Introduction into the NHS of magnetic sphincter augmentation: an innovative surgical therapy for reflux - results and challenges.

Introduction Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common, chronic debilitating condition. Surgical management traditionally involves fundoplication. Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is a new definitive treatment. We describe our experience of introducing this innovative therapy into NHS practice and report the early clinical outcomes. Methods MSA was introduced into NHS practice following successful acceptance of a cost-effective business plan and close observation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations for new procedures, including a carefully planned prospective data collection over a two-year follow-up period. Results Forty-seven patients underwent MSA over the 40-month period. Reflux health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) was significantly improved after the procedure and maintained at one- and two-year (P < 0.0001) follow-up. Drug dependency went from 100% at baseline to 2.6% and 8.7% after one and two years. High levels of patient satisfaction were reported. There were no adverse events. Conclusions MSA is highly effective in the treatment of uncomplicated GORD, with durable results and an excellent safety profile. This laparoscopic, minimally invasive procedure provides a good alternative for patients where surgical anatomy is unaltered. Our experience demonstrates that innovative technology can be incorporated into NHS practice with an acceptable business plan and compliance with NICE recommendations.

Diaphragmatic crural augmentation utilising cross-linked porcine dermal collagen biologic mesh (Permacol) in the repair of large and complex para-oesophageal herniation: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and durability of selective integration of porcine dermal collagen (Permacol) biologic mesh for crural re-construction in large or complex para-oesophageal hernia surgery. BACKGROUND: Surgical repair of para-oesophageal herniation has been associated with high rates of failure. The utilisation of prosthetic mesh is controversial with complications including erosion and fistulation. Long-term outcomes for biologic mesh crural augmentation are unclear. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a biologic mesh (Permacol) augmented cruroplasty in the repair of large and/or complex para-oesophageal hernia was performed utilising the prospectively maintained oesophago-gastric database at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital between October 2004 and January 2013. This technique was selectively used for patients where the lateral extent of the diaphragmatic-crural defect prevented the fashioning of a sound, tension-free repair with sutures alone, or previous surgery had failed. Successful outcome was defined by resolution of symptoms and structural integrity of the repair. RESULTS: Fifty one procedures were performed on 49 patients (15 male), median age 75 (range 25-91). Post-operative morbidity included 2 (3.9%) oesophageal injuries managed conservatively, and 2 (3.9%) patients who suffered early repair breakdown requiring immediate surgical re-intervention. Four patients (8%) required endoscopic dilatation due to dysphagia, one (2%) in the early post-operative phase. The median follow-up was 36 months (range 6-105). All patients reported initial symptomatic resolution. Two patients (4%) were demonstrated to have breakdown of their repair during the follow-up period, both of whom underwent revision mesh-augmented surgery and are re-incorporated in this series. Late-onset dysphagia in two (4%) patients may be mesh-related, but no other complications were observed and a Kaplan-Meier analysis of this series predicts a symptom-free rate of approximately 94% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The selective integration of biologic mesh to augment the crural repair in para-oesophageal hernia with extensive diaphragmatic defects appears to be safe, effective and infers the potential of long-term satisfactory outcomes.

Prompt laparoscopic cholecystectomy would reduce morbidity and save hospital resources.

INTRODUCTION: Limited resources and organisational problems often result in significant waiting times for patients presenting with an indication for cholecystectomy. This study investigated the potential false economy of such practice. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients on a waiting list for cholecystectomy between July 2007 and October 2010 was performed. The hospital computer document management system and patients' notes were used to collect data. RESULTS: A total of 1,021 patients were included in the study; 701 were listed from clinic and 320 were listed following an emergency admission. The median time on a waiting list before surgery was 96 days (range: 5-381 days). Eighty-seven patients (8.5%) had an emergency admission with a gallstone related problem while on a waiting list. This resulted in 488 cumulative inpatient days. There was a significant correlation between increased time spent on the waiting list and increased chance of an emergency admission (p=0.01). Patients added to the waiting list from emergency admissions were more likely to be admitted with complications than those listed from clinic (15.3% vs 5.4%, p<0.01). There was no association between age (p=0.53) or sex (p=0.23) and likelihood of emergency admission while on a waiting list. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt elective surgery and same-admission emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy can reduce waiting list patient morbidity and is likely to save resources in the long term.

Assessment and comparison of recovery after open and minimally invasive esophagectomy for cancer: an exploratory study in two centers.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) may lead to early restoration of health-related quality of life, but few prospective comparative studies have been performed. This exploratory study compared recovery between totally minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), laparoscopically assisted esophagectomy (LAE) and open surgery (OE). METHODS: A prospective study in 2 specialist centers recruited consecutive patients undergoing OE, LAE, or MIE for high-grade dysplasia or cancer. Patients completed validated questionnaires, the Multi-Dimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), modified Katz Scale, and modified Lawton and Brody Scale (assessing activities of daily living) before and 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients (26 women; median age 64 years) were scheduled for surgery that was abandoned in 11 due to occult low-volume metastatic disease. In the remaining 86 (OE = 19, LAE = 31, and MIE = 36), there were 4 in-hospital deaths (4 %), and 54 postoperative complications (OE = 12, LAE = 19, and MIE = 23). Overall questionnaire compliance was high (77 %) and baseline scores similar in all groups, although clinical differences between groups were observed with earlier tumors and more squamous cell cancers selected for MIE. Following surgery fatigue levels increased dramatically and activity levels reduced in all groups. These gradually recovered to baseline following MIE and LAE within 6 months, but the ability to perform activities of daily living and most parameters of fatigue had not returned to baseline levels in the OE group. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory prospective nonrandomized study of recovery after different types of surgery for esophageal cancer showed possible small benefits to MIE. A much larger study is needed to confirm these findings.

Health-related quality of life after minimally invasive oesophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Open oesophagectomy has a detrimental impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL), with recovery taking up to a year. Minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO) may enable a more rapid recovery of HRQL. METHODS: Clinical outcomes from consecutive patients undergoing MIO for cancer were recorded between April 2005 and April 2007. Patients completed validated questionnaires, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES18, before surgery and at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: MIO for cancer or high-grade dysplasia was planned in 62 patients, but abandoned in four owing to occult metastatic disease. Resection was completed in the remaining 58, two having partial conversion to open surgery. There was one in-hospital death and 29 patients developed complications. At 1 year, 52 of 58 patients were alive. Questionnaire response rates were high at each time point (overall compliance 84 per cent). Six weeks after MIO, patients reported deterioration in functional aspects of HRQL and more symptoms than at baseline. However, most improved by 3 months and had returned to baseline levels by 6 months. These levels were maintained 1 year after surgery, with 85 per cent of patients recovering in more than 50 per cent of the HRQL domains. CONCLUSION: MIO leads to a rapid restoration of HRQL.

The role of health-related quality of life outcomes in clinical decision making in surgery for esophageal cancer: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy for cancer offers a chance of cure but is associated with morbidity, at least a temporary reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQL), and a 5-year survival of approximately 30%. This research evaluated how and whether HRQL outcomes contribute to surgical decision making. METHODS: A systematic review identified randomized trials and longitudinal and cross-sectional studies that assessed HRQL after esophagectomy with multidimensional validated questionnaires. Articles were independently evaluated by two reviewers, and the value of HRQL in clinical decision making was categorized in three ways: (1) the assessment of the quality of HRQL methodology according to predefined criteria; (2) the influence of HRQL outcomes on treatment recommendations and/or informed consent; and (3) the HRQL after esophagectomy for cancer in methodologically robust studies. RESULTS: Eighteen publications were identified, of which 16 (89%) were categorized as having robust HRQL design. Of these studies, 3 concluded that HRQL influenced treatment recommendations and 11 (including the former 3) informed patient consent. The remaining five papers were well designed, but the authors did not use HRQL to influence treatment recommendations or informed consent. After esophagectomy, patients report major deterioration in most aspects of HRQL with slow recovery. CONCLUSION: HRQL outcomes are relevant to surgical decision making. Methods to communicate HRQL outcomes to patients are required to inform consent and clinical practice.

Short-term outcomes following total minimally invasive oesophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO; thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, cervical anastomosis) is a complex procedure and few substantial series have been published. This study documented the morbidity, mortality and challenges of adopting MIO in a specialist unit in the UK. METHODS: A prospective group of 77 patients was listed consecutively with the intention of performing MIO. Three other patients underwent open oesophagectomy during the study period. RESULTS: MIO was attempted in 77 patients, completed successfully in 70, abandoned in six patients (8 per cent) with unsuspected metastatic disease, and converted to a thoracoscopic anastomosis in one patient. There was one in-hospital death (1 per cent). Complications occurred in 33 patients (47 per cent), including nine gastric conduit-related complications (13 per cent). Median lymph node harvest was 21 (range 7-48) nodes. Mean overall and disease-free survival times were 35 and 33 months respectively. Median disease-free survival for patients with stage III disease was 26 months. CONCLUSION: MIO can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates in an unselected series of patients. There was more morbidity related to gastric tube ischaemia than was expected.

Impact of HIV and AIDS on surgical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical intervention has become a common component in the management of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or suffering from the clinical consequences of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We investigated the evolution of this involvement at a tertiary referral centre for this condition over a 16-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Detailed retrospective examination of the medical records of HIV-positive patients treated at the Royal Free Hospital between 1986 and 2002 was undertaken. Clinical, pathological and operative details of those patients who underwent surgical intervention were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 2100 cases reviewed, 477 patients underwent a combined total of 772 surgical procedures. Of the 772 operations, 95 (12.3%) were performed as emergencies. Anorectal surgery represented the highest group with a total of 195 procedures (25.26%) being undertaken. The majority of patients (59%) had AIDS at the time of surgery, and 27.04% had a significant co-existing medical problem. Overall postoperative complication rate was 10.1%, with the risk being significantly greater in those undergoing intra-abdominal surgery and emergency procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to audit the impact of HIV/AIDS in general surgical practice in the UK retrospectively. Surgery for HIV patients can be safely conducted with a low complication rate for the diagnostic and anorectal procedures that comprise the vast majority of surgery in HIV/AIDS patients. Medical treatment for patients with HIV/AIDS has developed dramatically over the last two decades. In parallel, this has resulted in a heavy, new and varied workload for general surgeons, who have also had to adapt in order to deal with the challenging spectrum of this disease.

Acute abdomen secondary to a Meckel's lipoma.

Small bowel intussusception, presenting acutely in adults is an extremely rare event. We present an exceptional case, previously unreported in the English language, of a lipoma within a Meckel's diverticulum giving rise to this clinical scenario.

Laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery in esophageal malignancy.

Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment of esophageal cancer, although the optimal type and extent of resection continue to be debated. Minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophageal resection and endoscopic ablative and resectional therapies, have emerged recently as possible alternatives.

Elevated body mass disrupts the barrier to gastroesophageal reflux; discussion 1018-9.

HYPOTHESIS: Obesity impairs the antireflux function of a structurally intact barrier. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of body mass index in patients with normal esophageal manometric findings but with symptomatic and objectively confirmed gastroesophageal reflux. SETTING: Specialist esophageal center. PATIENTS: Patients symptomatic and diagnostic for gastroesophageal reflux, referred between October 1, 1998, and June 30, 2000. Exclusion criteria were a defective barrier, motility disorders, or previous surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reflux was defined and quantified using the DeMeester score, and body mass index was calculated. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between body mass index and severity of gastroesophageal reflux. Patients who were overweight had significantly higher distal esophageal acid exposure. No significant difference in manometric findings was demonstrated between patients with normal weight and those who were overweight. CONCLUSION: The barrier to gastroesophageal reflux is rendered insufficient in patients who are overweight.

DNA methylation: an alternative pathway to cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an introduction to the concept of DNA methylation and its function in normal cells, and to explain the possible mechanisms as to how abnormalities in this phenomenon can relate to carcinogenesis. The clinical implications with reference to common malignancies encountered in surgical practice are discussed. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Methylation of DNA is a heritable, enzyme-induced modification to DNA structure without alteration of the specific sequence of the base pairs responsible for encoding the genome. DNA methylation can both directly inhibit the expression of genes and also increase the probability that affected genes undergo a mutational event. Although DNA methylation plays an essential role in normal biologic processes, distinct and abnormal patterns of methylation are observed in cancers. In particular, there has been increased documentation that methylation of the promoter regions of several genes, including known tumor suppressor genes, results in the subsequent failure to express their functional proteins. Consequently, DNA methylation may represent an early and fundamental step in the pathway by which normal tissue undergoes neoplastic transformation. Further, an assessment of the methylation profiles within neoplastic tissues may provide key information in enhancing the diagnosis, predicting the clinical behavior, and designing specific treatment plans for individual patients. METHODS: Published literature from 1925 to 2000 contributing to an understanding of the purpose of DNA methylation and how pathology of this phenomenon could contribute to cancer are reviewed. Theories on these issues and the evidence that led to them are described. The present status of the subject in a clinical context is discussed. RESULTS: Gene expression can be significantly modulated by alterations in DNA methylation patterns. Methylation within the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes causes their silencing, and methylation within the gene itself can induce mutational events. These mechanisms may play a fundamental role in precipitating the development of a large and diverse number of human cancers. CONCLUSIONS: DNA methylation is an important factor in the development of cancer. A greater understanding of the relationship between DNA methylation events at the molecular level and its interaction in the clinical context may provide the basis for future advances in the surgical and pharmacologic management of malignant diseases.