The Angelchik antireflux prosthesis.

A silicone collar containing circumferential tape was tied around the cardio-esophageal junction in eight patients with symptomatic, refractory reflux, who were not good candidates for a standard antireflux procedure. A fine polypropylene tie or clip secured the knot. In two patients with large hiatal defects, the crura were approximated loosely. Mean operating time, including one cholecystectomy and one ventral hernia repair, was 51 minutes. Patients who underwent this simple operation had a combination of hypertension, heart disease, obesity and old age, and two had undergone horizontal gastroplasty previously for morbid obesity. The reflux was associated with hiatal hernia in seven of the eight patients. Preoperative studies included barium swallow roentgenography in all eight patients, and endoscopy, manometry and Bernstein test in six. All the studies were repeated postoperatively. Follow-up ranged from 17 to 48 months (mean 37.8 +/- 10.6 months). Postoperatively, there was a significant (p less than 0.01) improvement in symptoms, endoscopic findings and lower esophageal sphincter pressures. No prosthesis has migrated yet.

Metabolic bone disease in a patient on long-term total parenteral nutrition: a case report with review of literature.

A 38-yr-old woman with Crohn's disease and short bowel on home total parenteral nutrition was studied. Metabolic bone assessments were done prospectively. Daily total parenteral nutrition included 500 IU vitamin D2, 6 to 8 mmol calcium, 10 to 15 mmol phosphorus, 12 to 16 mmol magnesium, and trace elements including zinc, cooper, and chromium. After 6 months, while asymptomatic, chemistries and x-rays were normal. Calcium bone index was 0.79. The bone biopsy showed mild hyperkinetic picture. At 26 months, she had a spontaneous rib fracture and bone pains in the hands and lower back. Chemistries were normal except that calcium bone index was 0.75. Bone biopsy showed mild osteomalacia. Vitamin D2 was withdrawn for 2 months and then restarted at 1000 IU/wk. She improved symptomatically for 4 months, but then developed rib fractures, and the bone pains recurred. After 48 months, chemistries were normal, except that the calcium bone index was 0.57 and bone biopsy showed regression of osteomalacia toward normal. Vitamin D2 was now withdrawn for 6 months, resulting in loss of bone pain. Vitamin D2 may produce a metabolic bone disease, requiring prolonged withdrawal for improvement.