Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy for Cancer: Single Center Experience after 44 Consecutive Cases.

INTRODUCTION: At the Department of Minimally Invasive Upper Digestive Surgery of the Hospital for Digestive Surgery in Belgrade, hybrid minimally invasive esophagectomy (hMIE) has been a standard of care for patients with resectable esophageal cancer since 2009. As a next and final step in the change management, from January 2015 we utilized total minimally invasive esophagectomy (tMIE) as a standard of care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to report initial experiences in hMIE (laparoscopic approach) for cancer and analyze surgical technique, major morbidity and 30-day mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study included 44 patients who underwent elective hMIE for esophageal cancer at the Department for Minimally Invasive Upper Digestive Surgery, Hospital for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade from April 2009 to December 2014. RESULTS: There were 16 (36%) middle thoracic esophagus tumors and 28 (64%) tumors of distal thoracic esophagus. Mean duration of the operation was 319 minutes (approximately five hours and 20 minutes). The average blood loss was 173.6 ml. A total of 12 (27%) of patients had postoperative complications and mean intensive care unit stay was 2.8 days. Mean hospital stay after surgery was 16 days. The average number of harvested lymph nodes during surgery was 31.9. The overall 30-day mortality rate within 30 days after surgery was 2%. CONCLUSION: As long as MIE is an oncological equivalent to open esophagectomy (OE), better relation between cost savings and potentially increased effectiveness will make MIE the preferred approach in high-volume esophageal centers that are experienced in minimally invasive procedures.

The use of autologous fascia lata graft in the laparoscopic reinforcement of large hiatal defect: initial observations of the surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: Even though there is no consensus, many authors believe that in the cases of large hiatal defects, structurally altered crura and/or absence of peritoneal lining, a crural reinforcement should be performed. Reinforcement could be performed with different techniques and different type of mesh, either synthetic or biologic. The disadvantages of mesh repair include the possibility of serious complications and increased costs especially in the usage of composite or biologic mesh. METHODS: The study includes 10 cases of reinforced primary suture line of the pillars with autologous fascia lata, in elective laparoscopic repair of the giant PEH with a large hiatal defect and friable crura. After intraopreative confirmation of the large hiatal defect (hiatal surface area of more than 8 cm²) and friable crura, an autologous fascia lata graft was harvested in the usual manner and placed in on-lay fashion to reinforce the pillar suture line. We analyzed surgical technique, complications, and initial follow-up of the patients. RESULTS: Average hiatal surface area (HSA) in our series was 10.6 cm² (range 8.1 to 14.4 cm²). The average duration of operation was 203.9 min/3.4 hours (range 160-250 min). Except for a mild hematoma in the harvesting region that resolved spontaneously, there were no procedure related complications and 30 days mortality rate was zero. The average postoperative length of stay was 6.5 days (5-8 days). Out of 10 patients, 5 completed the annual follow-up visit, while 8 completed a 6- month follow-up visit. So far there is no hernia recurrence and/or problems with swallowing function. However, one patient has felt a mild discomfort in the harvested region that does not influence normal daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous fascia lata graft hiatal reinforcement represents a technically feasible, easy, and available option for the on-lay reinforcement of large hiatal defects with friable crura in the laparoscopic repair of giant PEHs.

Laparoscopic repair of hiatal hernias: experience after 200 consecutive cases.

INTRODUCTION: Repair of hiatal hernias has been performed traditionally via open laparotomy or thoracotomy. Since first laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair in 1992, this method had a growing popularity and today it is the standard approach in experienced centers specialized for minimally invasive surgery. OBJECTIVE: In the current study we present our experience after 200 consecutive laparoscopic hiatal hernia repairs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study included 200 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair at the Department for Minimally Invasive Upper Digestive Surgery, Clinic for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade from April 2004 to December 2013. RESULTS: Hiatal hernia types included 108(54%) patients with type 1, 30 (15%) with type III, 62 (31%) with giant paraesophageal hernia, while 27 (13.5%) patients presented with a chronic gastric volvulus. There were a total of 154 (77%) Nissen fundoplications. In 26 (13%) cases Nissen procedure was combined with esophageal lengthening procedure (Collis-Nissen), and in 17 (8.5%) Toupet fundoplications was performed. Primary retroesophageal crural repair was performed in 164 (82%) cases, Cleveland Clinic Foundation suture modification in 27 (13.5%), 4 (2%) patients underwent synthetic mesh hiatoplasty, 1 (0.5%) primary repair reinforced with pledgets, and 4 (2%) autologous fascia lata graft reinforcement. Poor result with anatomic and symptomatic recurrence (indication for revisional surgery) was detected in 5 patients (2.7%). CONCLUSION: Based on the result analysis, we found that laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair was a technically challenging but feasible technique, associated with good to excellent postoperative outcomes comparable to the best open surgery series.

[Laparoscopic myotomy in achalasia cardia treatment: experience after 36 operations].

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation, a standard method in the treatment of achalasia, has been performed at the Center for Esophageal Surgery of the First Surgical Clinic since April 2006. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present this surgical procedure and initial experiences after 36 consecutive laparoscopic Heller-Dor operations. METHODS: This partly retrospective, partly prospective study presented our results after laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation (presentation of the treatment method). We performed a standard anterior esophagocardioymiotomy, without releasing the posterior aspect of the cardia, and anterior partial fundoplication. The type and severity of symptoms and their duration were evaluated based on questionnaires fulfilled by patients. The diagnosis was made based on radiological, endoscopic and manometric findings. Laparoscopic surgery as the method of treatment was evaluated based on the duration of surgery, intra- and postoperative complications, time interval until the initiation of oral feeding, length of hospital stay, need for additional therapeutic measures after the operation and effect of surgery on the severity of symptoms. RESULTS: Preopereratively, dysphagia was the predominant symptom in all patients, while regurgitation was much lower (44%). The average duration of operation was 127 minutes. Postoperative hospitalization lasted on the average 5.7 days. From 36 treated patients, 34 (94.4%) considered that the effect of treatment was good or excellent. Postoperative dysphagia was present in two patients (5.6%) and was successfully solved by balloon dilatation. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation is an effective and safe surgical procedure in resolving symptoms of achalasia and today presents the method of the first choice in the treatment of this disease.

Primary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the stomach in an adult woman: a case report and review of the literature.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor has been defined as a histologically distinctive lesion with uncertain behaviour. The term inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor more commonly referred to as "pseudostumor ", denotes a pseudosarcomatous inflammatory lesion that contains spindle cells, myofibroblasts, plasma cells, lymphocytes and histiocytes. It exhibits a variable biological behavior that ranges from frequently benign lesions to more aggressive variants. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor mostly occurs in the soft tissue of children and young adults, and the lungs are the most commonly affected site, but it has been recognized that any anatomic localization can be involved. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in adults are very rare, especially in the stomach. We present a case of a 43-year old woman with primary inflammatory myofibiroblastic tumor in the stomach and a review of the literature.

Bloodless esophageal replacement in children with corrosive esophageal strictures--report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal replacement is major procedure with high risk for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), especially in pediatric patients due to nutritive deficiency, anemia, small body weight and blood volume. Autologous blood policy is particularly important in female children. METHODS: We present treatment strategy with the aim of avoiding ABT, that have been applied in two female pediatric patients with caustic stricture of thoracic esophagus. The patients were 7 and 8 years old, with body weight 34 and 23.5 kg, respectively. Protocol was based on the stimulation of haematopoetic system with erythropoietin, iron therapy and preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD). In the first patient, with a history of previous retrosternal bypass esophagocoloplasty and extraction of necrotic colonic graft, delayed reconstruction--transhiatal subtotal esophagectomy and gastric pull-up with cervical anastomosis were performed. In the second patient, repeated ineffective dilatations of esophageal stricture were reason for retrosternal left colon interposiotion and exclusion of native esophagus. RESULTS: No adverse events were attributed to preoperative blood donation period. No allogenic blood products were used during perioperative period. Both patients had uneventful postoperative course. CONCLUSION: In specialized institutions for esophageal surgery, PABD with administration of erythropoietin and iron therapy, enable bloodless esophageal replacement, even in children.

Minimally invasive esophagectomy in the treatment of esophageal cancer.

In the Western countries, the incidence of esophaeal carcinoma is 3-6 cases per 100,000 persons. g Despite tremendous success of other therapeutic options, surgical treatment still represents the best therapeutic option whenever possible. For the long period, debate has centered on which of the a vailable surgical procedures is superior-transhiatal or transthoracic esophagectomy. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) could offer both minimally invasive approach and proper mediastinal lymph node dissection. Minimally invasive esophagectomy is safe and adequate, but time consuming and technically demanding procedure. It is procedure reserved for the surgeons experienced in open esophagectomy for cancer, and specially trained in advanced minimally invasive procedures. Even in that case, learning curve is steep.

Minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of gastric cancer.

Unlike benign pathology, progress of laparoscopy in performing cancer surgery has been slow because of fear of safety and oncological adequacy. However, the initial fear has been replaced by optimism as the results from a numerous studies have shown equivalent if not superior results to open surgery. Laparoscopic gastrectomy is safe and oncologic adequate, but time consuming and technically demanding procedure. Laparoscopic surgery has gained wide acceptance in the treatment of early gastric cancer, especially of the distal stomach. The use of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer remains controversial. Another open question that need complete evaluation is cost-effectiveness analysis of minimally invasive and open approach.

Primary esophageal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: report of a case.

Primary esophageal lymphoma is very rare, with fewer than 25 cases documented in the English-language literature. We report a case of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the esophagus in a 42-year-old woman. Barium esophagogram revealed almost complete esophageal obstruction at the level of the cervical esophagus, and flexible endoscopy showed a circumferential submucosal tumor covered with intact mucosa. Neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a wide cervical mass circumferentially encompassing the lumen of the cervical esophagus. Biopsies taken with multiple forceps during flexible and rigid esophagoscopy were nondiagnostic. Finally, external esophageal wall biopsies taken during neck exploration provided information that helped us establish the diagnosis. Pathohistological findings confirmed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the diffuse large B-cell type. The patient was treated with combined immunochemotherapy, consisting of rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriablastin, and prednisone (CHOP), followed by irradiation. A complete response was achieved, and 3 years after diagnosis and treatment the patient was disease-free.

Intraoperative endoscopy in obstructive hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

AIM: To demonstrate the necessity of intraoperative endoscopy in the diagnosis of secondary primary tumors of the upper digestive tract in patients with obstructive hypopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma had been operated, with radical intent, at our Institution in the period between 1978 and 2004. Due to obstructive tumor mass, in 7 (22.6%) patients, preoperative endoscopic evaluation of the esophagus and stomach could not be performed. In those patients, intraoperative endoscopy, made through an incision in the cervical esophagus, was standard diagnostic method for examination of the esophagus and stomach. RESULTS: We found synchronous foregut carcinomas in 3 patients (9.7%). In two patients, synchronous carcinomas had been detected during preoperative endoscopic evaluation, and in one (with obstructive carcinoma) using intraoperative endoscopy. In this case, preoperative barium swallow and CT scan did not reveal the existence of second primary tumor within esophagus, despite the fact that small, but T2 carcinoma, was present. CONCLUSION: It is reasonable to use intraoperative endoscopy as a selective screening test in patients with obstructive hypopharyngeal carcinoma.