Usefulness of biodegradable stents constructed of poly-l-lactic acid monofilaments in patients with benign esophageal stenosis

AIM： To report 13 patients with benign esophagea stenosis treated with the biodegradable stent. METHODS： We developed a Ultraflex-type stent by knitting poly-/-lactic acid rnonofilaments. RESULTS： Two cases were esophageal stenosis caused by drinking of caustic liquid, 4 cases were due to surgical resection of esophageal cancers, and 7 cases were patients with esophageal cancer who received the preventive placement of biodegradable stents for postendoscopic mucosal dissection （ESD） stenosis. The preventive placement was performed within 2 to 3 d after ESD. In 10 of the 13 cases, spontaneous migration of the stents occurred between 10 to 21 d after placement. In these cases, the migrated stents were excreted with the feces, and no obstructive complications were experienced. In 3 cases, the stents remained at the proper location on d 21 after placement. No symptoms of re-stenosis were observed within the follow-up period of 7 mo to 2 years. Further treatment with balloon dilatation or replacement of the biodegradable stent was not required. CONCLUSION： Biodegradable stents were useful for the treatment of benign esophageal stenosis, particularly for the prevention of post-ESD stenosis.

Can patients determine the level of their dysphagia?

To determine if patients can localise dysphagia level determined endoscopically or radiologically and association of gender, age, level and pathology.METHODSRetrospective review of consecutive patients presenting to dysphagia hotline between March 2004 and March 2015 was carried out. Demographics, clinical history and investigation findings were recorded including patient perception of obstruction level (pharyngeal, mid sternal or low sternal) was documented and the actual level of obstruction found on endoscopic or radiological examination (if any) was noted. All patients with evidence of obstruction including oesophageal carcinoma, peptic stricture, Schatzki ring, oesophageal pouch and cricopharyngeal hypertrophy were included in the study who had given a perceived level of dysphagia. The upper GI endoscopy reports (barium study where upper GI endoscopy was not performed) were reviewed to confirm the distance of obstructing lesion from central incisors. A previously described anatomical classification of oesophagus was used to define the level of obstruction to be upper, middle or lower oesophagus and this was compared with patient perceived level.RESULTSThree thousand six hundred and sixty-eight patients were included, 42.0% of who were female, mean age 70.7 ± 12.8 years old. Of those with obstructing lesions, 726 gave a perceived level of dysphagia: 37.2% had oesophageal cancer, 36.0% peptic stricture, 13.1% pharyngeal pouches, 10.3% Schatzki rings and 3.3% achalasia. Twenty-seven point five percent of patients reported pharyngeal level (upper) dysphagia, 36.9% mid sternal dysphagia and 25.9% lower sternal dysphagia (9.5% reported multiple levels). The level of obstructing lesion seen on diagnostic testing was upper (17.2%), mid (19.4%) or lower (62.9%) or combined (0.3%). When patients localised their level of dysphagia to a single level, the kappa statistic was 0.245 (P < 0.001), indicating fair agreement. 48% of patients reporting a single level of dysphagia were accurate in localising the obstructing pathology. With respect to pathology, patients with pharyngeal pouches were most accurate localising their level of dysphagia (P < 0.001). With respect to level of dysphagia, those with pharyngeal level lesions were best able to identify the level of dysphagia accurately (P < 0.001). No association (P > 0.05) was found between gender, patient age or clinical symptoms with their ability to detect the level of dysphagia.CONCLUSIONPatient perceived level of dysphagia is unreliable in determining actual level of obstructing pathology and should not be used to tailor investigations.

Colon interposition for esophageal reconstruction: A report of 46 cases

Objective：To evaluate the role of colonic interposition for reconstruction of the esophagus. Meth-ods: From April 1979 to October 1998, Thirty-one patients with benign esophageal stenosis and 15 patients with esophagus carcinoma received the colonic interposition for esophageal reconstruction. There were 5 pa-tients with the esophagus carcinoma after subtotal gastrectomy. Four of 5 cases received colonic interposition graft from the esophageal bed after the esophagus was pulled out without thoracotomy. Results: There was no perioperative death. All 31 cases of the benign esophageal stenosis got long term survival and normal life. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients with the carcinoma of the esophagus were 63. 6% and 40. 6% re-spectively. Conclusion: The colonic interposition graft is a choice for the patients with the cervical stenosis of the esophagus, especially for those already had subtotal gastrectomy. Using the left colonic artery as the sup-porting vessel and using the colon segment in an isoperistaltic position is the optimal choice. Improving the operative techniques and decreasing the complications are important for the extension use of this method.

Successful treatment of corrosive esophageal strictures after failed esophageal reconstructions with colon and jejunum

Dense and extensive esophageal strictures after caustic agent ingestion require surgical treatment. Colon, stomach and jejunum can be used to reconstruct esophagus. Here, we report an unusual patient with corrosive esophageal stricture who had received unsuccessful esophageal replacements twice at other hospitals. Colon interposition had been first performed 6 months after corrosive esophageal burn, but the colon graft necrosis occurred. Esophageal reconstruction had been carried out 10 years later in another hospital. However, the graft necrosis developed again 5 months later. A salvage operation was performed to remove the necrotic transplant in our hospital. Then as much food as possible had been given to expand the stomach through the gastrostomy since the procedure. The patient underwent esophagecto-my and concomitant gastroesophagostomy in the neck 1. 5 years later. Esophageal dilations had been performed to prevent recurrent anastomotic stricture for 1 year. He has eaten a normal diet since being discharged.