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Strictures
Kinds of Strictures Terms modified by Strictures Selected AbstractsENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF BILIARY and PANCREATIC DUCTS STRICTURESDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2004Hiroyuki Maguchi ABSTRACT Endoscopic treatment is applied to a relatively large number of biliary and pancreatic duct strictures, and is a practical matter. It is essential to select the most appropriate treatment for each lesion. For instance, when treating malignant biliary stricture, accurate diagnosis of whether surgical treatment is required or not is vital; and in choosing a stent for an inoperable case, location of the stricture, with or without anticancer treatment, prognosis, and management of possible post-stenting re-stricture must be taken into consideration. For benign strictures, not only short-term results in mobility and motality, but also decades of long-term results must be cautiously questioned. Bearing these in mind, we need to accumulate the worldwide data of the treatments and establish a proper treatment guideline. [source] ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF BILIARY STRICTURESDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2004Yoshitsugu Kubota ABSTRACT Endoscopic stenting, due to being less invasive, is feasible for most patients with biliary strictures; however, presumed efficacy should be balanced against the procedure-related morbidities for an individual patient. Self-expandable metallic stents have a longer patency, but are not retrievable. Therefore, the use of self-expandable metallic stents should be limited to those with unequivocal findings of unresectable malignancy. Plastic stents are indicated for strictures due to benign etiologies and equivocal malignancy. Endoscopic stenting for hilar biliary stricture is challenging. Bilateral hepatic drainage seems ideal but is often demanding to achieve with endoscopic technique, and contrast injection into undrained segments may pose a substantial risk for cholangitis and aggravate prognosis. Therefore, the extent of drainage should be balanced against the procedure-related complications. Preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography may help determine feasibility of bilateral drainage or an ,intended and selective drainage' with a single stent and might obviate the possible morbidities. [source] VESSEL-SPARING EXCISION AND PRIMARY ANASTOMOSIS (FOR PROXIMAL BULBAR URETHRAL STRICTURES)BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2008Robert Whitaker No abstract is available for this article. [source] Stricture associated with primary tracheoesophageal puncture after pharyngolaryngectomy and free jejunal interpositionHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 3 2006Gurston G. Nyquist MD Abstract Background. Free jejunal interposition has been one of the standard reconstructive options for patients undergoing total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy. Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) done primarily is a well-accepted means of voice restoration. The rapid recovery of swallowing and communication in patients who have advanced cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract is a valid goal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the functionality and complications of primary TEP in patients with a free jejunal interposition graft. Methods. Twenty-four consecutive patients who had free jejunal interposition were studied. Thirteen of these patients had a primary TEP. Stricture was assessed through barium swallow, laryngoscopy, and CT scan. Results. A statistically significant greater number of patients had stricture develop after primary TEP (p < .0325). All these patients had stricture develop at the distal anastomosis. These patients also tended to have a poorer quality of diet. Moreover, speech with a TEP prosthesis in patients with a free jejunal interposition was less intelligible and functional than speech with a TEP prosthesis after simple laryngectomy. Conclusions. This article recognizes an increased incidence of stricture formation after primary TEP as compared with non-TEP in patients undergoing pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal interposition. The morbidity and possible etiology of this complication are discussed. This clinical data have been translated into a change in clinical practice. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX,XXX, 2005 [source] Long-term results of endoureterotomy using a holmium laserINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 9 2007Hastuki Hibi Abstract: The long-term results of endoureterotomy using a holmium laser in cases of benign ureteral stricture, uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJ-O) and ureteroenteric stricture were evaluated. Twenty procedures were carried out in 18 patients. Strictures were incised with a holmium laser using a fiber passed through the ureteroscope. Sixteen of the 20 procedures (80%) were successful at average follow-up of 60.5 months (range, 46,74). Stricture recurred in four cases. All failures occurred within 18 months. Although stricture length was not correlated with recurrence, all failures, with the exception of a single UPJ-O, involved middle ureteral strictures. Endoureterotomy using a holmium laser affords favorable results with respect to long-term patency. This procedure is recommended as a satisfactory therapeutic option for the initial management of patients presenting with ureteral stricture. [source] In reference to A Novel Approach for Dilation of Neopharyngeal Stricture Following Total Laryngectomy Using the Tracheoesophageal Puncture SiteTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 5 2009William J. Richtsmeier MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Moderator's Comment: Controversies in Endoscopic Stenting for Biliary and Pancreatic Duct Strictures*DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2000Kazuo Inui No abstract is available for this article. [source] Technique of endoscopic retrograde puncture and dilatation of total esophageal stenosis in patients with radiation-induced stricturesHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 2 2004Ronald J. Lew MD Abstract Background. Complete esophageal stenosis can occur after external beam radiation therapy for malignancies. Treatment for this complication has traditionally involved surgery. Methods. A new technique to reestablish luminal patency is described. This minimally invasive technique involves retrograde endoscopy by means of gastrostomy tube tract and puncture of the stenotic occlusion followed by stricture dilatation. The procedure is performed under combined endoscopic and laryngoscopic guidance. Results. Five consecutive patients who had complete esophageal stenoses develop after radiation therapy for malignant disease underwent retrograde endoscopy by way of gastrostomy tube tracts. Stenoses were punctured under endoscopic and laryngoscopic guidance with guide wires. Strictures were dilated with wire-guided balloons or polyvinyl dilators. Luminal patency was established in all patients using this technique without procedural complications. Conclusions. Endoscopic retrograde puncture and dilatation of total esophageal stenoses is safe, effective, and useful to reestablish luminal patency for radiation-induced strictures. This technique should be attempted before more invasive treatments. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck26: 179,183, 2004 [source] Long-term results of endoureterotomy using a holmium laserINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 9 2007Hastuki Hibi Abstract: The long-term results of endoureterotomy using a holmium laser in cases of benign ureteral stricture, uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJ-O) and ureteroenteric stricture were evaluated. Twenty procedures were carried out in 18 patients. Strictures were incised with a holmium laser using a fiber passed through the ureteroscope. Sixteen of the 20 procedures (80%) were successful at average follow-up of 60.5 months (range, 46,74). Stricture recurred in four cases. All failures occurred within 18 months. Although stricture length was not correlated with recurrence, all failures, with the exception of a single UPJ-O, involved middle ureteral strictures. Endoureterotomy using a holmium laser affords favorable results with respect to long-term patency. This procedure is recommended as a satisfactory therapeutic option for the initial management of patients presenting with ureteral stricture. [source] Risk Factors for and Clinical Course of Non-Anastomotic Biliary Strictures After Liver TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2003Maureen M. J. Guichelaar Non-anastomotic biliary stricture (NAS) formation is a major complication of liver transplantation. We prospectively determined the time to development of responsiveness to treatment, and clinical outcomes following NAS formation. In addition, an extensive analysis of the association of recipient, donor, and clinical variables with NAS formation was performed. A total of 749 consecutive patients was studied in a prospective, protocol-based fashion. Seventy-two patients (9.6%) developed NAS at a mean of 23.6 ± 34.2 weeks post-transplantation. Non-anastomotic biliary stricture formation resolved in only 6% of affected patients. Although patient survival was not affected, retransplantation and graft loss rates were significantly greater in recipients who developed NAS. In contrast to previous reports, a pretransplant diagnosis of HCV was associated with a low frequency of NAS formation. The incidence of NAS was independently associated with pretransplant diagnoses of PSC and autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatic artery thrombosis, and prolonged warm and cold ischemia times were also independent risk factors for NAS formation. We conclude that NAS developed in ,10% of primary liver transplant recipients. A pretransplant diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis has been identified as a novel independent risk factor for NAS formation. Development of NAS significantly attenuates graft but not patient survival. [source] Factors affecting outcome in liver resectionHPB, Issue 3 2005CEDRIC S. F. LORENZO Abstract Background. Studies demonstrate an inverse relationship between institution/surgeon procedural volumes and patient outcomes. Similar studies exist for liver resections, which recommend referral of patients for liver resections to ,high-volume' centers. These studies did not elucidate the factors that underlie such outcomes. We believe there exists a complex interaction of patient-related and perioperative factors that determine patient outcomes after liver resection. We sought to delineate these factors. Methods. Retrospective review of 114 liver resections by a single surgeon from 1993,2003: Records were reviewed for demographics; diagnosis; type/year of surgery; American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score; preoperative albumin, creatinine, and bilirubin; operative time; intraoperative blood transfusions; epidural use; and intraoperative hypotension. Main outcome measurements were postoperative morbidities, mortalities and length of stay (LOS). Data were analyzed using a multivariate linear regression model (SPSS v10.1 statistical analysis program). Results. Primary indications for resections were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (N=57), metastatic colorectal cancer (N=25), and benign disease (N=18). There were no intraoperative mortalities and 4 perioperative (30-day) mortalities (3.5%). Mortality occurred in patients with malignancies who were older than 50 years. Morbidity was higher in malignant (15.6%) versus benign (5.5%) disease. Complications included bile leak/stricture (N=6), liver insufficiency (N=3), postoperative bleeding (N=2), myocardial infarction (N=2), aspiration pneumonia (N=1), renal insufficiency (N=1), and cancer implantation into the wound (N=1). Average LOS for all resections was 8.6 days. Longer operative time (p=0.04), lower albumin (p<0.001), higher ASA score (p<0.001), no epidural use (p=0.04), and higher creatinine (p<0.001) all correlated positively with longer LOS. ASA score and creatinine were the strongest predictors of LOS. LOS was not affected by patient age, sex, diagnosis, presence of malignancy, intraoperative transfusion requirements, intraoperative hypotension, preoperative bilirubin, case volume per year or year of surgery. Conclusions. Liver resections can be performed with low mortality/morbidity and with acceptable LOS by an experienced liver surgeon. Outcome as measured by LOS is most influenced by patient comorbidities entering into surgery. Annual case volume did not influence LOS and had no impact on patient safety. Length of stay may not reflect surgeon/institution performance, as LOS is multifactorial and likely related to patient population, patient selection and increased high-risk cases with a surgeon's experience. [source] SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT OF SELF-EXPANDABLE METALLIC STENTS FOR DOUBLE COLORECTAL CANCERSDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 4 2006Tsuyoshi Abe Stent placement for the palliation of unresectable colon cancer is an alternative to surgical treatment that has recently become popular. A dedicated stent for colorectal cancer is not available in Japan. We report a patient with two colonic obstructions who underwent a successful palliative treatment using two stents. He was admitted to Toho University Ohashi Medical Center because of ileus. A colonoscopy revealed two advanced lesions with stenosis in the sigmoid and transverse colon. Because he had multiple liver metastases and severe Alzheimer dementia, we selected palliative stent placement for the treatment of both strictures. We placed a covered stent in the sigmoid colon stricture and subsequently attempted to place a second stent in the transverse colon stricture. However, the second stent could not be placed in the transverse colon because the modified delivery system could not pass through the first stent in the sigmoid colon. This probably led to a twisting of the stent in the sigmoid colon. We next used the 24 F introducer sheath that is included in Keller-Timmermans Introducer Sets. This strategy allowed the modified delivery system to be easily passed through the initial stent in the sigmoid colon and then advanced into the transverse colon stricture, enabling both stents to be positioned properly. [source] ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF BILIARY and PANCREATIC DUCTS STRICTURESDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2004Hiroyuki Maguchi ABSTRACT Endoscopic treatment is applied to a relatively large number of biliary and pancreatic duct strictures, and is a practical matter. It is essential to select the most appropriate treatment for each lesion. For instance, when treating malignant biliary stricture, accurate diagnosis of whether surgical treatment is required or not is vital; and in choosing a stent for an inoperable case, location of the stricture, with or without anticancer treatment, prognosis, and management of possible post-stenting re-stricture must be taken into consideration. For benign strictures, not only short-term results in mobility and motality, but also decades of long-term results must be cautiously questioned. Bearing these in mind, we need to accumulate the worldwide data of the treatments and establish a proper treatment guideline. [source] ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF BILIARY STRICTURESDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2004Yoshitsugu Kubota ABSTRACT Endoscopic stenting, due to being less invasive, is feasible for most patients with biliary strictures; however, presumed efficacy should be balanced against the procedure-related morbidities for an individual patient. Self-expandable metallic stents have a longer patency, but are not retrievable. Therefore, the use of self-expandable metallic stents should be limited to those with unequivocal findings of unresectable malignancy. Plastic stents are indicated for strictures due to benign etiologies and equivocal malignancy. Endoscopic stenting for hilar biliary stricture is challenging. Bilateral hepatic drainage seems ideal but is often demanding to achieve with endoscopic technique, and contrast injection into undrained segments may pose a substantial risk for cholangitis and aggravate prognosis. Therefore, the extent of drainage should be balanced against the procedure-related complications. Preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography may help determine feasibility of bilateral drainage or an ,intended and selective drainage' with a single stent and might obviate the possible morbidities. [source] Cancer Cell Exfoliation by Preoperative Colonoscopic ExaminationDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 4 2000Yuichi Tomiki Background: Colonoscopic contact and repeated biopsies have been associated with an increased risk of cancer cell dissemination. We examined whether exfoliated cancer cells were detected during preoperative colonoscopic examination in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: Twenty-five patients with colorectal cancer were studied. Samples were collected by four methods: intestinal lavage solution, endoscope tip, forceps channel (n = 22) and biopsy forceps (n = 3). The collected suspensions were centrifuged, fixed in 95% ethanol, stained with Papanicolaou stain and examined microscopically. Viability of the exfoliated cancer cells was studied in five patients. Samples obtained by endoscope tip and forceps channel were suspended in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum stained with trypan blue or fluorescent dye and examined. Results: Exfoliated cancer cells were detected in 18 of 25 patients (72%). The detection rate was 45.5% in intestinal lavage solution, 68.2% at the endoscope tip and 81.8% in the forceps channel. The detection rate of exfoliated cancer cells adhering to the colonoscope depended on endoscopic contact (P = 0.009). Trypan blue staining and fluorescent staining confirmed the presence of viable cells among the exfoliated cancer cells. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that cancer cells were exfoliated when the colonoscope passed through a stricture and after biopsy or passage of a colonoscope through a stricture, further manipulation of lesions should be avoided to reduce the risk of implantation metastasis. [source] Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of endoscopic low-pressure liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy in the esophagusDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 1 2010Bruce D. Greenwald SUMMARY Endoscopic cryotherapy is a new technique for ablation of esophageal dysplasia and neoplasia. Preliminary studies have shown it to be safe and effective for this indication. The objective of this study is to characterize safety, tolerability, and efficacy of low-pressure liquid nitrogen endoscopic spray cryotherapy ablation in a large cohort across multiple study sites. Parallel prospective treatment studies at four tertiary care academic medical centers in the U.S. assessed spray cryotherapy in patients with Barrett's esophagus with or without dysplasia, early stage esophageal cancer, and severe squamous dysplasia who underwent cryotherapy ablation of the esophagus. All patients were contacted between 1 and 10 days after treatment to assess for side effects and complications of treatment. The main outcome measurement was the incidence of serious adverse events and side effects from treatment. Complete response for high-grade dysplasia (HGD) (CR-HGD), all dysplasia (CR-D), intestinal metaplasia (CR-IM) and cancer (CR-C) were assessed in patients completing therapy during the study period. A total of 77 patients were treated for Barrett's high-grade dysplasia (58.4%), intramucosal carcinoma (16.9%), invasive carcinoma (13%), Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia (9.1%), and severe squamous dysplasia (2.6%). Twenty-two patients (28.6%) reported no side effects throughout treatment. In 323 procedures, the most common complaint was chest pain (17.6%) followed by dysphagia (13.3%), odynophagia (12.1%), and sore throat (9.6%). The mean duration of any symptoms was 3.6 days. No side effects were reported in 48% of the procedures (155/323). Symptoms did not correlate with age, gender, diagnosis, or to treatment early versus late in the patient's or site's experience. Logit analysis showed that symptoms were greater in those with a Barrett's segment of 6 cm or longer. Gastric perforation occurred in one patient with Marfan's syndrome. Esophageal stricture developed in three, all successfully treated with dilation. In 17 HGD patients, cryotherapy produced CR-HGD, CR-D, and CR-IM of 94%, 88%, and 53%, respectively. Complete regression of cancer and HGD was seen in all seven patients with intramucosal carcinoma or stage I esophageal cancer. Endoscopic spray cryotherapy ablation using low-pressure liquid nitrogen in the esophagus is safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious. [source] Is esophagoscopy necessary for corrosive ingestion in adults?DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 8 2009Burcin Celik SUMMARY The aim of the study was to determine whether early esophagoscopy is really necessary for the patients who have ingested a corrosive agent. Patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of corrosive ingestion in our clinic between the years 1998 and 2008 were studied retrospectively. The data were collected through the medical records of the patients and from interviews with them. The analyzed parameters included age, gender, the nature and the amount of the ingested agent, whether the event was accidental or suicidal, diagnostic tools, treatment and the results of the treatment, and long-term follow up. Over a 10-year period, a total of 124 cases of corrosive ingestion cases were determined. Of these, 64 (51.6%) were male and 60 (48.4%) were female. The mean age was 38 ± 17.5 years. The most commonly ingested corrosive agents were sodium hypochlorite in 50 (40.3%) patients and hydrochloric acid in 33 (26.6%) patients. The mean admission time for the emergency department after ingestion of the corrosive agent was 2.5 ± 3.7 hours. Ingestion was accidental in 82% of the patients and as a result of a suicide attempt in 18%. The amount of ingested corrosive agent in the suicidal group (190 ± 208.3 mL) was higher than that of accidental group (66 ± 58.3 mL) (P= 0.012). Nine patients underwent esophagoscopy, six of which were performed in other clinical centers. Only three (2.4%) patients experienced esophageal stricture, which were treated with repeated dilatations. In the long-term follow up, we could get in touch with only 63 patients and none of them had complications due to corrosive ingestion. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 120 months (median 45 ± 29.2 months). Based on our study, early esophagoscopy appears to be unnecessary in adult patients who ingested the corrosive agent accidentally. A larger prospective study is needed to answer the question. [source] Anastomotic dilatation after repair of esophageal atresia with distal fistula.DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 2 2009Comparison of results after routine versus selective dilatation SUMMARY After repair of esophageal atresia with distal fistula (EADF), anastomotic dilatations are often required. We abandoned routine dilatations (RD), in 2002, for selective dilatations (SD) only when the symptoms arose. We compared the number of dilatations and long-term results after RD and SD. Eighty-one successive EADF patients from 1989 to 2007 (RD 46, SD 35), with primary anastomosis, native esophagus, and peroral feeding, were included. Spitz classification, birth weight, gestational age, incidence of gastroesphageal reflux, tracheomalacia, and postoperative complications did not differ statistically significantly between the groups whereas the total incidence of associated anomalies in RD group was higher than in SD (P < 0.05) In RD group, anastomotic dilatations were begun 3 weeks postoperatively and repeated until the anastomotic diameter was 10 mm. In SD group, dilatations were performed only in symptomatic patients. The number of dilatations, dilatation-related complications, nutritional status, and outcome up to 3 years after repair were compared. The median number of dilatations was seven (2,23) in RD and two (0,16) in SD group (P < 0.01). Sixteen (46%) patients in SD group had no dilatations during the first 6 months. The incidence of dysphagia, bolus obstructions, and development of nutritional status were similar between the groups. The incidence of complications/dilatation was 0.6% in RD and 1.0% in SD group. One patient in RD group underwent resection for a recalcitrant anastomotic stricture. After repair, EADF policy of SD resulted in significantly less dilatations than RD with equal long-term results. [source] The impact of endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) on esophageal cancer staging: a survey of thoracic surgeons and gastroenterologistsDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 6 2008J. T. Maple SUMMARY., Accurate staging of esophageal cancer is critical to achieving optimal treatment outcomes. End-oscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has emerged as a valuable tool for locoregional staging. However, it is unclear how different physician specialties perceive the benefit of EUS-FNA for esophageal cancer staging, and thus utilize this modality in clinical practice. A survey regarding utilization of EUS-FNA in esophageal cancer was distributed to 211 thoracic surgeons and 251 EUS-capable gastroenterologists. Seventy-six thoracic surgeons (36%) and 78 gastroenterologists (31%) responded to the survey. Most surgeons (75%) use EUS to stage potentially resectable esophageal cancer 75% of the time. Surgeons using EUS less often are less likely to have access to high-quality EUS services than their peers. Fewer surgeons believe EUS is the most accurate test for T and N-staging (84% and 71%, respectively) as compared with gastroenterologists (97% and 96%, P < 0.01 for both). Most endosonographers (68%) decide whether to dilate a malignant esophageal stricture to complete the staging exam on a case-by-case basis. Surgeons disagree as to whether involvement of celiac lymph nodes should preclude esophagectomy in distal esophageal cancer. While most thoracic surgeons have embraced EUS-FNA as the most accurate locoregional staging modality in esophageal cancer, this attitude is not fully reflected in utilization patterns due to a lack of quality EUS services in some centers. Controversial areas that warrant further study include dilation of malignant strictures to facilitate EUS staging, and the implication of involved celiac lymph nodes on management. [source] Endoscopic bougienage of benign anastomotic strictures in patients after esophageal resection: the effect of the extent of stricture on bougienage resultsDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 6 2008G. Marjanovic SUMMARY., The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the incidence of benign anastomotic strictures (BAS) in patients after esophageal resection and to examine the influence of the extent of BAS on the results of bougienage therapy. From January 2001 to July 2006, 79 patients at risk of BAS development were included in the study. BAS was diagnosed with a median delay of 8 weeks (4,26) postoperative in 23 patients (29%). A median of 4 bougienage sessions (2,20) was needed for success (success rate 100%). The mean follow-up time was 22 months [range 3,47]. There were no late recurrences of BAS. Five patients had an anastomosis diameter <5.5 mm and 14 patients >5.5 mm. There was no difference in median number of bougienage procedures in these subgroups (4.5 [2,9] vs. 4 [2,20]). Patients who presented with BAS earlier than 6 weeks postoperative had more procedures (median 8 [2,20] vs. 4 [2,9]) than those presenting later. Patients in whom first bougienage was possible to only 16 mm diameter needed more procedures than patients in whom first dilation was possible to more than 16 mm (median 5.5 [3,20] vs. 3 [2,9]). In conclusion, both early BAS development and the diameter of bougienage at first endoscopy, but not the extent of stricture, seem to be predictive factors for longer bougienage therapy. In order to influence the BAS formation early, we now routinely examine every patient after esophageal resection endoscopically in the 6th postoperative week. [source] Side-to-side stapled intra-thoracic esophagogastric anastomosis reduces the incidence of leaks and stenosisDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 1 2008D. J. Raz SUMMARY. Trans-hiatal esophagectomy with a hand-sewn anastomosis was for 2 decades the preferred approach in our institution for patients with esophageal cancer. In our experience, this anastomotic technique was associated with a 12% leak rate and a 48% rate of stricture requiring dilatation. We sought to determine if a side-to-side intra-thoracic anastomosis was associated with a lower rate of anastomotic stricture and leak. Thirty-three consecutive patients with distal esophageal cancer or Barrett's esophagus with high grade dysplasia underwent a trans-thoracic esophagectomy with a side-to-side stapled intra-thoracic anastomosis. The overall morbidity was 27%, with no anastomotic stricture or leaks. One patient died (3%). The median time to the resumption of an oral diet was 7 days (range 5,28), and the median length of stay in hospital was 9 days (range 6,45). Trans-thoracic esophagectomy with a side-to-side stapled anastomosis is safe and it is associated with a very low rate of anastomotic complications. We consider this to be the procedure of choice for patients with distal esophageal cancers. [source] Evaluation of systemic oxidative status and mononuclear leukocytes DNA damage in children with caustic esophageal strictureDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 4 2006M. Kaya SUMMARY., Esophageal stricture (ES) due to accidentally caustic digestions is a common problem in children. Mucosal damage and repeated dilatations lead to chronic inflammation and finally ES. We investigated the oxidative status and DNA damage of children with ES. Five children with ES were compared with the same age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Oxidative status of plasma was evaluated by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and total peroxide (TP) level. Anti-oxidative status of the plasma was evaluated by measuring catalase (CAT) activity, and total antioxidant response (TAR). We used the Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (also called Comet Assay) to measure DNA strand break in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. Mean MPO activity and TP levels in the ES group were significantly higher than the control group (0.83 ± 0.35, 0.09 ± 0.03 and 0.98 ± 0.38, 0.34 ± 0.20, P = 0.009 and P = 0.047 respectively). There was no significant difference in CAT activity and TAR levels between the two groups (P = 0.347). DNA damage in patients with ES was increased compared to control subjects (108.8 ± 51.2 and 57.6 ± 31.2 arbitrary units, respectively), but this difference was not significant statistically (P= 0.09). This study shows that systemic oxidative stress and alteration at the nuclear level occur in patients with ES, as a result of multiple dilatations and tissue injury. On the other hand, these results support that patients with ES may benefit from antioxidant treatment. [source] Esophageal motility changes after endoscopic intravariceal sclerotherapy with absolute alcoholDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 2 2000Ghoshal Endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST) leads to structural and motility changes in the esophagus; the former are thought to be commoner after EST with absolute alcohol (AA), which is a commonly used sclerosant in India as it is cheap and effective. There are no previous studies on changes in esophageal motility after EST with AA. Accordingly, we studied patients with portal hypertension before (n = 24) and after (n = 22) variceal obliteration by EST with AA using a water perfusion esophageal manometry system. Contraction amplitude in the distal esophagus was reduced in the post-EST group compared with the pre-EST group (63.4 ± 24.9 vs. 18.2 ± 14.3 mmHg, p < 0.01). Duration of esophageal contraction in both the proximal and distal esophagus became prolonged in the post-EST compared with the pre-EST group (3.3 ± 0.8 vs. 5.4 ± 2.6 and 4.3 ± 1.1 vs. 6.6 ± 2.3 s, p < 0.001 for both). Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was reduced in the post-EST compared with the pre-EST group, although the difference was not significant statistically. Abnormal contraction waveforms were more frequent in the post-EST group. One patient in the post-EST group had persistent dysphagia in the absence of endoscopically documented stricture at the time of manometric study. This study shows frequent occurrence of esophageal dysmotility after EST with AA; however, esophageal dysmotility after EST was infrequently associated with motor dysphagia. [source] Complete hypopharyngeal obstruction by mucosal adhesions: A complication of intensive chemoradiation for advanced head and neck cancerHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 8 2006Elizabeth J. Franzmann MD Abstract Background. Severe swallowing dysfunction is the dominant long-term complication observed in patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with treatment protocols using intensive concurrent chemotherapy with radiation therapy (chemo/XRT). We identified a subset of these patients, who were seen with complete obstruction of the hypopharynx distal to the site of the primary cancer, and in whom we postulate that the obstruction was caused by separable mucosal adhesions rather than obliteration by a mature fibrous stricture. Methods. Seven patients were referred to the senior author with a diagnosis of complete hypopharyngeal obstruction between 1992 and 2001. The diagnosis was confirmed by barium swallow imaging and/or endoscopy before referral in all patients. Patients underwent recanalization by passing a Jesberg esophagoscope under general anesthesia, followed by serial dilations and intensive swallowing therapy. Patient charts were reviewed retrospectively after institutional review board approval. Results. All seven patients were successfully recanalized. No patient had a perforation or other significant complication related to the recanalization procedure or subsequent dilations. Five of the seven patients showed improvement in swallowing at some point after the initial procedure, but just two patients recovered sufficiently to have their gastrostomy tube removed permanently. Conclusions. We conclude that complete hypopharyngeal obstruction secondary to mucosal adhesions is one cause of gastrostomy tube dependence in patients who have been treated with chemo/XRT for HNSCC. It is a difficult problem to treat, but most patients can recover useful swallowing function without undergoing laryngectomy or major surgical reconstruction. The postulated pathophysiology has implications for prevention as well as treatment. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006 [source] Stricture associated with primary tracheoesophageal puncture after pharyngolaryngectomy and free jejunal interpositionHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 3 2006Gurston G. Nyquist MD Abstract Background. Free jejunal interposition has been one of the standard reconstructive options for patients undergoing total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy. Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) done primarily is a well-accepted means of voice restoration. The rapid recovery of swallowing and communication in patients who have advanced cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract is a valid goal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the functionality and complications of primary TEP in patients with a free jejunal interposition graft. Methods. Twenty-four consecutive patients who had free jejunal interposition were studied. Thirteen of these patients had a primary TEP. Stricture was assessed through barium swallow, laryngoscopy, and CT scan. Results. A statistically significant greater number of patients had stricture develop after primary TEP (p < .0325). All these patients had stricture develop at the distal anastomosis. These patients also tended to have a poorer quality of diet. Moreover, speech with a TEP prosthesis in patients with a free jejunal interposition was less intelligible and functional than speech with a TEP prosthesis after simple laryngectomy. Conclusions. This article recognizes an increased incidence of stricture formation after primary TEP as compared with non-TEP in patients undergoing pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal interposition. The morbidity and possible etiology of this complication are discussed. This clinical data have been translated into a change in clinical practice. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX,XXX, 2005 [source] Long-term outcomes of positive fluorescence in situ hybridization tests in primary sclerosing cholangitis,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Sanjay Y. Bangarulingam Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are at increased risk for developing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a cytological test designed to enhance early CCA diagnosis. The long-term outcome of PSC patients with a positive FISH test (polysomy, trisomy/tetrasomy) are unclear. All PSC patients with at least one FISH test were identified and defined to have CCA if they had a positive tissue biopsy, positive cytology, or evidence of cancer in the explant after liver transplantation. A total of 235 PSC patients had at least one FISH test performed, and 56 patients had CCA on histopathology (n = 35) or cytology (n = 21). Overall, 120 of 235 (51%) of PSC patients tested for FISH were positive, but only one third of these positive patients had CCA. Sensitivity and specificity for FISH polysomy were 46% and 88%, and for trisomy/tetrasomy they were 25% and 67%, respectively. Survival analysis showed that patients with FISH polysomy had an outcome similar to patients with CCA; whereas FISH trisomy/tetrasomy patients had an outcome similar to patients with negative FISH tests. The FISH polysomy patients without cancer compared with those with CCA had lower serum bilirubin, lower carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), lower Mayo risk score, and lower occurrence of dominant strictures. Conclusion: In PSC patients, the presence of a dominant stricture plus FISH polysomy has a specificity of 88% for CCA. Patients with FISH showing trisomy or tetrasomy have a similar outcome to patients with negative FISH. FISH testing should be used selectively in patients with other signs indicating CCA and not as a screening tool in all PSC patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). (HEPATOLOGY 2009.) [source] Oxidative stress and hippocampus in a low-grade hepatic encephalopathy model: protective effects of curcuminHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2008Diego Martín Roselló Aim:, The present study was performed on prehepatic portal hypertensive rats, a model of low-grade hepatic encephalopathy, designed to evaluate whether oxidative stress was a possible pathway implicated in hippocampal damage and if so, the effect of an anti-oxidant to prevent it. Methods:, Prehepatic portal hypertension was induced by a regulated portal vein stricture. Oxidative stress was investigated by assessing related biochemical parameters in rat hippocampus. The effect of the anti-oxidant curcumin, administered in a single i.p. dose of 100 mg/kg on the seventh, ninth and eleventh days after surgery, was evaluated. Results:, Oxidative stress in the rat hippocampal area was documented. Curcumin significantly decreased tissue malondialdehyde levels and significantly increased glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in the hippocampal tissue of portal hypertensive rats. Conclusion:, Oxidative stress was found to be implicated in the hippocampal damage and curcumin protected against this oxidative stress in low-grade hepatic encephalopathic rats. These protective effects may be attributed to its anti-oxidant properties. [source] Biliary reconstruction using non-penetrating, tissue everting clips versus conventional sewn biliary anastomosis in liver transplantationHPB, Issue 2 2006K. Tyson Thomas Background. Biliary complications occur following approximately 25% of liver transplantations. Efforts to decrease biliary complications include methods designed to diminish tissue ischemia. Previously, we reported excellent short-term results and decreased biliary anastomosis time in a porcine liver transplant model using non-penetrating, tissue everting clips (NTEC), specifically VCS® clips. Methods. We examined the incidence of biliary anastomotic complications in a group of patients in whom orthotopic liver transplantation was performed with biliary reconstruction using NTEC and compared that group to a matched group treated with biliary reconstruction via conventional end-to-end sewn choledochocholedochostomy. Patients were matched in a 1:2 fashion by age at transplantation, disease etiology, Child-Turcot-Pugh scores, MELD score or UNOS status (prior to 1998), cold and warm ischemia times, organ donor age, and date of transplantation. Results. Seventeen patients had clipped anastomosis and 34 comparison patients had conventional sewn anastomosis. There were no differences between groups in terms of baseline clinical or demographic data. The median time from completion of the hepatic artery anastomosis to completion of clipped versus conventional sewn biliary anastomosis was 45 (interquartile range = 20 min) versus 47 min (interquartile range = 23 min), respectively (p=0.12). Patients were followed for a mean of 29 months. Biliary anastomotic complications, including leak or anastomotic stricture, were observed in 18% of the clipped group and 24% of the conventional sewn group. Conclusions. Biliary reconstruction can be performed clinically using NTEC as an alternative to conventional sewn biliary anastomoses with good results. [source] Exercise-induced cholangitis and pancreatitisHPB, Issue 2 2005JOHN G. TOUZIOS Abstract Background. Cholangitis requires bactibilia and increased biliary pressure. Pancreatitis may be initiated by elevated intraductal pressure. The sphincter of Oddi regulates pancreatobiliary pressures and prevents reflux of duodenal contents. However, following biliary bypass or pancreatoduodenectomy, increased intra-abdominal pressure may be transmitted into the bile ducts and/or pancreas. The aim of this analysis is to document that cholangitis or pancreatitis may be exercise-induced. Methods. The records of patients with one or more episodes of cholangitis or pancreatitis precipitated by exercise and documented to have patent hepatico- or pancreatojejunostomies were reviewed. Cholangitis was defined as fever with or without abdominal pain and transiently abnormal liver tests. Pancreatitis was defined as abdominal pain, with transient elevation of serum amylase and documented by peripancreatic inflammation on computerized tomography. Results. Twelve episodes of cholangitis occurred in six patients who had undergone hepaticojejunostomy for biliary stricture (N=3), Type I choledochal cyst (N=2), or pancreatoduodenectomy for renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pancreas (N=1). Four episodes of pancreatitis occurred in two patients who had undergone pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma or chronic pancreatitis. Workup and subsequent follow-up for a median of 21 months have not documented anastomotic stricture. Each episode of cholangitis and pancreatitis was brought on by heavy exercise and avoidance of this level of exercise has prevented future episodes. Conclusion. Following biliary bypass or pancreatoduodenectomy, significant exercise may increase intra-abdominal pressure and cause cholangitis or pancreatitis. Awareness of this entity and behavior modification will avoid unnecessary procedures in these patients. [source] A case of cholecystohepatic duct with atrophic common hepatic ductHPB, Issue 4 2003A Schofield Background Cholecystohepatic ducts are rare congenital variants of the biliary tree. Case outline An 81-year-old woman presented with biliary colic and elevated liver function tests. An ERCP demonstrated a common bile duct stone and stricture of the common hepatic duct. An operative cholangiogram demonstrated an atrophic common hepatic duct and retrograde filling of the gallbladder through a large cholecystoheptic duct. The patient had a cholecystectomy and reconstructive cholecystohepatic duct jejunostomy. Discussion This case demonstrates a rare congenital anomaly where the gallbladder fills retrograde during an intraoperative cholangiogram despite clipping of the cystic duct. The major path of biliary drainage was through a large cholecystoheptic duct similar to a gallbladder interposition; however, the common hepatic duct was still present but atrophic. This anomaly has not been described previously. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||