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Biomedical subjects

A Duranceau

Publications and source records attributed to A Duranceau.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cricopharyngeal myotomy for neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia.

BACKGROUND: Forty patients (18 women, 22 men) with incapacitating oropharyngeal dysphagia of neurologic origin underwent cricopharyngeal myotomy. The subjective and objective response to myotomy was analyzed retrospectively with a mean postoperative follow-up of 48 months (range 1 to 255 months). RESULTS: Radiologic evidence of functional obstruction caused by incoordination and incomplete relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter was significantly reduced. Manometric recordings of resting and closing pressures of the upper esophageal sphincter were also significantly altered by the myotomy. Resting pressures decreased from 65 to 18 mm Hg and closing pressures dropped from 69 to 22 mm Hg. The relaxation time and poor coordination at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter, observed in the preoperative period, persisted after the operation. Radionuclide emptying studies in which a single liquid bolus was used showed persistent hypopharyngeal stasis with a 20% retention of radioactive material at 120 seconds. Subjectively, 33 patients initially had frequent aspiration episodes. Twenty became free of symptoms after myotomy (p < 0.01) and in six others the symptoms were improved. Overall, seven patients claimed to be free of symptoms of dysphagia and no longer had pharyngo-oral or pharyngonasal regurgitations and aspirations after their operation. Twenty-three other patients had improvement in symptoms. Ten patients reported no change in symptoms. All of them either were unable to swallow voluntarily or had dysarthria when assessed before the operation. One retropharyngeal hematoma is the only postoperative complication recorded. The operative mortality was 2.5% (1/40). CONCLUSIONS: Cricopharyngeal myotomy palliates neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with intact oral-phase deglutition.

Adult

Uncut Collis-Nissen gastroplasty: early functional results.

BACKGROUND: This study reviewed the short-term results of the uncut Collis-Nissen gastroplasty. METHODS: From 1990 through 1993, 27 consecutive patients (16 men, 11 women) underwent an uncut Collis-Nissen gastroplasty. Mean age was 59 years (range, 30 to 75 years). Three patients had a previous failed antireflux procedure. Indications for operation were gastroesophageal reflux disease resistant to medical treatment in 18 patients and symptomatic hiatal hernia in 9 patients. Fourteen patients had Barrett's esophagus and 4 had a peptic stricture. Complete esophageal function testing including barium swallow, endoscopy, manometry, and 24-hour pH recording was performed in 26 of 27 patients preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Five patients (19%) had complications, which included atelectasis in 2, cardiac dysrhythmia in 2, and prolonged ileus in 1. There were no operative deaths. Follow-up was complete in all patients and ranged from 8 to 45 months (mean, 22 months). Subjectively, symptoms of reflux were resolved in all patients. Six patients complain of slow esophageal emptying and 3 have occasional episodes of dysphagia. None required postoperative dilation. Ulcers and erosions healed in all 26 patients who underwent endoscopy but recurred in 2 at 21 and 36 months postoperatively. Mean lower esophageal sphincter gradient increased from 8.3 mm Hg preoperatively to 14.6 mm Hg (p = 0.0001). Total percent of acid exposure decreased from 8.0% preoperatively to 1.7% (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the uncut Collis-Nissen procedure provides acceptable short-term control of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Adult

Oropharyngeal dysphagia and disorders of the upper esopharyngeal sphincter.

Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) dysfunction is difficult to evaluate and quantitate. Results of treatment are influenced by the etiology and extent of damage responsible for the dysfunction. Classification and approach to the patient with oropharyngeal dysphagia are described. Results of surgical therapy for this functional dysphagia are discussed.

Deglutition Disorders

Antireflux operations in patients with scleroderma.

Fourteen patients with scleroderma underwent antireflux operations (10 short Nissen, 2 Collis-Nissen, 1 Collis-Belsey, and 1 vagotomy and antrectomy with Roux-en-Y). Esophageal function was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with a follow-up range of 8 to 181 months (mean, 65 months). Reflux symptoms were relieved in 10 of the 14 patients (p < 0.01), as shown by a decrease in their 24-hour acid exposure of from 15% to 7.5% (p < 0.05). However, the lower esophageal sphincter pressure gradient created by the operations did not increase significantly (3.7 +/- 3.4 mm Hg to 5.5 +/- 3.5 mm Hg). The esophageal acid exposure decreased sufficiently to promote some alleviation of the esophagitis. Radiologic signs of stenosis regressed in 6 of 7 patients. Postoperative endoscopic assessment revealed complete or partial healing of erosions seen preoperatively in 6 of the 7 patients so studied, and healing of all ulcers in 3 patients. Twelve patients continued to have columnar metaplasia. Manometric studies disclosed no significant changes in propulsion and contractility. Distal esophageal resting pressures rose significantly from 6.2 to 9.4 mm Hg (p < 0.05 mm Hg), suggestive of stasis. Radionuclide transit studies, however, showed no significant decrease in the esophageal emptying capacity after operation. It is concluded that conventional antireflux operations in patients with scleroderma can palliate reflux damage without jeopardizing esophageal function.

Adult

The use of endoprosthesis in the palliation of esophageal carcinoma.

Dilatation and palliative intubation of esophageal cancer is probably one of the most dangerous operations in esophageal surgery. For a significant portion of patients, it provides a valuable improvement in the comfort of swallowing. Current techniques of intubation are reviewed, as well as their morbidity and mortality.

Esophageal Neoplasms

Esophageal diverticula.

Diverticula disease of the esophagus is associated with specific motor dysfunctions. Motility disorders at the pharyngoesophageal junction result from a restrictive pathology of the upper esophageal sphincter. Hyperdynamic motor abnormalities are seen with distal esophageal diverticula. Treatment of the motor disorder is essential in the management of these conditions.

Diverticulum, Esophageal

Long-term effect of total fundoplication on the myotomized esophagus.

From 1978 to 1983, 17 patients had an esophagocardiomyotomy with an added short total fundoplication as an antireflux procedure. Thirteen had achalasia and 4, diffuse esophageal spasm. All patients initially had the usual symptoms of these motor disorders. Early after the operation all became asymptomatic, but over the years of follow-up, symptoms reappeared in 14 of 17 patients, and 5 required reoperation. The distal esophageal transverse diameter showed progressive dilatation from 3.9 cm preoperatively to more than 6 cm after 10 years of evolution. Over the same period, deterioration in the esophageal emptying capacity caused esophageal stasis to increase from 32% to 75%. Manometric changes were significant after the operation: resting pressures in the esophageal body decreased from 10.5 to 4.4 mm Hg (p < 0.001) proximally and from 12.2 to 4.6 mm Hg distally (p < 0.001). Peak contraction pressures became significantly weaker: 38 to 30 mm Hg in the proximal esophagus (p < 0.001) and from 49.2 to 28.1 in the distal esophagus (p < 0.001). Tertiary contractions were unchanged distally, but peristalsis reappeared in more than 30% of all swallows in the proximal half of the esophageal body. The resting pressure gradient in the lower esophageal sphincter area was reduced from 25.5 to 7.4 mm Hg by the operation. This gradient remained stable over 10 years of follow-up. No significant acid exposure was documented in 8 patients undergoing 24-hour pH recordings after their operation. Endoscopy revealed dilatation and retention without evidence of reflux esophagitis damage. Total fundoplication when associated with esophageal myotomy results in improved symptoms in the early postoperative phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

[Palliative treatment with an endoluminal prosthesis for obstruction of the esophagus and the cardia].

Between December 1984 and September 1991, a total of 68 palliative esophageal intubations were performed in 57 patients. The mean age was 64 years, there were 40 males and 17 females. The more frequent causes of esophageal obstruction were malignant tumors of the esophagus (49%), lung (23%) and cardia (19%). Total dysphagia (24.5%), dysphagia to liquids (47%) and esophagotracheal aspiration (14%) were present in these patients. In 65% of patients insertion of the prosthesis was the first attempt at palliation, in the remaining patients it followed the failure of another type of palliation. The decision to palliate esophageal obstruction was established preoperatively in 86% of patients, in the remaining 14% it was decided at the time of surgery. The intubation by pulsion (Atkinson) [1] was successful in 57% of patients and by traction (Celestin) [2] in 86% of patients. The associated morbidity was 36% for the Atkinson prosthesis and 13% for the Celestin prosthesis, although the latter required a laparotomy. The in hospital mortality was 12.5%. The mean survival was 85 days. A normal or semi-solid diet was tolerated by over 60% of patients following intubation. Palliation of esophageal obstruction by intubation improves the quality of life but is associated with a high morbidity.

Cardia

[Scleroderma and esophageal reflux, surgical monitoring].

Ten patients with documented scleroderma were assessed before and after antireflux operations over a twelve year period. The approach was through the left chest in 9 of 10 patients (7 short Nissen, 1 Collis Nissen, 1 Collis Belsey) and through the abdomen for 1 (vagotomy, antrectomy and Roux en Y). Clinically, 5 of 10 patients still mention episodes of heartburn. Dysphagia, which was present in 8 patients before the operation, has been replaced by a slow emptying impression in five. Endoscopically five patients had a columnar lined esophageal mucosa. Four more were considered to have ulcerative esophagitis and stricture which proved to be also Barrett's esophagus in the postoperative assessment. Three patients had preoperative 24 h pH assessment when the technique became available. Their postoperative control studies revealed persistent acid exposure but to a lesser degree. All ten patients had 24 h pH studies in their postoperative assessment and 5 out of 10 still show abnormal exposure to acid. Esophageal motility studies did not reveal significant changes to the hypomotility of the distal esophageal body and to the decreased tone of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter area. Both radiologically and using esophageal transit scintigrams the esophagus shows atony and poor emptying before the operation. Retention is increased following the creation of an antireflux technique at the esophagogastric junction. The success rate of antireflux operations in scleroderma patients is limited. The ideal procedure to use in this condition remains unclear.

Adult

Clinical spectrum of bronchogenic cysts of the mediastinum and lung in the adult.

Bronchogenic cysts are closed sacs considered to be the result of an abnormal budding of the respiratory system. They are lined by ciliated epithelium and have focal areas of hyaline cartilage, smooth muscle, and bronchial glands within their walls. They are seldom seen in the adult, and most are thought to be asymptomatic and free of complications. During a 20-year period, 86 patients underwent resection of a bronchogenic cyst of the mediastinum (66 patients) and lung (20 patients). There were 47 women and 39 men whose ages ranged from 16 to 69 years. Seventy-two percent of patients (67% with mediastinal cysts and 90% with cysts of the lung) were symptomatic at the time of operation, and the majority had two or more symptoms. Despite extensive investigations, which in some cases included computed tomographic scanning (n = 12) and angiography (n = 22), a positive diagnosis was never made preoperatively even if it was suspected in 57% of patients. In nearly all patients, the operative approach was that of a posterolateral thoracotomy. All but two mediastinal bronchogenic cysts could be locally excised, but all bronchogenic cysts of the lung required pulmonary resection (lobectomy, 13; limited resection, 6; pneumonectomy, 1). Major operative difficulties were encountered in 35 patients, all of whom were symptomatic preoperatively. Thirty-three patients had a complicated cyst; the complications consisted of fistulization (n = 16), ulcerations of the cyst wall (n = 13), hemorrhage (n = 2), infection without fistulization (n = 1), and secondary bronchial atresia (n = 1). Overall, 82% of patients had a bronchogenic cyst that was either symptomatic or complicated or both.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Effect of salbutamol on gastroesophageal reflux in healthy volunteers and patients with asthma.

The aim of this work was to establish whether beta-adrenergic agonists promote or increase gastroesophageal reflux in patients with asthma. Ten healthy individuals and eight patients with asthma were studied on 2 different days. One day they received a placebo, and the other day they received 4 mg of salbutamol by mouth. Complete measurements of esophageal manometry were performed before and every 30 minutes for 210 minutes after the administration of the drugs. Esophageal pH was measured continuously for the duration of the experiment. The results demonstrate that (1) salbutamol had no effect on the lower esophageal sphincter pressure gradient, the peak esophageal contraction pressure, or the number and duration of reflux episodes in patients with asthma and normal individuals, and (2) patients with asthma have a resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure higher than healthy subjects. We conclude that the administration of salbutamol does not affect esophageal function.

Adolescent

Radionuclide esophageal transit study in detection of esophageal motor dysfunction: comparison with motility studies (manometry)

Radionuclide esophageal transit study (RETS) has been developed to assess motor function of the esophagus. The purpose of this study was to compare RETS to esophageal motility studies (EMS) in detection of motility disorders. A total of 109 consecutive patients without previous history of surgery on the esophagus underwent both RETS and EMS within one month of each other. Final diagnosis was divided into three categories: I--primary esophageal motor disorders (n = 39); II--reflux disease (n = 48); and III--non-cardiac chest pain and/or dysphagia (n = 22). Using EMS as the standard, the results of RETS were as follows: sensitivity for detection of motor dysfunction was 97%, 92%, and 77% for Groups I, II, and III, respectively, while specificity was 91% for Group II and 100% for Group III. Global sensitivity was 92% and specificity was 88%. No clinically significant motor disorders were missed by RETS. In conclusion, RETS is a useful noninvasive test for the screening of patients with symptoms thought to be of esophageal origin.

Adult

Bronchogenic cysts.

Between 1967 and 1987, 26 patients with bronchogenic cysts were treated in our institution: 15 females and 11 males, ranging in age from 2 months to 14 years (average 6 years, 4 months). Only four patients (15%) were 1 year old or less. Seven patients presented with asymptomatic lesions discovered on chest film. Nineteen patients presented with respiratory symptoms. Of note are the four patients aged 1 year or less, who presented with dyspnea and cyanotic spells. Only one of them presented with dysphagia. All patients underwent routine chest films and tomography and, later, computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax once the study became available. Barium esophagogram and bronchoscopy were performed as required. Contrary to what has been published concerning the intraparenchymal location of bronchogenic cysts, the majority of the cysts (65%) were located in the mediastinum, usually in close proximity to the carina, mainstem bronchi, trachea, esophagus, or pericardium. Only 27% (7 of 26) were intraparenchymal, and 8% (2 of 26) were situated in the inferior pulmonary ligament. A correct preoperative diagnosis was made in 19 patients (73%). Intrapulmonary lesions were removed by segmentectomy or lobectomy. Cysts located elsewhere were simply excised. Among the cysts adhering to the trachea, 50% (two of four) required suture of the membranous trachea after excision. Postoperative complications included one pneumonia, which responded to antibiotics, and one transient paresis of the right phrenic nerve. Follow-up averaged 17 months (range, 0 to 17 years). No sequelae were noted and all patients were cured.

Adolescent

Controversies in esophageal cancer surgery.

The current management of esophageal cancer is controversial. Parenteral nutrition in selected patients resulted in lower complication and death rates than in untreated patients. With respect to surgical management, esophagectomy without thoracotomy has given survival rates similar to more radical operations. The pattern of recurrence as well as morbidity and mortality necessitate a well-planned assessment in order to compare it with esophagectomy using a standard approach. An esophageal anastomosis in the neck seems to be at a higher risk for fistula formation than reconstruction in the chest. An instrument-made anastomosis results in fewer fistulas but a higher stricture rate than hand-made anastomosis. A large proportion of patients with esophageal cancer will receive only palliative benefit because of nonresectability; esophageal bypass offers a good quality of survival but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Palliative intubation seems to offer the quickest and simplest method of restoring reasonable swallowing.

Esophageal Neoplasms

Value of plasma NH2-terminal fragment of pro-opiomelanocortin in marking human lung cancer in various clinical settings.

Plasma concentration of amino-terminal segment of pro-opiomelanocortin (N-POMC) was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 144 patients with various forms of lung cancer during pneumonectomy, at different times of the day after being newly diagnosed and serially, throughout their treatment (surgery or chemotherapy) in order to assess its value as a biomarker in this disease. Normal volunteers, coal miners smoking but without known lung diseases, and the patients with diverse pulmonary disorders served as comparison groups. A significant transtumoral gradient of N-POMC was found at surgery in 15 of 57 (26%) patients. Subjects without lung afflictions had significantly lower N-POMC levels than patients with pulmonary diseases (benign or malignant) only when the blood was drawn before breakfast. Furthermore, fasting levels in all subgroups of patients were higher at any time of the day than nonfasting ones. Finally, N-POMC levels did not decrease significantly after successful treatment of lung cancer (by surgery or chemotherapy) but were markedly higher after relapse. These results suggest that N-POMC, despite the fact that it cannot be used to discriminate lung cancer patients from controls, is a biomarker which may predict relapse in patients successfully treated by chemotherapy for their pulmonary neoplasm.

Adult