Search

Purpose: The nature of pancreatic acinar metaplasia (PAM) in the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) remains obscure. We aimed to estimate its prevalence and investigate into its risk factors in a population-based series of first-time endoscopy patients., Methods: We investigated consecutive patients, endoscoped for the first time, representing defined catchment area populations. Biopsies were taken immediately below the GOJ and from the distal oesophagus. Endoscopy room-based cross-sectional clinical data were supplemented with exposure data from 160 population controls. Associations, expressed as odds ratios (OR), were modelled with multivariable logistic regression. A subsample of 26 patients underwent oesophageal pH monitoring., Results: Among 644 patients (mean age 53 years, 43% men), PAM was found in 121 patients (19%), exclusively above the GOJ in 40 (6%), below GOJ in 67 (10%), and both above and below GOJ in 14 (2%). PAM exclusively above the GOJ and PAM exclusively below the GOJ were both borderline associated with age (2% increase in prevalence per year). PAM exclusively above the GOJ was significantly associated with female gender (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.3) and presence of Helicobacter pylori immediately below the GOJ (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.4). Out of 21 patients with Barrett's oesophagus (BO), 8 (38%) had PAM above the GOJ. The mean value for percentage time with oesophageal pH < 4.0 was 7.3% (95% CI 4.3-10.2%) among patients who had PAM above the GOJ (reference value 3.4%)., Conclusions: Pancreatic acinar metaplasia might be an age-dependent lesion, associated with H. pylori, female gender and gastro-oesophageal reflux if located above the GOJ.

Objective: No long-term studies of laparoscopic and open fundoplication were available in 1994. The aim of this study was to compare reflux control and side effects after laparoscopic and open fundoplication., Material and Methods: Adult patients with uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were included in this prospective randomized clinical trial between laparoscopic and open 360-degree fundoplication. Patients with uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were included with the exception of those with weak peristalsis or suspected short oesophagus. Two senior surgeons, well trained in laparoscopic antireflux surgery, performed the 45 laparoscopic operations. Forty-eight patients underwent open surgery performed or supervised by two other senior surgeons, also well trained in gastro-oesophageal surgery. One of the latter recruited all the patients. Manometry and 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring were performed before operation and 6 months postoperatively. Manometry also included a short-term reflux test, an acid clearing test and an acid perfusion test. Symptom evaluation was performed before surgery, 6 months after and at long-term follow-up (33-79 months postoperatively) by the same surgeon. Long-term follow-up also included endoscopy., Results: Six months after laparoscopy 4 patients had disabling dysphagia. None of the patient had disabling dysphagia after laparotomy. Four patients had mild heartburn 6 months after laparoscopy and 2 patients after laparotomy. Between 6 months' follow-up and long-term follow-up, 6 patients were reoperated on in the laparoscopy group and 2 patients in the laparotomy group. Three patients operated on with laparotomy had died of intercurrent diseases. After laparoscopy, at long-term follow-up, 62% of patients (28/45) were satisfied compared with 91% (41/45) after laparotomy. The difference was significant (p<0.01)., Conclusions: Early postoperative reflux control was similar for laparoscopic and conventional fundoplication. At long-term follow-up significantly more patients were satisfied after laparotomy than after laparoscopy.

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms and anatomical failures after total laparoscopic fundoplication using the symptoms and findings at reoperation., Design: Prospective open study., Setting: University hospital, Sweden., Patients: Twenty-one patients who were reoperated on a median of 33 (0.5-102) months after laparoscopic fundoplication., Interventions: The patients were divided into three groups according to the mode of presentation. The first group presented with dysphagia and no gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) (n = 6). The second group (n = 11) had recurrent GOR and the third group (n = 4) complained of a sense of excessive fullness., Results: In the dysphagia group the reason for it in 4 patients was severe fibrosis in the hiatal region including the right part of the fundoplication. One patient had correctly located fundoplication but it was too tight. In the last patient the part of the stomach used was too low down. All patients in the GOR group had a slippage and rupture of the fundoplication. Ten patients also had a recurrent hernia. In 6/11 patients the fundal mobilisation was incomplete. In the last group (excessive fullness) one patient had a postoperative leak from the fundal part, one patient a para-oesophageal hernia, and one patient an intact but herniated repair. One further patient had an intact abdominal oesophagus and crural repair, but a large portion of the stomach had herniated through the left part of the fundoplication and acted as a volvulus., Conclusions: Dysphagia was caused by hiatal fibrosis or other technical failures rather than a normal tight fundoplication. Using the wrong part of the stomach causes recurrent heartburn. The laparoscopic suturing technique must be improved.