Objective To summarize the experiences of applying gastric tube in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), in order to assess its feasibility and safety. [WTHZ]Methods From June 2004 to August 2009, MIE was performed on 102 patients with esophageal carcinoma, including 71 males and 31 females whose age ranged from 37 to 79 years old with an average age of 61.1. Among them, 62 patients underwent thoracoscopic laparotomy 3-incision esophagectomy, 35 patients underwent thoracoscopic and laparoscopic 3-incision esophagectomy and 5 patients underwent thoracotomy and laparoscopic esophagectomy. Prevertebral reconstruction was performed on 58 patients and retrosternal reconstruction was performed on 44 patients. [WTHZ]Results All operations were performed successfully with a perioperative mortality rate of 2.0%(2/102) and a postoperative complication rate of 41.2%(42/102). The complications included anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture and lung infection. The complication rate was higher in the retrosternal group than in the prevertebral group (56.8% vs. 29.3%, Plt;0.05). Anastomotic leakage rate in the retrosternal group was also higher than that in the prevertebral group (34.1% vs. 6.9%, Plt;0.05). There was no significant difference in anastomotic stenosis, gastric fistula, dysfunction of gastric emptying, heart and lung complications, chylothorax and injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve between the two groups. [WTHZ]Conclusion Gastric tube is an effective way for reconstruction of the digestive tract after minimally invasive esophagectomy. The choice of prevertebral reconstruction or retrosternal reconstruction should be based on each individual patient.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the clinical application of tubular stomach in cervical esophageal reconstruction after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Methods A total of 850 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy through cervico-thoraco-abdominal（3-field）approach between January 2007 and January 2009 in North Jiangsu Hospital were allocated into the tubular stomach group（group A, n=425） and the whole stomach group （group B, n=425）by operation order. Group A included 287 male and 138 female patients with their average age of 58.2±11.5 years. Among them, 27 patients had upper esophageal cancer, 346 patients had middle esophageal cancer and 52 patients had lower esophageal cancer. Group B included 298 male and 127 female patients with their average age of 58.5±12.8 years. Among them, 33 patients had upper esophageal cancer, 338 patients had middle esophageal cancer, and 54 patients had lower esophageal cancer. Operation time, postoperative length of hospital stay and the incidence of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, intra-thoracic stomach syndrome and reflux esophagitis of the two groups were compared. Results All the patients recovered uneventfully with no in-hospital death. There was no statistical difference in operation time （175.0±12.8 min vs.171.0±10.5 min，t=1.702，P＞ 0.05）and postoperative length of hospital stay （16.0±8.5 d vs.16.3±8.8 d，t=1.773，P＞ 0.05） between the two groups. During follow-up of six months, the rates of anastomotic leakage（χ2=5.550，P＜ 0.05）, intra-thoracic stomach syndrome （χ2=10.500，P＜ 0.05）and reflux esophagitis（χ2=9.150，P＜ 0.05） of group A were significantly lower than those of group B. There was no significant difference in the incidence of anastomotic stricture （χ2=0.120，P＞ 0.05） between the two groups. Conclusion Tubular stomach is better than whole stomach for cervical esophageal reconstruction after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer since it is more physiologically and anatomically complied. It can decrease the incidence of anastomotic leakage, intra-thoracic stomach syndrome, reflux esophagitis and improve the postoperative quality of life.
ObjectiveTo determine the influence of high BMI on postoperative complications in a cohort of squamous esophageal cancer patients. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 450 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy in our hospital from September 2010 through November 2012 year. The patients were divided into three groups. Forty-five patients were classified as a low BMI group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), 304 patients were classified as a normal BMI group (18.5≤BMI < 25.0 kg/m2), and 101 patients as a high BMI group (BMI≥25.0 kg/m2). Patients' demographics, tumor characteristics, and postoperative complications were compared among the three groups. ResultsThe comorbidity of diabetes was higher in the high BMI group compared with the other two groups (P=0.025). Longer operative time, wound infection or delayed healing were more frequent in the high BMI group (P=0.010 and P=0.039, respectively). Pneumonia and length of hospital stay had a tendency to increase in the high BMI group (P=0.052 and P=0.081, respectively). However, the differences did not reach statistical significance. There was no statistical difference in pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, anastomotic leakage, vocal code paresis, chylothorax, other organ damage, reoperation, arrhythmia, or in-hospital mortality among the three groups. ConclusionsHigh BMI has a negative impact on postoperative morbidity after esophagectomy. However, overweight is not a postoperative complications which should always be paid attention to.
Abstract: Objective To explore the protection of pulmonary function by shortening the thoracic opening time inesophagectomy of esophageal carcinoma. Methods A retrospective review of the postoperative pulmonary function of 54 patients with upper esophageal cancer undergoing esophagectomy with triple incisions in Tongji Hospital from January 2007 to April 2010 was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups. Twentyeight patients including 25 males and 3 females aged at 58.9±8.2 years were in in the classic procedure group, accepting classical esophagectomy with triple incision approach. Among them, there were 26 patients with squamous carcinoma and 2 with adenocarcinoma. Twentysix patients including 22 males and 4 females aged at 54.7±9.4 years were in the improved procedure group, accepting improved esophagectomy with triple incision approach. Among them, 25 patients had squamous carcinoma and 1 had adenocarcinoma. We analyzed the difference of the thoracic opening time, onelung ventilation time during the operation, arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide differential pressure(PaCO2), pulse oximeter saturation (SpO2), postoperative mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay time, postoperative oxygen support days, postoperative inhospital days, and the incidence of pulmonary infection and respiratory failure between the two groups. Results There was a statistical difference between the two groups in thoracic opening time (4.7±1.2 hours versus 2.6±0.8 hours, t=7.51, Plt;0.05) and onelung ventilation time (3.7±15 hours versus 23±0.8 hours, t=4.23, Plt;0.05). The PaO2 and SpO2 on the 1st day and the 3rd day after operation were significantly lower than those before operation in both the classic procedure group (on the 1st day after [CM(159mm]operation, PaO2: F=516.03, Plt;0.05; SpO2: F=129.63, Plt;0.05; on the 3rdday after operation, PaO2: F=213.99, Plt;005; SpO2: F=61.84, Plt;0.05) and the improved procedure group (on the 1st day after operation, PaO2: F=423.56, Plt;0.05; SpO2: F=184.24, Plt;0.05; on the 3st day after operation, PaO2: F=136.78, Plt;0.05). On the 1st day after operation, PaO2 and SpO2 in the improved procedure group were significantly higher than those in the classic procedure group (F=36.20, Plt;0.05; F=93.42, Plt;0.05), while PaCO2 in the improved procedure group was significantly lower than that in the classic procedure group (F=155.49, Plt;0.05). On the 3rd day after operation, PaO2 in the improved procedure group was significantly higher than that in the classic procedure group (F=29.23, Plt;0.05). The postoperative mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay time in the improved procedure group were significantly shorter than those in the classic procedure group (t=3.81, P=0.00; t=4.65, Plt;0.05). Conclusion Improved esophagectomy of carcinoma with triple incision approach can significantly shorten the thoracic opening time and onelung ventilation time during operation, which plays a good role in protecting pulmonary function and lowering the incidence of pulmonary complications.
Esophageal cancer is a common gastrointestinal cancer，and the incidence in China is the highest in the world. Esophagectomy represents the gold standard for patients with resectable esophageal cancer，but postoperative morbidity and mortality rates remain high. In recent years，there have been many reports on the pathogenesis of morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy without reaching any concrete conclusion. This review focuses on the pathogenesis，prophylaxis and therapeuticsof pulmonary infection after esophageal cancer resection．
ObjectiveTo study the gastric function of vagus-preserved patients after esophagectomy, and to evaluate the significance of keeping vagus and the value of gastric tube with vagal-sparing esophagectomy. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 15 patients in West China Hospital between June 2012 and January 2014. They were divided into two groups. There were 8 patients with 6 males and 2 females with average age of 57 years ranging from 44 to 77 years, in a gastric pull-up group with vagal-sparing esophagectomy. There were 7 patients with 6 males and 1 female at average age of 60 years ranging from 50 to 70 years in a gastric tube group with vagal-sparing esophagectomy. We chose 8 patients with 7 males and 1 female at average age of 62 years ranging from 47 to 69 years as a control group with a classical esophagectomy and a gastric pull-up. Then we evaluated the function of the vagal nerves and gastric reservoir after vagal-sparing esophagectomy. ResultsAll 23 surgeries were successfully performed. In subjective symptom, diarrhea was rare in the vagal-sparing esophagectomy patients and statistically more common in patients with a standard esophagectomy. Dumping and early satisfaction situation were similar among 3 groups. The 60 minutes gastric emptying rate was much better in the vagal-sparing group than that in the control group. And the esophageal manometry of the vagal-sparing group was statistically hihger than that in the control group. The gastroscope showed that the incidence of reflux esophagitis in the vagal-sparing group was statistically lower than that of the control group. There was no statistic difference in weight in the vagus-preserved group before and after the surgery while the weight decreased statistically in the control group. ConclusionsFor both esophageal replacement and gastric tube, preserving the vagus can reduce the functional dyspepsia after esophagectomy.
Barrett’s esophagus is considered an important risk factor for the pathogenesis of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Treatment strategies for diseases from high-grade dysplasia （HGD） to adenocarcinoma are different. The recurrence rates of endoscopic treatment and anti-reflux surgery are comparatively higher. Abnormal lesions of the esophagus can be completely resected by esophagectomy for the treatment of HGD to adenocarcinoma, and treatment outcomes are confirmed.But appropriate surgical strategies and lymph node dissection scopes should be chosen according to different cancer staging.Lymph node metastasis is a major factor in determining prognosis.
Esophagectomy and extensive lymphadenectomy still remain effective treatment strategies for patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma (EC). However,traditional esophagectomy is performed via open approaches and associated with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. In order to reduce morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy,various minimally invasive techniques have been introduced to esophagectomy by many medical centers,and minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has been widely developed in thoracic surgery. MIE has been proven to be a safe and feasible approach for the treatment of EC. Compared with open esophagectomy,MIE can reduce surgical blood loss,achieve complete and standardized tumor resection and lymph node dissection,and obtain equivalent long-term survival results. However,there are still controversies in some aspects of MIE for the treatment of EC,and the superiority of MIE has not been fully demonstrated. In this review,we focus on five aspects of MIE for the treatment of EC,including MIE techniques,perioperative outcomes,completeness and standard of tumor resection,long-term survival results and current problems.
Abstract: Objective To discuss the probable pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic and treatment methods, and prognosis of intramural esophageal dissection (IED), in order to improve diagnostic and therapeutic levels for IED. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of one patient suffering from circumferential intramural dissection of whole thoracic esophagus with inflammation of false lumen and localized esophageal perforation treated in the First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University in February 2010. The 56 years female underwent right exploratory thoracotomy through a standard posterolateral incision in the fifth intercostal space with the whole diseased esophagus resected and the stomach anastomosed through retrosternal tunnel to the cervical intact esophagus in the left neck. Case reports with integral clinical data in recent 10 years’ literature were reviewed through PubMed searching system with the keyword being intramural esophageal dissection or intramural esophageal hematoma. Results The patient was finally cured by whole thoracic esophagectomy and discharged at postoperative day 14. Halfyear followup result was satisfactory. Thirteen cases with integral clinical data were reviewed. The major manifestations were mainly chest and dorsal pain, odynophagia and dysphagia, and occasional hematemesis. Diagnosis was mainly based on esophagography, endoscope and CT. Twelve patients were cured or remitted after conservative therapy, endoscopic therapy or surgical therapy. One patient died after surgical exploration. Conclusions IED is arare disease, and esophagography, endoscope and CT are important diagnostic methods. IED is widely regarded as benign process which responds to conservative managements and endoscopic treatments. However, in some severe cases, we suppose that removal of the diseased esophagus is more reliable.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of thoracic duct ligation (TDL) on metabolism and postoperative complications during esophagectomy in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective clinical data analysis of 230 esophageal carcinoma patients with T2DM who underwent esophagectomy in our hospital from January 2003 to December 2018. Patients were divided into a TDL+ group (n=112), including 78 males and 34 females aged 63.47±7.23 years, and a TDL– group (n=118), including 84 males and 34 females aged 64.38±7.57 years. We compared the blood glucose, liver function parameters and lipid metabolic parameters at different time points before and after surgery. In addition, we compared the postoperative major complications between the two groups. Propensity score-matched (PSM) was used to control the observed confounders.ResultsCompared with the TDL– group, patients in TDL+ group had higher blood glucose level (P<0.05, except the fourth postoperative day). The total protein and albumin levels on the first and fourth postoperative days in the TDL+ group were lower than those in the TDL– group (P<0.05). The alanine transaminase (P=0.027) and aspartate transaminase (P=0.007) levels on the fourth postoperative day in the TDL+ group were higher than those in the TDL– group. More pulmonary complications (P=0.014) and anastomotic leaks (P=0.047) were found in the TDL+ group.ConclusionGiven that TDL may aggravate metabolic disorders, increase anastomotic leaks and the pulmonary complications, it is cautious to perform TDL, and prophylactic TDL should not be performed routinely for patients with T2DM.