in case of complications.

Idiopathic Megacolon-Short Review.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic megacolon (IM) is a rare condition with a more or less known etiology, which involves management challenges, especially therapeutic, and both gastroenterology and surgery services. With insufficiently drawn out protocols, but with occasionally formidable complications, the condition management can be difficult for any general surgery team, either as a failure of drug therapy (in the context of a known case, initially managed by a gastroenterologist) or as a surgical emergency (in which the diagnostic surprise leads additional difficulties to the tactical decision), when the speed imposed by the severity of the case can lead to inadequate strategies, with possibly critical consequences. METHOD: With such a motivation, and having available experience limited by the small number of cases (described by all medical teams concerned with this pathology), the revision of the literature with the update of management landmarks from the surgical perspective of the pathology appears as justified by this article. RESULTS: If the diagnosis of megacolon is made relatively easily by imaging the colorectal dilation (which is associated with initial and/or consecutive clinical aspects), the establishing of the diagnosis of idiopathic megacolon is based in practice almost exclusively on a principle of exclusion, and after evaluating the absence of some known causes that can lead to the occurrence of these anatomic and clinical changes, mimetically, clinically, and paraclinically, with IM (intramural aganglionosis, distal obstructions, intoxications, etc.). If the etiopathogenic theories, based on an increase in the performance of the arsenal of investigations of the disease, have registered a continuous improvement and an increase of objectivity, unfortunately, the curative surgical treatment options still revolve around the same resection techniques. Moreover, the possibility of developing a form of etiopathogenic treatment seems as remote as ever.

Palliative ("Toilet") Mammectomy, A Decision-Making Dilemma - Short Review.

Breast cancer is one of the most severe health issues globally, but the therapy advancements and the constant adaptation of treatment protocols radically changed its prognoses. This article review of the literature from a surgical perspective, thus allowing for the optimum detection and placement of its role and benefits in the surgical and oncology therapeutics. The role of surgery becomes controversial, with sometimes "pretentious" techniques, hard to quantify benefits and challenges that require a thorough assessment prior to opting for surgery. Another interesting aspect is the relative lack of guidelines for such cases with an extreme lesion plurimorphism. This is the very reason for the term "advanced breast cancer" NOT covering all possible situations, leaving room for niches difficult to frame within a therapy plan.

The Roles of MicroRNAs in Male Infertility.

MicroRNAs applications were vastly studied throughout the years, spanning from potential cancer biomarkers to targeted therapies for various diseases. Out of these utilizations, this paper focuses on their role in male infertility. Approximately 10-15% of worldwide couples are affected by infertility. Out of these, 50% are due to male determinants. The majority of cases still have an undetermined cause. Previous studies have found that the aberrant expression of microRNAs could be linked to certain reproductive dysfunctions in males. Further on, this study looked into the most recent literature published on this subject in order to assess the connection between the up-/down-regulation of various microRNAs and the roles they play in male infertility. MicroRNAs were found to be abundant and stable in the seminal liquid, which led to a facile identification using regular RNA detection methods. It was observed that the concentration of microRNAs in semen was modified in the case of patients suffering from asthenozoospermia and azoospermia. Moreover, idiopathic male infertility was associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism of the microRNA binding site. Future studies should focus their attention on discovering future treatments against male infertility targeting specific microRNAs and also on developing new and improved contraceptive methods.

Fibroblast involvement in cardiac remodeling and repair under ischemic conditions.

Cardiac fibroblasts play a main role in the physiological turnover of the extracellular matrix, as well as its pathological remodeling. A study was performed on a batch of 23 cases who died of various cardiac complications secondary to scarring myocardial infarctions. The aim of the study was to assess the fibroblast involvement in cardiac repair under ischemic conditions after myocardial infarction. Tissue myocardial samples from the left ventricle were taken from these cases for microscopy examination, in order to investigate the type and degree of fibrosis as well as the presence of cardiac interstitial fibroblasts. Multiple series of histological sections were also performed and examined, along with immunohistochemical analysis. The fibroblasts were diffusely distributed in the interstitium among the residual cardiomyocytes, showing variable expression of vimentin and smooth muscle actin. During cardiac remodeling, there was a successive interstitial deposition, first of reticulin fibers and then of collagen fibers, leading to interstitial fibrosis and myocardial replacement. There was a correlation between vimentin and smooth muscle actin expression and collagen deposition. Fibrosis with cardiac remodeling is based on maintaining proliferation capacity of the fibroblast and its capacity of protein synthesis in the extracellular matrix. Under hypoxic ischemic conditions, followed by myocardial infarction, the fibroblast switches phenotype and transdifferentiate into myofibroblast, contributing to the healing by secreting extracellular matrix proteins and collagen deposition, with subsequent cardiac remodeling and regulation of the micro-environment metabolism.

Heterogeneity of antigenic constellation in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the primary liver malignancies responsible for over a million deaths per year worldwide (approximately 10% of all deaths in the adult age range). The diagnosis of HCC can be difficult and often requires the use of more than one microscopic technique. A retrospective study was performed on a study batch of 42 cases that died of HCC due to metastasis or other secondary complications. Tissue samples were taken in order to investigate the tumour antigenic constellation by means of IHC method using a large variety of antibodies. In situ hybridization was also performed for albumin mRNA to assess the albumin expression in some selected cases. Telomerase activity was investigated using IHC method for the hTERT catalytic subunit. A cocktail of hepatic cytokeratins (CK8, 18) combined with Hep Par-1 and associated to albumin proved to be more powerful than albumin alone in differentiating HCC and increased the value of tumour diagnosis. hTERT expression was proportionally reverse to the tumour degree of differentiation, but was independent from the expression of tumour-proliferating indexes. The heterogeneity of the antigenic constellation in hepatocellular carcinoma suggests an antigenic mosaicism, which can be expressed a synchronous or metachronous manner, depending on the tumour degree of differentiation.

MiRNAs: A Powerful Tool in Deciphering Gynecological Malignancies.

Accumulated evidence on the clinical roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer prevention and control has revealed the emergence of new genetic techniques that have improved the understanding of the mechanisms essential for pathology induction and progression. Comprehension of the modifications and individual differences of miRNAs and their interactions in the pathogenesis of gynecological malignancies, together with an understanding of the phenotypic variations have considerably improved the management of the diagnosis and personalized treatment for different forms of cancer. In recent years, miRNAs have emerged as signaling molecules in biological pathways involved in different categories of cancer and it has been demonstrated that these molecules could regulate cancer-relevant processes, our focus being on malignancies of the gynecologic tract. The aim of this paper is to summarize novel research findings in the literature regarding the parts that miRNAs play in cancer-relevant processes, specifically regarding gynecological malignancy, while emphasizing their pivotal role in the disruption of cancer-related signaling pathways.

A Pumpless Microfluidic Neonatal Lung Assist Device for Support of Preterm Neonates in Respiratory Distress.

Premature neonates suffer from respiratory morbidity as their lungs are immature, and current supportive treatment such as mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation causes iatrogenic injuries. A non-invasive and biomimetic concept known as the "artificial placenta" (AP) would be beneficial to overcome complications associated with the current respiratory support of preterm infants. Here, a pumpless oxygenator connected to the systemic circulation supports the lung function to relieve respiratory distress. In this paper, the first successful operation of a microfluidic, artificial placenta type neonatal lung assist device (LAD) on a newborn piglet model, which is the closest representation of preterm human infants, is demonstrated. This LAD has high oxygenation capability in both pure oxygen and room air as the sweep gas. The respiratory distress that the newborn piglet is put under during experimentation, repeatedly and over a significant duration of time, is able to be relieved. These findings indicate that this LAD has a potential application as a biomimetic artificial placenta to support the respiratory needs of preterm neonates.

Pregnancy and Colorectal Cancer, from Diagnosis to Therapeutical Management - Short Review.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common human malignancies, affecting one of 20 persons in areas with high socio-economic standard but cases of digestive cancers during pregnancy are rare. From an etiological point of view, CRC represents an entity induced on the one hand by environmental factors and on the other hand by genetic factors or, not rarely, by their combination. The difficulty of diagnosing digestive cancers in pregnancy is the consequence of a symptomatology often masked by signs and symptoms that can be attributed to pregnancy. Essential in terms of assessing the staging of TNM in CRC, CT remains the subject of numerous debates. Over the last 40 years CT has been contraindicated in pregnant women due to teratogenic and carcinogenic effects on the fetus. Pregnancy MRI method is preferable to any other method of investigation that uses ionizing radiation. The CRC's treatment plan must take into account the interests of two people, the mother and the fetus, so that the "interest" of one does not affect the other, respecting an axiom: for the mother, treatment as soon as possible after birth, respectively, for the foetus, delaying the therapy until it is viable. Colorectal neoplasia is, in generally, a predominantly surgical pathology at the time of disease discovery, especially in conditions of a major complication that leaves no time for a therapeutic alternative (obstruction, perforation, significant bleeding). A chemotherapy-type oncology protocol option is preferred for cases with advanced, metastatic neoplasms.

Dormant cardiac stem cells: A promising tool in cardiac regeneration.

Stem cells represent an old niche with various new potential therapeutics. Besides drug treatment, reperfusion procedures and surgical revascularization, stem cell therapy could be a good option in ischemic cardiac diseases. A study was performed on a small group of cases who died of cardiac arrhythmia secondary to scarring myocardial infarctions. Tissue cardiac samples were taken from these cases (from the anterior and lateral wall of the left ventricle), for microscopy examination, in order to investigate the presence of cardiac stem cells (CSC). Multiple series of histological sections were also performed and examined, along with immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). The cells were identified in close contact with the residual ischemic cardiomyocytes, in the proximity of the myocardial collagenous scar, in old myocardial infarctions. They were activated by hypoxic ischemia and were influenced by the capillary microvascular density and the interstitial micro-environment conditions. In chronic intermittent ischemia they seem to turn themselves from dormant quiescent cells into activated progenitor committed cells.

Acute Colonic Pseudoobstruction (Ogilvie Syndrome) - A Severe Complication in the Evolution of the Hospitalized or Institutionalized Patients.

Introduction: Ogilvie syndrome, or acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), represents a pathological entity, potentially with a severe outcome, due to the acute important dilation of the large bowel, in the absence of a mechanical luminal obstruction. Usually, it occurs in patients admitted in intensive care unit, that associate severe surgical or medical pathologies. The mechanism of the ACPO has not been completely explained, but it is assumed that the motor function of the colon may be affected, as a result of autonomic regulation disturbance. Early diagnosis and treatment help reduce the risk of severe outcome, such as ischemia or perforation. Material and Method: In addition to our experience, a literature search was elaborated in order to evaluate the incidence, the etiology, the clinical presentation and the diagnosis of the ACPO. Results and Conclusions: The present study may be of help in the process of guiding the optimal management of a critically ill patient is at high risk of developing colonic pseudo-obstruction.

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumour in Pregnancy - Diagnosis and Treatment Management.

Digestive cancers diagnosed during pregnancy are rare and are sporadically reported. The shift of pregnancy towards the age interval of 30-39 years old (and even 40-49 years old) could explain the more and more frequent superposition of pregnancy and cancer. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (PNET) originate in the insular endocrine tissue and are extremely rare; they have a slow, less aggressive neoplastic development, with the capacity of secreting and storing different peptides and neuroamines. From the large group of NET tumours, approximately 70% have a gastroenterohepatic (GET) localisation and represent less than 2% of the digestive tract tumours. PNET incidence is extremely reduced, of approximately 1/100.000. The association of pregnancy and PNET in literature is exceptional until now only 39 cases were reported. The most frequent PNET in pregnant patients is the insulinoma with the starting point in pancreatic B-cells, with 27 out of 39 PNET worldwide reported cases until 2012. Establishing a diagnosis in pregnant patients is difficult in the first period of pregnancy because physiologically, the glucose tends to be low. This may be a consequence of the increased secretion of insulin and sensibility to insulin, probably as an effect of increased oestrogen levels. Furthermore, there are other signs which could suggest the existence of a "problem", which are relatively common during the first trimester of pregnancy: unexplained fatigue, vomiting, hypotension, rare episodes of hypoglycaemia. Performing paraclinical tests on these patients is difficult; an essential indicator of the opportunity for the investigation is the pregnancy trimester. The precaution about a foetal injury when indicating an invasive exploration (imaging, endoscopy, etc.) delays the diagnosis. The insulinomas have a rather benign potential than an aggressive nature, and their prognosis is usually favourable, with therapeutic possibilities easy to administrate and control in pregnant patients. Medical treatment is used in patients when there is a positive diagnosis but the topography of the insulinoma was not identified, when the symptomatology is easy to control through conserving therapy until the foetus is mature enough or immediately after birth, in pregnant patients who refuse the surgical procedure, or in the case of metastasis of malignant insulinoma. Surgical treatment indeed remains the only therapeutic method, but most often it is scheduled usually after birth, or if the situation requires, as late as possible after the foetus has a convenient age (after 28 weeks).

The Value of Intraoperative Endoscopy and Manometry in the Surgical Treatment of Achalasia.

Introduction: Achalasia is the most common esophageal motility disorder. So far, the treatment, which can be medical, endoscopic or surgical, provides only symptomatic relief. However, this can grant a normal life to the patients. We focused our study on the value of pre- and intraoperative endoscopy and manometry for improving outcome of surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a retrospective chart review of a cohort of patients diagnosed with achalasia at St Mary Clinical Hospital, Bucharest between 2013 and 2017. The objective of this study was the assessment of the immediate and long term efficacy of laparoscopic Heller myotomy associated with Dor anterior fundoplication, intraoperative endoscopy and intraoperative manometry, as well as the assessment of late post-operative complications. The diagnosis of achalasia was based on symptoms, barium esophagogram, upper endoscopy and esophageal manometry. The immediate efficacy was assessed by comparing Eckhart score, LES pressure and LES vector volume before and after surgery. Results: In total, 47 patients, had surgical treatment for achalasia between 2013 and 2017. For 7 patients who failed prior endoscopic or surgical, this was the second therapeutic intervention. 39 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, 30 patients had associated intraoperative endoscopy and, 22 patients had associated intraoperative manometry. There was a significant improvement in mean Eckardt score (from 6,5 to 1,26, p 0,001), mean LES pressure (from 18,5 mmHg to 7 mmHg, p 0,001). Morbidity was 2,12 % and we have had 1 recurrence and 2 postoperative esophagitis. Conclusions: At present, laparoscopic Heller myotomy with an anterior Dor fundoplication, is a standard indication in achalasia, proving its efficiency and safety. Intraoperative use of endoscopy is recommended and intraoperative manometry may provide additional information on the effectiveness of myotomy. Surgical treatment of achalasia should be performed in specialized, experienced centers.

Postnatal dilatation of umbilical cord vessels and its impact on wall integrity: Prerequisite for the artificial placenta.

INTRODUCTION: A lung assist device, which acts as an artificial placenta, can provide additional gas exchange for preterm and term newborns with respiratory failure. The concept of the lung assist device requires a large bore access via umbilical vessels to allow pumpless extracorporeal blood flow rates up to 30 mL/kg/min. After birth, constricted umbilical vessels need to be reopened for vascular access. The objective is to study the impact of umbilical vessel expansion on vessel integrity for achieving large bore access. METHODS: Umbilical cords from healthy term deliveries were cannulated and dilatated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty catheters in 1 mm increments from 4 to 8 mm for umbilical artery and from 4 to 15 mm for umbilical vein, n = 6 per expansion diameter. Paraffin-embedded transverse sections of dilated and control samples were HE & Van Gieson stained. Effects of dilatation, shown by splitting, were measured. RESULTS: Umbilical vessel expansion led to concentric splitting, shown by areas devoid of extracellular matrix and nuclei in the tunica intima and media. No radial splitting was observed. Results suggest an expansion threshold of umbilical artery at 6 mm and umbilical vein at 7 mm, while maximal splitting was observed above this threshold (3.6 ± 0.8%, p = 0.043 for umbilical artery 7 mm and 6.3 ± 1.8%, p = 0.048 for umbilical vein 8 mm). Endothelial cell sloughing was present in all dilated samples but not in the control samples. CONCLUSION: The suggested thresholds for safe expansions are similar to in utero umbilical vessel diameters and demonstrate a proof of concept for attaining large bore access for the lung assist device.

Esophageal Reconstruction with the Stomach, a Functional Dilemma?

Background: A few decades ago, esophageal substitution was mainly dedicated particularly in postcaustic esophageal stenosis; currently, the reconstruction has expanded its palette of indications to other areas of benign esophageal pathology (severe motor disorders, esophageal achalasia with multiple relapses, peptic stenosis, etc.) but has also become a quasi-obligatory final time in the esophagectomy for cancer whenever it is possible. The techniques of esophageal reconstruction using the stomach, regardless of the indication and the chosen technical option, remain a valuable and effective method. A number of striking arguments advocate for one or another type of gastric graft: anatomic factors more than convenient (vascularization, sufficient length, a wall structure favorable for suture, etc.) and a sustainable surgical intervention (length, approach, complexity of the surgical steps digestive disorders after surgery, post-therapeutic functionality, etc.). Choosing a technique or another, beyond pathological arguments, should take into account remote functionality, with a clear impact on metabolic status and quality of life. So, according to this criterion, can we functionally justify a type or another of gastric restoration? Finally, the proof of an adequate solution is relatively easy to appreciate: has swallowing been restored and if so, the result has been maintained over time? For oncological cases, the assessment should also take into account the chronological criterion of the postoperative survival rate. Methods: The statistically rated lot ranged from 1981 to 2016 and included 268 patients with surgical interventions for esophageal stenosis, distributed according to etiopathogenesis and indication in 201 reconstructions for post-caustic stenosis, and 67 for post-esophagectomy replacement for neoplasm. The techniques used for remote functional evaluation included: barium swallow, endoscopy + biopsy, and in cases with obvious changes pH measurement/24 h and manometry and, only in exceptional cases, scintigraphy with marked foods. Results: two types of problems have been identified: a particular type of neuro-motor dysfunction of the esophageal substitute in 6 patients (1 patient with Gavriliu reconstruction and 5 with Nakayama reconstruction, using the whole stomach), with difficulty, delayed gastric graft evacuation, with major stasis and abdominal discomfort vomiting, inability to eat, aspiration phenomena) respectively a reflux pathology - 8 patients, being proved by a specific simptomatology, barium lunch, endoscopic examination and pH-metric examination. Reflux was alkaline in 7 patients, all with pyloroplasty, 5 with whole stomach and 2 with Akiyama procedure; in 1 case with Gavriliu procedure the reflux was acid. Conclusions: Stomach is a good option in esophageal substitution. Concerning the remote results, a good functionality is found with a reasonable metabolic status. The two phenomena on which the function of the graft depends - secretory activity and motor activity - seem to be restored in time but these does not occur concurrently, the recovery of the secretory function being much faster.