Quality of life more than 20 years after repair of esophageal atresia.

PURPOSE: To examine the quality of life after repair of esophageal atresia, follow-up studies were performed in 58 of 71 surviving patients (81.7%). METHODS: Fifty patients with primary anastomosis and all eight surviving patients with colon interposition were seen. The mean age was 25.3 years (range, 20 to 31). Symptoms were evaluated by a standardized interview. Quality of life assessment was performed using a visual analogue scale (0 to 100 points), the Spitzer Index (5 dimensions, 10 points), and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI, 5 dimensions, 128 points). RESULTS: After primary anastomosis the estimated meal capacity was unrestricted in 46 patients (92%), but numerous symptoms such as recidivating cough (60%), hold up (48%), and short breath (30%) were reported. All symptoms except cough were seen more frequently in patients with colon interposition, and all of these patients suffered from periods of short breath. Quality of life scores were higher in patients with primary anastomosis compared with colon interposition. The difference in the visual analogue scale score did not reach statistical significance, but the mean Spitzer Index was 9.7 compared with 8.8 after colon interposition (P < .05). The GIQLI after primary anastomosis was similar to that in healthy controls and was significantly lower in patients with colon interposition. This was because of specific symptoms, which scored 49.3 after colon interposition compared with 61.7 after primary anastomosis (P < .05) and to 54.8 (SD 5) in healthy controls (P < .05). Physical and social functions, emotions, and inconvenience of a medical treatment scored similar in patients with primary anastomosis, colon interposition, and healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term quality of life after primary anastomosis was excellent. Patients with colon interposition suffer more frequently from various gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, but they lead an otherwise normal life.

Long-term results after laparoscopic cholecystotomy in a child with symptomatic gallstone disease.

Cholecystotomy has been suggested for symptomatic gallstone disease in selected children. This suggestion is supported by a potential reduction in the frequency of the so-called postcholecystotomy syndrome. To our knowledge, laparoscopic cholecystotomy has not been reported yet. However, gallstone recurrence has been reported up to 4 years after conventional cholecystotomy and therefore we waited to publish our results for that period of time. A 12-year-old girl with idiopathic symptomatic gallstone disease and a normal kinetic of the gallbladder underwent laparoscopic cholecystotomy. The laparoscopic technique was similar to laparoscopic cholecystectomy but the gallbladder was left in place and multiple gallstones were removed. Intraoperative cholecystoscopy revealed three additional small stones. They were removed by subsequent lavage of the gallbladder. Choledocholithiasis was excluded by intraoperative cholangiography and the gallbladder was closed using an Endo GIA. There were no intraoperative or postoperative events. The patient is free of complaints without recurrent gallstones on ultrasound examination today, 4 years after the operation. Laparoscopic cholecystotomy represents a feasible alternative to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Long-term functional results and quality of life after colon interposition for long-gap oesophageal atresia.

Out of a series of 146 patients with oesophageal atresia 9 (6.2%) underwent colon interposition from 1963 to 1971. All eight surviving patients were seen at follow-up after a mean of 22 years. Three patients were free of specific symptoms according to the criteria of DeMeester, two had moderate and three severe distress. The mean time for consuming a standardized test meal was 15 minutes, compared to 8 minutes in healthy controls. Patients required 1-9 minutes to transport liquid barium through the transplant, compared to < 10 seconds in control subjects. Histological evaluation revealed a normal architecture of the colonic and ileal epithelium in three patients who underwent endoscopy. In none of these patients were contractions in the colon graft related to the act of swallowing recorded on manometry. Unimpaired quality of life was indicated by the Spitzer index which scored a mean of nine out of ten points. However, on a 100point visual analogue scale patients scored their global quality of life 66 and the mean Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index was 92.2, compared to 107.6 in healthy control subjects (p < 0.05). This impairment was exclusively due to specific symptoms which scored 49.3 in patients and 59 in healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Physical and social functions, emotions, and inconvenience of a medical treatment were similar to control subjects. We conclude that colon interposition for long-gap oesophageal atresia achieves acceptable long-term functional results. However, specific symptoms lead to a considerable impairment in quality of life.

Long-term results after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

As part of a continuing audit of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (which now numbers over 1500) 468 of the 508 patients (92.1 per cent) operated on between October 1989 and March 1991 were studied between 350 and 988 days after the operation (mean 19 months). A questionnaire was filled in by each patient before operation and at the late follow-up visit. Eight specific symptoms were sought-non-colicky pain, colic, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, flatulence, and dietary restriction. The result of each operation was assessed by two surgeons and by the patient. In 453 patients (96.8 per cent) the symptoms had improved as a result of the operation, but 260 patients (55.6 per cent) had some abdominal symptoms. The result was assessed as excellent in 310 patients (66.2 per cent); 143 (30.5 per cent) still had abdominal complaints but they were willing to cope with those symptoms. In 15 patients (3.2 per cent) the result was unsatisfactory. Statistical analysis of 26 preoperative variables showed few significant differences between patients with excellent results and patients with persisting or new symptoms. The percentage of patients with biliary colic was reduced from 82.9 per cent before to 6.4 per cent after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (P < 0.05), and of those with flatulence from 62.6 per cent to 45.3 per cent (P < 0.05). Flatulence persisted in 147 (50.2 per cent) of the 293 patients who had complained of flatulence before the operation, and of the 175 patients who had not complained of flatulence before surgery, 65 (37.1 per cent) reported the symptom for the first time after the operation. It appears that 'flatulent dyspepsia' after cholecystectomy has many causes, one of which may be removal of the gallbladder. It is concluded that the long-term results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with symptomatic gallstone disease were excellent but the prognosis in individual patients was unpredictable.

Technology assessment of endoscopic surgery.

Endoscopic surgery is considered a milestone in the evolution of surgical technique in nearly all fields of surgery. However, the inappropriate use of the new technology in medicine has also been heavily criticised. Systematic technology assessment of endoscopic surgical techniques is mandatory to prove the real benefits and complications, so defining the indications for their appropriate use. This article describes methods of technology assessment suitable for endoscopic techniques with emphasis on relevant endpoints for surgeons and patients. The general stages of a comprehensive technology assessment include: 1. feasibility (safety and technical performance) 2. efficacy (patient benefits in pioneering places) 3. effectiveness (patient benefits in average hospitals in the community as a whole) and 4. economic evaluation (cost-benefit analyses). We used the example of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to describe the methods of technology assessment. A cohort study on 500 patients revealed that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is as safe as the conventional standard open technique. The results on efficacy strongly support the hypothesis of more comfort and less trauma with the endoscopic technique. Major endpoints evaluated were postoperative pain, convalescence, fatigue and quality of life. Data on effectiveness and economics are still in a "premature" state and should be the subject of further analyses. It is concluded, that other disciplines such as neurosurgery should evaluate their endoscopic surgical techniques according to the rules of technology assessment outlined in this paper.

Laparoscopic surgery in children and adolescents with suspected appendicitis: results of medical technology assessment.

Laparoscopy has been performed in 43 patients aged up to 18 years with suspected appendicitis; 20 were children 8-15 years and 23 adolescents 16-18 years of age. Diagnostic laparoscopy was successful in 36 (84%) patients; in 7 (16%) subsequent laparotomy was necessary to establish the diagnosis, in 4 (9%) because the appendix was not visualized. Laparoscopic appendectomy was done in 33 (77%) patients, additional laparoscopic adhesiolysis in four and inversion of a diverticulum in one. Changing to laparotomy during the laparoscopic operation was necessary in one patient because of a technical problem and in another because of bleeding of the appendicular artery. Laparoscopy was totally free of complications in 33 (77%) patients; another 9 (21%) had surgical or technical problems without negative outcome for the patient. In one (2%) patient a wound infection led to a negative outcome; there were no other laparoscopy-related events. The mean intensity of pain on the first day after laparoscopic appendectomy was 31 points (Visual Analogue Scale with 100 points) and decreased to nearly zero on the third day; 37% of patients needed opioids on the first and none on the third day. There was no statistical difference for pain intensity and consumption of analgesics after appendectomy via laparoscopy versus laparotomy. We conclude that diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in children and adolescents with suspected appendicitis is a safe and effective procedure.

Physiologic assessment and surgical management of diffuse esophageal spasm.

The physiologic abnormalities and management of patients with diffuse esophageal spasm are controversial. We evaluated the symptomatic and functional results of surgical therapy in 19 patients with diffuse esophageal spasm who were incapacitated with dysphagia and chest pain and unresponsive to conservative management. A long esophageal myotomy with an antireflux procedure was performed in 15 patients, and four patients with multiple previous esophageal procedures had an esophagectomy. Eleven patients had increased esophageal exposure to gastric juice on preoperative 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. The severity of dysphagia, chest pain, regurgitation, and heartburn was scored on a scale of 0 to 3 before and a mean of 24 months (range 8 months to 13 years) after the operation. After myotomy, each of these symptoms and the overall symptom score improved significantly (p < 0.01). The improvement in the symptom scores in the patients who had esophagectomy were comparable with the improvement after myotomy. On self-assessment, 90% of the patients would have the operation again if again faced with the decision. Standard and ambulatory 24-hour manometry showed a significant reduction in the amplitude of the esophageal body contractions, a decrease in the frequency of simultaneous contractions, and the elimination of multi-peaked waves after the myotomy. Despite the addition of an antireflux procedure, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, overall length, and abdominal length were reduced markedly after the myotomy. This was associated with persistent or emerging heartburn or regurgitation in four patients. These data indicate that a long esophageal myotomy is a valid treatment alternative in appropriately selected patients with diffuse esophageal spasm. Esophagectomy and colon interposition is the procedure of choice in patients with multiple previously failed myotomies.

Ambulatory 24-hour esophageal manometry in the evaluation of esophageal motor disorders and noncardiac chest pain.

Standard manometry is currently considered the gold standard for the classification of esophageal motor disorders. We compared the new technique of ambulatory 24-hour esophageal motility monitoring to standard manometry in 108 patients thought to have a primary esophageal motor disorder, assessed the esophageal motor pattern associated with spontaneous noncardiac chest pain, and studied the effect of long esophageal myotomy on circadian esophageal motor function. Standard manometry was found to frequently overestimate and underestimate the severity of esophageal motor abnormalities as compared to 24-hour monitoring. Ambulatory manometry showed a direct correlation of abnormal esophageal motor activity with episodes of noncardiac chest pain in 13 of 26 patients who experienced the symptom during the monitoring period. The abnormal motor activity immediately preceding the pain episodes in these patients was characterized by an increased frequency of simultaneous, double and triple-peaked, high amplitude, and long duration contractions (p less than 0.01). Long esophageal myotomy markedly reduced or eliminated the ability of the esophagus to produce these abnormal contractions (p less than 0.01). These data suggest that ambulatory esophageal motility monitoring allows more precise classification of esophageal motor disorders than standard manometry and identifies abnormal esophageal motor activity associated with noncardiac chest pain that can be abated by long esophageal myotomy.

Drug-induced esophageal injury. Histopathological study in a rabbit model.

The purpose of this animal study was to investigate the histopathologic consequences of esophageal exposure to a variety of medications known to be injurious to the human esophagus. Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were utilized. Tablets or control plastic beads were secured to a silk suture thread and positioned in the rabbit esophagus through a proximal esophagostomy and a gastrostomy. Test medications were allowed to dissolve passively on the surface of the esophageal mucosa in the anesthetized rabbits. After 1 hr of drug exposure, the rabbits were killed and the esophagus removed and examined. No gross abnormalities were detected with the exception of a mild degree of erythema at some of the exposure sites. All medications and control beads produced microscopic mucosal changes when compared to suture controls. The beads and test medications caused thinning of the epithelium and increased subepithelial edema (P less than 0.05). Two changes, however, were unique to animals exposed to test medications: fraying and/or splitting of the epithelium and the presence of balloon cells (P less than 0.05). Balloon cells represent damaged squamous epithelial cells recognizable by their distended, globoid shape. The prevalence of balloon cells ranged from 22% to 89% of sites exposed to drug and was most commonly associated with potassium. Of all drugs reported to cause injury to the human esophagus, potassium chloride has been reported to produce the most severe lesions, including esophageal stricture and perforation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Circadian esophageal motor function in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Effective esophageal peristalsis is a major determinant of esophageal clearance function and may contribute to the development of complications in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Using 24-hour ambulatory esophageal manometry, we compared the circadian esophageal motor activity of normal volunteers to that of patients with increased esophageal exposure to gastric juice and various grades of mucosal injury (no mucosal injury, esophagitis, stricture, or Barrett's esophagus). The prevalence of a mechanically defective lower esophageal sphincter, esophageal acid exposure time, and the frequency of nonperistaltic esophageal contractions during the supine, upright, and meal periods increased with increasing severity of mucosal injury. The median amplitude of esophageal contractions was compromised only in patients with a mechanically defective sphincter. This was particularly so in patients with stricture or Barrett's esophagus and was associated with an increased frequency of ineffective contractions (less than 30 mm Hg). These data show that esophageal motor function deteriorates with increasing severity of mucosal injury. This appears to be caused by persistent reflux of gastric juice across a mechanically defective lower esophageal sphincter. The need for surgical correction of a mechanically defective sphincter before the loss of esophageal body function is implicated.

A new technique to define and clarify esophageal motor disorders.

Ambulatory 24-hour esophageal manometry was applied to analyze motility in 12 normal subjects and 9 patients with chest pain and dysphagia caused by diffuse esophageal spasm (DES). Pain episodes characterized by nonperistaltic activity occurred in 7 of 9 patients. A score based on 10 variables of the motility pattern differentiated patients from normal subjects and quantitated the severity of the disorder. Ambulatory motility monitoring was prospectively performed in 8 normal subjects and 37 patients: 8 with DES, 13 with hypertensive contractions, and 16 with a nonspecific disorder on standard manometry. The score was positive in 6 of 8 patients with DES and negative in all normal subjects (accuracy 87 percent). Nine of the 13 patients with hypertensive contractions (70 percent) and 6 of 16 with nonspecific disorders (38 percent) had a pathologic score reflecting a dysmotility as severe as DES. Ambulatory esophageal manometry is a more physiologic way to identify a motor disorder than standard manometry and has the potential to improve selection of patients for a surgical myotomy.

The significance of the gastric secretory state in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The gastric secretory status of 75 patients with abnormal esophageal exposure to gastric juice proved by 24-hour pH monitoring was measured to study the significance of gastric hypersecretion in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastric hypersecretion was a less-frequent finding than a mechanically defective sphincter (28% vs 72%, respectively). Forty-eight percent of patients with a normal sphincter, compared with 20% of those with a defective sphincter, were hypersecretors. In the presence of normal gastric secretion, complications occurred in 18% of those with a normal sphincter and 77% of those with a defective sphincter. In the presence of hypersecretion, the complication rate was 40% and 82%, respectively. These findings show that the development of reflux complications are related to a defective sphincter. Gastric hypersecretion in reflux patients with a normal sphincter is best treated by acid reduction using H2 blockers. Patients with a mechanically defective sphincter, regardless of their gastric secretory state, should have an antireflux procedure.