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Impact of total fundoplication on esophageal transit: analysis by combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry.

Background: Laparoscopic total fundoplication is considered the most effective surgical option for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease. Some authors assume that total fundoplication may expose the patient to delayed transit of the swallowed bolus and increased risk of dysphagia, particularly when peristaltic dysfunction is present. We undertook this study to evaluate by means of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry (MII-EM) the impact of fundoplication on esophageal physiology. An objective measurement of the influence of the total wrap on bolus transit may be helpful in refining the optimal antireflux wrap (ie, partial vs. total). Methods: In this study, 25 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication had MII-EM and combined 24-hour pH and multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII-pH) before and after the surgical procedure. All patients completed preoperative and postoperative symptom questionnaires. The following were calculated for liquid and viscous deglutition lower esophageal sphincter pressure and relaxation, distal esophageal amplitude, the number of complete esophageal bolus transits and the mean total bolus transit time. The acid and nonacid GER episodes were calculated by MII-pH with the patient in both upright and recumbent positions. Results: The postoperative MII-EM showed an increased lower esophageal sphincter pressure (P<0.05), whereas lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and distal esophageal amplitude did not change after surgery (P=NS). Complete esophageal bolus transits and bolus transit time did not change for liquid swallows (P=NS), but was more rapid for viscous after surgery (P<0.05). Twenty-four hour pH monitoring confirmed the postoperative reduction of both acid and nonacid reflux (P<0.05). Conclusions: Laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti is effective in controlling both acid and nonacid GER without impairment of esophageal function. Appropriate preoperative investigation, meticulous patient selection and correct surgical technique are extremely important in securing good results.

Laparoscopic treatment of an uncommon abdominal localization of Castleman disease.

Abstract: Castleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder overall localized in the mediastinum and rarely in the abdomen. It appears as a tumor-like mass characterized by a massive growth of lymphoid tissue. Benign forms are usually associated to a good prognosis even if multifocal variants present more aggressive behavior. Two different histologic types have been described: the hyaline vascular and the plasma cell form. The diagnosis is often achieved only at the histologic evaluation of the surgical specimen. Presented here is the rare occurrence of this disease in the abdominal cavity treated by the laparoscopic approach. No postoperative complications were observed. No recurrence has been detected at 12 months CT scan follow-up. Until now, no reports of this kind of treatment have been available in literature.

Laparoscopic conversion of an omega in a Roux-en-y reconstruction after mini-invasive total gastrectomy for cancer: a technical report.

Introduction Few cases of laparoscopic total gastrectomy have been published. Reconstruction of the digestive tract was generally accomplished with a Roux-en-y esophagojejunal mechanical anastomosis. Here we report the first 2 cases of laparoscopic conversion of an omega in a Roux-en-y reconstruction due to the occurrence of a severe alkaline esophagitis after mini-invasive total gastrectomy for cancer. Materials and Methods Two male patients presented in 2004. One year prior, at another facility, they had undergone laparoscopic total gastrectomy for cancer, with reconstruction of digestive tract by means of an esophagojejeunostomy with a jejunal loop and Brauns side-to-side enteroanastomosis. They complained of daily symptoms of nausea, regurgitation, heartburn, and early postprandial fullness with reduction of appetite and weight loss of almost 15 kg. Instrumental examination diagnosed alkaline esophagitis. Intervention was performed via laparoscopic approach and the digestive reconstruction was reconfigured in a Roux-en-y type with a proximal limb of almost 60 cm. Results Operative time was 135 to 180 minutes. No postoperative complications occurred. After 1-year follow-up, symptoms resolution and esophagitis healing have been observed in both patients. Conclusions Laparoscopic gastrectomy is gaining wide acceptance. In our opinion, a standardization of the technique is necessary: we believe Roux-en-y should be considered the preferred reconstruction route ensuring the best protection of the esophagus from alkaline reflux.

Marsupialization compared to open wound improves dressing change and wound care management after fistulectomy for low transsphincteric anal fistula

Dear Editor: Low transsphincteric fistula (LTF) is a tedious surgical disease and its treatment relies on several conventional strategies among which the most common are fistulotomy and fistulectomy. Fistulotomy consists of leaving the anal wound open but is reported to be associated with prolonged wound healing, anal deformity, and an altered continence. In light of these findings, at the end of the 1980s, authors have described a technique based on the marsupialization of wound edges to leave less raw unepithelialized tissues to heal over. Previous randomized studies have compared the outcomes of marsupialization and open wounds in the treatment of anal fistula. To date, no study has specifically compared postoperative care management and recurrence in patients who underwent fistulotomy with or without marsupialization for LTF. In this letter, we compared shortand long-term outcomes of patients with LTF undergoing fistulotomy with those of patients undergoing fistulotomy with marsupialization in the same period. From December 2007 to October 2013, consecutive patients with a diagnosis of anal fistula referred to our surgical uni t , who underwent f is tulectomy with marsupialization (M) or with open wound (OW) on a 1.5:1 ratio over a 7-year period, were prospectively enrolled. At the baseline, all patients underwent anal manometry and endoanal ultrasound. Low transsphincteric anal fistula was defined as a fistula tract traversing the lower third of the external anal sphincter at preoperative instrumental evaluation and confirmed intra-operatively. Patient follow-up was based on regular outpatient clinic visits every 3 months, and information obtained from medical records, correspondence, and telephone contact. Postoperative pain was evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) 12 and 24 h after surgery. Wound healing was defined by complete re-epithelialization recorded by one independent observer who attended the outpatients’ visits and contacted the patients by phone every day afterwards to plan the final outpatient visit. Local wound care was assessed by recording the daily frequency of dressing change or even need for and frequency of who (Bmy-self^; family; district nurse) performed it . Dressing change was strictly performed only at the three daily dressing assessments (every 8 h–7 a.m., 3 p.m., and 11 p.m.), only in case the dressing appeared moist and not absolutely clean and dry. This was recorded bymeans of diaries the patients were asked to complete. In addition, wound care was monitored during outpatient follow-up visits until the wound was closed or up to 3 months after dismissal from the hospital. Wound infection was defined as the presence of local symptoms of suppuration with or without an isolated pathogenic microorganism. A recurrent fistula was assessed by clinical examination and 3D endoanal ultrasound at the outpatient clinic by a competent observer, independent from the operating team. Recurrence was defined when symptoms of the disease recurred after an interval following complete wound healing. Two hundred and sixty-eight consecutive patients with a diagnosis of anal fistula were admitted in our department. Seventythree of 268 consecutive patients with a low transsphincteric anal fistula entered the study. Forty patients were male (male/female ratio 1:2), and the median age at the time of diagnosis was 41 (31–68) years. Forty-four patients (60.2 %) had a marsupialization (M group) and 29 had an open wound (OW group). The median operating time was higher in the M group (P=0.0001). Wound bleeding was less frequent in the marsupialization group than in the OW group (16 vs. 48%, P= * Paolo Limongelli limpao@libero.it