ObjectiveTo summarize basic research progress and current status of clinical diagnosis and therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease. MethodRelated literatures were collected to review the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease. ResultsGastroesophageal reflux disease was caused by many factors, such as hiatus hernia, hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter pressure, acid pocket, prolonged esophageal clearance, and delayed gastric emptying. Extra-esophageal symptoms was a common clinical presentation to gastroesophageal reflux disease. The diagnosis methods for gastroesophageal reflux disease included the symptom observation, gastroscopy examination, 24 h pH monitoring of esophageal, proton pump inhibitor test, questionnaire of gastroesophageal reflux disease and so on. The laparoscopic fundoplication could essentially treat the pathophysiologic abnormalities of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which had an obvious curative effect and wide application prospect. ConclusionPathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease are associated with multiple factors, which is still controversial and remains to be further studied.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effects of laparoscopic hiatus reconstruction with Bard Crurosoft patch associated with Nissen fundoplication in elderly patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). MethodsFrom July 2006 to July 2009, 22 consecutive elderly patients （≥65 years） with GERD underwent laparoscopic hiatus reconstruction associated with Nissen fundoplication， 10 of them underwent laparoscopic Crurosoft patch hiatus reconstruction (hiatus diameter≥5 cm in 2 patients， lt;5 cm in 8 patients) and 12 underwent laparoscopic simple sutured hiatus reconstruction (hiatus diameter≥5 cm in 2 patients， lt;5 cm in 10 patients). Intra and perioperative data including symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, and respiratory complications), functional evaluations (esophagogastroscopy, manometric evaluations in lower esophageal segment, and 24 h pH-monitoring values) were compared and analyzed. ResultsPatients in 2 groups had similar preoperative values in demographics, symptom scores, functional evaluations, as well as operative data except for mean operative time. Three-month and 1-year follow-up after operation, the results of symptoms scores and functional evaluations of patients in 2 groups compared with preoperative values wear improved （Plt;0.05）, but symptoms scores and functional evaluations of patients in patch group were evaluated to demonstrate more significant improvement than suture group （Plt;0.05）. In suture group, the results of 3 months after operation were better than 1 year after operation, with statistically significant difference （Plt;0.05）. Two patients underwent postoperative intrathoracic immigration of wrap in suture group, but this complication did not happen in patch group （Plt;0.05）. ConclusionsLaparoscopic hiatus reconstruction with Bard Crurosoft patch associated with Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients(≥65 years) with GERD.
Objective To provide a reliable experimental model for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) study. Methods Twenty Japan 5-month-old male rabbits wererandomly divided into two groups: group cardiomyotomy(n=10), group partial cardiomyectomy(n=10). The operations of cardiomyotomy and parital cardiomyectomy were performed in 2 groups respectively. All the animals underwent intraesophagealpH detection 1 week before operation and 4 weeks after operation. The mean changes of reflux ratios were compared between before operation and after operation.Results In gastroesophageal reflux ratio between before operation and after operation, there was no significant difference in group cardiomyotomy (1.98%±1.52% and 4.32%±2.39%, Pgt;0.05) and there was significant difference in group partialcardiomyectomy（1.56%±1.57% and 13.56%±3.27%, Plt;0.05）. Conclusion The reliable experimental model of GER can be made with procedure of partial cardiomyectomy. It can be used in estimating the operative procedure of antireflux and is conducive to dynamic observation and study of esophagitis.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of upper airway cough syndrome ( UACS) and the relationship of UACS with upper airway diseases, cough variant asthma ( CVA) , and gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD) . Methods 92 subjects with chronic cough and throat symptoms and signs were included in the study. The medical records were collected fromall subjects, and 49 subjects suspected for CVA undertook bronchial provocation test. Then the efficacy was evaluated and etiology were analyzed based on the efficacy of targeted treatment. Results Bronchial provocation test yielded positive results in 14 subjects suspected of CVA, accounting for 15. 2% of all cases ( 14/92) . 18. 5% ( 17 /92) of patients had a history of chronic gastritis or combined symptoms of GERD, of whom anti-gastroesophagealreflux treatment was effective. The patients with rhinitis, sinusitis history and/ or symptoms accounted for 33. 7% of cases ( 31 cases) . 51. 1% ( 47/92) of patients had only signs and symptoms of chronic pharyngitis. Conclusions UACS is not only due to the rhinitis and/ or sinusitis but also chronic pharyngitis. Chronic pharyngitis may be secondary to chronic rhinitis/ sinusitis with post nasal drip and gastroesophageal reflux, also may be an independent cause of chronic cough.
Objective To review the clinical experience of Heller myotomy for treatment of achalasia through a small thoracotomy. Methods Twenty-five patients with achalasia (9 moderate, 16 severe) underwent Heller myotomy without concomitant antireflux procedure through a small incision. A left thoracotomy was carried out through either the seventh or eighth intercostals space. The length of skin incision was 6 to 8 cm. Results There was no hospital death and severe postoperative complications. The mean operating time was 50 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 10 days. There was one intraoperative perforation and repaired successfully. All patients reported good to excellent relief of dysphagia and no symptom of gastroesophageal reflux after surgery. Eight patients were subsequently studied with a 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and no evidence of pathologic reflux found. Conclusions Transthoracic Heller myotomy with a small incision is effective and safe method for treatment of achalasia with minimal invasion, quick recovery, less postoperative complication and shorter hospital stay. Proper extent of the myotomy may decrease the risk of subsequent gastroesophageal reflux in the postoperative period.
ObjectiveTo explore clinical outcomes of complete mechanical cervical side-to-side esophago-gastric tube anastomosis. MethodsClinical data of 60 patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC)who underwent complete mechanical cervical side-to-side esophago-gastric tube anastomosis in the 153rd Central Hospital of People's Liberation Army from June 2010 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 41 male and 19 female patients with their age of 46-78 (64.2±6.4)years and body weight of 58.6±12.6 kg. There were 39 patients with mid-thoracic EC, 15 patients with lower-thoracic EC, and 6 patients with upper-thoracic EC. There was 1 patient with stageⅠ EC, 32 patients with stage Ⅱ EC, 23 patients with stage Ⅲ EC, and 4 patients with stage Ⅳ EC. Six to 12 months after the operation, all the patients received a survey questionnaire regarding their quantity and quality of food intake as well as gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Fifty-two patients received barium swallow, and 38 patients received gastroscopy and esophageal mucosal biopsy during follow-up. ResultsAll the 60 patients were successfully discharged. Average length of hospital stay was 12.0±2.6 days. Average time for anastomosis was 18.4±3.2 minutes. The incidence of anastomotic leak was 1.7% (1/60). During follow-up, all the 60 patients restored normal food intake, and 14 patients (23.3%)had GER symptoms. Barium swallow showed the average anastomotic diameter of 1.6±0.2 cm (range, 1.2 to 2.2 cm). In 45° trendelenburg position, 31 patients (59.6%)had barium GER, but none of the patients had prolonged barium retention, intrathoracic gastric dilation or disturbed gastric emptying. Gastroscopy of 38 patients showed full anastomotic opening in 24 patients (63.2%)and irregular or semiclosed anastomosis in the other 14 patients (36.8%). Mucosal biopsy under gastroscopy showed chronic inflammation in 18.4% (7/38)patients. ConclusionComplete mechanical cervical side-to-side esophago-gastric tube anastomosis can significantly prevent anastomotic stenosis, leak and intrathoracic stomach symptoms with good clinical outcomes.
Objective To explore the value of dual-channel anastomosis of residual stomach and jejunum in radical resection of the upper gastric cancer. Methods Forty patients with upper gastric cancer had undergone proximal gastrectomy and dualchannel digestive tract reconstruction, including esophagus-jejunum side to side anastomosis, residual stomachjejunum anastomosis, and jejunum-jejunum anastomosis. Results The cutting margin away from tumor in all the cases was more than 5 cm and no carcinoma residual. The number of lymph nodes dissection was 21±6, reaching the requirement of D2 radical surgery. There was no case appearing complications such as anastomotic leakage, obstruction or bleeding. Barium meal examination after operation showed that most of barium was directly into the jejunum, the remaining went through the duodenum into the jejunum without gastroesophageal reflux. Followed up 6-30 months with average 18 months, there were no visible reflux esophagitis in all the cases, and only 1 case appeared minor dumping syndrome. The hemoglobin increased and the quality of life was satisfactory after operation. Conclusions In regard to dual-channel anastomosis of residual stomach and jejunum, resection range is reasonable, dissection scope accords with the protocol and residual stomach has a certain pouch effect. The anastomosis has a favorable prevention from reflux esophagitis and dumping syndrome and retains the duodenum pathway, so that improves the quality of patients’ life and is a relatively ideal digestive tract reconstruction.
Objective To compare the short-term curative results between Nissen, Thal and Toupet fundoplications in treatment of gastroesophageal reflux(GER) and to provide the basis for operative procedure. Methods Thirty-three male Japan rabbits were randomly divided into six groups: group reflux(n=7), transabdominal Heller’s esophagomyotomy (TAHE)；group Nissen(n=7)，TAHE and Nissen fundoplication；group Thal(n=7)，TAHE and Thal fundoplication；group Toupet(n=7)，TAHE and Toupet fundoplication； control group (n=5)，ventrotomy. The anti-reflux efficacy of fundoplication was evaluated by intraesophageal pH monitoring and MGV（maximal gastric volume sustained by lower esophageal sphincter）4 weeks postoperatively. Results ① The total number of reflux episodes and the reflux ratio（0.83±0.41,2.20%±1.12%） of group Nissen were significantly lower than those of group Thal (2.20±0.45, 4.32%±0.82%) and group Toupet (1.80±0.45, 4.20%±0.57%), respectively (Plt;0.05). ② MGV of group Nissen (233.00±9.44)ml was significantly larger than those of group Thal （203.40±11.13）ml and group Toupet（197.60±10.99）ml, respectively (Plt;0.05). ③There were no significant difference in total number of reflux episodes, reflux ratio and MGV between group Thal and group Toupet (Pgt;0.05).Conclusion Nissen fundoplication was better than Thal and Toupet fundoplications,Thal and Toupet fundoplications are similar in short-term curative result.
ObjectiveTo investigate the causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with its typical symptoms (snoring and daytime sleepiness) by using Mendelian randomization (MR). MethodsThe inverse-variance weighted method was used as the main analysis method to assess the causal effect. Sensitivity and pleiotropy analyses were carried out using leave-one-out and MR-Egger analysis, and then heterogeneity tests were conducted. ResultsIn the MR analysis, genetically predicted GERD was associated with a greater risk of OSA (IVW: OR=1.528, 95%CI 1.374 to 1.699, P=5.315E‒15). Additional MR results were consistent with the IVW results, and no pleiotropy or heterogeneity was found. We also discovered a significant causal relationship between GRED and snoring (IVW: OR=0.959, 95%CI 0.949 to 0.969, P=1.507E‒15), and daytime sleepiness (IVW: OR=1.024, 95%CI 1.021 to 1.036, P=4.580E‒5), with no evidence of pleiotropy. ConclusionThe MR study supports a causal effect between GERD and OSA with its typical symptoms (daytime sleepiness and snoring).
ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive factors of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) before and after splenectomy and gastroesophageal devascularization for liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. MethodsSixty-one cases of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension who underwent splenectomy and gastroesophageal devascularization were enrolled retrospectively. The patients were divided into PVT group and non-PVT group based on the presence or absence of postoperative PVT on day 7. The clinical factors related with PVT were analyzed. ResultsThere were 25 cases in the DVT group and 36 cases in the non-DVT group. The results of univariate analysis showed that the preoperative platelet (P=0.006), activated partial thromboplastin time (P=0.048), prothrombin time (P=0.028), and international normalized ratio (P=0.029), postoperative fibrin degradation product (P=0.002) and D-dimer (P=0.014) on day 1, portal venous diameter (P=0.050) had significant differences between the DVT group and non-DVT group. The results of logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that the preoperative platelet (OR=0.966, 95% CI 0.934-1.000, P=0.048) and postoperative fibrin degradation product on day 1(OR=1.055, 95% CI 1.011-1.103, P=0.017) were correlated with the PVT. The PVT might happen when preoperative platelet was less than 34.5×109/L (sensitibity 80.6%, specificity 60.0%) or postoperative fibrin degradation product on day 1 was more than 64.75 mg/L (sensitibity 48.0%, specificity 91.7%). ConclusionPreoperative platelet and postoperative fibrin degradation product on day 1 might predict PVT after splenectomy and gastroesophageal devascularization for liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension.