The Value of Intraoperative Endoscopy and Manometry in the Surgical Treatment of Achalasia.

Introduction: Achalasia is the most common esophageal motility disorder. So far, the treatment, which can be medical, endoscopic or surgical, provides only symptomatic relief. However, this can grant a normal life to the patients. We focused our study on the value of pre- and intraoperative endoscopy and manometry for improving outcome of surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a retrospective chart review of a cohort of patients diagnosed with achalasia at St Mary Clinical Hospital, Bucharest between 2013 and 2017. The objective of this study was the assessment of the immediate and long term efficacy of laparoscopic Heller myotomy associated with Dor anterior fundoplication, intraoperative endoscopy and intraoperative manometry, as well as the assessment of late post-operative complications. The diagnosis of achalasia was based on symptoms, barium esophagogram, upper endoscopy and esophageal manometry. The immediate efficacy was assessed by comparing Eckhart score, LES pressure and LES vector volume before and after surgery. Results: In total, 47 patients, had surgical treatment for achalasia between 2013 and 2017. For 7 patients who failed prior endoscopic or surgical, this was the second therapeutic intervention. 39 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, 30 patients had associated intraoperative endoscopy and, 22 patients had associated intraoperative manometry. There was a significant improvement in mean Eckardt score (from 6,5 to 1,26, p 0,001), mean LES pressure (from 18,5 mmHg to 7 mmHg, p 0,001). Morbidity was 2,12 % and we have had 1 recurrence and 2 postoperative esophagitis. Conclusions: At present, laparoscopic Heller myotomy with an anterior Dor fundoplication, is a standard indication in achalasia, proving its efficiency and safety. Intraoperative use of endoscopy is recommended and intraoperative manometry may provide additional information on the effectiveness of myotomy. Surgical treatment of achalasia should be performed in specialized, experienced centers.

Current Management of Locally Advanced Junction Esophagogastric Adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction is more common in the West. Preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is performed for locally advanced disease. Recent studies are suggesting higher rates of curative resection and reduced rates of local recurrence in patients with neoadjuvant combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The role of targeted agents in neoadjuvant therapy is under investigation.

Early Postoperative Complications of Thoracic Esophageal Diverticula: A Review of 10 Cases from "Saint Mary" Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.

Introduction: Thoracic esophageal diverticulum is a rare pathology frequently associated with esophageal motility disorders. Surgery is the only option in patients with severe symptoms. METHOD: This is a retrospective case series study of 10 patients who underwent diverticulectomy for thoracic (epiphrenic or mid-esophageal) diverticula. It was recorded: main preoperative symptoms, usual blood tests, barium swallow, upper endoscopy and esophageal manometry. We analyzed the postoperative complications, length of stay in hospital and intensive care unit. Results: Most patients presented with regurgitation and/or dysphagia. The surgical approach was through left thoracotomy or abdominal for epiphrenic diverticula and through right thoracotomy or thoracoscopy for mid-esophageal diverticula. 4 patients had severe complications: 3 had major leaks (one death) and one had chylothorax. DISCUSSIONS: Surgery for thoracic diverticula is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Leak from the suture line is the most common complication, unlike chylothorax which is a rare complication. Conclusions: Thoracic diverticula represent a benign pathology which can have "žmalignant" postoperative complications. A thorough preoperative work-up is mandatory for choosing the appropriate surgical technique. Use of multiple cartridges for stapling suture increase the risk of leakage, but oversewing the suture may diminish it.

Clinical and Therapeutic Implications of the 8th Edition TNM Classification of Adenocarcinomas of the Esophagogastric Junction.

The 8th edition of TNM cancer staging is based on data from large patient cohorts, data collected from the Worldwide Collaboration Cancer Esophageal (WECC) group, or the International Association for Gastric Cancer (IGCA), including treated patients surgically per primate or after neoadjuvant treatment. This edition redefines the esophago-gastric junction tumors and recommends different TNMs staging: Siewert type I and II should be classified according to TNM recommendations for esophageal adenocarcinoma, while for Siewert type III the TNM classification for gastric cancer should be considered. Anatomical characteristics feature type T (tumor invasion), type N (regional lymph node invasion) and type M (distant metastasis). Non-anatomic characteristics include tumor differentiation (G) and tumor localization (L). Category descriptors are currently evaluated by endoscopy with biopsy, fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), thoraco-abdomino-pelvic computer tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (CT-PET). The new TNM staging edition presents separate classifications applicable for therapeutic strategy: clinical staging cTNM (prior to any treatment), pathological staging pTNM (after surgery first) and neoadjuvant pathologic staging ypTNM (after neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery). The refinement of each category and subcategory of T, N, M makes the 8th edition more accurate and adaptable to current practice, including for therapeutic strategy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and therapeutical implications of the 8th edition of the TNM staging for esophago gastric junction adenocarcinoma.

Mature Teratoma Associated with Bilateral Ovarian Carcinosarcoma - Accidental Association or Etiopathogenetic Determinism? - Case Report.

Carcinosarcoma is a rare form of ovarian cancer with mixed origin, and its association with mature teratoma is extremely rare. We present the case of patient T. M. aged 67, admitted into our clinic on the 15/05/2016, F.O. 4877 for the increase of the abdominal volume. On admission, the patient was afebrile, conscious, cooperative, cardio-respiratory balanced, having the abdomen distended in volume, sharp dullness in the flanks, positive wave sign bioumoral within normal limits except: uric acid = 6.64 mg / dL, serum glucose = 113.7 mg / dl, serum total proteins = 8.65 g / dl, the albumin / globulin subunit, CRP 33.63 mg / l, sideremia 51 ug / dl, CA 125 = 588.4 IU. Abdominal ultrasound: high volume fluid and multiple perihepatic formations and multiple formations with cystic transformation in the abdomen and pelvis. CT exam describes multiple tissular masses localized intraperitoneal in the abdominal-pelvic region, sheath fluid effusion, infiltrative, with mass effect on the digestive lumens, without visible CT obstruction. Surgical treatment consisted in evacuation of the ascites fluid, excision of the tumoral lumps situated in the great omentum, omentectomy, excision of the lumps of the gastrocolic ligament, bilateral ovariectomy and hysterectomy. Postoperative simple evolution. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral ovarian carcinosarcoma associated with tridermic mature teratoma (presence of brain tissue areas associated with cartilage, transitional type epithelium, tubal type epithelium, endometrial stroma type and fatty tissue). IHC confirms the compatibility with the diagnosis of ovarian carcinosarcoma (mixed malignant Mullerian tumor). The patient followed adjuvant polichemotherapy. The association of teratoma with carcinosarcomatoase elements confers a poor prognosis case.