Role of modified Glasgow Prognostic Score in patients with achalasia who underwent laparoscopic Heller-myotomy with Dor-fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammatory response is significant prognostic indicator in patients with various diseases. The relationship between prognostic scoring systems based on the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and achalasia in patients treated with laparoscopic Heller­myotomy with Dor­fundoplication (LHD) remains uninvestigated. This study aimed to examine the role of mGPS in patients with achalasia. METHODS: 457 patients with achalasia who underwent LHD as the primary surgery between September 2005 and December 2020 were included. We divided patients into the mGPS 0 and mGPS 1 or 2 groups and compared the patients' background, pathophysiology, symptoms, surgical outcomes, and postoperative course. RESULTS: mGPS was 0 in 379 patients and 1 or 2 in 78 patients. Preoperative vomiting and pneumonia were more common in patients with mGPS of 1 or 2. There were no differences in surgical outcomes. Postoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed that severe esophagitis was more frequently observed in patients with mGPS of 1 or 2 (P < 0.01). The clinical success was 91% and 99% in the mGPS 0 and mGPS 1 or 2 groups, respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although severe reflux esophagitis was more common in patients with achalasia with a high mGPS, good clinical success was obtained regardless of the preoperative mGPS.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in patients undergoing esophagectomy following neoadjuvant DCF therapy.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence suggests that expression levels of tumor-infiltrating (TI) cells may play a prognostic role in patients with esophageal cancer who have undergone esophagectomy. However, its effect on patients undergoing neoadjuvant docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) therapy followed by esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the prognostic impact of TI cells in patients who underwent esophagectomy following neoadjuvant DCF therapy. METHODS: Overall, 81 patients with ESCC who underwent curative esophagectomy following neoadjuvant DCF therapy were included. The number of TI CD8+ cells was determined using light microscopy at ×400 in tumor invasive margins. Receiver operative characteristic curve was used to determine the cutoff values for mortality for continuous variables; the patients were separated into high and low TI CD8+ cell groups and their backgrounds and clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Overall and relapse-free survival were significantly worse in the TI CD8+-low group than that in the TI CD8+-high group (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that positive ypN (hazard ratio [HR], 3.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-9.02) and low TI CD8+ cell levels (HR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.31-5.85) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Furthermore, positive venous invasion (HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.29-5.35) and low TI CD8+ cell levels (HR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.70-5.46) were significant prognostic factors for relapse-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Low TI CD8+ cell level was a prominent prognostic factor for patients with ESCC undergoing neoadjuvant DCF therapy followed by esophagectomy.

Is it meaningful to add mesh reinforcement to laparoscopic fundoplication for esophageal hiatal hernias in the patients with high risk of hiatal hernia recurrence?

BACKGROUND: While laparoscopic fundoplication is a standard surgical procedure for patients with esophageal hiatal hernias, the postoperative recurrence of esophageal hiatal hernias is a problem for patients with giant hernias, elderly patients, or obese patients. Although there are some reports indicating that reinforcement with mesh is effective, there are differing opinions regarding the use thereof. The aim of this study is to investigate whether mesh reinforcement is effective for laparoscopic fundoplication in patients with esophageal hiatus hernias. METHODS: The subjects included 280 patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication as the initial surgery for giant esophageal hiatal hernias, elderly patients aged 75 years or older, and obese patients with a BMI of 28 or higher, who were considered at risk of recurrent hiatal hernias based on the previous reports. Of the subject patients, 91 cases without mesh and 86 cases following the stabilization of mesh use were extracted to compare the postoperative course including the pathology, symptom scores, surgical outcome, and recurrence of esophageal hiatus hernias. RESULTS: The preoperative conditions indicated that the degree of esophageal hiatal hernias was high in the mesh group (p = 0.0001), while the preoperative symptoms indicated that the score of heartburn was high in the non-mesh group (p = 0.0287). Although the surgical results indicated that the mesh group underwent a longer operation time (p < 0.0001) and a higher frequency of intraoperative complications (p = 0.037), the rate of recurrence of esophageal hiatal hernia was significantly low (p = 0.049), with the rate of postoperative reflux esophagitis also tending to be low (p = 0.083). CONCLUSIONS: Mesh reinforcement in laparoscopic fundoplication for esophageal hiatal hernias contributes to preventing the recurrence of esophageal hiatal hernias when it comes to patient options based on these criteria.

The pathological conditions and surgical outcomes depending on the degree of hernia in the intra-thoracic stomach.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the number of patients requiring surgery for intra-thoracic stomach (ITS) has been increasing due to the effects of obesity and gibbus due to aging. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of the degree of hernia on the pathological conditions and surgical outcomes in ITS patients. METHODS: ITS was defined as cases in which over 50% of the stomach had deviated into the mediastinum by esophagogastric fluoroscopy and/or computed tomography, with 65 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery as the initial surgery included. We compared the pathological conditions and surgical outcomes by dividing the subjects into 3 groups: Group A: 50%- < 75%; Group B: 75%- < 100%; and Group C: 100% (upside-down stomach), depending on the degree of deviation into the mediastinum of the stomach. RESULTS: The breakdown of patients was 33 in Group A, 21 in Group B, and 11 in Group C. Regarding the preoperative pathological conditions, Group C had a high body mass index (BMI) and a low score for factor V according to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (p = 0.0109, p = 0.0062, respectively). While the surgical results indicated that the operation time was extended depending on the degree of hernia (p = 0.0051), there was no marked difference in other surgical outcomes or the postoperative course among the three groups, with a high degree of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of ITS, although the operation time was extended depending on the degree of the hernia, the surgical outcomes were the same, and overall good results were obtained.

Correlation between our symptom-based scoring system and the Eckardt score for assessing patients with esophageal achalasia.

PURPOSE: The Eckardt score (ES) is a famous scoring system used for assessing achalasia patients. We studied the correlation between our scoring system and the ES and examined the relationship between each score and the pathophysiology of achalasia. METHODS: The subjects were 143 patients with diagnosed achalasia. We assessed the frequency and degree of dysphagia, regurgitation (vomiting), and chest pain on a 5-point scale from 0 to 4, with the product of the frequency and degree score defined as each symptom score (0-16). The sum of the three symptom scores was the Total Symptom Score (TSS). We then studied the correlation between the TSS and the ES, including whether these scores reflected the pathophysiology. RESULTS: The median scores were 20 for TSS and 6 for the ES, indicating a high correlation between the two scores (r = 0.7280, p < 0.0001). A relationship was found between the morphologic type and both scores (TSS: p = 0.002, ES: p = 0.0036). On creating a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the Straight type and each score, the AUC was 0.6740 for TSS and 0.6628 for ES. CONCLUSIONS: A high positive correlation was found between the TSS and the ES. Both scoring systems reflected the morphologic type well, demonstrating that the TSS was a scoring system comparable to the ES.

Relationship between esophageal achalasia subtypes and esophageal clearance.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and pathological evaluation of esophageal achalasia have been improved dramatically by the development of high-resolution manometry. It is currently known to be divided into three subtypes. However, the differences between subtypes in terms of esophageal clearance remain unclear. AIMS: To compare the pathology of subtypes in patients with esophageal achalasia from the perspective of esophageal clearance. METHODS: We classified the patients diagnosed with esophageal achalasia into three subtypes based on the high-resolution manometry findings and compared the patient background, esophagography findings, esophageal manometry findings, timed barium esophagogram (TBE) findings, and their symptoms. We also calculated the esophageal clearance rate from TBE to investigate the relationship with the subtypes. RESULTS: There were 71 cases of Type I, 140 cases of Type II, and 10 cases of Type III. No differences by subtype were found in patient background or symptoms. Regarding the esophageal manometry findings, the integrated relaxation pressure was high in Type II (p = 0.0006). The esophagography revealed a mild degree of esophageal flexion in Type III (p = 0.0022) and a high degree of esophageal dilation in Type I and II (p = 0.0227). The esophageal clearance rate in descending order was: Type III, II, and I (height: p = 0.0302, width: p = 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: The subtypes by high-resolution manometry diagnosis had an association with the esophagography findings and best reflected the esophageal clearance, with no correlation to the patient backgrounds and symptoms.

Risk factors for the occurrence of peptic esophagitis following laparoscopic Heller-Dor surgery for esophageal achalasia.

Peptic esophagitis can occur as a complication of laparoscopic Heller-Dor surgery (LHD) among patients with esophageal achalasia. The goal of this study was to identify the characteristics of patients who have developed peptic esophagitis following LHD surgery along with the risk factors associated with the occurrence of peptic esophagitis. Among the 447 cases consisting of esophageal achalasia patients who underwent LHD as the primary surgery, we compared the patient background, pathophysiology, symptoms, and surgical outcomes according to whether or not peptic esophagitis occurred following surgery. We also attempted to use univariate and multivariate analyses to identify the risk factors for peptic esophagitis occurring following surgery. Esophagitis following surgery was confirmed in 67 cases (15.0%). With respect to the patient backgrounds for cases in which peptic esophagitis had occurred, a significantly higher number were male patients, with a significantly high occurrence of mucosal perforation during surgery in terms of surgical outcomes, along with a high occurrence of esophageal hiatal hernias in terms of postoperative course (P = 0.045, 0.041, and 0.022, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in terms of age, BMI, disease duration, preoperative symptoms, esophageal manometric findings, esophageal barium findings, and esophageal clearance. A multivariate analysis indicated independent risk factors for the occurrence of peptic esophagitis following LHD as being male, the occurrence of mucosal perforation during surgery, and the occurrence of esophageal hiatal hernias. Peptic esophagitis occurred following LHD in 15% of cases. Independent risk factors for the occurrence of peptic esophagitis following LHD included being male, the occurrence of mucosal perforation during surgery, and the occurrence of esophageal hiatal hernias following surgery.

Is an objective evaluation essential for determining the therapeutic effect of laparoscopic surgery among patients with esophageal achalasia?

BACKGROUND: Despite a high degree of satisfaction with laparoscopic Heller-Dor surgery (LHD) for esophageal achalasia, some cases show no improvement in postoperative esophageal clearance. We investigated whether an objective evaluation is essential for determining the therapeutic effect of LHD. METHODS: We investigated the difference in symptoms, regarding esophageal clearance, using timed barium esophagogram (TBE), in 306 esophageal achalasia patients with high postoperative satisfaction who underwent LHD. Furthermore, these patients were divided into two groups, in accordance with the difference in postoperative esophageal clearance, in order to compare the preoperative pathophysiology, symptoms, and surgical results. RESULTS: Although the poor postoperative esophageal clearance group (117 cases, 38%) was mostly male and the ratio of Sigmoid type was high compared to the good postoperative esophageal clearance group (p = 0.046, p = 0.001, respectively); in patients with high surgical satisfaction, there was no difference in terms of preoperative symptom scores and surgical results. However, although the satisfaction level was high in the poor esophageal clearance group, the scores in terms of the postoperative dysphagia and vomiting were high (p = 0.0018 and p = 0.004, respectively). The AUC was 0.9842 upon ROC analysis regarding the presence or absence of clearance at 2 min following postoperative TBE and the postoperative feeling of difficulty swallowing score, with a cut-off value of 2 points (sensitivity: 88%, specificity: 100%) in cases with a high degree of surgical satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The esophageal clearance ability can be predicted by subjective evaluation, based on the postoperative symptom scores; so, an objective evaluation is not essential in cases with high surgical satisfaction.

Therapeutic effect of laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD-related disease in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: It is anticipated that surgical treatment for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the elderly will increase. This time, using propensity score matching, we examined the results of laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) for GERD-related diseases in the elderly. METHODS: Of 302 cases which underwent initial LF for GERD-related diseases during the period from June 2008 to February 2019, we classified them into elderly (65 years of age or older) and non-elderly groups (64 years of age or younger). 57 cases each were extracted upon performing propensity score matching regarding five factors including: gender; body mass index; esophageal hiatal hernia; extent of reflux esophagitis; and the use of mesh. RESULTS: With regard to the preoperative disease status, the pH < 4 holding time was indicated as 2.8% (0.5-10.7%) in the elderly group and 3.4% (0.6-8.0%) in the non-elderly group, with no difference in terms of the illness period as well (p = 0.889 and p = 0.263, respectively). Although there was no difference in terms of the operative time (155 vs. 139 min, p = 0.092) and estimated blood loss (both â‰’ 0 ml, p = 0.298), postoperative hospital stay was prolonged in the elderly group [7 (7-9) vs. 7 (7-7), p = 0.007]. On the other hand, esophageal hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, and acid reflux time in the esophagus were all improved following surgery in both groups (p < 0.001 in both groups). CONCLUSION: The treatment results of LF for GERD-related diseases in the elderly were as good as those in the non-elderly, indicating possible safe implementation.

Redo laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication versus rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy for esophageal achalasia after failed Heller myotomy: a single-institution experience.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure and rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy for patients with failed Heller myotomy. METHODS: We identified patients who had undergone redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure or rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy from August 1996 to September 2019 and assessed the patients' characteristics, timed barium swallow results, symptom scores before/after surgery, surgical outcomes, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Eleven patients underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure, and 14 underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy. Blood loss (p = 0.001) and intraoperative complications rate (p = 0.003) were lower and the operative time (p > 0.001) and observation period (p = 0.009) shorter in patients who underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy than in patients who underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. Patients who underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy had a higher rate of postoperative reflux esophagitis (p = 0.033) than those who underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. After the interventions, the dysphagia symptoms were improved for both groups. Furthermore, both groups expressed satisfaction with their respective procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy was associated with better surgical outcomes than redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor for patients with failed Heller myotomy. However, rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy had higher rates of postoperative reflux esophagitis.

The patient characteristics of esophageal carcinoma following laparoscopic myotomy for esophageal achalasia.

BACKGROUND: It is common knowledge that esophageal achalasia patients have a high risk of developing esophageal carcinoma. The present study assessed the characteristics of esophageal carcinoma patients following laparoscopic Heller-Dor surgery (LHD) for esophageal achalasia. METHOD: Among 622 cases which were esophageal achalasia patients and underwent LHD as the primary surgery, we compared the patient background, pathophysiology, symptoms, and surgical outcomes according to whether or not esophageal carcinoma occurred following surgery. RESULTS: Six cases (0.96%) of postoperative esophageal carcinoma were confirmed. The characteristics of the cases in which esophageal carcinoma occurred were older age, longer disease duration (p = 0.0362 and 0.0028, respectively), decreased sphincter pressure of the lower esophagus, a high rate of sigmoid esophagus, and a long esophagus lateral diameter (p = 0.0214, 0.001, and 0.0416, respectively). Moreover, no differences in surgical outcomes were confirmed and there were no differences in symptoms from before and following surgery. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of esophageal carcinoma patients with achalasia following laparoscopic myotomy were an older age, longer disease duration, and greater progression of disease pathophysiology.

Therapeutic effect of laparoscopic fundoplication for patients with GERD from the viewpoint of Lyon Consensus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Lyon Consensus was conducted in 2017, leading to a revision of the diagnostic criteria of GERD. Conclusive GERD was defined as cases in which the distal esophageal acid exposure time (AET) is greater than 6% and there exists either peptic esophagitis, constriction, or long-segment Barrett's mucosa with a Los Angeles classification of grade C or D. Borderline GERD is defined as cases in which AET is between 4 and 6% and there exists peptic esophagitis with a Los Angeles classification of either grade A or B. All other cases were defined as Inconclusive GERD. We conducted a retrospective investigation of the treatment results of laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) for GERD according to the Lyon Consensus and evaluated whether or not it is an effective treatment predictor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From among the cases of primary LF conducted on patients with GERD-related illnesses at our university hospital from June 2008 to March 2020, the subjects included 215 individuals who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and 24 h multichannel intraluminal impedance pH (MII-pH) testing prior to surgery. We compared the pathophysiology of the Conclusive GERD Group (Group A), Borderline GERD Group (Group B), and Inconclusive GERD Group (Group C), and then investigated the treatment results of each group. We used AFP classification for pathophysiological evaluation. For the acid reflux evaluation, we conducted MII-pH measurements using Sleuth, manufactured by Sandhill. The postoperative evaluation period was set to 3 months following surgery. The data are expressed using median values, with a statistical significance defined as p < 0.05 using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Group A: 92 cases (43%, male 69 cases, age 57), Group B: 48 cases (22%, male 20 cases, age 52), and Group C: 75 cases (35%, male 69 cases, age 57). Regarding the patient backgrounds, while there were no significant differences in terms of gender or disease duration, those in Group A were significantly older than the other two groups, and there was a significant difference in Body Mass Index (BMI) between Group A and Group C. The results of each factor were: A factor (1 vs.1 vs. 1, p < 0.001), F factor (2 vs. 0 vs. 0, p < 0.001), and P factor (2 vs. 1 vs. 0, p < 0.001), with AET of 10.0 vs. 2.9 vs. 0.6, p < 0.001, and the disease had progressed more in Group A. There were also no differences in terms of surgical methods, hemorrhage volume, and intraoperative/postoperative complications; however, the use of mesh was higher and surgery duration was longer in Group A. There were obvious improvements in the A, F, and P factors and AET of each group following surgery (other than F and P of Group C, p < 0.001). The rate of recurrence was 15% in Group A, 8% in Group B, and 6% in Group C. It tended to be higher in Group A, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The classification of GERD pathophysiology based on the Lyon Consensus is satisfactory, with no significant differences in the rate of effect of LF. The Lyon Consensus is effective for ascertaining the severity and pathophysiology of GERD; however, we were unable to forecast the treatment results of LF.

Effects of the preoperative IRP values on the pathophysiology of patients with esophageal achalasia and on the treatment outcome of laparoscopic Heller-Dor surgery.

PURPOSE: One diagnostic criterion of esophageal achalasia is that the integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) measured by high-resolution manometry (HRM) is at least 15 mmHg. Moreover, while the standard surgical treatment for esophageal achalasia is laparoscopic Heller-Dor surgery (LHD), there have been insufficient investigations concerning the surgical outcomes from the perspective of the preoperative IRP value. METHODS: We split 121 cases in which LHD was performed as an initial treatment on patients with esophageal achalasia, into two categories according to the IRP median value, and performed a comparative investigation of the surgical outcomes with regard to the preoperative pathophysiology and symptoms. RESULTS: The IRP median value was 29.6 mmHg. The high IRP group consisted of younger individuals and low BMI (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0273, respectively), and the percentage of Chicago classification Type II and III was high (p = 0.029) and the regurgitation score in the preoperative symptoms was high (p = 0.0043). However, no differences in the surgical outcomes were confirmed. CONCLUSION: In patients with esophageal achalasia, the degree of the preoperative IRP value affects the age, BMI, preoperative LESP, and preoperative regurgitation symptoms. However, there were no effects on the surgical outcomes, with the surgical outcomes being satisfactory, regardless of the IRP value.

Factors affecting the treatment outcomes of laparoscopic fundoplication for erosive reflux esophagitis: findings of esophageal pathological function tests.

PURPOSE: To identify the factors that affect laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) treatment efficacy in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (e-GERD) esophagitis, based on the findings of multichannel intraluminal impedance pH (MII-pH) and high-resolution manometry (HRM). METHODS: The subjects were 102 patients with e-GERD diagnosed by endoscopy, who underwent LF as the initial surgery. To analyze the findings of MII-pH and HRM, the patients were divided into two groups: a cured group (CR), comprised of patients whose esophagitis was cured postoperatively; and a recurrence group (RE), comprised of patients who suffered recurrent esophagitis. RESULTS: There were 96 patients in the CR group and 6 in the RE group. MII-pH indicated that the acid reflux time, the longest reflux time, and the number of refluxes longer than 5 min, were significantly higher in the RE group than in the CR group (p = 0.0028, p = 0.0008, p = 0.012, respectively). The HRM indicated that only the distal contractile integral (DCI) was significantly lower in the RE group (p = 0.0109). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that esophageal clearance may affect the treatment outcome of LF. Based on the findings of MII-pH, the longest reflux time and the number of refluxes longer than 5 min were important factors influencing the therapeutic effect, whereas based on the HRM, the DCI value was most important.

Optimal cutoff value of integrated relaxation pressure on the esophagogastric junction to detect outflow obstruction using starlet high-resolution manometry system.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) are idiopathic esophageal motility disorders characterized by impaired deglutitive relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). High-resolution manometry (HRM) provides integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) which represents adequacy of LES relaxation. The Starlet HRM system is widely used in Japan; however, IRP values in achalasia/EGJOO patients assessed with the Starlet system have not been well studied. We propose the optimal cutoff of IRP for detecting achalasia/EGJOO using the Starlet system. METHODS: Patients undergone HRM test using the Starlet system at our institution between July 2018 and September 2020 were included. Of these, we included patients with either achalasia or EGJOO and those who had normal esophageal motility without hiatal hernia. Abnormally impaired LES relaxation (i.e., achalasia and EGJOO) was diagnosed if prolonged esophageal emptying was evident based on timed barium esophagogram (TBE). RESULTS: A total of 111 patients met study criteria. Of these, 48 patients were diagnosed with achalasia (n = 45 [type I, n = 20; type II, n = 22; type III, n = 3]) or EGJOO (n = 3). In the 48 patients who had a prolonged esophageal clearance based on TBE, IRP values distributed along a wide-range of minimal 14.1 to a maximal of 72.2 mmHg. The optimal cutoff value of IRP was 24.7 mmHg with sensitivity of 89.6% and specificity of 84.1% (AUC 0.94). CONCLUSION: The optimal cutoff value of IRP to distinguish achalasia/EGJOO was ≥ 25 mmHg using the Starlet HRM system in our cohort. This indicates that the current proposed cutoff of 26 mmHg appears to be relevant.

The evaluation of the dilation-degree classification of esophageal achalasia patients from the viewpoint of esophageal clearance.

PURPOSE: To examine whether or not we could propose a more appropriate dilation-degree classification suitable for the pathological condition of patients with esophageal achalasia. METHODS: In accordance with the current dilation-degree classification, the maximum dilated diameter was measured based on the esophageal barium swallow. The relationship between the pathophysiology and dilation-degree classification was examined. Furthermore, the current dilatation-degree classification from the viewpoint of esophageal clearance was evaluated to examine whether or not a more appropriate dilatation-degree classification could be proposed. RESULTS: Because the clearance ratio tended to decrease at a maximum expansion diameter of 80 mm, when the maximum dilated diameter was divided into units of 10 mm, they were classified into two groups, with 80 mm as the boundary. As a result, the illness period was significantly prolonged (p = 0.0045) and the frequency of sigmoid type was high (p < 0.001) for lengths of ≥ 80 mm. With regard to the esophageal clearance rate, the clearance rate was significantly decreased in patients with a diameter of ≥ 80 mm at 5 min after taking barium (p = 0.0229). CONCLUSIONS: From the viewpoint of esophageal clearance, classification into 2 groups with a boundary of 80 mm may reflect the pathological condition.

Comparison of Needlescopic and Conventional Laparoscopic Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Related Diseases: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Background: Recently, in pursuit of minimal invasion, needlescopic surgery (NS) using forceps thinner than the previous standard has garnered attention as a surgical approach to various diseases. Objective: We compared the outcomes of NS for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related diseases with the conventional method using propensity score-matched analysis. Subjects and Methods: Among 205 of 328 cases who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for the first time from June 2008 to December 2019, excluding 115 cases using mesh and 8 cases undergoing reduced port surgery, 25 subjects in the NS group and 25 subjects in the conventional group were extracted upon propensity score matching for six factors: age, gender, body mass index, degree of esophageal hiatal hernia, duration of intraesophageal acid reflux, and severity of reflux esophagitis. Results: The NS group used the Toupet method, whereas the conventional group used the Nissen method for 2 cases and the Toupet method for 23 cases. There were no significant differences between them (P = .490). Although the operative time (143 versus 112 minutes, P = .038) was longer in the NS group, there were no differences in the bleeding volume (nearly equal at 0 mL in both groups), laparotomy conversion rate, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications (P = .588, P = 1.000, P = 1.000, P = 1.000, respectively). There was also no significant difference in recurrence: 2 cases in the conventional group (8%) and 1 case in the NS group (4%) (P = 1.000). Moreover, the degree of esophageal hiatal hernia, the severity of reflux esophagitis, and the duration of intraesophageal acid reflux all improved after the surgery in both groups (NS group: P = .001, P < .001, P = .002; conventional group: P = .007, P < .001, P = .003). Conclusions: The short-term outcomes of NS for GERD-related diseases were good, with a longer operative time but no difference in terms of safety or outcomes compared with the conventional method. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Jikei University School of Medicine [30-238 (9259)].

Is esophageal manometry essential for the diagnosis of achalasia? Identifying patients with achalasia by the esophageal clearance method.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Achalasia is a disease characterized by inadequate relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and impaired peristalsis, for which esophageal motor function testing is essential in making a definitive diagnosis. However, the diffusion rate of esophageal pressure testing in Japan is low. We, therefore, examined whether achalasia could be identified by esophageal clearance testing with low-density barium (Timed Barium Esophagogram: TBE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 126 cases (62 males, median age of 46 years), excluding those who had not undergone TBE during their initial laparoscopic Heller-Dor surgery, were chosen as the subjects from among those who were diagnosed with achalasia from November 2012 when HRM was introduced. The type of dilation, maximum esophageal transverse diameter, and esophageal clearance measurements by TBE were retrospectively examined. With respect to TBE, 200 mL of 45 weight% low-density barium was ingested as quickly as possible, after which the barium column heights (H0, H1, H2, and H5) were measured 1 min, 2 min, and 5 min following ingestion. RESULTS: The types of dilation indicated included: straight type (105 cases, 83%); sigmoid type (20 cases, 16%); and advanced sigmoid type (1 case, 1%). The maximum transverse diameter of the esophagus was 45 (34-54) mm, with Grade I (d < 30 mm) in 33 cases, Grade II (35 mm < d < 60 mm) in 75 cases, and Grade III (d < 60 mm) in 18 cases. The values for H0, H1, H2, and H5 were 162 (117-201) mm, 142 (98-199) mm, 130 (94-183) mm, and 119 (77-178) mm, respectively. 114 cases (90.5%) were not cleared after 5 min, while 12 cases (9.5%) were cleared by 5 min later (H1 = 0 + H2 = 0 + H5 = 0) and 7 cases (5.6%) by 2 min later (H1 = 0 + H2 = 0), with only 6 cases (4.8%) having complete clearance within 1 min (H1 = 0). Moreover, the degree of dilatation in patients with complete clearance within 1 min was three patients (2.4%) each for Grade I and Grade II, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 2.4% of achalasia cases had mostly normal esophageal clearance and no esophageal dilation. Based on the state of esophageal clearance by TBE and the maximum transverse diameter of the esophagus, it seems by and large possible to identify achalasia cases.

Over ten-year outcomes of laparoscopic Heller-myotomy with Dor-fundoplication with achalasia: single-center experience with annual endoscopic surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Heller-myotomy with Dor-fundoplication (LHD) is the standard surgical treatment for achalasia; however, surgical outcomes over a period greater than 10 years have not been well-explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of LHD for achalasia based on a single-center experience. METHODS: Patients who underwent LHD between 1994 and 2019 were included. Of these, we excluded patients who had undergone foregut surgery or whose follow-up data were unavailable. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) findings and postoperative persistent and/or recurrent symptoms had been assessed annually. Disease-free rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 530 patients (mean age 45.0 years with 267 men) were included. The median follow-up period was 50.5 months. More than 10 years' data were available in 78 patients (14.7%). The cumulative rates of freedom from dysphagia, vomiting, chest pain, and Eckardt score > 3 at 10 years after LHD were 80.1%, 97.5%, 96.3%, and 73.5%, respectively. Probability of esophagitis during 10 years after surgery was 34.4% of patients based on Kaplan-Meier estimation. Approximately 3/4th of patients who had post-LHD esophagitis showed mild esophagitis of Los Angeles classification grade A. Fifteen patients (2.8%) were required a revision of primary LHD. Six patients (1.2%) developed esophageal cancer with an incidence was as high as 219.8/100,000 person-year. All patients with esophageal cancer were found to have early stage tumors that were successfully resected. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic relief post-LHD lasted for over 10 years. The incidence rate of esophageal cancer was high. Regular EGD surveillance seems to be helpful for early detection of esophageal cancer early.