Perforation after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for bleeding gastric varices

Bleeding from gastric varices is an uncommon condition for which hemostatic control is difficult and ill defined. Most clinicians tend to achieve hemostasis by endoscopic treatment because of the prevailing poor general condition of these patients. A case of fundal perforation following excessive injection sclerotherapy is reported and possible mechanism discussed.

Anaesthesia for three-stage thoracoscopic oesophagectomy: an initial experience

We report our experience in the anaesthetic management of five patients undergoing three-stage thoracoscopic oesophagectomy. One patient required conversion to open thoracotomy because of extensive pleural adhesions. The other four patients, aged between 68 and 78, were all chronic smokers with mid-oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The duration of thoracoscopic surgery (and obligatory one-lung ventilation) ranged from 2.5 to 4 hours with total surgical time ranging from 7.5 to 9.5 hours. Anaesthetic considerations included the use of one-lung ventilation to provide surgical access, the cardiorespiratory effects of capnothorax, difficulties in assessing surgical blood loss during thoracoscopic dissection, crowding in the operating room with limitation of access to the patient and the risk of intraoperative dislodgement of the endobronchial tube. Postoperative pulmonary complications were not decreased in our patients despite the avoidance of thoracotomy. The thoracoscopic technique might contribute to pulmonary complications because of prolonged thoracoscopic dissection and unintentional pulmonary injuries. The concept of minimally invasive surgery needs further evaluation when the technique is applied in extensive procedures such as oesophagectomy.

A prospective randomized trial comparing R1 subtotal gastrectomy with R3 total gastrectomy for antral cancer

OBJECTIVE

The authors determined if more radical surgery with extended lymphadenectomy improves the results of gastrectomy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastric antrum.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The overall survival in patients with gastric cancer is disappointing. Improved survival has been reported by Japanese authors. Whether this is because of a higher number of early gastric cancers in the Japanese series, different biologic behavior in Asians, or the adoption of radical surgery with lymphadenectomy remains unclear.

METHODS

R1 subtotal gastrectomy with omentectomy and R3 total gastrectomy (omentectomy, splenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, lymphatic clearance of the celiac axis, and skeletonization of vessels in the porta hepatis) were evaluated in a prospective, randomized comparison.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients were randomized--25 to the R1 group and 30 to the R3 group. The two groups were comparable for age, sex, tumor size, TNM stage, and length of follow-up. The R3 group had a longer operating time (140 vs. 260 min; p < 0.05), a greater transfusion requirement (0 vs. 2 units, p < 0.05) and a longer hospital stay (8 vs. 16 days; p < 0.05) (medians; Mann-Whitney U test). The only postoperative death was in the R3 group and was caused by intra-abdominal sepsis. Fourteen patients in the R3 group developed left subphrenic abscesses. There were no major complications in the R1 group. Overall survival was significantly better in the R1 group (median survival estimated by Kaplan-Meier method, 1511 vs. 922 days, p < 0.05, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

R3 total gastrectomy can be performed with a low mortality, but it has a high morbidity because of intra-abdominal sepsis. The data do not support the routine use of R3 total gastrectomy for treatment of patients with antral cancer.

Omitting side-holes in biliary stents does not improve drainage of the obstructed biliary system: a prospective randomized trial

Sludge, which occludes biliary stents, forms mainly around the side-holes of such stents. It has been reported that omitting the side-holes results in less sludge formation and theoretically improves drainage. To compare the clinical efficacy of biliary stents with and without side-holes, we randomized patients with malignant or benign strictures to receive 10FG polyethylene stents either with side-holes (SH) or without side-holes (NSH). The patients were seen at 4, 12, 20, and 28 weeks after stenting for symptom evaluation and serum liver enzyme and bilirubin assays. The stents were replaced only when clinical symptoms of cholangitis developed. Each group included 35 patients. The mean age of patients in the SH group was 68 years, and the ratio of men to women was 1:1.3. In the NSH group, the mean age of patients was 67 years, and the ratio of men to women was 1:1.4. Eight patients with SH stents and eight with NSH stents died before the stents were removed; two NSH stents migrated into the duodenum. During a mean follow-up period of 8.1 weeks (range, 1.1 to 28 weeks for the SH group and 0.6 to 28 weeks for the NSH group), 18 stents were found to be occluded in the SH group and 17 in the NSH group. The median time before total occlusion was 7.8 weeks (range, 2.6 to 28) for SH stents and 7.9 weeks (range, 0.6 to 28) for NSH stents (p > 0.1, NS). The occluded stents removed from these patients were freeze-dried and weighed to quantitate the sludge blocking the stent lumen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Graded exercises for basic training in laparoscopic surgery

A series of graded exercises for use in laparoscopic simulation is described. These exercises are designed to introduce the basic skills required for laparoscopic surgery, and have been found to be useful both for the training of junior surgeons and in workshops.

Palliation of malignant oesophageal obstruction by endoscopic alcohol injection

Thirty six-patients with inoperable cancers of the oesophagus or gastric tumour in the cardia were treated by endoscopic alcohol injection. After dilatation using Savary dilators, absolute alcohol was injected in 0.5-1 ml aliquots into protuberant parts using a sclerotherapy needle. The mean volume per session was 7.8 ml. The mean dysphagia score improved from 2.7 before treatment to 1.4 after treatment (p < 0.001). Complications included mediastinitis in one patient and tracheo-oesophageal fistulas in two patients. The mean duration of palliation before the development of recurrent dysphagia was 35 days. The mean survival was 82 days. Endoscopic alcohol injection is effective in relieving malignant dysphagia. This inexpensive and easily available technique merits comparative studies with more established forms of therapy, such as laser photocoagulation.

Duodenal ulcer healing by eradication of Helicobacter pylori without anti-acid treatment: randomised controlled trial

Randomised trials have shown that duodenal ulcers treated by H2 blockers heal faster if Helicobacter pylori is eradicated concurrently. It remains unknown whether eradication of H pylori without suppression of acid-secretion, is sufficient to allow healing. 153 patients with H pylori infection and duodenal ulcer were randomised to receive either a 1-week course of bismuth subcitrate, tetracycline, and metronidazole (76), or omeprazole for 4 weeks with the same three-drug regimen for the first week (77). Endoscopy and antral biopsies were done at entry and 4 weeks after treatment. 132 patients were suitable for analysis. Duodenal ulcers healed in 60 (92%; 95% CI 86-100%) patients taking bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole compared with 63 (95%; 88-100%) taking omeprazole in addition to the three other drugs. H pylori was eradicated in 61 (94%; 88-100%) who received only three drugs compared with 66 (98%; 96-100%) who received omeprazole as well. Symptoms were reduced more effectively during the first week in patients who received omeprazole (p = 0.003). We conclude that a 1-week regimen of bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole for patients with H pylori and duodenal ulcer eradicates the organism and heals the ulcer in most patients. Concurrent administration of omeprazole reduces ulcer pain more rapidly but has no effect on ulcer healing.

One-year follow-up of duodenal ulcers after 1-wk triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori

OBJECTIVE

to study the ulcer recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcers at 1 yr after eradication of the bacteria by triple therapy.

METHOD

Patients with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcers were randomized to receive either triple therapy for 1 wk plus omeprazole for 4 wk (Triple+OMP) (n = 78), or omeprazole alone (OMP) for 4 wk (N = 77). Patients were followed up every 3 months for symptom enquiry. At 1 yr, all asymptomatic patients were invited to attend for gastroscopy.

RESULTS

At 8 wk, 16 patients in the OMP group and four in the Triple+OMP group had an ulcer. During the 1-yr period, 12 patients in the OMP group and no patient in the Triple+OMP group developed symptomatic ulcers. At follow-up endoscopy at 1 yr, another 10 ulcers were detected in the OMP group and two in the Triple+OMP group. Fifteen patients in the OMP group and 13 in the Triple+OMP group were lost to follow-up. In total, ulcers were detected in 39 of 61 (64%) assessable patients in the OMP group, and in six of 65 (9%) assessable patients in the Triple+OMP group after 1 yr (chi 2 test: p < 0.001). Of the patients whose H. pylori were successfully eradicated by Triple+OMP at 8 wk, 90% remained H. pylori negative at 1 yr.

CONCLUSION

Triple therapy for 1 wk eradicates H. pylori infection and significantly reduces duodenal ulcer relapses.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results of first 300 cases in Hong Kong

Prospective analysis of the first three hundred patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out in three surgical centres of Hong Kong. Over a 20-month period, 300 consecutive patients were recruited, including elective and emergency cases. The indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were symptomatic gallstones (78%), cholangitis (6%), pancreatitis (5%) and cholecystitis (11%). Patients with common duct stones (12) had preoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction prior to cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was accomplished successfully in 287 patients. Thirteen patients (4.3%) required conversion to open cholecystectomy. The reasons for conversion were: inability to identify cystic duct and common bile duct clearly (6); bleeding (5); Mirizzi syndrome (1); and slippage of cystic duct clip (1). The median operation time was 80 min with a range of 28-270 min. The median hospital stay was 3 days. Seventy-five per cent of patients required only a single dose of pethidine injection. None of the patients required blood transfusion. The overall complication rate was 7%. These included mild cellulitis of the subumbilical wound (3%) and postoperative chest infection (3%). One patient developed subphrenic abscess which resolved on percutaneous drainage under ultrasound guidance. Iatrogenic injury to the common bile duct was seen in one patient who had an impacted stone at Hartmann's pouch. With adequate training laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely. The advantages over open cholecystectomy are less wound pain, better cosmesis and shorter convalescence.

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax complicating laparoscopic vagotomy. Report of two cases

Two patients developed subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum during laparoscopic vagotomy. One of the patients also had a pneumothorax which produced a sudden increase in end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration preceding arterial oxygen desaturation. The pneumothorax was drained with an intercostal cannula. The patient required a twofold increase in minute ventilation to maintain normocarbia, probably because of the additional absorption of carbon dioxide through the pleural cavity. Despite the presence of a peritoneo-pleural communication, surgery was successfully completed. We believe that gas under tension in the peritoneal cavity dissected along tissue planes around the oesophagus opened up during surgery. Thus pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax are definite risks associated with this new procedure.

A double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing sodium tetradecyl sulphate and ethanolamine oleate in the sclerotherapy of bleeding oesophageal varices

The efficacy and side effects of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STD) and 5% ethanolamine oleate (ETH) were compared in 95 patients admitted with variceal bleeding. The patients were allocated in a randomised fashion to one of the treatment groups when varices were identified which were either actively bleeding or had signs of recent haemorrhage. Endoscopic examination was performed within 24 hours of admission. The endoscopist had no knowledge of which sclerosant was used. Intravariceal injections of 2 ml aliquots up to a maximum of 20 ml were made in a double-blinded manner. Repeat injections were performed at weekly intervals until all oesophageal varices were obliterated. Bleeding was successfully controlled in 42/48 (87.5%) patients in the STD group and 41/47 (87.2%) patients in the ETH group after one session of therapy. Variceal obliteration was achieved after 3.3 +/- 1.3 sessions of STD and 4.5 +/- 1.9 sessions of ETH (p < 0.05 Student's t-test). Post-injection pyrexia was significantly more common in the STD group (42% vs 30% p < 0.05, chi-square test). There was no difference in the rates of subsequent oesophageal ulceration, stricture formation or perforation of the oesophagus. It is concluded that STD and ETH are both effective in controlling variceal haemorrhage, but STD obliterates the varices in significantly fewer sessions.

Gastric adenocarcinoma with ciliated tumor cells

Ciliated metaplasia (CM) of gastric mucosa is common in Japanese individuals but rare in whites. We studied 36 consecutive gastrectomies from Chinese individuals for the presence of CM. The gastrectomies were performed for adenocarcinoma (n = 22), benign ulcer (n = 13), and malignant lymphoma (n = 1). Ciliated metaplasia was found in 16 (44.4%) of the stomachs, with equal distribution between male and female patients. Ciliated metaplasia was present in 11 cases (50%) of adenocarcinoma and in five cases (38.5%) of benign ulcer, the difference being statistically insignificant. Contrary to previous studies, there was no increased frequency of CM in gastric mucosa harboring an intestinal-type adenocarcinoma compared with those with non-intestinal-type tumors. Ciliated metaplasia always co-existed with intestinal metaplasia. Colonization by Helicobacter pylori was not associated with an increased incidence of CM. In five cases (22.7%) of adenocarcinoma ciliated tumor cells were found, and all of these cases showed CM in the gastric mucosa. In one of these cases the whole tumor was composed of glands formed by ciliated cells. In the other cases there was a morphologically different nonciliated component. The cilia in the tumor cells showed light microscopic and ultrastructural changes identical to those of the cilia seen in CM affecting the nonneoplastic gastric mucosa. This study documents for the first time the co-existence of CM and ciliated adenocarcinoma in the same stomach. It is concluded that in the Hong Kong Chinese population CM is commonly present in gastric mucosa harboring an adenocarcinoma or benign ulcer. Adenocarcinomas with ciliated cells are strongly associated with CM.

Octreotide infusion or emergency sclerotherapy for variceal haemorrhage

To compare octreotide with injection sclerotherapy in the treatment of acute variceal haemorrhage, patients admitted with gastrointestinal bleeding and oesophageal varices confirmed by endoscopy were randomised to receive either emergency sclerotherapy with 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate or octreotide (50 micrograms intravenous bolus plus 50 micrograms per h intravenous infusion for 48 h). At the end of the study period (48 h), the octreotide group also had sclerotherapy to obliterate the varices. 100 patients were recruited. Demographic features including the aetiology of portal hypertension and the Child-Pugh's grading of the two groups were similar. Bleeding was initially controlled in 90% of patients by emergency sclerotherapy and in 84% by octreotide infusion (95% confidence interval 0-19.5, p = 0.55). There were no significant differences between the two groups in early (within 48 h of randomisation) rebleeding (16% vs 14%), blood transfusion (3 units vs 3.5), hospital stay (5 days vs 6 days), or hospital mortality (27% vs 20%). No notable side-effects were associated with octreotide. We conclude that octreotide infusion and emergency sclerotherapy are equally effective in controlling variceal haemorrhage.

Laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy: prospective randomised trial

Randomised assessment of new laparoscopic surgical techniques is difficult. Surgeons need time to become experienced with the methods and tend, when they have experience, to favour one or other approach. We have carried out a prospective randomised comparison of laparoscopic and conventional appendicectomy done by surgeons of comparable experience in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. Postoperative management decisions were made by surgeons other than the operating surgeon. 140 patients were randomly assigned to open (OA) or laparoscopic (LA) appendicectomy (70 each). The age, sex ratio, duration of symptoms, and proportion of patients with histologically confirmed appendicitis was similar in the two groups. Operating time was longer for LA than for OA (mean 70.3 [SD 21.9] vs 46.5 [25.9] min; p < 0.001). There were no major intraoperative complications in either group. 14 (20%) patients in the LA group required conversion to an open operation. No significant differences between the groups were found postoperatively for pain score, analgesic requirement, time to reintroduction of diet, or hospital stay. 46 LA patients and 42 OA patients attended follow-up 3 weeks after surgery. Similar proportions had returned to work (36 [79%] vs 31 [74%]). The frequency of wound complications and wound pain after leaving hospital was lower after LA but not significantly so. We conclude that the postoperative course after LA and conventional OA does not differ significantly.

Adding a sclerosant to endoscopic epinephrine injection in actively bleeding ulcers: a randomized trial

We compared the efficacy of epinephrine injection and epinephrine injection followed by sodium tetradecyl sulfate in controlling active ulcer bleeding. Out of 2814 patients who underwent endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding, 200 patients with actively bleeding ulcers seen at the time of endoscopy were randomized to receive epinephrine injection alone (99 patients) or epinephrine injection followed by 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate (101 patients). After the procedure the patients were transferred to the surgical gastroenterology ward and were treated by surgeons who were unaware of the mode of treatment. The patients underwent routine endoscopy 24 hours later, and epinephrine injection was repeated if active bleeding was seen again. Emergency surgery was performed for the following: (1) arterial spurting not controlled endoscopically, (2) failure of the blood pressure or pulse to stabilize after 4 units of blood, (3) total transfusion of more than 8 units of blood, or (4) rebleeding as defined by hematemesis with pulse greater than 100 beats/min or blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg after stabilization. The two groups were comparable in age, sex, site of ulcer, and severity of bleeding. Initial hemostasis was obtained at the time of endoscopy in 94% of the epinephrine group and 97% of the epinephrine plus sodium tetradecyl sulfate group. No difference in outcome was seen in the two groups as measured by emergency surgery requirement, blood transfusion, hospital stay, and hospital mortality. Endoscopic epinephrine injection is effective in controlling active ulcer bleeding. The additional injection of sodium tetradecyl sulfate confers no additional advantage.

Reliability and validity of the pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the TMJ capsules by electronic algometer

Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) of 39 normal subjects (20 males and 19 females) and 30 female patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsulitis (21 lateral and 25 posterior capsulitis) were examined by an electronic algometer. In normal subjects, statistically significant correlation coefficients were obtained from the values of intra-examiners and inter-examiners in both lateral and posterior TMJ capsules (p < 0.01). A comparison with data obtained from contralateral sides failed to demonstrate significant differences. Statistically significant differences were found between the PPT of normal female subjects and female patients with capsulitis in both lateral and posterior TMJ capsules (p < 0.01).

Proximal gastric vagotomy and anterior seromyotomy with posterior truncal vagotomy assessed by the endoscopic congo red test

The completeness of vagotomy following proximal gastric vagotomy or anterior seromyotomy with posterior truncal vagotomy was assessed prospectively in 48 patients using the intraoperative congo red test. Pentagastrin (6 micrograms/kg) was given subcutaneously before the assessment. An endoscope was passed into the stomach and 180 ml congo red solution washed over the gastric mucosa. Continuing acid production was indicated by the appearance of a black colour (pH < 3) 2 min after introduction of the dye. A grading system was adopted where grades I and II showed little black discoloration and grades III and IV showed increasing areas of discoloration indicating that further denervation was required. All 20 patients undergoing anterior seromyotomy with posterior vagotomy were classified as grade I. Fifteen of an initial 23 patients receiving proximal gastric vagotomy were grade III or IV. Following division of either the right gastroepiploic nerve or the posterior vagal trunk, 22 patients improved to grade I (16) or II (six). In the subsequent five proximal vagotomies, modification of the dissection produced grade I results. Anterior seromyotomy with posterior truncal vagotomy gave consistently complete vagotomy. The congo red test highlighted major differences in the adequacy of vagotomy achieved using various dissection techniques during proximal gastric vagotomy. The test is a useful, reproducible and simple intraoperative method for assessing the completeness of denervation.

Conventional versus laparoscopic surgery for acute appendicitis

A total of 155 consecutive patients with suspected acute appendicitis were studied to compare laparoscopic and conventional operations. Patients were not randomized: laparoscopy was performed when a suitably trained surgeon and laparoscopic instruments were available. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was attempted in 51 patients and was successful in 46 (90 per cent); all conversions to open operation were because of marked inflammatory adhesions around the appendix. There were no intraoperative complications. Reintroduction of normal diet and discharge from hospital occurred earlier after laparoscopic than open surgery (P < 0.05). The requirement for analgesia after successful laparoscopic surgery was less than that after conventional appendicectomy, but the difference was not significant. The incidence of wound infection was reduced after the laparoscopic procedure (P = 0.06). It is concluded that laparoscopic appendicectomy is practical and may have advantages over conventional operation, although a randomized study is necessary.

The effect of the stabilization splint on the TMJ closed lock

The mandibular manipulation technique and anterior repositioning splint are considered acceptable conservative therapies for an acute temporomandibular joint (TMJ) closed lock. However, an anterior repositioning splint will result in a corresponding change in occlusion, such as posterior open-bite. Furthermore, invasive treatments such as surgery have many complications. This article describes the effect of the stabilization splint with more conservative therapies, including the manipulation technique, wherein the complications are minimal. In this study, the authors used the stabilization splint instead of the anterior repositioning splint. They obtained acceptable results, including the increase of interincisal distance, a decrease in Fricton's craniomandibular index, and a decrease in Helkimo's clinical dysfunction index. Therefore, the treatment method that is composed of a stabilization splint, manipulation, moist heat, and exercise should be considered as the first choice of treatment for TMJ closed lock, as opposed to a repositioning splint.