Raymond W. Postlethwait

Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach: changing Patterns Over the Last 4 Decades

A retrospective study was performed on 255 consecutive patients admitted to a single hospital from 1953-1983 with a follow-up of 100%. The number of proximal esophagogastric junction and fundus tumors increased significantly over the last 4 decades from 21% to 44% (p less than 0.001), accompanied by a significant decrease in antral carcinomas from 60% to 33% (p less than 0.01). Patients with proximal neoplasms were significantly more likely to be white (71% vs. 29%, p less than 0.001), whereas patients with antral cancer were significantly more likely to be black (64% vs. 36%, p less than 0.001). There were no significant differences in nodal status, presence of distant metastases, or the overall 5-year survival rate between these two sites. The 5-year survival rate for the entire group was 6%. Sixty-five patients (30%) underwent curative resection, and the 5-year survival rate in this group was 24%, which was significantly better than palliative procedures. The 5-year survival rate was strongly influenced by TNM stage, local invasiveness, nodal status, and presence or absence of distal metastases (p less than 0.001). Although the overall survival rate has not changed over the past 30 years, there were definite epidemiologic differences between proximal and antral lesions, which suggest that new treatment protocols should be designed to include the location of the neoplasm.

Postoperative function of "free" jejunal transplants for replacement of the cervical esophagus.

The postoperative function of “free” jejunal autotransplants for replacement of the pharyngoesophagus after palliative resection was evaluated in nine patients using clinical assessment, cinefluoroscopy, manometry, and electrical studies. After an initial period of adjustment, all patients swallowed solids and liquids with minimal difficulty, gained weight appropriately and were satisfied with their operations. Cinefluoroscopy and esophageal manometry demonstrated normal function of the intact distal esophagus, which correlated with the absence of reflux symptoms. The grafts were capable of contraction in response to local distension and maintained an intrinsic myoclectrical activity. These results indicate that jejunal auto-transplantation may provide excellent palliation with restoration of a near normal swallowing mechanism for patients with large resectable lesions of the pharyngoesophagus. An additional observation was that the instillation of food directly into the gastric antrum caused a change in the motor activity in the transplanted jejunum, indicating physiological hormonal control of intestinal motility.

Stapled esophagogastric anastomosis

In a consecutive, nonrandomized series of 92 patients, esophagogastric anastomosis was performed with a suture technique in 32 patients and with a stapler in 60 patients. Only one anastomotic leak occurred in each group. Stricture later formed in three sutured anastomoses and in eight of the stapled anastomoses. A review of published reports shows anastomotic leak in 3.5 percent of the patients with stapled anastomoses. In patients with sutured anastomoses, leak occurred in approximately 10 percent. The improved results with the stapler do not alter the necessity for meticulous attention to technical detail.

Alteration in esophageal motility after laryngectomy

Ten laryngectomees underwent esophageal motility studies to assess the effect of laryngectomy on esophageal function. When these patients are compared with controls, marked derangements in esophageal motility were noted in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and in the body of the esophagus. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function did not differ significantly from the controls. Dysphagia developed postoperatively in five of the ten laryngectomees. This preliminary analysis suggests that esophageal motility disturbances may be relatively frequent after laryngectomy and that these disturbances may be clinically significant. The theoretical basic for the motility abnormalities and areas of future research are discussed.

Marginal Ulcer: A Difficult Surgical Problem

One hundred sixty-six patients with documented recurrent or marginal ulcers following previous ulcer operation were seen at Duke Medical Center and the Durham VA Hospital from 1950 through 1980. Patients with the diagnosis of gastrinoma were excluded from the series. Evaluation of initial operation for recurrent ulcer showed that the highest recurrence rate occurred following non-acid-reducing operations. Analysis of the symptom-free interval following initial ulcer operation showed a significantly longer interval prior to recurrent ulcer development following gastroenterostomy than other procedures, while resection and Billroth I reanastomosis showed a significantly shorter symptom-free interval than did other procedures. Endoscopy proved 85% sensitive in making the diagnosis of marginal ulcer, while upper GI series was 71% sensitive. Surgical treatment of 132 patients resulted in a 20.4% recurrence rate of second marginal ulcer, with a 2.3% mortality rate and a 10.6% morbidity rate. Second operation for recurrent ulcer in 24 patients yielded no deaths, a 12.5% morbidity rate, and a 29.2% recurrence rate. Average follow-up for the series was 12.3 years, and ultimate outcome of treatment showed, of patients not lost to follow-up, a 58.2% satisfactory to excellent rating, while 42.8% of patients had an unsatisfactory result of treatment.

Effect of total laryngectomy on esophageal motility.

Total laryngectomy for cancer can result in dysphagia and altered esophageal motility. Manometric changes in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and in proximal and distal esophageal function have been reported. However, most studies have failed to take into account radiation therapy and appropriate controls. We selected ten male patients (54.3± 1.9 yr) for longitudinal manometric evaluation prior to laryngectomy then at two weeks and again six months later. No patient received preoperative radiation therapy, had a previous history of esophageal surgery, or developed a postoperative wound infection or fistula. Seven of ten patients had positive nodes and received 6,000–6,600 rads postoperative radiation therapy. Preoperatively 4 of 10 patients complained of dysphagia which did not significantly change following surgery and radiation. Two of three patients who did not complain of dysphagia preoperatively and received radiation postoperatively developed dysphagia. No patient without dysphagia preoperatively who received no radiation therapy developed symptoms. Our studies show that laryngectomy causes alterations in the UES resting and peak pressures but not in the proximal or distal esophagus, or the lower esophageal sphincter. These data also imply radiation therapy may be associated with progressive alterations in motility and symptomatology. Further study regarding the effects of radiation on esophageal motility and function are urged.

Further study of polyglycolic acid suture

Abstract Implantation studies were carried out in rats, rabbits, and dogs to compare the rate of loss of breaking strength of polyglycolic acid and chromic catgut sutures. The rate of loss was about the same during the first five to ten days. Thereafter, the rates of loss were variable for both suture materials.

Pre- and postoperative prophylactic use of cephaloridine: A study of 201 cases☆

Abstract Cephaloridine was used as a prophylactic antibiotic preoperatively in one hundred thirteen patients and postoperatively in eighty-eight. The inordinately high infection rates (preoperative prophylactic group, 6.2 per cent; postoperative prophylactic group, 4.6 per cent) are analyzed and found to be associated with factors that enhance the possibility of wound infection beyond the capabilities of all antibiotics. Antibiotics cannot yet be used as substitutes for maintenance of sterile technic, application of basic surgical principles, judgment in selection, and timing of surgical procedures.

Recurrent inguinal hernia

An analysis of 584 operations for recurrent inguinal hernia was made in an attempt to determine the cause of the recurrence based on the anatomic findings. The recurrence was indirect in 300, direct in 241, and various other in 43 operations. The causes of the indirect recurrences appeared to be an unrecognized hernia, incomplete dissection or improper ligation of the sac, failure to narrow the cord, or inadequate reconstruction of the internal ring. No cause for the diffuse direct recurrences was apparent. Of the 241 hernias in Hesselbachs triangle, 144 were small localized defects, usually (112) just lateral to the symphysis. These were considered to be caused by the cutting action of a suture placed under tension. On the basis of these findings, suggestions are made for primary inguinal hernia operations.

Experimental study of polyester fiber suture

Abstract Polyester fiber as a surgical suture exhibited good handling properties, the ability to hold a knot, no untoward effect on the healing wound, maintenance of tensile strength in tissues, and a very low degree of stimulation to tissue reaction.