An efficient method for cloning in-frame fusion protein genes

BACKGROUND: Transhiatal oesophagectomy is an accepted approach for the treatment of carcinoma of the oesophagus. However, experience of this technique in benign diseases is limited. METHODS: Transhiatal oesophagectomy was done in 29 patients for benign oesophageal conditions including corrosive stricture (21), achalasia of the cardia (four), tuberculosis (one), mediastinal fibrosis (one), Crohn's disease (one) and peptic stricture (one). Dysphagia was the predominant symptom in all patients; strictures had all previously been dilated repeatedly. The stomach was used as an oesophageal substitute in 24 patients; in five with a scarred stomach due to damage by a corrosive agent, oesophagocoloplasty was performed. Resection and reconstruction were done in one stage in 25 patients; four with poor nutritional status had a two-stage procedure. RESULTS: There was no perioperative death. Complications encountered were recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (six patients) which was mostly transient, anastomotic leak (seven) and stenosis (eight). Postoperative function of the intrathoracic stomach was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Transhiatal oesophagectomy is a safe and satisfactory procedure for benign obstructive conditions of the oesophagus.     

Esophageal achalasia presenting during pregnancy

We report a woman with achalasia cardia who developed dysphagia for the first time during pregnancy. She was initially mistakenly treated elsewhere as hyperemesis gravidarum. The diagnosis and treatment of achalasia during pregnancy is reviewed.     

Retrograde gastric mucosal prolapse as a cause of haematemesis

Three cases of haematemesis associated with alcohol abuse are described. Early fibreoptic endoscopical examination in each showed a focal, well demarcated area of gastric mucosal haemorrhage, close to the oesophagogastric junction. Two patients showed prolapse of the lesion into the lower part of the oesophagus, and the third had coexistent Mallory-Weiss tears. Our observations suggest that forceful vomiting is responsible for this lesion, by causing abrupt retrograde gastrooesophageal prolapse. The prognosis of the lesion appears good.     

100 years guarding the health of the border guards

A Heller-Dor procedure was performed by laparotomy (group A: n = 8) or by laparoscopy (group B: n = 12) after failure of one to 17 sessions of intraluminal dilatations (n = 13) or as a primary treatment of oesophageal achalasia (n = 7). The oesophagomyotomy was extended over the thoracic oesophagus by thoracoscopy in two patients having vigorous achalasia. Injury to the oesophageal mucosa occurred in two group A patients who had previously been dilated. At follow-up (range: 1 to 113 months), 6 patients of group A (75%) and 10 of group B(83.3%) had no residual dysphagia. The four patients (group A: n = 2; group B: n = 2) who complained of heartburn prior to the operation were asymptomatic, only one group A patient developed symptoms of reflux, and oesophageal pH-monitoring was normal in the 6 group B patients investigated at follow-up. The laparoscopic approach reduces the magnitude of the operation, and the magnified overview permits precise dissection of the intraparietal adhesions which may develop after numerous sessions of dilatation.     

Esophageal cancer on the increase. Is Barrett esophagus the cause?

At the Dept of Surgery, Lund University, during the 10-year period 1985-95, 54 patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction (17 with Barrett's epithelium, and 37 without) underwent oesophageal resection: oesophagectomy and gastric pull-up (n = 10), extended total gastrectomy (n = 37), or oesophageal resection and interposition of colon (n = 2) or jejunum (n = 5). Hospital mortality was 3.7% (2/54), and the mean duration of hospitalisation 13 days (range, 9-42). Long-term survival was significantly better in the Barrett's oesophagus subgroup than in the carcinoma of the cardia (non-Barrett's oesophagus) subgroup, the respective rates being 50% vs. 10% (p = 0.0052; Log rank test). The better survival in the Barrett's oesophagus subgroup is probably to be explained by the earlier stage of disease among these patients, in turn due to a history of gastro-oesophageal reflux, whereas the predominant symptom in the cardia carcinoma subgroup was dysphagia.     

The effects of steroid hormones on electrical activity of excitable cells

BACKGROUND/AIM OF STUDY: Laser therapy is effective in relieving malignant dysphagia, but repeated treatments at 4 to 6 week intervals are usually required. This prospective randomised trial is designed to determine if addition of brachytherapy offers any advantages over laser therapy alone. METHODS: Patients with inoperable carcinoma of the oesophagus were randomised to receive either endoscopic Nd:YAG laser therapy alone, or laser followed by brachytherapy. Patients who developed worsening dysphagia during follow-up were offered further treatment as appropriate. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were randomised to receive laser only, and 12 to receive laser followed by brachytherapy. Of these 12, one was lost to follow-up and four did not receive brachytherapy because they were unfit, had extension into the cardia or had mainly extrinsic compression. These 4 are included on an 'intention-to-treat' basis. The mean therapeutic interval for the brachytherapy group was significantly longer, 83 days compared to 36 days for the laser group (p = 0.026). There were no differences in the degree of dysphagia relief, number of endoscopic procedures or survival times. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of this trial suggest that brachytherapy in addition to laser therapy prolongs the first therapeutic interval. However, no long-term advantages have been shown.     

An audit of pneumatic dilatation and oesophagomyotomy in patients with achalasia cardia

The role of pneumatic dilatation and oesophagomyotomy in the management of achalasia cardia was evaluated. Twenty patients with achalasia cardia managed either by pneumatic dilatation (n = 10) and oesophagomyotomy (n = 10) were studied. Patients undergoing dilatation were followed up for a mean of 20 months (12-30 months) and those undergoing myotomy for 17 months (6-48 months). The patients were evaluated clinically, radiologically and endoscopically. Relief of dysphagia was excellent in 20%, good in 50% and fair in 30% of those who underwent dilatation. In the myotomy group, 60% had an excellent result, 30% had a good result and fair results was observed in 10%. Oesophagitis on endoscopic evaluation, was found in two patients in myotomy group. The diameter of the gastro-oesophageal junction increased from a mean of 2 mm (range 1 to 4 mm) to a mean of 11 mm (range 4 to 15 mm) in dilatation group while in myotomy group it changed from a mean of 2 mm (range 0.5 to 8 mm) to a mean of 9 mm (range 5 to 15 mm). Symptomatic improvement was better after myotomy than after pneumatic dilatation and correlated poorly with radiological features.     

Reconstructive operations on the biliary tract

Fifty cases in which reconstruction of the biliary system was carried out were reviewed. In 25 cases the operation was done during the treatment of malignant neoplasms. The other 25 patients were treated for benign conditions. Delayed stricture of the biliary anastomosis occurs more frequently following operation for benign post-traumatic obstruction than following reconstruction for other conditions. This is probably a result of: (1) greater regional scarring, (2) local infection, and (3) technical imperfections in the reconstituted biliary anastomosis. Certain primary malignant tumors may be difficult to recognize by both gross and microscopic examination. In six cases of biliary obstruction resulting from malignant neoplasms in the present series, exploration had been carried out some time previously, and in four of them an erroneous diagnosis of benign biliary obstruction was made.End-to-end anastomosis of the duct above and below the point of obstruction is the method preferred in the treatment of benign biliary stricture. Intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary-enteric anastomoses have been used successfully in selected cases.     

Metal stents in patients with malignant and benign esophageal stenoses

The authors used between October 1993 and January 1997 in 131 patients with inoperable malignant or benign stenosis of the oesophagus an expansible metal stent. In 25 patients the stenosis was in the upper third of the oesophagus, in 44 in the medium part, in 53 in the lower third of the oesophagus and in 9 patients in the area of the anastomosis. All patients suffered at the time when the stent was introduced from marked dysphagia (stage 3-4 according to the international classification). In 45 patients the authors introduced more than one stent. 112 patients suffered from malignant stenosis (67 squamous cell carcinoma, 27 adenocarcinoma, 9 pulmonary or bronchogenic carcinoma, in two instances lymphoma, in two instances leiomyosarcoma and in five patients another type of tumour). Seventeen patients suffered from benign stenosis (8 complications of reflux oesophagitis, 3 stenosis in the anastomosis, in two instances corrosion by acid, 2 cases of epidermolysis bullosa oesophagi and one post-radiation stenosis). In these patients repeatedly before introduction of the stent dilatation of the stenosis by means of a balloon dilatation catheter was attempted. In two instances the etiology of the stenosis was obscure. Complications related to the procedure proper or after insertion of the stent were recorded in 49 patients-dislocation of the stent 23x, occlusion of the stent 17x, development of a fistula 6x, ulceration 16x, haemorrhage 4x, hyperplasia of the mucosa 21x, ileus 2x, inadequate expansion of the stent 8x.     

Study of adenovirus production in serum-free 293SF suspension culture by GFP-expression monitoring

BACKGROUND: Recently, investigators have reported the use of endoscopic myotomy in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. As with the open operation, considerable disagreement exists regarding the appropriate length of the myotomy and the need for a concomitant antireflux procedure. METHODS: Patients presenting with symptomatic achalasia between 1993 and 1997 were included in this prospective study. Preoperative studies included barium upper gastrointestinal study, endoscopy, and esophageal manometry. Laparoscopic myotomy was completed in all 20 patients; 18 had concomitant Toupet fundoplication. RESULTS: Operative times ranged from 95 to 345 minutes (mean 216). Blood loss ranged from 50 to 300 cc (mean 100 cc). There were 7 minor complications (5 mucosal injuries repaired laparoscopically, 1 bile leak and 1 splenic capsular tear). Nine patients began a liquid diet on the first day postoperatively; 19 were tolerating liquids by postoperative day 3. Hospital stay ranged from 2 to 20 days (mean 5). Eighteen patients had complete relief of dysphagia, with less than one reflux episode per month. One individual continues to have mild persistent solid food dysphagia. Another patient initially did well but subsequently developed mild recurrent dysphagia and reflux. One patient required laparoscopic take-down of the wrap because of recurrent dysphagia and now has no problems swallowing, but does complain of mild reflux. Two other patients also have mild reflux, 1 of whom did not undergo fundoplication. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy can be performed safely with excellent results in patients with achalasia. Adding a partial fundoplication appears to help control postoperative symptoms of reflux. This procedure should be considered the procedure of choice in patients with symptomatic esophageal achalasia.     

Transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization with gastro-oesophageal stapling in the management of acute variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND: Operation is required for patients with portal hypertension who have failed to respond to emergency sclerotherapy for control of acute variceal bleeding. This study evaluates the role of transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization combined with gastro-oesophageal stapling for control of acute variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension of different aetiologies. METHODS: Transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization combined with gastrooesophageal stapling was performed in 65 patients (28 with cirrhosis, 17 with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis and 20 with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction) in whom emergency endoscopic sclerotherapy, and/or pharmacotherapy and balloon tamponade had failed. The Sugiura procedure was modified to minimize operating time and to reduce the operative difficulties due to oesophageal wall necrosis after sclerotherapy. RESULTS: The operative mortality rate was higher in patients with cirrhosis (P = 0.0003); sepsis was the leading cause of death (in nine of 18). A high mortality rate (12 of 15) was seen in patients with Child grade C cirrhosis. Control of bleeding was achieved in all patients. The procedure-related complication rate was 17 per cent with a 6 per cent oesophageal leak rate; four of 47 surviving patients developed oesophageal stricture. During a mean follow-up of 33 months, residual varices, recurrent varices and rebleeding were seen in three, two and three of 47 survivors. CONCLUSION: Transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization combined with gastrooesophageal stapling is an effective and safe procedure for control of acute variceal haemorrhage with satisfactory long-term control, especially in patients without cirrhosis and low-risk patients with cirrhosis.     

Upper esophageal stenosis: two case reports

Esophageal stenosis caused by an intrinsic congenital deformity is uncommon in infants and children. The main forms of stenosis are congenital esophageal web congenital stricture caused by tracheobronchial remnants, and congenital idiopathic muscular hypertrophy. The authors report on two patients who were successfully treated and managed after being diagnosed as having upper esophageal stenosis. One patient underwent resection of the web and primary anastomosis of the esophagus and was discharged 6 days after surgery. After 1 year, this patient has had no symptoms of dysphagia or other postoperative difficulties. The second patient underwent balloon dilatation of the esophageal stricture and was discharged on the day of surgery; however, this patient required numerous repeat dilatations.     

Predictive value of symptom profiles in patients with suspected oesophageal dysmotility

The main aim of the study was to determine prospectively, in patients referred for oesophageal manometry, whether certain combinations of oesophageal symptoms are more likely than others to predict the presence of oesophageal dysmotility or a positive response to acid perfusion testing. In 524 consecutive patients, presenting predominantly with (non-cardiac) chest pain (n = 277), dysphagia (n = 186), or heartburn (n = 61), a standardized symptom assessment was completed before oesophageal manometry and acid perfusion testing. Half the patients in each group reported additional ('secondary') oesophageal symptoms as well as the predominant symptom. Oesophageal dysmotility was categorized in accordance with standard manometric criteria for achalasia, diffuse oesophageal spasm, nutcracker oesophagus, hypertensive lower oesophageal sphincter, or non-specific oesophageal motility disorder. In the predominant chest pain group, the prevalence of abnormal manometry was 33%; in the presence of secondary symptoms, especially dysphagia rather than heartburn, however, the prevalence was significantly (p < 0.01) increased. Also in the predominant chest pain group the prevalence of positive acid perfusion testing (44%) was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in those with than in those without secondary symptoms. In the predominant dysphagia group, the prevalence of abnormal manometry was higher than in the other two groups (56%; p < 0.001) but was not affected by the presence or absence of secondary symptoms; this latter finding was also true for the predominant heartburn group. The distribution of specific manometric disorders in any group was not related to the presence or type of secondary symptoms, although a combination of dysphagia and chest pain discriminated achalasia from other manometric disorders.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Caustic injury of the oesophagus. Sixteen years experience, and introduction of a new model oesophageal stent

Caustic ingestion can lead to oesophageal stenosis. We studied 251 patients, 205 of whom were children, in a sixteen-year period. Seventeen patients, of whom one was an adult, acquired deep burns in the oesophagus which had to be treated, to prevent the development of oesophageal strictures. These patients were treated with long-term stenting of the oesophagus with specially designed, silicone rubber stents, impregnated with silicone oil 20 cS, designed by one of us (R.N.P.B.) as the only treatment. Of all models, the twin-tube dilator was the most satisfactory. No corticosteroids were administered. Only one patient developed a mild stenosis. It is therefore our opinion that, when life-saving operations are not indicated, twin-tube stenting of the oesophagus is helpful in treating caustic lesions of the oesophagus and will prevent stricture formation. Corticosteroids were not given in this series, and should be abandoned in the treatment of caustic lesions.     

Treatment of advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease with Collis gastroplasty and Belsey partial fundoplication

OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors affecting outcome in patients with advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Thirty-seven patients with advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease and no previous antireflux surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Thirty patients underwent Collis gastroplasty for esophageal lengthening and Belsey partial fundoplication. Seven patients with esophageal stricture and global loss of esophageal body motility who underwent primary esophagectomy and reconstruction were used as a comparison group. OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptomatic outcome in all 37 patients was assessed by questionnaire at a median of 25 months (range, 5-156 months) after surgery. In a subset of 11 patients undergoing the Collis-Belsey procedure, outcome was measured using 24-hour pH and results of motility studies. RESULTS: The Collis-Belsey procedure was successful in relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in 21 (70%) of the 30 patients. The outcome was excellent or good in 16 (89%) of 18 patients who presented with symptoms other than dysphagia, but only in 5 (42%) of 12 patients with dysphagia (P = .01). The outcome was particularly poor if dysphagia was associated with a previously dilated esophageal stricture. Persistent or induced dysphagia was the reason for failure in all but 1 patient. Results of 24-hour esophageal pH studies were returned to normal in 8 (73%) of 11 patients undergoing postoperative evaluation. Contraction amplitudes in the distal esophagus and the prevalence of simultaneous contractions in these segments did not change after the operation. All 7 patients who underwent primary esophagectomy were classified as having an excellent or good outcome and were relieved of their reflux symptoms, including dysphagia. Six of these could eat 3 meals per day and enjoyed an unrestricted diet. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of the Collis-Belsey procedure in patients with advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease without dysphagia is excellent. It is less so in patients with dysphagia as a preoperative symptom. Esophagectomy can provide a good outcome in patients who have a combination of dysphagia stricture and a profound loss of esophageal motility.     

Laparoscopic surgery in esophageal achalasia--initial results

The authors present their initial results of laparoscopic operations on account of achalasia of the oesophagus. The first oesophagocardiomyotomy was performed at the author s department by the laparoscopic approach in September 1994. In the course of one year 20 of these operations were performed. The mean period of complaints before surgery was 5.9 years with a range of 1 to 40 years. Only six patients were operated during the stage of compensated achalasia, the remainder already in the stage of decompensation. As to peroperative complications twice perforation of the oesophagus occurred, in one instance treated laparoscopically and once during conversion by the classical approach. In one instance the a. epigastrica was injured and haemoperitoneum developed and subsequent revision was urgent. All patients were relieved of their dysphagic complaints, one female patient developed minor pyrosis.     

Laser photocoagulation in the treatment of malignant dysphagia

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia secondary to carcinoma of the oesophagus and gastric cardia is the principal symptom requiring palliation in those patients who present with late-stage disease or who are unfit for surgery. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the safety and efficacy of laser photocoagulation in the palliation of malignant dysphagia. Secondary aims were to look at reasons for failure and predictors of outcome; to determine the most appropriate second line therapy for treatment failures; and to look at the results of treatment for early stage disease. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients treated over a 6-year period with endoscopic Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation were evaluated and the quality of swallowing assessed before and at intervals after treatment. RESULTS: Ninety per cent of patients achieved successful initial palliation. This was sustained in 76% after 3 months of treatment. Within a month before death 71% of patients were palliated but 29% required the addition of second-line treatment to achieve this. Complications were infrequent. There were no deaths attributable to laser treatment. Five of 10 patients treated with radiotherapy developed fibrous stricturing that required endoscopic dilatation. No variables were independently predictive for treatment failure. Six patients with early stage disease experienced prolonged survival. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that laser photocoagulation offers safe and effective palliation of malignant dysphagia in this group of patients and is appropriate as first-line therapy.     

Axillary reduction mammaplasty--Yhelda Felício''s technique

The jejunal interposition operation after resection of distal esophagus and cardia, designed by Merendino and Dilard, has not been widely employed until now. The complexity of the procedure, demanding high performance, and still unacceptable postoperative mortality, were limiting factors and a challenge for many surgeons. The aim of this paper is to present three modifications of the original technique, without changing the basic concept of the Merendino procedure. These modifications differ from the original technique in three main ways: the longer isoperistaltic jejunal segment, the terminolateral mechanical esophagojejuno anastomosis, and the placement of the lower jejunogastric anastomosis on the posterior wall of the stomach. This report comprises an experience in 29 patients operated on in period 1972 through 1995. There were two postoperative deaths and long-term results were excellent in all except one patient who had an ischemic stenosis of the transplanted jejunal segment. Despite this, the Merendino procedure, simplified by these modifications, deserves to be more frequently used in the treatment of undilatable or recurrent strictures and other benign lesions which require resection of the distal esophagus and cardia.