Oesophageal biopsies are insufficient to predict final histology after endoscopic resection in early Barrett's neoplasia

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic resection (ER) with or without ablation is the first choice treatment for early Barrett's neoplasia. Adequate staging is important to assure a good oncological outcome.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of pre-operative biopsies in patients who undergo ER for high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or early adenocarcinoma (EAC) in Barrett's oesophagus (BE) and the cardia.

METHODS

Between November 2005-May 2012, 142 ERs performed in 137 patients were obtained. Worst pre-ER and ER histology were compared. Upgrading/downgrading was defined as any more/less severe histological grading on the ER specimen.

RESULTS

The accuracy of pre-ER biopsies in predicting final histology was 61%. ER changed the pre-treatment diagnosis in 55 of the 142 procedures (39%) with downgrading in 23 cases (16%) and upgrading from HGD to T1a or T1b in 32 cases (23%). In the majority of upgraded cases, a visible lesion according to the Paris classification could be detected (26/32, 81%).

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic accuracy of oesophageal biopsies alone in predicting final pathology in Barrett's dysplasia is only 61%. The majority of upgraded lesions are detectable. When ablative therapy is considered in HGD Barrett's dysplasia a meticulous inspection for and removal of all small visible lesions is mandatory.

[Laparoscopic approach in the pelvic floor surgery]

Laparoscopy offers great exposure and surgical detail, reduces blood loss and the need for excessive abdominal packing and bowel manipulation making it an excellent modality to perform pelvic floor surgery. Laparoscopic repair of level I or apical vaginal prolapse may be challenging, due to the need for extensive dissection and advanced suturing skills. However it offers the efficacy of open abdominal sacrocolpopexy, such as lower recurrence rates and less dyspareunia than sacrospinous fixation, as well as the reduced morbidity of a laparoscopic approach.

Persistence of polypropylene mesh anisotropy after implantation: an experimental study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether anisotropy persisted after incorporation into the host, using a standardised rabbit model for abdominal wall reconstruction.

DESIGN

Investigator-initiated prospective-controlled experimental study.

SETTING

Centre for Surgical Technologies, Medical Faculty KU-Leuven.

SAMPLE

Fifteen New Zealand White rabbits.

METHODS

In each rabbit, four full thickness primarily repaired abdominal wall defects were covered by a 4 × 5-cm Prolift+M implant (Johnson & Johnson, Norderstedt, Germany), either with the stiffest (n = 6 rabbits) or most elastic (n = 6) direction parallel to the body axis. Prolift+M contains 32 g/m² polypropylene, reinforced with polyglecaprone fibres. Harvesting was performed after 30, 60 and 120 days (n = 2 each time-point). The abdominal wall of three unoperated rabbits was used as negative control.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Contraction, compliance and maximal strain and stress determined by uniaxial tensiometry.

RESULTS

Anisotropy properties persist at lower, more physiological displacements, but not at higher displacements. The stiffness of a mesh-augmented repair in the lower strain range remains above that of native tissue. Eventual mesh contraction was limited to 4.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Anisotropic properties of Prolift+M persist in vivo and shrinkage is minimal. Compliance of mesh-augmented repair remains less than that of native tissue. The functional consequences of this remain to be studied.