Evaluation of a novel cryoballoon swipe ablation system in bench, porcine, and human esophagus models.

Current ablation devices for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus are effective but have significant limitations. This pilot study aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and dose response of a novel cryoballoon swipe ablation system (CbSAS) in three experimental in vitro and in vivo models. CbSAS is a through-the-scope compliant balloon that is simultaneously inflated and cooled by liquid nitrous oxide delivered from a disposable handheld unit. When the cryogen is applied through a special diffuser it covers a 90° section of the circumference of the esophagus for 3 cm length. Doses range from 0.9 to 0.5 mm/second. (1) Bench model: The fixture consisted of an 'esophagus-like' tube lined with agar at 37°C to create an inner diameter of 20 or 30 mm, within which thermocouples were embedded. (2) In vivo porcine esophagus: CbSAS ablations were performed in animals that were euthanized and histological assessments of depth and percentage of esophageal mucosa successfully ablated were done. (3) In vivo, pre-esophagectomy human esophagus. After CbSAS ablations, histological assessments were performed (at 0, 4, and 28 days) to assess the depth and percentage of ablated mucosa. As outcomes, we assessed the safety and tolerability (pain and serious, device-related adverse events); efficacy (depth and uniformity) of ablation; and device performance (ease of deployment and device malfunction). In the bench model, during CbSAS, thermocouples measured minimal temperatures of -40 to -48 °C at all doses. In the porcine model, maximal effect on the mucosa was reached with a dose of 0.8 mm/second that extended to superficial submucosa, while 0.5 mm/second extended through the submucosa. All animals tolerated the treatments and, regardless of ablation dose, continued oral intake and gained weight. In the human model, six patients (5 male, 1 female, mean age 68) tolerated the procedure without adverse events. CbSAS was simple to operate, and balloon contact with tissue was easily and uniformly maintained. The maximal effect on the mucosa is achieved with a 0.8 mm/second dose. We concluded that the CbSAS device enables uniform 3 cm long, quarter-circumferential mucosal ablation in a one-step process by using a novel, through-the-scope balloon. The CbSAS delivers predictable ablation with mucosal and limited submucosal necrosis in bench, animal, and human esophagus. Because of its ease of use, this new device merits further clinical study in the treatment of patients with dysplastic Barrett's esophagus.

Safety analysis of first 1000 patients treated with magnetic sphincter augmentation for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Antireflux surgery with a magnetic sphincter augmentation device (MSAD) restores the competency of the lower esophageal sphincter with a device rather than a tissue fundoplication. As a regulated device, safety information from the published clinical literature can be supplemented by tracking under the Safe Medical Devices Act. The aim of this study was to examine the safety profile of the MSAD in the first 1000 implanted patients. We compiled safety data from all available sources as of July 1, 2013. The analysis included intra/perioperative complications, hospital readmissions, procedure-related interventions, reoperations, and device malfunctions leading to injury or inability to complete the procedure. Over 1000 patients worldwide have been implanted with the MSAD at 82 institutions with median implant duration of 274 days. Event rates were 0.1% intra/perioperative complications, 1.3% hospital readmissions, 5.6% endoscopic dilations, and 3.4% reoperations. All reoperations were performed non-emergently for device removal, with no complications or conversion to laparotomy. The primary reason for device removal was dysphagia. No device migrations or malfunctions were reported. Erosion of the device occurred in one patient (0.1%). The safety analysis of the first 1000 patients treated with MSAD for gastroesophageal reflux disease confirms the safety of this device and the implantation technique. The overall event rates were low based on data from 82 institutions. The MSAD is a safe therapeutic option for patients with chronic, uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Esophagectomy for failed endoscopic therapy in patients with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma.

Endoscopic therapy (ablation +/- endoscopic resection) for high-grade dysplasia and/or intramucosal carcinoma (IMC) of the esophagus has demonstrated promising results. However, there is a concern that a curable, local disease may progress to systemic disease with repeated endotherapy. We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent esophagectomy after endotherapy at three tertiary care esophageal centers from 2006 to 2012. Our objective was to document the clinical and pathologic outcomes of patients who undergo esophagectomy after failed endotherapy. Fifteen patients underwent esophagectomy after a mean of 13 months and 4.1 sessions of endotherapy for progression of disease (53%), failure to clear disease (33%), or recurrence (13%). Initially, all had Barrett's, 73% had ≥3-cm segments, 93% had a nodule or ulcer, and 91% had multifocal disease upon presentation. High-grade dysplasia was present at index endoscopy in 80% and IMC in 33%, and some patients had both. Final pathology at esophagectomy was T0 (13%), T1a (60%), T1b (20%), and T2 (7%). Positive lymph nodes were found in 20%: one patient was T2N1 and two were T1bN1. Patients with T1b, T2, or N1 disease had more IMC on index endoscopy (75% vs. 18%) and more endotherapy sessions (median 6.5 vs. 3). There have been no recurrences a mean of 20 months after esophagectomy. Clinical outcomes were comparable to other series, but submucosal invasion (27%) and node-positive disease (20%) were encountered in some patients who initially presented with a locally curable disease and eventually required esophagectomy after failed endotherapy. An initial pathology of IMC or failure to clear disease after three treatments should raise concern for loco-regional progression and prompt earlier consideration of esophagectomy.

Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head by free vascularized fibular grafting: an analysis of surgical outcome and patient health status.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the limb-specific outcome and general health status of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated with vascularized fibular grafting. DESIGN: A retrospective review. SETTING: A single tertiary care centre. PATIENTS: Fifty-five consecutive patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head who underwent fibular grafting (8 bilaterally). INTERVENTION: Vascularized fibular grafting. OUTCOME MEASURES: Limb-specific scores (Harris Hip Score, St. Michael's Hospital Hip Score), general health status (Nottingham Health Profile, SF-36 health status survey) and radiographic outcome measures (Steinberg stage). RESULTS: Patients were young (mean age 34 years, range from 18 to 52 years) and 80% had advanced osteonecrosis (Steinberg stages IV and V). Fifty-nine hips were followed up for an average of 50 months (range from 24 to 117 months) after vascularized fibular grafting. Sixteen hips (27%) were converted to total hip arthroplasty (THA). To date, 73% of hips treated with vascularized fibular grafting have required no further surgery. Preoperative and postoperative Harris Hip Scores were 57.3 and 83.6 respectively (p < 0.001). As measured by patient-oriented health status questionnaires (SF-36, Nottingham Health Profile) and compared with population controls, patients had normal mental health scores and only slight decreases in physical component scores. CONCLUSIONS: Free vascularized fibular grafting for osteonecrosis of the femoral head provides satisfactory pain relief, functional improvement and general health status and halts the progression of symptomatic disease.