Objective To investigate the effects of cryoanalgesia for post-thoracotomy pain on the intercostal nerves. Methods Two hundred and eight patients suffering from thoracotomy were divided into three groups, according to different analgesia received respectively. Cryoanalgesia group （n = 80）： cryoanalgesia on the intercostal nerves, intercostals nerves was freezed at -55 ℃ for 90 seconds ; patient controlled analgesia by vein （PCA group, n= 80）： patient controlled analgesia was practiced intravenously, and control group （n = 48）： Dolantin given irregularly intra-muscularly and/or tramadol orally. Severity of pain was graded by visual analogue scale. Forced expiratory volume in one second（FEV1.0） was measured and pulmonary complication after operation was compared. Results There was a statistically significant improvement in postoperative pain scores and an improvement in respiratory function tests for patients in cryoanalgesia group（X2 = 74.93,15.04,P〈0. 05）. FEV1.0 in cryoanalgesia group was significantly higher than that in control group（1. 97±0.27L vs. 1. 39±0. 14 L,P〈0. 05）. Pulmonary complication in cryoanalgesia group after operation was lower than that in control group （6. 25% vs. 31. 25%, P〈0. 05 ）, Conclusion Cryoanalgesia on post-thoracotomy pain is very effective and may improve the respiratory function after operation.
Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is the general recommendation for the treatment of cervical esophageal cancer for organ preservation. However, the long-term survival of dCRT is not satisfactory. Surgical resection alone is not superior to dCRT in the treatment of cervical esophageal cancer. Surgical resection is often combined with laryngectomy, which will affect the quality of life. Recent evidence suggests that neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery improves the long-term survival of cervical esophageal cancer. On the other hand, the development of technologies such as laryngeal preservation surgery and minimally invasive esophagectomy has reduced the risk of operation and improved the quality of life. This article will review the new progress in the comprehensive treatment of cervical esophageal cancer from the perspective of surgery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the learning curve of non-tube and early oral feeding procedure following McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). MethodsWe analyzed the clinical data of 38 patients (26 males, 12 females, aged 42–79 years) with esophageal cancer who received non-tube and early oral feeding procedure after surgery at the Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Zhengzhou University from November 2017 to August 2018. They suffered upper thoracic esophageal cancer (n=4), middle thoracic esophageal cancer (n=22) or lower thoracic esophageal cancer (n=12). ResultsMcKeown MIE was successfully performed on 38 patients. Oral feeding began 1.7 (1-4) days after surgery in the 38 patients with non-tube. Pneumonia/atelectasis occurred in 5 patients (13.1%), respiratory failure in 1 patient (2.6%), arrhythmia in 3 patients (7.9%), hoarseness in 5 patients (13.1%), anastomotic fistula in 1 patient (2.6%), cervical incision infection in 1 patient (2.6%), pneumomediastinum and infection in 1 patient (2.6%) and gastric emptying disorder in 2 patients (5.2%). No death was observed. After 26 patients with McKeown MIE were treated with enhanced recovery after surgery procedure, the operation time and complications could reach a relatively stable state and entered a plateau phase of learning curve. ConclusionNon-tube and early oral feeding procedure following MIE is technically safe and feasible. It can shorten hospital stay, relieve the discomfort of placement of nasogastric and nutrition tube and may reduce the incidence of complications. The learning curve of non-tube and early oral feeding procedure following MIE is about 26 cases.
Neoadjuvant therapy has become the standard treatment for locally advanced resectable esophageal cancer, significantly improving long-term survival compared with surgery alone. Neoadjuvant therapy has evolved to include various strategies, such as concurrent chemoradiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted combination therapy. This enriches clinical treatment options and provides a more personalized and scientific treatment approach for patients. This article aims to comprehensively summarize current academic research hot topics, review the rationale and evaluation measures of neoadjuvant therapy, discuss challenges in restaging methods after neoadjuvant therapy, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of various neoadjuvant therapeutic strategies.