Aberrant left hepatic artery in laparoscopic antireflux procedures.

BACKGROUND: The aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) is an anatomic variation that may present an obstacle in laparoscopic antireflux procedures. Based on our experience, we addressed the following questions: How frequent is ALHA? When or why is it divided? What is the outcome in patients after division of the ALHA? METHODS: From a prospective collected database of 720 patients undergoing laparoscopic antireflux surgery, we collected the following information: presence of an ALHA, clinical data, diagnostic workup, operative reports, laboratory data, and follow-up data. RESULTS: In 57 patients (7.9%) (37 men and 20 women; mean age, 51 +/- 15.7 years), an ALHA was reported. Hiatal dissection was impaired in 17 patients (29.8%), requiring division of the ALHA. In three patients (5.3%), the artery was injured during dissection; in one case (1.8%), it was divided because of ongoing bleeding. Ten of the divided ALHA (55.5%) were either of intermediate size or large. Mean operating time was 2.2 +/- 0.8 h; mean blood loss was 63 +/- 49 ml. Postoperative morbidity was 5.3% and mortality was 0%. None of the patients with divided hepatic arteries had postoperative symptoms related to impaired liver function. Postoperatively, two patients (11.7%) had transient elevated liver enzymes. At a mean follow-up of 28.5 +/- 12.8 months, no specific complaints could be identified. CONCLUSIONS: ALHA is not an uncommon finding in laparoscopic antireflux surgery and may be found in > or =8% of patients. Division may be required due to impaired view of the operating field or bleeding. Patients do not experience clinical complaints after division, but liver enzymes may be temporarily elevated.

[Treatment strategies for gastroesophageal reflux disease]. / Strategien zur Behandlung der gastroösophagealen Refluxkrankheit.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common disorder. Therapeutic options include lifestyle modifications, medical therapy, laparoscopic antireflux surgery, and three more recent options-injection therapy to the lower esophageal sphincter, endoscopic sewing procedures, and radio frequency ablation therapy. Medical therapy is effective in most patients but not always successful with advanced disease. Up to 70% of subjects do not have adequate nocturnal control of gastric acid secretion with 20 mg of omeprazole given twice per day. Patients who do not tolerate medical therapy, who respond inadequately, or who want to avoid life-long drug therapy are candidates for alternate treatments. Studies on endoscopic procedures such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) injection, the Stretta procedure,and endoscopic suturing techniques all suffer from having small study groups for each procedure,unknown durability, short follow-up, and the absence of randomized, controlled procedures. Limitations on endoscopic techniques are esophageal motility disorders, severe esophagitis, and larger hiatal hernias. Laparoscopic antireflux surgery remains a well-established, durable alternative to long-term medical therapy. It has the benefits of convenience, safety, minimal complications, improved quality of life, and low cost. Alternative methods will have to earn their place against this gold standard.

Redo laparoscopic surgery for achalasia.

BACKGROUND: Operative treatment of achalasia can fail in 10% to 15% of patients. No information is available on the outcome of laparoscopic reoperation for achalasia. METHODS: Data from patients undergoing redo surgery for achalasia were prospectively collected. The data were analyzed, and a questionnaire was sent to all the patients. RESULTS: Eight patients underwent redo procedures at our institution between 1994 and 1998. The reasons for failure of the initial operations were incomplete myotomy (n = 5), incorrect diagnosis (n = 2), and new onset of reflux symptoms (n = 1). All the redo procedures were performed laparoscopically. All the patients except one had excellent or good results. The average symptom severity score for dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, cough, and heartburn all improved after redo procedures. The average quality of life score improved from poor to good. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic reoperation for achalasia is safe and feasible. It results in symptom improvement for most patients. Surgeon experience and recognition of the cause for failure of the original operation are most important in predicting the outcome.

Safety and long-term outcome of laparoscopic antireflux surgery in patients in their eighties and older.

BACKGROUND: The elderly have more severe reflux disease and paraesophageal hernias than younger patients, leading to a high failure rate of medical therapy. Laparoscopic antireflux surgery has an overall mortality of 0.1% and a low morbidity, making it a safe and beneficial procedure for the elderly. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of octo- and nonogenerians with a mean follow-up of 3.1 years after laparoscopic fundoplication. Thirty (3.5%) patients who were in their eighties or older are reported. Preoperative symptoms, esophageal testing, postoperative symptoms, and satisfaction rate were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of patients had paraesophageal hernias. Mean duration of procedures was 146 +/- 49 min, blood loss was 76 +/- 101 ml, and hospitalization was 2.2 +/- 1.0 days. There was one conversion to laparotomy, two intraoperative complications, and no deaths. Follow-up data were available in 93% of patients. Mean follow-up time was 3.1 years. Two died of unrelated causes. At follow-up 96% stated that their surgical outcome was satisfactory. Two patients were suffering from severe symptoms. Overall well-being at follow-up was 7.5 (range 3-10) on a 10-point scale in comparison to 2.2 (range 1-5) before surgery (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery is a good option for the treatment of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease in octo- and nonagenarians.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery for supraesophageal complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can result in such supraesophageal complications as hoarseness, sore throat, cough, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent pneumonia, intermittent choking, chest pain, and ear pain. Appropriate patient care involves careful evaluation to decide on medical or surgical therapy. Preoperative testing must include endoscopy, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, and esophageal manometry. Additional evaluations, such as barium swallow, chest x-ray, bronchoscopy, and sinus radiographs, may be required. Medical treatment improves gastroesophageal reflux and supraesophageal symptoms. However, surgical therapy seems to provide better long-term results. A profile that predicts the best response to medical therapy has not been identified, although the best results with surgery are achieved in patients with nocturnal asthma, onset of reflux before pulmonary symptoms, laryngeal inflammation, and a good response to medical treatment.

Metastasis of head and neck carcinoma to the site of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Patients with head and neck cancer often need a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy to provide adequate nutrition because of inability to swallow after tumor radiation therapy. However, metastasis of the original tumor to the gastrostomy exit site may occur. METHODS: We describe the case of a 61-year-old man with stage III (T2 N1) squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in whom a PEG tube was placed to circumvent anticipated difficulties in swallowing after radiation therapy. We also compare this case with similar cases in the literature. RESULTS: Soreness and erythema near the gastrostomy site reported by the patient were diagnosed as cellulitis, and two courses of antibiotic treatment were prescribed. However, a biopsy showed that the original squamous cell carcinoma had metastasized to the gastrostomy exit site. The "pull" method of tube placement had been used in this patient and in all 19 cases of metastasis reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic cancer should be considered in patients with head and neck cancer who have unexplained skin changes at the gastrostomy site. Our experience with this case and review of the literature indicate that, in patients with head and neck cancer, "pull" procedures for placement of gastrostomy tubes may induce metastasis by direct implantation of tumor cells because of contact between the gastrostomy tube and tumor cells. Methods of tube insertion that avoid such contact are preferred.

Five- to eight-year outcome of the first laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications.

The operative mortality and morbidity of laparoscopic fundoplication are lower than for the open procedure. Questions have been raised regarding its long-term durability. One hundred seventy-one patients who had undergone laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication at least 5 years previously answered a questionnaire. During this period, 291 patients underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Surveillance data were available for 171 patients at a mean of 6.4 years after surgery. Overall, 96.5% were satisfied and 3.5% were not satisfied with the result of the procedure. Persistent symptoms included abdominal bloating (20.5%), diarrhea (12.3%), regurgitation (6.4%), heartburn (5.8%) and chest pain (4.1%); 27.5% reported dysphagia, and 7% had required dilatation. Fourteen percent were on continuous proton pump inhibitor therapy, but 79% of these patients were treated for vague abdominal or chest symptoms unrelated to reflux, which calls into question the indications for this therapy. Ninety-three percent of all patients were satisfied with their decision to have surgery. The overall well-being score increased significantly from 2.2 +/- 1.6 before surgery to 8.8 +/- 2 (P > 0.0001) at more than 5 years after surgery. Twenty-one percent had undergone additional diagnostic procedures after surgery such as endoscopy and/or barium swallow. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is an excellent long-term treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease with persistent success for more than 5 years. Some patients have continuing symptoms and remain on therapy, but more than 90% of all patients undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication remain satisfied with their decision to have surgery. These results are at least as good as those achieved with open fundoplication and prove the long-term worth of this procedure.

Rationale for surgical therapy of Barrett esophagus.

Barrett esophagus has malignant potential and seems to be an acquired abnormality. It is associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and represents its severest form. The literature comparing medical treatment with antireflux surgery was reviewed. Questions regarding the advantages of surgery, who should undergo surgery, whether surgery can change the course of Barrett esophagus, the change in cancer risk, who needs surveillance, and cost-effectiveness were addressed. The incidence of developing Barrett cancer was 1 in 145 patient-years in reviewing 2032 patient-years of medical therapy compared with 1 in 294 patient-years in reviewing 4122 patient-years after surgery. Median follow-up time in the 2 groups was 2.7 years in the medically treated patients and 4.0 years in the surgically treated patients. Surveillance of Barrett esophagus is required irrespective of treatment. Laparoscopic antireflux surgery was found to be cost-effective after 7 years. Although these data do not prove that surgery is superior to medical treatment in the prevention of cancer related to Barrett esophagus, we found a tendency for surgery to be better than medical therapy to prevent the development and progression of Barrett carcinoma.

Indications for antireflux surgery in Barrett's.

One of the most common complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease is Barrett's esophagus. Medical therapy for this condition is not very effective and does not seem to be able to control the occurence and progression of the disease. In contrast, there is some evidence that effective antireflux surgery does have a slowing effect on the occurence and the progression of Barrett's esophagus. There is also some evidence that the progression of Barrett's to high-grade dysplasia and carcinoma is less after antireflux surgery than during medical therapy. Antireflux surgery should be considered in patients with Barrett's who have a large hiatal hernia, dysplasia, a weak lower esophageal sphincter pressure, failed medical therapy, noncompliance to medications, and young age.

Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair.

The term paraesophageal hernia is described as a herniation of the gastric fundus through the open hiatus into the thoracic cavity while the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) remains in its normal anatomic position. This is considered a rolling esophageal hernia (Type II), and it is the least commonly encountered hiatal hernia. A more commonly encountered herniation of the fundus of the stomach is the Type III hernia, in which both the LES and the fundus herniate into the chest. This has also been classified as a paraesophageal hernia. The most common hiatal hernia is a sliding hiatal hernia (Type I), which consists of herniation of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus, causing the LES and gastric cardia to lie in the thoracic cavity. There are several controversial issues involved in paraesophageal hernia repair, including indications for surgery, the most appropriate surgical approach, and the need for a concomitant antireflux procedure. The increasing popularity of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair has dramatically altered the approach to these patients and has allowed patients at higher risk to better tolerate this procedure with a decrease in morbidity and mortality. However, they remain difficult surgical procedures.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia in adults.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is rarely seen in adults. A review of the literature is presented, and 2 additional cases of Morgagni and Bochdalek hernias are presented. They were both repaired with the laparoscopic approach.

Laparoscopic reoperation after failed antireflux surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease has been established as being safe, effective, and the best alternative to continuous life-long medical therapy. Antireflux surgery is not, however, devoid of complications and failures. Treatment of these patients represents a major challenge, especially when reoperation is indicated. PATIENTS: One-hundred consecutive patients had a reoperation in our clinic. Previous antireflux procedures were laparoscopic (52 patients), laparotomy (39 patients), and thoracotomy (9 patients). RESULTS: Peri- or postoperative complications occurred in 30 patients (30%). Operative complications were stomach perforation (14), significant bleeding (6), esophageal mucosal perforation (4), gastrocutaneous fistula (2), small bowel enterotomy followed by fistula (1), and tension pneumothorax (1). Reoperation was required in only 2 patients because of a missed stomach perforation or persistent chest leak. The conversion rate (from laparoscopic to open procedure) was 17% overall. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic reoperation after a failed antireflux procedure is a major surgical challenge, and it is not devoid of morbidity. The surgeon must have extensive experience in laparoscopic surgery and should be able to perform reoperative open surgery through the abdomen and chest. Laparoscopic redo surgery is feasible with good results. Many patients in whom previous open surgery has failed enjoy the advantages of a laparoscopic redo procedure.

Persistent dysphagia after laparoscopic vagotomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic vagotomy represents a new and less invasive treatment for peptic ulcer disease, but the problem of postvagotomy dysphagia has not been solved. The aim of this study was to determine the etiologic factors related to long-term laparoscopic postvagotomy dysphagia. METHODS: Two female and 11 male patients with a mean age of 48.5 years who underwent laparoscopic vagotomy were investigated retrospectively. Preoperative diagnosis included duodenal ulcer resistant to medical treatment, gastric hypersecretion, gastric outlet obstruction, cholelithiasis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ten patients underwent laparoscopic highly selective vagotomy, and three patients had laparoscopic truncal vagotomy with gastrojejunostomy or pyloroplasty. Nine of these patients had a Nissen fundoplication in conjunction with the vagotomy. RESULTS: The median long-term follow-up period was 47 months. Two patients complained of severe dysphagia, one of moderate dysphagia, and two of mild dysphagia. Neither type of vagotomy nor an additional fundoplication was correlated with the severity of postoperative long-term dysphagia. Severity of postoperative dysphagia was associated with severity of preoperative dysphagia (r = 0.752, p = 0.003) but not with heartburn (r = 0.358, p = 0.531) or regurgitation (r = 0.024, p = 0.938). The cause of preoperative dysphagia varied; however, all of these patients had GERD and consequent esophageal lesions. CONCLUSION: Preexisting dysphagia appears to play an integral role in persistent postoperative dysphagia. Care must be taken to construct a loose fundoplication in patients with dysphagia.