Intraoperative Endoscopic Botox Injection During Total Esophagectomy Prevents the Need for Pyloromyotomy or Dilatation.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy may lead to impairment in gastric emptying unless pyloric drainage is performed. Pyloric drainage may be technically challenging during minimally invasive esophagectomy and can add morbidity. We sought to determine the effectiveness of intraoperative endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin into the pylorus during robotic-assisted esophagectomy as an alternative to surgical pyloric drainage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the distal esophagus or gastroesophageal junction who underwent robotic-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy (RATE) without any surgical pyloric drainage. Patients with and without intraoperative endoscopic injection of 200 units of botulinum toxin in 10 cc of saline (BOTOX group) were compared to those that did not receive any pyloric drainage (noBOTOX group). Main outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative pyloric stenosis; secondary outcomes included operative and oncologic parameters, length of stay (LOS), morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: From November 2006 to August 2014, 41 patients (6 females) with a mean age of 65 years underwent RATE without surgical drainage of the pylorus. There were 14 patients in the BOTOX group and 27 patients in the noBOTOX group. Mean operative time was not different between the comparison groups. There was one conversion to open surgery in the BOTOX group. No pyloric dysfunction occurred in the BOTOX group postoperatively, and eight stenoses in the noBOTOX group (30%) required endoscopic therapy (P < .05). There were no differences in incidence of anastomotic strictures or anastomotic leaks. One patient in group noBOTOX required pyloroplasty 3 months after esophagectomy. There was one death in the noBOTOX group postoperatively (30-day mortality 2.4%). Mean LOS was 9.6 days, and BOTOX patients were discharged earlier (7.4 versus 10.7, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin into the pylorus during RATE is feasible, safe, and effective and can prevent the need for pyloromyotomy.

Cytomegalovirus-associated gastric ulcer: a side effect of steroid injections for pyloric stenosis.

The local injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is effective in preventing pyloric stenosis and deformity following large endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, because of its long-acting nature, TA can induce long-term local immunosuppression and subsequent adverse events. We report a case of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) ulcer that formed only at the TA local injection site. A 68-year-old man underwent ESD to treat early gastric cancer that formed over the pylorus. The lesion extended to the duodenum, and an artificial ulcer covered more than two-thirds of the circumference of the pylorus. To prevent pyloric stenosis, TA was locally injected into the ulcer floor. On day 12, a deeper ulcer 10 mm in diameter was discovered in the center of the post-ESD ulcer. Biopsies revealed large cells with intranuclear inclusion bodies, which stained positive for the anti-CMV antibody. Local TA injections are useful, however, CMV ulcer might occur as adverse events.

Endoscopic pyloric balloon dilatation obviates the need for pyloroplasty at esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Because the rate of acquired pyloric stenosis (APS) from truncal vagotomy is 15%, many surgeons perform pyloroplasty or pyloromyotomy at the time of esophagectomy. Endoscopic pyloric balloon dilatation (EPBD) is another method to manage APS. This study evaluated a cohort treated with preoperative EPBD. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all patients treated with preoperative EPBD and esophagectomy for cancer from 2002 to 2009 at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a tertiary care center. Outcome measures included need for subsequent surgery for gastric outlet obstruction, rate of pyloric stenosis noted on postoperative endoscopy, and complications. RESULTS: Upon review of the series, 25 patients (80% male; median age, 63 [range 47-81] years) had outpatient preoperative EPBD and esophagectomies 1-2 weeks later and were included in the study. None had pyloroplasties or pyloromyotomies at the time of esophagectomy. Selected patients had postoperative endoscopy. Of the 25 patients, 20 had transhiatal esophagectomies, 3 had thoracoabdominal esophagectomies, and 2 had VATS 3-hole esophagectomies. Median follow-up time was 22 (range, 1-84) months. There were no complications from EPBD. There were no postoperative deaths. No patient needed a second operation for gastric outlet obstruction. All patients had postoperative barium swallows (BaS) or endoscopy or both. Only one patient (4%) required one postoperative EPBD to dilate a 16-mm pylorus. Three others had delayed gastric emptying on BaS with endoscopy showing each pylorus was wide open. Their symptoms improved with time. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, preoperative EPBD in all patients combined with postoperative EPBD in one patient obviated the need for pyloroplasty. This approach merits further study in a larger cohort, particularly to determine whether preoperative EPBD is necessary or if only selected postoperative EPBD is sufficient.

Changes in frequencies of select congenital anomalies since the onset of folic acid fortification in a Canadian birth defect registry.

OBJECTIVES: Fortification of grain products with folic acid has been shown to significantly reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Canada and elsewhere. However, the impact on non-NTD anomalies has not been well studied. METHODS: Using the Alberta Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System (ACASS), we examined changes in occurrence of select congenital anomalies where folic acid supplementation with multivitamins had previously been suggested to have an effect. Anomalies documented in the ACASS 1992-1996 (pre-fortification) were compared to 1999-2003 (post-fortification). RESULTS: A significant decrease in spina bifida (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.36-0.73) and ostium secundum atrial septal defects (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.93) was evident, but there was a significant increase in obstructive defects of the renal pelvisand ureter (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.24-1.70), abdominal wall defects (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.04-1.88) and pyloric stenosis (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.18-1.89). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other studies, a 50% reduction in spina bifida was associated with the post-fortification time period. Supporting the possibility that folic acid fortification may play a role in preventing other birth defects, a 20% reduction in atrial septal defects was also associated. The increase in abdominal wall defects, most notably gastroschisis, is likely related to pre-existing increasing trends documented in several regions around the world. The increase in pyloric stenosis and obstructive urinary tract defects was not expected and any causal relationship with folic acid fortification remains unclear. Similar studies by other birth defects surveillance systems in Canada and elsewhere are needed to confirm these trends.

[Percutaneous balloon-catheter dilatation of benign strictures of the bile ducts]. / A benignus epeúti szükületek percutan ballonkatéteres tágítása.

Two cases of patients with benign biliary strictures (one with anastomotic and another with iatrogen stenosis of the common bile duct) successfully treated by percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilatation are presented. The patients have been symptom-free for 24 and 14 months, respectively. The author deals with the indication of the procedure including all the benign stenoses where surgical reconstruction is not feasible. It is also emphasized that the balloon dilatation needs rather long-time manipulation during which both the patient and the personnel are exposed to significant amount of scattered radiation. One of the important factors in decreasing the need for manipulation is the availability of adequate devices (a series of high pressure balloon catheters).