Surgical and endoscopic management of high grade dysplasia and early oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of endoscopic techniques has led to debate about optimal management of early oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The aim was to evaluate patient selection and outcomes for endoscopic or surgical treatment at a tertiary referral centre. METHODS: A prospectively collected database of consecutive patients staged with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or T1 oesophageal adenocarcinoma treated with curative intent between 2005 and 2013 was undertaken. All patients were discussed at the multidisciplinary team meeting. Surgical treatment was by thoracoscopic assisted or standard/laparoscopic assisted Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy. Endoscopic treatment was a structured programme of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Outcomes included treatment variables, recurrence and complications. RESULTS: 83 patients treated; 50 with endoscopic therapy (EMR only-4, EMR then RFA-22, RFA only-24) and 38 by surgery (33 straight to surgery and 5 following EMR). Median age (67) and mean follow-up (21 months) were similar. HGD was more common in the endoscopic group (32/50, 64%, vs.3/33, 9%, p = 0.0001). Significant complications were more common following surgery (13/38, 34%, vs. 1/50, 2%, p = 0.0001). There were two in-hospital deaths following oesophagectomy (1 open, 1 thoracoscopic). Endoscopic treatment beyond 12 months for persisting HGD/intramucosal disease was required in 2 patients. Recurrence of HGD/invasive cancer was diagnosed in 2/36 (5.6%, T1a recurrence) of endoscopic and 1/38 (2.6%, T2N0 - subsequent hepatic metastases) surgical patients. CONCLUSION: A management algorithm including both endoscopic treatment and oesophagectomy provides optimal outcome for these patients. Due to additional morbidity of surgery, endoscopic treatment is appropriate first-line treatment.

Laparoscopic partial sleeve gastrectomy with fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux and delayed gastric emptying.

BACKGROUND: A difficult management problem for the upper gastrointestinal surgeon exists when a patient presents with symptomatic and refractory severe delayed gastric emptying. Surgical treatment is further complicated by coexisting gastro-oesophageal reflux. No universal surgical strategy exists for this problem. METHODS: A novel surgical strategy combines partial sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and hiatus hernia (HH) repair with fundoplication. A review of treating four such patients is described with objective outcome data. RESULTS: Overall, solid gastric emptying improved in all, from median 350 (163-488) min pre-operatively to 108 (84-135) at 10 months (3-24) post-operatively, corresponding to 67% improvement. Primary symptoms resolved in all; however, one patient had recurrent symptoms. GERD-HRQL also improved in all, from median 23 (3-25) to 4 (0-8) at 21 months (6-30, 83% improvement). Gas bloat improved in three. All had post-operative gastroscopies showing intact repair and absent oesophagitis, with no patient requiring post-operative PPI. Patient weight reduced by median 11% (7-20) post-operatively. There was no significant peri-operative morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: With careful patient selection and work-up, SG and HH repair with fundoplication may improve quality of life by coupling adequate reflux control with improved gastric emptying.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: review of 500 cases in single surgeon Australian practice.

INTRODUCTION: Reported results and techniques of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are variable. Our objective was to assess results of weight loss, complications and reflux in a large consecutive series of LSG, describing technical detail which contributed to outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data of 500 consecutive patients undergoing LSG. Patient demographics, weight loss, complications and functional outcomes were analysed and operative technique described. RESULTS: Five hundred patients underwent LSG over 3 years (37 revisional). Mean (range) preoperative body mass index was 45 kg/m(2) (35-76 kg/m(2) ). Mean follow-up and length of hospital stay were 14 months (1-34) and 3.8 days (3-12), respectively. All-cause 30-day readmission rate 1.2%. Mean excess weight loss (interquartile range, available patient data) was 43% (22-65%, 423 patients), 58% (45-70%, 352 patients), 76% (52-84%, 258 patients), 71% (51-87%, 102 patients) and 73% (55-86%, 13 patients) at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 months, respectively. There was no mortality. Intraoperative complications occurred in two (0.4%) - splenic bleeding; bougie related oesophageal injury. Early surgical complications in four (1.2%) patients (one staple line leak and three post-operative bleeds). Other early complications occurred in three (0.6%) patients (one pseudomembranous colitis; one central line sepsis; one portal venous thrombosis) and late in four (0.8%) patients (three port-site incisional hernias; mid-sleeve stricture requiring endoscopic dilatation). Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms decreased from 45 to 6%. CONCLUSION: With attention to detail, LSG can lead to good excess weight loss with minimal complications. Tenants to success include repair of hiatal laxity, generous width at angula incisura and complete resection of posterior fundus.

Esophageal dysmotility after laparoscopic gastric band surgery.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) on the esophagus has been the subject of few studies despite recognition of its clinical importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and clinical effect of esophageal dysmotility and dilatation after LAGB. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective analysis of 50 consecutive patients with no dysmotility on perioperative video contrast swallow who underwent primary LAGB operation. All patients had serial focused postoperative contrast studies for band adjustments at least 6 months post-LAGB. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 18 months (range 7-39 months), and the median number of contrast swallows per patient was 5. The mean excess weight loss (EWL) overall was 47 % (standard deviation (SD) 22.3). Radiological abnormalities were recorded in 17 patients (34 %, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 21-49 %), of whom 15 had radiological dysmotility and 7 had esophageal dilatation (five patients had both dysmotility and dilatation). Of these 17 patients, six (35 %) developed significant symptoms of dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or regurgitation requiring fluid removal. In comparison, 12 of 33 (36 %) patients without radiological abnormalities developed symptoms requiring fluid removal (p = 1.00). Patients with radiological abnormalities were significantly older than those without these abnormalities. Symptoms were alleviated by removing fluid in most patients. CONCLUSIONS: The LAGB operation results in the development of radiological esophageal dysmotility in a significant proportion of patients. It is not clear if these changes are associated with an increased risk of significant symptoms. Fluid removal can reverse these abnormalities and their associated symptoms.