Prior Esophageal Surgery Research Articles

Pancreatoduodenectomy after Ivor-Lewis Santi oesophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction. An European multicentre experience

BackgroundPancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard surgery to treat tumors and other conditions affecting the head of the pancreas. PD involves the division of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and its branches, to allow for complete dissection of lymph nodes. However, PD in patients with prior esophageal resection presents challenges due to altered anatomy and risks compromising gastric tube vascularization. GDA preservation becomes crucial to avoid ischemia, although this may pose oncological risks by potentially leaving behind regional lymph nodes. This article reviews European surgical center experiences and techniques for PD in patients with prior esophageal surgery, focusing on short-term outcomes. MethodsWe have collected all the experiences carried out in European surgical centers and evaluated the techniques applied for PD in patients who had prior esophageal surgery while analyzing short-term outcomes. ResultsEight patients from 5 European centers were identified. Six patients were diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, including one borderline case. Intraoperatively, the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) was preserved in all cases, with portal vein reconstruction required in only one instance due to tumor invasion. No ischemia or venous congestion of the gastric tube was observed during the surgical procedure. Post-operative complications that occurred included POPF type C in 1 (12.5 %), PPH type C in 1 (12.5 %). The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 21 [14–24]. with a median of 1.5 positive lymph nodes. R1 resection was present in 62.5 % of cases. ConclusionPerforming pancreaticoduodenectomy subsequent to Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is a technical challenge, but seems feasiable and safe in selected patients. GDA-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy emerges as a valuable and time-efficient variation of the conventional procedure, it can be considered oncologically appropriate, but studies confirming its long-term impact on radicality are still needed.

383. LOSS OF PERISTALTIC RESERVE DETERMINED BY MULTIPLE RAPID SWALLOWS CORRELATES WITH DYSPHAGIA AND POOR BOLUS TRANSIT IN INEFFECTIVE ESOPHAGEAL MOTILITY

Abstract Introduction Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is a common finding on high resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) and is often of unclear clinical significance as its impact on dysphagia and bolus transit is variable. Multiple rapid swallow (MRS) testing is a provocative maneuver performed during HRM that assesses peristaltic reserve, documented by the presence of contractile augmentation (defined by contractile vigor after MRS greater than that seen with single swallows). Lack of augmentation after MRS is associated with dysphagia after anti-reflux surgery. To date, no studies have evaluated the impact of peristaltic reserve on dysphagia and bolus transit in IEM patients. Methods Retrospective review of 159 patients with Chicago classification 4.0 IEM. 52 patients were excluded due to prior esophageal surgery, technically inadequate MRS, or concomitant esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction. Demographics and brief esophageal dysphagia questionnaire (BEDQ) results were obtained from a prospectively maintained database. MRS and bolus transit data were analyzed using a commercially available software. Impedance analysis documented complete versus incomplete bolus transit. Augmentation was defined as the ratio of post-MRS DCI to mean single swallow DCI > 1. Fisher's exact test for continuous data and linear model ANOVA were used to assess for statistical significance. Results 107 IEM patients were included, 46 of them had loss of peristaltic reserve (no augmentation on MRS). Compared to IEM patients with augmentation, those without augmentation had more severe dysphagia documented by higher mean BEDQ score (6.8 versus 4.8, p= 0.045), and increased rates of impaired bolus transit (73% versus 55%, p-= 0.013). Discussion IEM patients without augmentation on MRS have more severe dysphagia and more frequent incomplete bolus clearance. These findings support adding MRS response to the diagnosis of IEM or using it to describe a subset of patients with more severe disease.

N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate Packing of a Gastroduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysm due to Distal Pancreatectomy After Subtotal Esophagectomy.

We describe the successful n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) packing of a large gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm after distal pancreatectomy in a patient with a history of subtotal esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction. The pseudoaneurysm was considered to be caused by direct injury to the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). However, embolization of the GDA was not possible in this case because due to prior esophageal surgery, the main blood vessel supplying the gastric tube was the right epigastric artery from the GDA. Packing a pseudoaneurysm with NBCA is a treatment option when preservation of the parent artery is required.

Palliative endoscopic spray cryotherapy to prevent worsening of dysphagia and improve quality of life in esophageal cancer.

219 Background: Patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer can have progressive dysphagia and associated worsening quality of life (QOL). Maintenance of esophageal patency by reducing intraluminal tumor burden can improve QOL by palliating dysphagia and delay or prevent the need for feeding tubes and esophageal stents. We aimed to assess the effect of endoscopic palliative cryoablation with trūFreeze Spray Cryotherapy (SCT) on dysphagia burden, QOL, and survival in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: This is a multi-center prospective study of esophageal cancer patients at 10 sites in the United States. Subjects are 18-89 years old with luminal esophageal cancer, non-surgical candidates, not receiving systemic therapy, without esophageal stents, or history of prior SCT for esophageal cancer. SCT is an endoluminal ablation modality using non-contact medical grade liquid nitrogen (LN2) reaching a temperature of -1960 C delivered by a catheter. SCT was performed at 6 week intervals or as clinically indicated at a dose of 2x30 or 3x30 seconds per every 2-3 cm treatment site. Dysphagia and QOL were assessed with the 5-point Dysphagia score and EORTC QLQ 30 and OES18 esophageal module. Results: Of 49 subjects, mean age is 74.2 ± 11.8, 88% are men, 92% have esophageal adenocarcinoma and 19% have prior esophageal surgery or esophagectomy. 75% had a history of chemotherapy and/or radiation, and 58% (n=21) had a tumor stage >2. Subjects had a total of 258 treatment sessions over a mean follow-up of 329.7 ± 219.1 days, and received a median of 4 (IQR:2-7) SCT sessions with an average dose of 90 (3x30 sec) seconds/treatment site. There were 19 procedure related adverse events (20.4% of patients and 7.4% of procedures), all of which were mild (n=13) or moderate (n=6) in severity. Mean baseline dysphagia score was 1.7 ± 0.9 and 89% maintained (72%) or improved (17%) their baseline dysphagia score after initial SCT, p<0.05, and maintained this degree of symptom burden with ongoing SCT for a mean 239 ± 198 days. 28.6% (n=14) needed an esophageal stent after a mean 168 ± 169 days and 8% (n=4) had a feeding tube placed after a mean 145 ± 76 days after initial treatment. There was improvement in global health status (61.9 ± 23.3 vs 67.7 ± 19.7) and social functioning (73.9 ± 24.7 vs 81.2 ± 28.0) with decreased dysphagia (OES18: 21.5 vs. 16.7) and eating problems (26.1 vs. 20.6), p<0.05 for all. During the follow-up period, 49% of this palliative group survived and median survival was 386 days. Factors associated with survival with SCT were earlier cancer stage (69% stage 1 or 2 were survivors vs. 20% non-survivors; p=0.03) and ≤25% of luminal obstruction by tumor (62% vs. 36%; p=0.06). Conclusions: Liquid nitrogen SCT is an effective option to curb dysphagia progression in palliation of esophageal cancer and improves overall quality of life. Degree of luminal obstruction and tumor stage predicted survival. Clinical trial information: NCT03243734.

Safety and feasibility of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with prior esophageal surgery.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a specialized form of cardiac ultrasound and has been associated with rare but serious complications. In patients with prior esophageal surgery, the risk of esophageal damage or the inability to perform a comprehensive and successful TEE warrants further evaluation. Retrospective study of patients with prior esophageal surgery who underwent TEE between June 21, 2002 and October 15, 2019. Medical and echocardiographic records were reviewed for image quality and procedural complications. Post-procedure complications and 30-day all-cause mortality were collected. Evaluation by gastroenterology (GI), otolaryngology/ear, nose, throat (ENT), or thoracic surgery (TS) within 30days of TEE was reviewed in detail. Ninety-five patients with prior esophageal surgery underwent 145 TEEs. The most commonly performed esophageal procedures were anti-reflux operations (89%). TEE image quality was degraded in 16% while transgastric imaging was not completed in 37% of cases. A comprehensive TEE was completed in 57% of patients with diagnostic study goals achieved in 96% of cases. Comments describing procedural difficulty were reported in 6% while comments on procedural complications occurred in 1% of cases. Post-procedure complications occurred in 1% of patients including hypotension and unplanned hospital/ICU admission. Concern for esophageal damage and the inability to perform a comprehensive and diagnostic TEE may limit the usefulness of TEE in patients with prior esophageal surgery. While TEE-associated complications were rare in this series, a conservative approach with a thorough pre-procedure assessment, including multi-disciplinary evaluation when appropriate, is prudent in this complex cohort of patients.

A novel surgical method for acquired non-malignant complicated tracheoesophageal and bronchial-gastric stump fistula: the "double patch" technique.

To manage the acquired benign complicated tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and bronchial-gastric stump fistula (BGSF) are clinical technical challenge. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review a surgical "double patch" technique in treating nonmalignant complicated TEF and BGSF, and then clarify the long-term curative effect of the technique. Clinical records of 30 patients with non-malignant complicated TEF and BGSF treated by "double patch" technique in Tangdu Hospital between August 2004 and August 2014, were analyzed and summarized retrospectively. Thirty patients (19 males and 11 females) underwent "double patch" surgical repair of acquired benign complicated TEF and BGSF. The median age of the patients was 40.2±21.1 years. The most common causes were the following: TEF [22], BGSF [8]. Post-intubation injury [6], trauma [5], foreign body and stents [10], complications from prior esophageal surgery [8], and caustic ingestion [1]. The follow-up was completed for 24 months in all the patients (100%). The operative mortality was 0% (0/30). Twenty-six patients (86.7%) recovered uneventfully while four patients (13.3%) exhibited some major complications in the perioperative and postoperative periods. One patient (3.3%) developed recurrence of tracheal fistula in situ, two patients (6.7%) showed pneumonia, and one patient (3.3%) developed fistula esophageal anastomosis. All the 30 patients resumed oral intake finally. The double patch technique is an effective and safe method to repair the acquired non-malignant complicated TEF and BGSF.

Impact of prior interventions on outcomes during per oral endoscopic myotomy.

Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is performed by accessing the submucosal space of the esophagus. This space may be impacted by prior interventions such as submucosal injections, dilations or previous myotomies. These interventions could make POEM more difficult and may deter surgeons during their initial experience. We sought to determine the impact of prior interventions on our early experience. Prospective, single-center study of consecutive patients undergoing POEM. Patients were grouped according to their anticipated complexity: Group A: no prior interventions (N=19); Group B: prior interventions such as submucosal injections and/or dilations (N=11) and Group C: sigmoidal esophagus, prior esophageal surgery, balloon dilation >30mm (N=8). We compared operative times, inadvertent mucosotomy rates, complications and short-term outcomes between groups. A total of 38 patients underwent POEM for achalasia subtypes: I (N=9), II (N=19) and III (N=7). Three had other dysmotility disorders. Patients between the groups were similar. Operative times were similar between Group A and Group B but significantly longer for Group C (133 vs. 132 vs. 210min, p=0.001). Mucosotomy rates were highest in Group A (6/19) with 1 each in Group B/C (p=0.46). One patient in Group A required an esophageal stent. Eckardt scores improved in all groups (6-1; 8-2; 6-0.5, p=0.73), and postoperative GERD-HRQL scores were similar. One patient underwent laparoscopic myotomy for persistent symptoms with no improvement, and one patient underwent esophagectomy for a sigmoid esophagus and persistent symptoms despite adequate myotomy. A prior intervention does not seem to impact short-term clinical outcomes with POEM. Patients who had submucosal injections or small caliber dilations are similar to patients with no prior inventions; however, patients with a sigmoid-shaped esophagus and/or a prior myotomy require nearly double the operative time. Endoscopists undertaking POEM should consider these during their learning curve.

Foker process for the correction of long gap esophageal atresia: Primary treatment versus secondary treatment after prior esophageal surgery

PurposeThe Foker process (FP) uses tension-induced growth for primary esophageal reconstruction in patients with long gap esophageal atresia (LGEA). It has been less well described in LGEA patients who have undergone prior esophageal reconstruction attempts. MethodsAll cases of LGEA treated at our institution from January 2005 to April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who initially had esophageal surgery elsewhere were considered secondary FP cases. Demographics, esophageal evaluations, and complications were collected. Median time to esophageal anastomosis and full oral nutrition was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate Cox-proportional hazards regression identified potential risk factors. ResultsFifty-two patients were identified, including 27 primary versus 25 secondary FP patients. Median time to anastomosis was 14days for primary and 35days for secondary cases (p<0.001). Secondary cases (p=0.013) and number of thoracotomies (p<0.001) were identified as significant predictors for achieving anastomosis and the development of a leak. Predictors of progression to full oral feeding were primary FP cases (O.R.=17.0, 95% CI: 2.8–102, p<0.001) and patients with longer follow-up (O.R.=1.06/month, 95% CI: 1.01–1.11, p=0.005). ConclusionsThe FP has been successful in repairing infants with primary LGEA, but the secondary LGEA patients proved to be more challenging to achieve a primary esophageal anastomosis. Early referral to a multidisciplinary esophageal center and a flexible approach to establish continuity in secondary patients is recommended. Given their complexity, larger studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and discern optimal strategies for reconstruction.

Transesophageal endoscopic myotomy (TEEM) for the treatment of achalasia: the United States human experience

From our early experience with NOTES, our group has acquired familiarity with transesophageal submucosal dissection and myotomy in swine model, which allowed us to perfect a model to perform purely endoscopic transesophageal myotomy (TEEM) for the treatment of achalasia and apply it into clinical practice. This study was designed to assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of TEEM in a series of patients with achalasia. Under institutional review board approval, patients were enrolled on our study, where TEEM was offered as an alternative to laparoscopic or robotic Heller myotomy. The inclusion criteria were patients with achalasia confirmed by esophageal manometry, between age 18 and 50 years, and ASA class 2 or lower. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy, prior esophageal surgery, immunosuppression, coagulopathies, and severe medical comorbidities. The procedures were performed under general anesthesia, with the patient in supine position on positive pressure ventilation. With a GIF-180 (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) positioned at 10 cm above the GEJ, a mucosotomy was performed at the 2 o'clock position, and a submucosal space was developed caudally creating a controlled submucosal tunnel extending 2 cm distal to the GEJ. Upon completion of this tunnel the gastroesophageal lumen was inspected for mucosal integrity. The scope was then reinserted into the submucosal tunnel and using a triangle-tip knife, myotomy was performed starting at 5 cm above the GEJ and ending at 2 cm below the GEJ. During this process the circular muscle layer of the esophagus was carefully divided with preservation of the longitudinal layer. At the end of the procedure, the mucosal incision was closed longitudinally with endoscopic clips and surgical glue. Five patients underwent TEEM, with no perioperative complication. All patients reported significant improvement of their dysphagia immediately after the procedure. On the first postoperative day, all barium swallows showed disappearance of the classical bird beak taper, rapid emptying of contrast into the stomach, and absence of leaks. All patients were discharged on the second postoperative day on liquid diet. Two patients reported transient heartburn, which were well controlled with medications. The average preoperative GERD-HRQL was 20, which improved to 11.3 at 7 days postoperative and 2 at 30 days postoperative. To date, three patients have already returned for their 6-month follow-up, reporting adequate swallowing and low LES pressures on esophageal manometry (their mean preoperative LES resting pressure was 36.46 mmHg and residual pressure was 43.16 mmHg, whereas the 6-month follow-up mean LES resting pressure was 10.06 mmHg and residual pressure was 0.43 mmHg). TEEM seems to be safe, feasible, and effective for the treatment of patients with achalasia. Long-term data are still necessary for wide-spread utilization of this novel technique.

Atrial-Esophageal Fistula a Devastating Complication of Atrial Ablation

Purpose: A 64-year-old male reported shortness of breath after a viral illness. He was diagnosed with a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and developed atrial fibrillation. Multiple attempts were made for direct current cardioversion; however, symptomatic atrial fibrillation persisted. He failed rate and rhythm control. The patient underwent a mini-MAZE procedure for ablation of the arrhythmia foci. Two weeks later, he presented to the hospital with persistent fevers. Blood cultures grew Streptococcus anginosus and salivarius, both normal flora of the GI tract. Trans-thoracic and trans-esophageal echocardiogram did not reveal endocarditis. CT did not identify an intra-abdominal abscess. X-ray of the mouth was negative for intra-oral abscess. During the hospitalization, the patient was noted to have acute left sided weakness. CT and MR of the brain revealed small foci of air emboli. CT of the chest revealed air the left atrium and a fistula between the left atrium and the esophagus. The patient was urgently transferred to a referral hospital for surgical repair requiring primary closure of the esophagus and a bovine patch covering the atria. Nine months later, the patient presented to our hospital with fevers. Blood cultures grew Fusobacterium. GI consultation was obtained by the cardiology service prior to trans-esophageal echocardiogram given the prior esophageal surgery. A barium esophagram revealed a small filling defect without evidence of perforation. An EGD was performed, visualizing suture material from the atrial patch, as well as the bovine atrial patch itself eroded into the esophagus. The patient underwent surgical repair for the recurrent fistula. He recovered from his bacteremia, surgery, and was discharged to rehabilitation. This case illustrates the classic constellation of symptoms of polymicrobial, normal flora bacteremia, with air embolism cerebrovascular accident (CVA) secondary to an atrial-esophageal fistula. This fistula carries high morbidity and mortality. Recognition of this complication from atrial ablation is critical. GI physicians should take close note given the normal flora, polymicrobial, bacteremia and air embolism CVA that is classic for this disease.Figure: No Caption available.

Fate of the esophagogastric anastomosis

The study objective was to evaluate histopathology of the esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy, determine time trends of histologic changes, and identify factors influencing those findings. A total of 231 patients underwent 468 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies with anastomotic biopsy a median of 3.5 years after esophagectomy. Mean age was 59 ± 12 years, 74% (171) were male, and 96% (222) were white. Seventy-eight percent (179) had esophagectomy for cancer, 13% (30) had chemoradiotherapy, and 13% (30) had prior esophageal surgery. The anastomosis was 20 ± 2.0 cm from the incisors. Anti-reflux medications were used in 59% of patients (276/468) at esophagoscopy. Histopathology was graded as normal (0), consistent with reflux (1), cardia mucosa (2), intestinal metaplasia (3), and dysplasia (4). Repeated-measures nonlinear time-trend analysis and multivariable analyses were used. Grades 0 and 1 were constant, 5% and 92% at 10 years, respectively. Anti-reflux medication, induction therapy, and higher anastomosis were predictive of less grade 1 histopathology. Grades 2 and 3 increased with time: 12% and 33% at 5 years and 4% and 16% at 10 years, respectively. No variable was predictive of grade 2 or 3 (P > .15) except passage of time. No patient's condition progressed to dysplasia or cancer. The esophagogastric anastomosis is subject to gastroesophageal reflux. To minimize histopathologic changes of reflux, the anastomosis should be constructed as high as possible (closer to incisors) and anti-reflux medications prescribed. Surveillance endoscopy, if performed, will document a time-related progression of reflux-related histopathologic changes. However, during surveillance, intestinal metaplasia is uncommon and progression to cancer rare.