Effect of erythromycin on electrical activity and gastric emptying of the intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of erythromycin on electrical activity and emptying of the intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer and esophagogastrostomy above the aortic arch were divided into the study group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Electrogastrography and radionuclide gastric emptying were examined for these patients before and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. Patients in the study group received erythromycin (0.25 g tid po) for 1 week before examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The wave amplitude (Uv), dominant frequency (CPM) and percentage of normal slow wave (%) of electrogastrogram decreased after surgery and returned to normal at the first postoperative month in the study group and the 12th postoperative month in the control group (P>0.05). Gastric emptying was significantly delayed after esophagectomy, and returned to normal one year after operation in the study group (P>0.05). However, gastric emptying remained abnormal in the control group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Erythromycin improves electrical activity and emptying of the stomach after esophagectomy for cancer. Gastric emptying recovery later than the recovery of electrical activity, which may be related to gastric ischemia and edema.</p>

Antireflux anastomosis following resection of esophageal cancer / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antireflux effects of a modified Nissen fundoplication following esophagectomy for cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2006 to March 2007, 70 patients with esophageal cancer were divided into two groups randomly. Esophagogastrostomy with a stapler only was perform in 35 patients as controls (group C), and a modified Nissen fundoplication was added after esophagogastrostomy with stapler in the other 35 patients as observed group (group O). There were 48 male and 22 female, ranging in age from 47 to 77 years (mean 60.1 years). The operative morbidity and mortality were recorded. Fourty-nine patients were followed at 3 months after surgery, and the questionnaire of life quality (EORTC QLQ C-30) was conducted in 24 patients in group C and 25 patients in group O. Thirty patients were examined with esophageal manometry, 24 h pH monitoring and gastroscopy. There were 16 patients in group C and 14 patients in group O.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in postoperative morbidity between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the scores of heart burn and regurgitation in the group O were less than in group C (P = 0.041 and 0.034 respectively), but there was no difference in scores of dysphagia between the two groups (P = 0.677). The pressure at the anastomotic site was higher than that in the stomach in group O (P = 0.032), but not in group C (P = 0.448). DeMeester score in group O was 53 ± 46, compared to 140 ± 103 in group C (P = 0.043). The score of esophagitis was 0.9 ± 0.8 in group O, which was lower than 1.6 ± 1.0 in group C (P = 0.041).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Addition of modified Nissen fundoplication after esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy for cancer significantly increases the pressure at the anastomotic site, thus reduces the extent of gastroesophageal reflux, which leads to the reduction of the extent of reflux esophagitis and the improvement of the quality of life.</p>