Objective Through a retrospective study on esophageal function changes and symptom relief after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery treatment for achalasia of cardia (AC) to assess the clinical value of this operation. Methods We reviewed the data of 34 AC patients who received modified Heller operation by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from March 2012 to September 2014. There were 11 males and 23 females with a median age of 35 (11–67) years. These patients were divided into four groups according to the time of treatment and follow-up: preoperative group, postoperative one-month group, postoperative three-month group and postoperative six-month group. Changes of symptoms, radiography and esophageal dynamics before and after therapy were collected. These different groups were analyzed based on statistical methods. Results There was no statistical difference in ages and genders among groups (P>0.05). The surgery was successful and no complication or death occurred. Symptoms of patients showed different degrees of relief and the postoperative grade of clinical symptoms decreased (P<0.05). After surgery, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure (LESRP) and esophageal body pressure (EBP) decreased significantly, while lower esophageal sphincter relax rate (LESRR) increased (P<0.05). While there was no significant difference in length of lower esophageal sphincter (LESL,P>0.05). Angiography of upper digestive tract revealed that compared to the preoperative group, the maximum width in postoperative three-month group decreased significantly (P<0.05). During the follow-up, 3 patients suffered gastroesophageal reflux, 2 patients esophageal perforation and 1 patient empyema due to esophago-pleural fistula. No massive hemorrhage of upper digestive tract and hiatal hernia occured. Conclusion Sugery can significantly ameliorate the clinical symptoms of the patients with AC, and improve esophageal dynamics. And it is simple and easy to perform with less complications and better long-term outcomes. Improved Heller operation by video-assisted thoracoscopy is a less invasive procedure when compared with the traditional thoracotomy. Moreover, esophageal manometry can objectively assist in the diagnosis and degree of the disease and effect of therapy.
Objective To determine the effectiveness and safety of pneumatic balloon dilatation in patients with achalasia. Methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, issue 1, 2007), MEDLINE or PUBMED (1978-2007), Embase (1978-2007), OVID Database (1978-2007), Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBMDisc, 1978-2007), CNKI (1979-2007), Chinese VIP Database (1989-2007) and Wanfang Database (1978-2007). We also checked the reference lists of retrieved articles and relevant proceedings. We used the methods recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration to conduct this systematic review. Results Twenty four trials involving 1045 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed that the short-term total effective rate was much higher with pneumatic dilatation than intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection (P=0.0007). The long-term total effective rate was higher with pneumatic dilatation compared to intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection (P=0.005). Intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection was superior to pneumatic dilatation in terms of clinical relapse rate (Plt;0.0001). Our analyses of complications and adverse effects found that pneumatic dilatation was superior to intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection (P=0.0008), and endoscopic sphincterotomy was superior to balloon dilatation (P=0.0006). Conclusions The limited current evidence shows that: pneumatic dilatation is safe and effective for the short- or long-term treatment of achalasia.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic operation of gastric and gastroesophageal junction diseases. Methods Between May 2004 and June 2009, 59 patients with gastric and gastroesophageal diseases were treated laparoscopically. The operative methods and maneuvers were evaluated and perioperative interventions, complications and efficacy of patients were analyzed. Results All operations were successfully completed laparoscopically except for one patient with gastric cancer who required a conversion to open surgery. No short-term complications occurred in all cases. No port transplant metastasis occurred for the patients with gastric cancer after an average of 36 months (1-60 months) follow-up. One patient died of liver metastasis 12 months after operation. The 3-year survival rate was 93.3% (14/15). Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery of the gastric and gastroesophageal junction diseases is feasible and safe with minimal invasiveness, which is worth popularizing.
Objective To compare effectiveness between laparoscopic Heller myotomy and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in treatment of achalasia of cardia (AC) in order to provide a basis for clinical choose. Method The literatures about the treatment of AC by laparoscopic Heller myotomy or POEM were retrieved from CNKI, Embase, PubMed databases, etc., and then the contents about curative effect and complications were summarized. Results The treatment models of AC included surgical treatment such as laparoscopic Heller myotomy and endoscopy such as POEM, but there was still lack of comparing data in these two treatment models, its selection remained controversial. There was a better short-term curative effect and slighter complications for POEM as compared with the laparoscopic Heller myotomy from the trend of published literatures. However, it’s long-term effects for these two treatment models were not clarified. Conclusions Both laparoscopic Heller myotomy and POEM are medicable for AC. POEM as a new treatment of AC shows some advantages of minimal invasion and exact efficacy, but it needs to be followed-up for a long-term. Treatment model for AC is chosen on basis of typing under endoscope, physical fitness, anatomy of easophagus, previous history, tolerance of surgery and other factors.
目的探讨腹腔镜微创手术治疗贲门失弛缓症的应用价值。 方法2007年11月至2009年12月期间，中国医科大学附属盛京医院微创外科对5例贲门失弛缓症患者实施腹腔镜改良Heller手术并胃底折叠术。 结果手术过程顺利，手术时间120～165 min，平均139 min； 术中失血50～200 ml，平均88 ml； 术后第1天进食，吞咽困难症状消失，无手术相关并发症。 5例患者均痊愈出院。术后随访8～31个月，平均19个月，无症状复发或出现返流症状。 结论腹腔镜手术治疗贲门失弛缓症安全、效果良好，值得进一步推广。
Objective To systematically evaluate efficacy and safety of endoscopic pneumatic dilation and endoscopic stent placement in treatment of achalasia. Methods Eligible studies comparing the pneumatic dilation and the stent placement in treatment of achalasia were identified by an electronic search of MedLine, Embase, ISI Web of Science, the Cochrane Database, China Biology Medicine and Wanfang databases from inception to December 2015. Two reviewers independently screened the literatures, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 4 randomized controlled trials including 343 patients with achalasia (176 cases in the pneumatic dilation group, 167 cases in the stent placement group) were subjected to the final analysis. The results of meta-analysis showed that the postoperative short term symptom relief rate had no significant difference between the pneumatic dilation group and the stent placement group 〔RR=1.03, 95%CI (0.95, 1.12),P=0.53〕, the postoperative 2-year symptom relief rate of the stent placement group was significantly higher than that of the pneumatic dilation group 〔RR=0.77, 95%CI (0.64, 0.92),P=0.005〕, but the complications rate of the stent placement group was significantly higher as compared with the pneumatic dilation group 〔RR=0.52, 95%CI (0.40, 0.69),P<0.000 01〕 too. Conclusions Although this meta-analysis has some shortcomings, preliminary results show that short term effects of pneumatic dilation and stent placement in treatment of achalasia are effective, long term effect of stent placement in treatment of achalasia is better as compared with pneumatic dilation, but it’s complications rate is higher. So in clinical diagnosis and treatment, effect, risk, patient’s physical condition, and demand should be considered together; during treatment, we should pay attention to adverse reactions and prepare adequately in order to reducing complications. When complications occur, we should take timely symptomatic treatment.
Objective To investigate short-term outcomes of robot-assisted Heller-Dor myotomy (RAHM-Dor) for achalasia of cardia and our learning curve experience. Methods The clinical data and recent follow-up results of 42 patients who received RAHM-Dor from November 2015 to January 2020 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 22 females with a mean age of 40.8±18.4 years. ResultsDysphagia was the most common symptom, followed by heartburn and regurgitation. The mean operation time was 122.8±23.9 min. The mean blood loss was 47.5±32.7 mL. Two patients suffered mucosal injury, and successfully repaired by suturing during surgery. There was no esophageal fistula, conversion to an open operation or perioperative death in this series. The median length of hospital stay was 8 (6, 9) d. In all patients, the Stooler and Eckardt scores of postoperative 1, 6 and 12 months decreased compared to those of pre-operation (P<0.001). Conclusion RAHM-Dor is a safe and feasible avenue for the treatment of achalasia of cardia, and can achieve a satisfying short-term results. The learning curve shows a transition to the standard stage from the learning stage after 16-18 operations.