-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Current diagnostic techniques establishing gastroesophageal reflux disease as the underlying cause in patients with respiratory symptoms are poor. Our aim was to provide additional support to our prior studies suggesting that the association between reflux events and oxygen desaturations may be a useful discriminatory test in patients presenting with primary respiratory symptoms suspected of having gastroesophageal reflux as the etiology. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with respiratory symptoms, 26 with typical symptoms, and 40 control subjects underwent simultaneous 24-h impedance-pH and pulse oximetry monitoring. Eight patients returned for post-fundoplication studies. RESULTS: The median number (interquartile range) of distal reflux events associated with oxygen desaturation was greater in patients with respiratory symptoms (17 (9-23)) than those with typical symptoms (7 (4-11, p < 0.001)) or control subjects (3 (2-6, p < 0.001)). A similar relationship was found for the number of proximal reflux-associated desaturations. Repeat study in seven post-fundoplication patients showed marked improvement, with reflux-associated desaturations approaching those of control subjects in five patients; 20 (9-20) distal preoperative versus 3 (0-5, p = 0.06) postoperative; similar results were identified proximally. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide further proof that reflux-associated oxygen desaturations may discriminate patients presenting with primary respiratory symptoms as being due to reflux and may respond to antireflux surgery.
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 11/2012; · 2.83 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Historically, risk assessment for postfundoplication dysphagia has been focused on esophageal body motility, which has proven to be an unreliable prediction tool. Our aim was to determine factors responsible for persistent postoperative dysphagia.
Fourteen postfundoplication patients with primary dysphagia were selected for focused study. Twenty-five asymptomatic post-Nissen patients and 17 unoperated subjects served as controls. Pre- and postoperative clinical and high-resolution manometry parameters were compared.
Thirteen of the 14 symptomatic patients (92.9%) had normal postoperative esophageal body function, determined manometrically. In contrast, 13 of 14 (92.9%) had evidence of esophageal outflow obstruction, 9 of 14 (64.3%) manometrically, and 4 of 14 (28.6%) on endoscopy/esophagram. Median gastroesophageal junction integrated relaxation pressure was significantly greater (16.2 mm Hg) in symptomatic than in asymptomatic post-Nissen patients (11.1 mm Hg, P = .05) or unoperated subjects (10.6 mm Hg, P = .02). Sixty-four percent (9/14) of symptomatic patients had an increased mean relaxation pressure. Dysphagia was present in 9 of 14 (64.3%) preoperatively, and elevated postoperative relaxation pressure was independently associated with dysphagia.
These data suggest that postoperative alterations in hiatal functional anatomy are the primary factors responsible for post-Nissen dysphagia. Impaired relaxation of the neo-high pressure zone, recognizable as an abnormal relaxation pressure, best discriminates patients with dysphagia from those without symptoms postfundoplication.
Surgery 08/2012; 152(4):584-94. · 3.10 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Several prospective randomized controlled trials show equal effectiveness of surgical fundoplication and proton pump inhibitor therapy for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Despite this compelling evidence of its efficacy, surgical antireflux therapy is underused, occurring in a very small proportion of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. An important reason for this is the perceived morbidity and mortality associated with surgical intervention. Published data report perioperative morbidity between 3% and 21% and mortality of 0.2% and 0.5%, and current data are uncommon, largely from previous decades, and almost exclusively single institutional.
The study population included all patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 through 2009 who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication with or without related postoperative ICD-9 codes. Comorbidities, intraoperative occurrences, and 30-day postoperative outcomes were collected and logged into statistical software for appropriate analysis. Postoperative occurrences were divided into overall and serious morbidity.
A total of 7,531 fundoplications were identified. Thirty-five percent of patients were younger than 50 years old, 47.1% were 50 to 69 years old, and 16.8% were older than 69 years old. Overall, 30-day mortality was 0.19% and morbidity was 3.8%. Thirty-day mortality was rare in patients younger than age 70 years, occurring in 5 of 10,000 (0.05%). Mortality increased to 8 of 1,000 (0.8%) in patients older than 70 years (p < 0.0001). Complications occurred in 2.2% of patients younger than 50 years, 3.8% of those 50 to 69 years, and 7.3% of patients older than 69 years. Serious complications occurred in 8 of 1,000 (0.8%) patients younger than 50 years, 1.8% in patients 50 to 69 years, and 3.9% of those older than 69 years.
Analysis of this large cohort demonstrates remarkably low 30-day morbidity and mortality of laparoscopic fundoplication. This is particularly true in patients younger than 70 years, who are likely undergoing fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. These data suggest that surgical therapy carries an acceptable risk profile.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 05/2012; 215(1):61-8; discussion 68-9. · 4.55 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BackgroundGiven our aging population, patients with an intrathoracic stomach are an increasing clinical problem. The timing of repair
remains controversial, and most reports do not delineate morbidity of emergent presentation. The aim of the study was to compare
the morbidity and mortality of elective and emergent repair.
MethodsStudy population consisted of 127 patients retrospectively reviewed undergoing repair of intrathoracic stomach from 2000 to
2006. Repair was elective in 104 and emergent in 23 patients. Outcome measures included postoperative morbidity and mortality.
ResultsPatients presenting acutely were older (79 vs. 65years, p < 0.0001) and had higher prevalence of at least one cardiopulmonary comorbidity (57% vs. 21%, p = 0.0014). They suffered greater mortality (22% vs. 1%, p = 0.0007), major (30% vs. 3%, p = 0.0003), and minor (43% vs. 19%, p = 0.0269) complications compared to elective repair. On multivariate analysis, emergent repair was a predictor of in-hospital
mortality, major complications, readmission to intensive care unit, return to operating room, and length of stay.
ConclusionEmergent surgical repair of intrathoracic stomach was associated with markedly higher mortality and morbidity than elective
repair. Although patients undergoing urgent surgery were older and had more comorbidities than those having an elective procedure,
these data suggest that elective repair should be considered in patients with suitable surgical risk.
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 04/2012; 14(2):203-210. · 2.83 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Esophageal stenting is increasingly being utilized to treat a variety of benign and malignant esophageal conditions. The aim of our study was to review our experience with self-expanding metal, plastic, and hybrid stents in the treatment of esophageal disease on a thoracic surgical service.
The study population consisted of 126 patients undergoing placement of 133 stents at a single institution from 2000 to 2008. Data were reviewed retrospectively for patient characteristics, indications, complications, reinterventions, and efficacy.
Most stents were placed for palliation of dysphagia due to advanced esophageal cancer (90 of 133; 68%) or extrinsic compression from lung cancer (13 of 133; 9.8%). A total of 123 self-expanding metal stents (SEMS), 7 self-expanding plastic stents (SEPS), and 3 hybrid stents were placed. Of the SEMS, 57 were uncovered and 66 were covered. Malignant obstruction was typically palliated with SEMS, while covered stents were chosen for perforations or anastomotic leaks. The median length of stay was 1 day. Complications occurred in 38.3% of stent placements, with a single perioperative mortality resulting from massive hemorrhage on postoperative day 4. Most complications resulted from stent impaction (12.8%), migration (9.7%), or tumor ingrowth (5.3%). Tumor ingrowth was uncommon with uncovered stents (2 of 57; 3.5%). Stent migration was common with SEPS (4 of 7; 57%), or hybrid stents (2 of 3; 67%). Survival was short in patients with underlying malignancy (median 104 days for esophageal cancer and 48 days for lung cancer), with 20% of patients surviving less than 1 month.
Esophageal stent placement is safe and reliable. The goals of therapy are typically met with a single intervention. The majority of patients require no further interventions, though life expectancy often is short and patient selection may be difficult. Most complications are due to stent obstruction, though stent migration is an issue particularly with SEPS and hybrid stents. Esophageal surgeons should be adept at stent placement.
The Annals of thoracic surgery 12/2011; 92(6):2028-32; discussion 2032-3. · 3.74 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and ablation technologies have markedly changed the treatment of early esophageal neoplasia. We analyzed treatment and outcomes of patients undergoing multimodal endoscopic treatment of early esophageal neoplasia at our institution.
Records of patients undergoing endoscopic treatment for esophageal low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN, n = 11), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN, n = 24), or T1N0M0 neoplasia (n = 10), presenting between 2007 and 2009, were reviewed. Outcomes included eradication of neoplasia/intestinal metaplasia, development of metachronous neoplasia, and progression to surgical resection.
There were 45 patients, 96% male, with a mean age 67 years. The degree of neoplasia prior to intervention was intramucosal (8) or submucosal (2) carcinoma in 10, HGIN in 24, and LGIN in 11. Patients underwent a total of 166 procedures (median 3/patient, range 1-9). These included 120 radiofrequency ablation sessions, 38 EMRs, and 8 cryoablations. Mean follow-up was 21.3 months. Neoplasia and intestinal metaplasia were eradicated in 87.2% and 56.4% of patients, respectively, while 15.4% developed metachronous neoplasia. Three patients underwent esophagectomy. No patient developed unresectable disease or died.
Endoscopic treatment of early esophageal neoplasia is safe and effective in the short term. A minority of treated patients developed recurrent neoplasia, which is usually amenable to further endoscopic therapy. Complications are relatively minor and uncommon. Endoscopic therapy as the initial treatment for early esophageal neoplasia is an emerging standard of care.
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 08/2011; 15(10):1728-35. · 2.83 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Advances in esophageal manometry have facilitated identification of variants of achalasia, suggesting they are more common than previously thought. This study assesses the frequency and clinical characteristics of patients with motility abnormalities similar to, but not meeting criteria for, classic achalasia.
Records of patients undergoing high-resolution esophageal manometry between January 2008 and January 2010 were screened for diagnosis of achalasia, impaired lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, or severe peristaltic dysfunction of the esophageal body. Forty-four patients with classic achalasia and 31 with variant characteristics were identified. Clinical and manometric characteristics were recorded and compared.
Variant achalasia was almost as common as the classic type (31 versus 44 patients). Eighty-two percent (36 of 44) of those with classic and 48% (15 of 31) of those with variant characteristics had dysphagia. Classic achalasia patients' mean age was 62 years (SD 19 years) versus 53 years (SD 14 years) in the variant group. The classic achalasia group had 26 male patients and 18 female patients and the variant group had 9 male patients and 22 female patients. Two thirds (21 of 31) of the variant group had impaired LES relaxation. Three variant patterns emerged: impaired LES relaxation with normal/hypertensive peristalsis (n = 10), impaired/borderline LES relaxation with mixed peristalsis/simultaneous contractions (n = 14), and impaired/normal LES and aperistalsis with occasional short segment peristalsis (n = 7). Mean intrabolus pressure was 16.3 mmHg in variant patients with normal LES relaxation and 23.1 mmHg in those with impaired relaxation.
Variants of achalasia are more common than previously recognized. LES dysfunction defined by high relaxation pressure occurs in two-thirds of variant achalasia patients and might be a hallmark that could direct therapy. The notion that esophageal body dysfunction/aperistalsis in achalasia is all or none should be reconsidered.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 03/2011; 213(1):155-61; discussion 162-3. · 4.55 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although esophagectomy provides the highest probability of cure in patients with esophageal cancer, many candidates are never referred for surgery. We hypothesized that esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is underused, and we assessed the prevalence of resection in national, state, and local cancer data registries.
Clinical stage, surgical and nonsurgical treatments, age, and race of patients with cancer of the esophagus were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry (1988 to 2004), the Healthcare Association of NY State registry (HANYS 2007), and a single referral center (2000 to 2007). SEER identified a total of 25,306 patients with esophageal cancer (average age 65.0 years, male-to-female ratio 3:1). HANYS identified 1,012 cases of esophageal cancer (average age 67 years, M:F ratio 3:1); stage was not available from NY State registry data. A single referral center identified 385 patients (48 per year; average age 67 years, M:F 3:1). For SEER data, logistic regression was used to examine determinants of esophageal resection; variables tested included age, race, and gender.
Surgical exploration was performed in 29% of the total and only 44.2% of potentially resectable patients. Esophageal resection was performed in 44% of estimated cancer patients in NY State. By comparison, 64% of patients at a specialized referral center underwent surgical exploration, 96% of whom had resection. SEER resection rates for esophageal cancer did not change between 1988 and 2004. Males were more likely to receive operative treatment. Nonwhites were less likely to undergo surgery than whites (odds ratio 0.45, p < 0.001).
Surgical therapy for locoregional esophageal cancer is likely underused. Racial variations in esophagectomy are significant. Referral to specialized centers may result in an increase in patients considered for surgical therapy.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 10/2010; 211(6):754-61. · 4.55 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Large-scale, population-based analyses of the demographics, management, and healthcare resource utilization of patients with an intrathoracic stomach are largely unknown, an issue which has become more important with the aging of the population. Our objective was to understand the magnitude of the problem and to assess clinical outcomes and hospital costs in elective and emergent admissions of patients with an intrathoracic stomach in a large population-based study.
The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) administrative database was queried for primary ICD-9-CM codes 553.3 and 552.3 in patients 18 years or older; 4858 hospital admissions were identified over a 5-year period (2002-2006). Database variables included age, gender, race, type of admission, operative intervention, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and cost.
Approximately 1000 patients are admitted to the hospital each year with primary diagnosis of intrathoracic stomach, an estimated 52 per 1 million of the population in New York State. Over half of those (53%) were emergent admissions. Interestingly, the majority of emergent admissions (66%) were discharged before any surgical intervention. Patients admitted emergently were older (68.0 vs. 62.1 years, p < 0.0001) and more likely African-American (12% vs. 6%, p < 0.0001). Compared to elective admissions, emergent admissions had higher mortality (2.7% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001), longer length of stay (LOS) (7.3 vs. 4.9 days, p < 0.0001), and higher cost ($28,484 vs. $24,069, p < 0.001). Among patients who underwent surgery, emergent admissions had higher mortality (5.1% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.0001), greater LOS (13.1 vs. 4.9 days, p < 0.0001), and higher costs ($55,460 vs. $24,760, p < 0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated age, emergent presentation, and operative admission as independent predictors for hospital mortality, LOS, and cost (p < 0.0001).
Strikingly, more than half of admissions for intrathoracic stomach were emergent. Emergent admissions had higher mortality, longer LOS, and higher cost than elective admissions. These data support consideration of early elective repair.
Surgical Endoscopy 06/2010; 24(6):1250-5. · 4.01 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Endoscopic resection and ablation have advanced the treatment of intramucosal esophageal adenocarcinoma and have been promoted as definitive therapy for selected superficial submucosal tumors. Controversy exists regarding the prevalence of nodal metastases at various depths of mucosal and submucosal invasion. Our aim was to clarify this prevalence and identify predictors of nodal spread.
An expert gastrointestinal pathologist retrospectively reviewed 54 T1 adenocarcinomas from 258 esophagectomy specimens (2000 to 2008). Tumors were classified as intramucosal or submucosal, the latter being subclassified as SM1 (upper third), SM2 (middle third), or SM3 (lower third) based on the depth of tumor invasion. The depth of invasion was correlated with the prevalence of positive nodes. Fisher's exact test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify variables predicting nodal disease.
Nodal metastases were present in 0% (0 of 25) of intramucosal, 21% (3 of 14) of SM1, 36% (4 of 11) of SM2, and 50% (2 of 4) of SM3 tumors. The differences were significant between intramucosal and submucosal tumors (p < 0.0001), although not between the various subclassifications of submucosal tumors (p = 0.503). Univariate logistic regression identified poor differentiation (p = 0.024), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.049), and number of harvested lymph nodes (p = 0.037) as significantly correlated with nodal disease. Multivariate logistic regression did not identify any of the tested variables as independent predictors of the prevalence of positive lymph nodes.
All depths of submucosal invasion of esophageal adenocarcinoma were associated with an unacceptably high prevalence of nodal metastases and a marked increase relative to intramucosal cancer. Accurate predictors of nodal spread, independent of tumor depth, are currently lacking and will be necessary before recommending endoscopic resection with or without concomitant ablation as curative treatment for even superficial submucosal neoplasia.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 04/2010; 210(4):418-27. · 4.55 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The development of high-resolution (HRM) catheters and software displays of manometric recordings in color-coded pressure plots has changed the diagnostic assessment of esophageal disease. HRM may offer advantages over conventional methods, including improved identification of motility disorders, hiatal hernia, and outflow obstruction, and ease interpretation.
HRM studies were obtained in 50 healthy volunteers and 106 patients. HRM was performed using a 36-channel catheter, with sensors spaced at 1-cm intervals. Manometric findings were classified into abnormalities of the gastroesophageal barrier and those of the esophageal body and validated by comparison with endoscopic and radiographic diagnostic methods.
The mean time for HRM was significantly lower than that for a conventional method (8.1versus 24.4 minutes; p < 0.0001). A structurally defective lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was present in 53 (57.3%) patients, a hypertensive LES in 6 (7.8%), and impaired LES relaxation in 17 patients (16.7%). Validating the LES findings, 86.3% (44 of 51) of patients with a defective sphincter by HRM had radiographic or endoscopic evidence of a hiatal hernia, and 80% (41 of 51) had a positive pH study, endoscopic erosive esophagitis, or Barrett's esophagus. Evidence of a hiatal hernia by HRM was seen in 33 (56%) patients; a hiatal hernia was seen in 91% (30 of 33) of these on endoscopy and 81% (17 of 21) on barium swallow. Fifty-eight patients (54.7%) had an abnormal body motility.
HRM studies are shorter than those using conventional methods. Interpretation is image based, and correlation with objective endoscopic and physiologic findings confirms the accuracy of interpretation. The introduction of HRM is a significant advance in the outpatient evaluation of esophageal function.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 06/2009; 208(6):1035-44. · 4.55 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Uncommon cases of lung metastasis from different types of uterine neoplasms with a long tumour-free interval after hysterectomy are reported.
Four cases were retrieved from our surgical pathology archives. Case 1 was a 68-year-old woman who had three pulmonary nodules 23 years after hysterectomy for low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LGESS). The nodules obtained with video-assisted thoracic surgeries were consistent with metastatic LGESS. Case 2 was a 36-year-old woman who had numerous bilateral pulmonary nodules 6 years after hysterectomy for leiomyoma. A transthoracic biopsy revealed benign metastasising leiomyoma. Case 3 was a 77-year-old woman who had a large lung mass with satellite nodules 17 years after hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and subsequent radiotherapy for endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEA). The biopsied and resected lung tumour was consistent with metastatic EEA. Case 4 was a 51-year-old woman who underwent total hysterectomy and subsequent radiotherapy for endocervical adenocarcinoma 12 years ago and lung lobectomy for metastatic disease 8 years ago. She then developed two pulmonary lesions 14 months ago, and these resected after radiotherapy were metastatic endocervical adenocarcinoma.
A review of the literature revealed that late pulmonary metastasis from uterine neoplasms is rare but not negligible. Immunohistochemical studies and molecular tests, together with detailed clinical information and imaging findings, are important for rendering a diagnosis.
Pathology 05/2009; 41(3):234-41. · 2.38 Impact Factor
-
Current problems in surgery 04/2009; 46(3):195-259. · 1.42 Impact Factor
-
Current problems in surgery 04/2009; 46(3):190-3. · 1.42 Impact Factor
