Hürthle cell adenoma diagnosed by core needle biopsy in a male patient.

Hürthle cell adenomas (HCAs) are a rare and potentially lethal variant of follicular tumors of the thyroid. Considerable controversy exists regarding potential risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of HCAs. The authors report the case of a 38-year-old male patient with an 8.3 cm x 3.5 cm HCA. Diagnosis was made preoperatively from a core needle biopsy and confirmed postoperatively on frozen section. Treatment consisted of a right lobectomy.

Manometric components of the lower esophageal double hump.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The lower esophageal sphincter manometry of patients with hiatal hernia often displays a double hump configuration. It seems that this is due to gastric herniation above the high-pressure zone of the crura. This study examines this manometric phenomenon in patients with hiatal hernia and relates it to the lower esophageal antireflux barrier. METHODS: Manometric and 24-hour pH studies of 68 consecutive patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease were analyzed to obtain information regarding the double hump and acid reflux. RESULTS: The findings of a manometric double hump correlated well with the presence of a hiatal hernia of >5 cm. The overall length of the sphincter complex was greater in patients with a double hump, but the length below the respiratory inversion point was constant. Resting pressures at the respiratory inversion point were significantly lower than those measured at either high-pressure zone. The location of the respiratory inversion point was seen most commonly at the superior margin of the distal high-pressure zone. Double hump patients with a negative acid reflux score were found to have higher pressures in the distal high-pressure zone than those patients with acid reflux. CONCLUSIONS: The two high-pressure zones comprising the manometric double hump represent the crural and muscular components of the lower esophageal sphincter. Descriptive information regarding the double hump phenomenon is given, and the importance of the crural component of the lower esophageal sphincter in preventing acid reflux is stressed.

Laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease with poor esophageal body motility.

Impaired esophageal body motility is a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In patients with this disease, a 360-degree fundoplication may result in severe postoperative dysphagia. Forty-six patients with GERD who had a weak lower esophageal sphincter pressure and a positive acid reflux score associated with impaired esophageal body peristalsis in the distal esophagus (amplitude <30 mm Hg and >10% simultaneous or interrupted waves) were selected to undergo laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication. They were compared with 16 similar patients with poor esophageal body function who underwent Nissen fundoplication. The patients who underwent Toupet fundoplication had less dysphagia than those who had the Nissen procedure (9% vs.44%; P=0.0041). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory pH monitoring and esophageal manometry were repeated in 31 Toupet patients 6 months after surgery. Percentage of time of esophageal exposure to pH <4.0, DeMeester reflux score, lower esophageal pressure, intra-abdominal length, vector volume, and distal esophageal amplitude all improved significantly after surgery. Ninety-one percent of patients were free of reflux symptoms. The laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication provides an effective antireflux barrier according to manometric, pH, and symptom criteria. It avoids potential postoperative dysphagia in patients with weak esophageal peristalsis and results in improved esophageal body function 6 months after surgery.

Surgical treatment of spastic conditions of the esophagus.

Primary esophageal motility disorders include achalasia, diffuse and segmental esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus and hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter. Failed medical therapy frequently precedes the presentation of these patients for surgical intervention. Both laparoscopic and thoracoscopic techniques have been developed to successfully treat these spastic disorders of the esophagus. Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic operative techniques are described.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: where do we stand?

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was first performed in 1991. With the increasing number of these procedures being performed it is appropriate to review the published short-term results. A retrospective review of reports on this subject was performed. There were a total of 2453 patients available for review. Twenty-five of 2453 (1.0%) patients had an esophageal or gastric perforation and 28 of 2453 (1.1%) patients required transfusion for bleeding. Forty-nine of 2453 (2%) patients developed a pneumothorax. Two of 2453 (0.1%) patients required a splenectomy. Conversion to the open procedure was necessary in 5.8% (143 of 2453) of patients. The laparoscopic approach is associated with minimal postoperative morbidity. Four of 2453 (0.2%) needed further early surgery for persistent bleeding, 11 of 2453 (0.4%) for a missed perforation, 22 of 2453 (0.9%) for crural disruption, paraesophageal herniation, or gastric volvulus. Four of 2453 (0.2%) patients died of either a missed duodenal perforation, a missed esophageal perforation, ischemic bowel with mesenteric thrombosis, or myocardial infarction. Early postoperative dysphagia occurred in 500 of 2453 (20.3%) patients. Late postoperative dysphagia occurred in 114 of 2068 (5.5%), with the need for dilatation in 72 of 2068 (3.5%). Endoscopy was required for food impaction in 11 of 2068 (0.5%) and re-operation for dysphagia occurred in 18 of 2068 (0.9%). Fifty-seven of 1658 (3.4%) patients developed reflux symptoms and 11 of 1658 (0.7%) required revisional surgery. Satisfaction rates ranged from 87 to 100%. In the short term, laparoscopic fundoplication can be performed with less morbidity and mortality than the open procedure. It is superior to medical therapy. Long-term follow-up is awaited.

Heller myotomy via minimal-access surgery. An evaluation of antireflux procedures.

BACKGROUND: Myotomy offers the best known cure for achalasia and can now be performed via minimal-access surgery. OBJECTIVE: To examine the questions of surgical approach for Heller myotomy and choice of fundoplication in the setting of minimal-access surgery. DESIGN: Thirty-nine patients with achalasia underwent Heller myotomy via either thoracoscopy or laparoscopy, with either a Dor or a Toupet fundoplication (Heller-Dor and Heller-Toupet procedures, respectively). Manometry, pH analysis, and clinical course were evaluated 3 to 9 months after surgery. Clinical course was reviewed at 11 to 46 months after surgery. SETTING: University hospitals. PATIENTS: Diagnosis of achalasia was based on history and physical examination, contrast radiography, stationary manometry, and 24-hour pH analysis. All patients participated in the clinical evaluations. Twenty-two patients consented to postoperative manometry and 18 to postoperative pH analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Thoracoscopic Heller-Dor procedures (n = 4), laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedures (n = 6), and laparoscopic Heller-Toupet procedures (n = 29). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hospital stay and recovery time were compared between thoracoscopic and laparoscopic groups. Decrease in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure, 24-hour esophageal pH, postoperative symptoms, and overall satisfaction were compared between the Dor and Toupet groups. RESULTS: Only 1 patient was dissatisfied with the experience. Patients undergoing thoracoscopy had a longer convalescence. No postoperative reflux was identified, although some patients complained of heartburnlike symptoms. Dysphagia and heartburn were more prevalent among patients with Dor fundoplication than among patients with Toupet fundoplication. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal-access myotomy is an excellent intervention for achalasia. The preferred approach is via laparoscopy. Our experience has led us to favor the Toupet over the Dor fundoplication after myotomy.

The technique of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Patients with severe GERD resistant to medical therapy are benefited greatly by laparoscopic fundoplication provided that there is careful preoperative patient selection and evaluation. Preoperative evaluation should include contrast esophagography, EGD with biopsies, stationary manometry, and 24-hour pH analysis. Significant esophageal shortening or severe dysplasia are contraindications to laparoscopic fundoplication. A short, loose Nissen fundoplication should be performed in patients with adequate esophageal body function, whereas patients with esophageal dysmotility should be offered a partial fundoplication such as the Toupet procedure. If these guidelines are followed, long-term good results can be expected, with minimal complications, and all of the advantages of the minimally invasive approach.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Most patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be treated effectively with medical therapy; however, in patients with severe GERD who are unresponsive to medical therapy, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is often found to be mechanically incompetent. Surgical therapy, which improves the LES antireflux barrier, may then be a good option. A very effective and popular antireflux procedure is the Nissen fundoplication, which can be safely done via the laparoscopic route. Preoperative evaluation should include contrast radiography, esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsies, esophageal manometry, and 24-hour pH monitoring. Indications for surgery include failure or inability to continue on medical therapy, GERD-related respiratory symptoms, and severe complications of GERD, such as ulceration, stricture, and Barrett's esophagus. A short, loose Nissen fundoplication is ideal for patients with normal esophageal body motility. Operative complications are infrequent, and they include gastric perforation, bleeding, and pneumothorax. Following the laparoscopic approach, nearly all patients can leave the hospital on the first or second postoperative day. Follow-up esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring show the same good long-term results as seen after open Nissen fundoplication. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication can be performed safely and effectively with all of the advantages of a minimally invasive approach.