ObjectiveTo present the safety and efficiency of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for hiatal hernia in elderly patients. MethodsClinical data of 35 elderly patients with hiatal hernia who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College between August 2013 and March 2014 was retrospectively analyzed. ResultsAll patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The operation time was 72-minute in average (65-105 minutes) and intraoperative blood loss was 30 mL in average (10-120 mL). The mean value of postoperative hospital stay was 5-day (3-23 days). Patients' stomachs and esophagus were restored to normal position after surgery. No complication was noted except 2 patients had mild gastroesophageal reflux after operation, and 1 patient suffered from transient dysphagia after operation, all the symptoms subsided after conservative treatment. Afterwards, 33 of them achieved follow-up for 6 to 12 months (mean of 8.5 months), the other 2 patients were lost to follow-up. During the follow-up period, a questionnaire regarding to the criteria for Reflux Diagnostic Questionnaire (RDQ) score were conducted in the 33 patients, and the results showed that the symptoms including acid reflux, heartburn, chest pain, cough, dyspnea, lump sensation in the pharynx, and hoarseness were improved significantly in 6 months after operation (P<0.05), and no recurrence was found during the follow-up period. ConclusionLaparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe operation for elderly patients with hiatal hernia, and it can achieve good clinical result.
ObjectiveTo evaluate laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).MethodsA total of 20 patients with GERD and COPD underwent laparoscopic anti-reflux procedure in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2016 to December 2017. The reflux diagnostic questionnaire, pulmonary function, COPD assessment test scale, 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring and esophageal pressure measurement were performed in all patients. All drug-refractory patients underwent the laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery. After 12 months follow-up, the parameters of COPD and GERD were evaluated again.ResultsTwenty patients with COPD and GERD were successfully performed laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, no hernia patch repair patient and death patient occurred. There was no esophageal rupture, bleeding, infection, and other serious postoperative complications. Although 8 patients had the different degree dysphagia and 10 patients had the different degree abdominal distention, they all relieved themselves. Twenty patients with GERD and COPD were followed up for 1 year. Compared with the values before treatment, the GERD symptom score, reflux times, DeMeester score, and COPD assessment test score of the patients were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the lower esophageal sphincter pressure, percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in the predicted value and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly increased (P<0.05) after the treatment. According to the grading standard of The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), 5 cases of grade Ⅰ, 2 cases of grade Ⅱ and 1 case of grade Ⅲ were cured; 1 case of grade Ⅰ, 4 cases of grade Ⅱ and 4 cases of grade Ⅲ were improved; 1 case of grade Ⅰ, 1 case of grade Ⅱ and 1 case of grade Ⅳ were ineffective. The total effective rate was 85% (17/20).ConclusionsCOPD is closely related to GERD. Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery can not only effectively treat GERD, but also markedly improve COPD.
Objective To review the clinical experience of Heller myotomy for treatment of achalasia through a small thoracotomy. Methods Twenty-five patients with achalasia (9 moderate, 16 severe) underwent Heller myotomy without concomitant antireflux procedure through a small incision. A left thoracotomy was carried out through either the seventh or eighth intercostals space. The length of skin incision was 6 to 8 cm. Results There was no hospital death and severe postoperative complications. The mean operating time was 50 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 10 days. There was one intraoperative perforation and repaired successfully. All patients reported good to excellent relief of dysphagia and no symptom of gastroesophageal reflux after surgery. Eight patients were subsequently studied with a 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and no evidence of pathologic reflux found. Conclusions Transthoracic Heller myotomy with a small incision is effective and safe method for treatment of achalasia with minimal invasion, quick recovery, less postoperative complication and shorter hospital stay. Proper extent of the myotomy may decrease the risk of subsequent gastroesophageal reflux in the postoperative period.
ObjectiveTo explore and analyze the clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is manifested mainly as stubborn pharyngitis. MethodsFrom February 2010 to December 2012, 79 cases were diagnosed as stubborn pharyngitis and otolaryngology standard treatment was invalid. GERD questionnaire ratings and conventional endoscopy were performed for patients with obvious manifestations of stubborn pharyngitis shown on the laryngoscopy. They were randomly divided into treatment group (n=40) and control group (n=39). Patients in the treatment group accepted esomeprazole 40 mg, qd, for 12 weeks; and patients in the control group had sucralfate suspension 15 mL bid for 12 weeks. At the three observation points which are 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment began, clinical symptom score and pharyngeal inflammatory changes were recorded, and at the end of the treatment, all patients underwent endoscopy, and esophageal mucosal healing was observed. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in terms of general data. After the treatment, the symptom scores were significantly decreased in the treatment group at the three observation points (P<0.05). The same situation happened also in the control group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The symptom scores between the two groups after treatment were significantly different (P<0.5). And the effective rate for local pharyngeal infection was 83.9% and 41.4% in the treatment group and the control group respectively (P<0.05). ConclusionSome atypical GERDs feature by the symptoms of stubborn pharyngitis. Clinically, patients with long-term stubborn pharyngitis should be screened to exclude the possibility of GERD. esomeprazole therapy can significantly improve the pharyngitis symptoms and relieve local inflammation.
ObjectiveTo analyze the causal relationship between the intake of cheese or tea and the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). MethodsUsing a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with milk or tea intake were used as instrumental variables. The causal effect of milk or tea intake on the risk of GERD was investigated using the MR Egger method, the weighted median method, the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) random-effects model, and the IVW fixed-effects model. Multivariable analysis was conducted using the MR Egger method, and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the reliability of the data. ResultsCheese intake could reduce the occurrence of GERD [IVW random-effects model β=–1.010, 95%CI (0.265, 0.502), P<0.05], while tea intake could lead to the occurrence of GERD [IVW random-effects model β=0.288, 95%CI (1.062, 1.673), P<0.05]. ConclusionCheese intake may have a positive causal relationship with reducing the risk of GERD occurrence, while tea intake may have a positive causal relationship with increasing the risk of GERD occurrence.
Objective To investigate the effect on motility function of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal and cardiac carcinoma. Methods Thirty nine patients with esophageal and cardiac carcinoma were divided into two groups according to surgical procedure. Group of anastomosis above aortic arch （n = 21）： esophagogastrostomy was performed above the aortic arch in patients with esophageal carcinoma of the middle third; group of anastomosis below aortic arch（n= 18）： esophagogastrostomy was performed below the aortic arch in patients with esophageal carcinoma of the low third and cardiac carcinoma. Six health volunteers without gastroesophageal reflux were recruited as control group. Esophageal manometry and upper alimentary tract roentgenography were performed in all patients. Results There was a high pressure zone at the anastomotic orifice in parts of patients of both anastomosis groups. The resting pressure of remnant esophagus was higher than that in control group （P〈0. 05）, and similar to the resting pressure of intrathoracic stomach （P〉0. 05）. There was no significant difference in resting pressure of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach between two anastomosis groups （P〉0.05）. The amplitude and number of primary peristalsis in remnant esophagus of group of anastomosis above aortic arch were significantly reduced in comparison with control group. The number of primary peristalsis in remnant esophagus of group of anastomosis above aortic arch was significantly lower than that of group of anastomosis below aortic arch （P〈0. 05）. The motility in the body of intrathoracic stomach was not observed. Weak motor activity of the gastric antrum was observed with upper alimentary tract roentgenography after surgery and evidently recovered 1 year after surgery. Conclusions The resting pressure of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach is not influenced by the site of anastomosis. Esophagogastric anastomosis at the upper thorax is likely to result in poor motility of remnant esophagus. The motor activity of intrathoracic stomach becomes weak after esophagectomy and then recovers gradually over time, hut still fail to return to normal level.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of upper airway cough syndrome ( UACS) and the relationship of UACS with upper airway diseases, cough variant asthma ( CVA) , and gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD) . Methods 92 subjects with chronic cough and throat symptoms and signs were included in the study. The medical records were collected fromall subjects, and 49 subjects suspected for CVA undertook bronchial provocation test. Then the efficacy was evaluated and etiology were analyzed based on the efficacy of targeted treatment. Results Bronchial provocation test yielded positive results in 14 subjects suspected of CVA, accounting for 15. 2% of all cases ( 14/92) . 18. 5% ( 17 /92) of patients had a history of chronic gastritis or combined symptoms of GERD, of whom anti-gastroesophagealreflux treatment was effective. The patients with rhinitis, sinusitis history and/ or symptoms accounted for 33. 7% of cases ( 31 cases) . 51. 1% ( 47/92) of patients had only signs and symptoms of chronic pharyngitis. Conclusions UACS is not only due to the rhinitis and/ or sinusitis but also chronic pharyngitis. Chronic pharyngitis may be secondary to chronic rhinitis/ sinusitis with post nasal drip and gastroesophageal reflux, also may be an independent cause of chronic cough.
ObjectiveTo investigate the individualized management of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to scleroderma, particularly the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication for this entity. MethodsFrom June, 2011 to June, 2014 six inpatient cases had severe GERD secondary to scleroderma were documented. Endoscopy, esophageal high-resolution manometry and 24 hours reflux monitoring were applied for GERD evaluation. Maintenance of conservative treatment was carried out for the 2 cases who responsed well to medication therapy, laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication was done for the 4 cases who had extraesophageal symptom and not well controlled by medication. The patients were followed-up for an average of 2.2 years (1 to 4 years) after discharge, and endoscopic was rechecked during the followed-up. ResultsThe esophageal symptom of regurgitation, heartburn and dysphagia, as well as the extraesophageal symptom of cough and asthma significantly relieved during followed-up, meanwhile the anti-reflux medication was reduced or stopped in all the patients. For the 4 surgical patient, one had partial recurrence and no complication occurred. ConclusionsThe management of severe GERD secondary to scleroderma could follow the strategy of controlling the primary disease, living adjustment, anti-reflux medication and surgery step by step. The laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication may be safe, effective and feasible for the medication unmet patients, it deserves further studies.