Persistence of Barrett's esophagus in children after antireflux surgery: influence on follow-up care

Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal cancer following oesophageal atresia repair: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Concern exists that patients born with oesophageal atresia (OA) may be at high risk for Barrett's oesophagus (BO), a known malignant precursor to the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Screening endoscopy has a role in early BO identification but is not universal in this population. This study aimed to determine prevalence of BO after OA repair surgery, to quantify the magnitude of this association and inform the need for screening and surveillance.

METHODS

A systematic review, undertaken according to PRISMA guidelines, was preregistered on PROSPERO (CRD42017081001). PubMed and EMBASE were interrogated using a standardized search strategy on 31 July 2020. Included papers, published in English, reported either: one or more patients with either BO (gastric/intestinal metaplasia) or oesophageal cancer in patients born with OA; or long-term (greater than 2 years) follow-up after OA surgery with or without endoscopic screening or surveillance.

RESULTS

Some 134 studies were identified, including 19 case reports or series and 115 single- or multi-centre cohort studies. There were 13 cases of oesophageal cancer (9 squamous cell carcinoma, 4 adenocarcinoma) with a mean age at diagnosis of 40.5 (range 20-47) years. From 6282 patients under long-term follow-up, 317 patients with BO were reported. Overall prevalence of BO was 5.0 (95 per cent c.i. 4.5 to 5.6) per cent, with a mean age at detection of 13.8 years (range 8 months to 56 years). Prevalence of BO in series reporting endoscopic screening or surveillance was 12.8 (95 per cent c.i. 11.3 to 14.5) per cent.

CONCLUSION

Despite a limited number of cancers, the prevalence of BO in patients born with OA is relatively high. While limited by the quality of available evidence, this review suggests endoscopic screening and surveillance may be warranted, but uncertainties remain over the design and effectiveness of any putative programme.

Barrett's esophagus in children: what is the evidence?

BACKGROUND

This study systematically reviewed etiology, prevalence, treatment and outcome of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in the pediatric population.

METHODS

PubMed^® was searched for terms "Barrett's esophagus" and "children". End points were age of patients, etiology, association with other syndromes, treatment, incidence of carcinoma and outcome. This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Data were collected, entered and analyzed into a Microsoft Excel^® spreadsheet database.

RESULTS

Search revealed 278 articles published between 1984 and 2017, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria. There were 130 patients for analysis with a mean age 10.6 years (0.8-17.2 years). BE was diagnosed in 80 patients with confirmed gastroesophageal reflux (GER) only; further 20 patients were neurologically impaired and had GER, 13 after esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) repair with associated GER, 6 post-chemotherapy, 1 after post caustic burns, 1 after esophageal replacement with stomach, 1 after peptic esophageal stricture, 1 with secretory diarrhea, 1 with Fanconi anemia, 1 tetralogy of Fallot, and 5 healthy children. Regarding treatment, 26 were on medical treatment only, 16 had surgeries combined with medical treatment, 80 patients underwent surgery only, 1 was on diet management, 4 were on surveillance only and 2 were never treated for BE as death occurred because of associated conditions. Fundoplication was the most commonly performed surgery (82.2%). Adenocarcinoma was found in one 23-year-old patient. Mean follow-up was 3.45 years (10 months-13 years) and long-term outcome showed recurrences in 8 and esophago-mediastinal fistula and proximal esophagus ulcer in 1. There were 7 lethal outcomes which were not directly associated with BE.

CONCLUSIONS

Although BE is considered a premalignant condition; incidence of carcinoma in pediatric population is low. Long-term follow-up with endoscopies and biopsies seems to be advisable for BE evidence and malignant alterations.

Barrett's esophagus in children: does it need more attention?

BACKGROUND

Few studies have reported on Barrett's esophagus (BE) in children. Moreover, information on the age at diagnosis and the duration between reflux-symptoms and diagnosis is lacking.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane database.

RESULTS

Fourteen articles were included, of which 4 cohort studies and 10 studies investigating patients already diagnosed with BE. The cohort studies showed 37 patients diagnosed with BE (0.3-4.8%), mean age 12.4 years. Time between onset of reflux-symptoms and BE was 2.8 years. All 14 studies together showed 176 patients with BE (mean age 9.5 years). Time between onset of reflux-symptoms and BE was 5.3 years. During endoscopic follow-up of 45 patients, 26 still had BE, 17 no longer had evidence of BE, and two had developed esophageal-adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

This review shows that BE and esophageal-adenocarcinoma occur in children. However, criteria used to define BE by the included studies were not comparable to the current criteria and data on GERD symptoms may have been inaccurate. Therefore, we recommend performing a long-term prospective study on the relationship between (duration of) GERD and the development of BE in children in order to define screening guidelines.

Endoscopic follow-up in esophageal atresia-for how long is it necessary?

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to find out how long it is necessary to follow-up esophageal atresia patients endoscopically to prevent irreversible mucosal changes.

METHODS

Seventy-four of 79 long-term survivors with esophageal atresia and primary anastomosis underwent a total of 322 esophagogastroduodenoscopies during a follow-up period of 0.5 to 19 years (mean, 10.3) after the primary operation. For analysis, the biopsy findings were divided into 2 groups: good, histologically normal or only mildly inflamed mucosa; unfavorable, moderate or severe esophagitis or gastric metaplasia. Fundoplication irrespective of indications was considered unfavorable. The results were analyzed using actuarial survival analysis; the changing point was when a "good" turned into "unfavorable."

RESULTS

Forty-five patients (61%) remained in the "good" group throughout the study period; 15 of those (20%) had completely normal findings. Nine patients (12%) had moderate, one (1%) had severe esophagitis, and 13 patients (18%) had gastric metaplasia. Fundoplication was performed on 21 patients (28%).

CONCLUSIONS

About 40% of esophageal atresia patients eventually have significant esophageal mucosal pathology or need to have a fundoplication. The majority of these changes appear before the age of 3 years. Routine endoscopic follow-up of esophageal atresia patients is recommended at least to the age of 3 years.

Impact of antireflux operation on columnar-lined esophagus

BACKGROUND

The effect of antireflux operation on the natural history of columnar-lined esophagus (CLE) is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess a single center's experience and review the literature on the impact of antireflux operation on CLE without high-grade dysplasia.

STUDY DESIGN

The medical records of 26 patients with CLE but without high-grade dysplasia who underwent antireflux operation in our unit were retrospectively analyzed at longterm followup with detailed endoscopic investigation. Thirteen patients presented with intestinal metaplasia (6 had short segments, and 1 had preoperative laser ablation) and 13 without intestinal metaplasia. For the group of 13 patients presenting with intestinal metaplasia, the mean endoscopic followup was 74.7 months (median 46 months). Three of six with short-segment lesion and two of seven with circumferential involvement had complete regression of intestinal metaplasia (one after laser therapy). None had progression to dysplasia or carcinoma.

RESULTS

For the group of 13 patients without intestinal metaplasia, mean endoscopic followup was 43.9 months (median 28 months). One had complete regression of CLE, and none developed intestinal metaplasia during surveillance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that antireflux operation can alter the natural history of CLE, allowing disease stabilization in a substantial proportion of patients. After antireflux operation, total regression of CLE is possible, but in an unpredictable manner.

[Barrett's esophagus and antireflux surgery: a study of a series of 26 patients]

STUDY AIM

The aim of this study was to report the results of a retrospective series of 26 patients with Barrett's esophagus treated by antireflux surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1979 to 1998, 21 men and five women (mean age: 53 years) with histologically proven Barrett's esophagus underwent an antireflux procedure. The mean length of Barrett's epithelium was 5.9 cm for 19 patients (73.1%). Six patients (23.1%) had tongue lesions of Barrett's epithelium, and one (3.8%) had ectopic gastric mucosa. None of the patients had a preoperative esophageal biopsy that revealed high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma. Laparotomy was performed in 17 cases and laparoscopy in nine cases. Preoperative endoscopic local treatment with argon coagulation was performed in one patient.

RESULTS

Clinical mean follow-up was 78 months and endoscopic mean follow-up was 59.3 months. No increase in the length of the Barrett's epithelium was observed. Seven patients (27%) had complete or partial regression (among them three patients with tongue lesions and one patient preoperatively treated by argon). No patients developed high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Regression of Barrett's esophagus is possible but not frequent and unpredictable after antireflux procedure. However, endoscopic and histological surveillance should be continued postoperatively.

Gastroesophageal reflux in children

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common disorder in infants and children with a high rate of spontaneous resolution. Some children, however, will continue to have problems and progress from functional GER to pathogenic GER. In children with functional GER, diagnostic testing and pharmacologic treatment is unnecessary. In more involved cases, there are a number of tests available that help to quantify and qualify the extent of disease. Treatment begins with conservative measures and progresses to acid neutralization/supression and medications to enhance motility. Should medical management fail to control the consequences of reflux disease, surgical intervention is warranted.

The histopathology and biologic prognostic factors of Barrett's esophagus: a review

In Barrett's esophagus, stratified squamous mucosa of the lower third of the esophagus is replaced by columnar mucosa, as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux. The presence of Barrett's esophagus appears to be a major factor in the progression to adenocarcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus. Therefore it is crucial to identify the subset of patients at risk for the development of adenocarcinoma. Dysplasia is an important histologic feature to evaluate because it identifies those patients who require follow-up. The diagnosis of biopsies with lesser degrees of abnormalities, however, makes microscopic evaluation less helpful in identifying patients who need more frequent endoscopic biopsy surveillance. DNA ploidy and the use of monoclonal antibodies, such as suppressor gene product p53, oncogene cerbB-2, and Ki-67, have added dramatically to our understanding of the biology of Barrett's metaplasia and have given us objective indicators to predict the presence of an increased risk of developing cancer.

Regression of childhood Barrett's esophageal mucosa by antireflux surgery and bipolar electrocoagulation

The authors report a case of a 13-year-old girl with Barrett's esophagus who underwent antireflux surgery and was subsequently treated with endoscopic thermal coagulation using bipolar electrocoagulation. Follow-up endoscopy 15 months after completion of the endoscopic therapy showed normal esophageal mucosa without intestinal metaplasia. Longer follow-up is needed to assess the long-term effects of endoscopic treatment of the Barrett's mucosa with thermal coagulation, and this procedure should still be considered under investigation.

Columnar-lined esophagus in children

Children with columnar-lined esophagus (CLE) become adults with CLE. Therefore, an understanding of the disorder as it occurs in children may be important for physicians caring for adults with CLE and for pediatric gastroenterologists and surgeons. Although there are many features of CLE common to children and adults, this article focuses on those special features of CLE in children and the issues that pertain particularly to children.

Gastroesophageal reflux in childhood

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is one of the most frequent symptomatic clinical disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract of infants and children. During the past 2 decades, GER has been recognized more frequently because of an increased awareness of the condition and also because of the more sophisticated diagnostic techniques that have been developed for both identifying and quantifying the disorder. Gastroesophageal fundoplication is currently one of the three most common major operations performed on infants and children by pediatric surgeons in the United States. Normal gastroesophageal function is a complex mechanism that depends on effective esophageal motility, timely relaxation and contractility of the lower esophageal sphincter, the mean intraluminal pressure in the stomach, the effectiveness of contractility in emptying of the stomach, and the ease of gastric outflow. More than one of these factors are often abnormal in the same child with symptomatic GER. In addition, in patients with GER disease, and particularly in those patients with neurologic disorders, there appears to be a high prevalence of autonomic neuropathy in which esophagogastric transit and gastric emptying are frequently delayed, producing a somewhat complex foregut motility disorder. GER has a different course and prognosis depending on the age of onset. The incompetent lower esophageal sphincter mechanism present in most newborn infants combined with the increased intraabdominal pressure from crying or straining commonly becomes much less frequent as a cause of vomiting after the age of 4 months. Chalasia and rumination of infancy are self-limited and should be carefully separated from symptomatic GER, which requires treatment. The most frequent complications of recurrent GER in childhood are failure to thrive as a result of caloric deprivation and recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia caused by repeated pulmonary aspiration of gastric fluid. Children with GER disease commonly have more refluxing episodes when in the supine position, particularly during sleep. The reflux of acid into the mid or upper esophagus may stimulate vagal reflexes and produce reflex laryngospasm, bronchospasm, or both, which may accentuate the symptoms of asthma. Reflux may also be a cause of obstructive apnea in infants and possibly a cause of recurrent stridor, acute hypoxia, and even the sudden infant death syndrome. Premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome have a high incidence of GER. Esophagitis and severe dental carries are common manifestations of GER in childhood. Barrett's columnar mucosal changes in the lower esophagus are not infrequent in adolescent children with chronic GER, particularly when Heliobacter pylori is present in the gastric mucosa. Associated disorders include esophageal dysmotility, which has been recognized in approximately one third of children with severe GER. Symptomatic GER is estimated to occur in 30% to 80% of infants who have undergone repair of esophageal atresia malformations. Neurologically impaired children are at high risk for having symptomatic GER, particularly if nasogastric or gastrostomy feedings are necessary. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) has been documented with increasing frequency in infants and children who have symptoms of GER, particularly those with neurologic disorders. DGE may also be a cause of gas bloat, gagging, and breakdown or slippage of a well-constructed gastroesophageal fundoplication. The most helpful test for diagnosing and quantifying GER in childhood is the 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring study. Miniaturized probes that are small enough to use easily in the newborn infant are available. This study is 100% accurate in diagnosing reflux when the esophageal pH is less than 4.0 for more than 5% of the total monitored time.

Gastroesophageal reflux in children

Operations for the control of complicated gastroesophageal reflux in children are commonly performed procedures in large pediatric centers. The comprehensive diagnostic scheme includes radiologic and endoscopic work-up coupled with extended pH probe analysis. Medical therapy remains the principle form of management, with surgery reserved for treatment failure.

Barrett's esophagus in children. Diagnosis and management

OBJECTIVE

To determine the local prevalence and optimal therapy for children with Barrett's esophagus (BE), the authors studied children with esophageal strictures or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), or both, to diagnose BE and to follow after therapy.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Barrett's esophagus is seldom reported in children and therapeutic recommendations are unclear. Barrett's esophagus usually develops during the mucosal reparative process after acid-reflux injury to the esophageal mucosa. Risk factors for BE include conditions that are associated with GER such as mental retardation, esophageal stricture, esophageal atresia, and reversed gastric tube esophagoplasty. Barrett's syndrome increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma by 30 to 40 times.

METHODS

All children with the risk factors had repeated esophagoscopy and multiple mucosal biopsies before and after therapy.

RESULTS

Eleven children have been documented with BE. The initial diagnoses were: GER, 5; esophageal atresia, 4; nasogastric intubation, 1; lye ingestion, 1. A gastric tube esophagoplasty had been performed in three patients with BE in the esophagus proximal to the anastomosis. Three children with mid-esophageal strictures and long segments of BE had total resection with colic interposition. An additional two patients with tight stricture were treated with colic-patch esophagoplasty without resection. The final three patients were treated with fundoplication alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Barrett's esophagus can be caused by acid from gastric tubes but responds to H2 blockers and diet. Resection eliminates BE; esophagoplasty only controls the stricture and must be accompanied by fundoplication. Barrett's esophagus persists in patients with fundoplication alone if reflux control is incomplete. The authors conclude that acid reflux must be controlled to treat BE successfully or the involved segment must be resected. Esophagogastrostomy apparently predisposes to BE.

Current surgical considerations in gastroesophageal reflux disease in infancy and childhood

An understanding of gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants and children by the clinician requires a working knowledge of 18- to 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and the motility disorders of the esophagus and stomach that may be associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The results of surgical therapy for childhood gastroesophageal reflux disease cannot be assessed accurately without this knowledge. Antireflux operations can be tailored to the child's situation, which includes a combination of clinical symptoms and findings on objective tests for reflux and associated alimentary-tract motility disorders. The presence of severe complications from gastroesophageal reflux disease in "asymptomatic" infants and children is a troublesome and not yet fully defined problem. Special areas include the documentation of gastroesophageal reflux disease as a cause of SIDS, the increased reporting of Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in childhood, and the effect of associated alimentary-tract motility disorders in children with CNS disease who have gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring surgical intervention.