Objective We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of H.pylori infection and the prevalence of cagA+ strains in patients with and without Barrett’s esophagus. Methods A full literature search to February 2008 was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE and EMbase databases to identify case-control studies or cohort studies evaluating the prevalence of H.pylori in patients with or without Barrett’s esophagus. Summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by RevMan 4.2.8. Results Nineteen studies were identified (16 case-controlled studies and 3 cohort studies). In case controlled studies, the prevalence of H.pylori infection significantly decreased in patients with Barrett’s esophagus as compared subjects with normal endoscopic appearance, with a overall OR of 0.56 (95%CI 0.40 to 0.79). The prevalence of H.pylori infection was no statistically significant difference in patients with Barrett’s esophagus as compared to those with gastroesophageal reflux disease, with a overall OR of 0.86 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.00). In cohort studies, the prevalence of H. pylori was no statistically significant difference in patients with Barrett’s esophagus as compared to patients with normal endoscopic appearance or patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, with a overall OR of 1.12 (95%CI 0.77 to 1.61) and 1.10 (95%CI 0.32 to 3.83). When the analysis was stratified by the status of cagA, the prevalence of cagA positive strains significantly decreased in patients with Barrett’s esophagus as compared both to subjects with normal endoscopic appearance with OR 0.30 and 95% CI 0.12 to 0.74, and to those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR 0.55; 95%CI 0.33 to 0.94). Irrespective of the presence of intestinal metaplasia, similar magnitude for the reduction of H.pylori infection was observed for patients with Barrett’s esophagus and those with normal endoscopic appearance. While accompared with the presence of intestinal metaplasia, Barrett’s esophagus was associated with a significantly reduction as compared to the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR 0.81, 95%CI 0.68 to 0.98). When stratified analyses were performed, a significant reduction of H.pylori infection was observed only in patients with long-segment Barrett’s esophagus (OR 0.54; 95%CI 0.35 to 0.82), but not in those with short-segment Barrett’s esophagus (OR 0.72; 95%CI 0.43 to 1.20). Conclusion This meta-analysis indicated that the prevalence of H.pylori infection, especially the prevalence of cagA positive strains was significantly lower in patients with Barrett’s esophagus than in subjects with normal endoscopic appearance. However, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was no statistical difference in patients with Barrett’s esophagus as compared to those with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Colonization with cagA positive strains may be protective against the formation of Barrett’s esophagus.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of upper airway cough syndrome ( UACS) and the relationship of UACS with upper airway diseases, cough variant asthma ( CVA) , and gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD) . Methods 92 subjects with chronic cough and throat symptoms and signs were included in the study. The medical records were collected fromall subjects, and 49 subjects suspected for CVA undertook bronchial provocation test. Then the efficacy was evaluated and etiology were analyzed based on the efficacy of targeted treatment. Results Bronchial provocation test yielded positive results in 14 subjects suspected of CVA, accounting for 15. 2% of all cases ( 14/92) . 18. 5% ( 17 /92) of patients had a history of chronic gastritis or combined symptoms of GERD, of whom anti-gastroesophagealreflux treatment was effective. The patients with rhinitis, sinusitis history and/ or symptoms accounted for 33. 7% of cases ( 31 cases) . 51. 1% ( 47/92) of patients had only signs and symptoms of chronic pharyngitis. Conclusions UACS is not only due to the rhinitis and/ or sinusitis but also chronic pharyngitis. Chronic pharyngitis may be secondary to chronic rhinitis/ sinusitis with post nasal drip and gastroesophageal reflux, also may be an independent cause of chronic cough.
Objective To investigate the different clinical features of chronic cough induced by rhinitis /sinusitis or gastro-esophageal reflux, and its significance for etiological diagnosis of chronic cough.Methods Chronic cough patients were recruited from respiratory medicine clinic in Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital from December 2009 to December 2010. Medical history, symptoms and signs were recorded from all selected patients. The patients with chronic rhinitis / sinusitis, but without gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms were suspected upper airway cough syndrome ( UACS) , and given chlorpheniramine, nasal decongestant, and corticosteroid treatment for 1 week. The patients with clinical symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux or with history of gastric diseases were suspected gastroesophaged reflux-related cough ( GERC) , were given esomeprazole ( 40 mg, bid) , combined prokinetic agent for 2 weeks. The patients were confirmed the diagnosis of UACS or GERC when their cough was relieved after the above targeted treatment.Results 114 patients were enrolled in this study. 47 patients were suspected GERC, of which 32 were confirmed, and 67 patients were suspected UACS, of which 43 were confirmed. There was no significant difference in age, duration of disease, severity of cough, proportion of night cough, proportion of clear throat symptom, or proportion of cobblestone sign between the UACS patients and the GERC patients ( P gt;0. 05) .There were more females in the GERC patients and more males in the UACS patients ( P lt; 0. 05) . Cough with sputum, throat symptoms and signs were more common in the UACS patients ( P lt;0. 05) . The hoarseness and sore throat symptoms were found only in the GERC patients, but postnasal drip symptoms were found only in the UACS patients. Conclusions Throat signs and symptoms are not completely similiar in the GERC and the UACS patients. Comprehensive judgments combining with patient history,characteristics of concurrent cough, throat symptoms, and signs can provide important references for the clinical diagnosis of chronic cough caused by rhinitis/ sinusitis or gastro-esophageal reflux.
Objective To evaluate preventive effectiveness of pocket esophagogastric anastomosis for postoperativeanastomotic leak，stricture and gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD），and investigate clinical significance of Montreal definition and classification of GERD after esophageal reconstruction. Methods Clinical data of 1 078 patients whoreceived 2 different surgical procedures for resection of esophageal or cardiac carcinoma from June 2007 to June 2011 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. In the experimental group，there were 582 patients who received pocketesophagogastric anastomosis，including 403 male and 179 female patients with their age of 60.4±12.6 years. There were 399 patients with esophageal carcinoma and 183 patients with cardiac carcinoma，392 patients receiving esophagogastrostomyabove the aortic arch and 190 patients receiving esophagogastrostomy below the aortic arch respectively. In the control group，there were 496 patients who received conventional end-to-side esophagogastric anastomosis，including 343 male and 153 female patients with their age of 59.2±12.8 years. There were 322 patients with esophageal carcinoma and 174 patients with cardiac carcinoma，317 patients receiving esophagogastrostomy above the aortic arch and 179 patients receivingesophagogastrostomy below the aortic arch respectively. A survey questionnaire was made on the basis of relevant diagnosticstandards to investigate the incidence of postoperative anastomotic stricture and GERD of the 2 groups during follow-up.Results The incidence of postoperative anastomotic leak of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group ［0% （0/582）versus 1.0% （5/496），χ2=5.835，P=0.016］. Patients in the experimental group had less severeGERD symptoms，and the percentage of patients who needed antacid therapy for extraesophageal symptoms of GERD ofthe experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group ［1.6% （33/541） versus 12.6% （57/453），χ2=23.564，P=0.000］. The incidence of anastomotic stricture of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of thecontrol group ［0.9% （5/539） versus 7.3% （34/465），χ2=25.124，P=0.000］，and especially，the incidence of severe anastomoticstricture of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group ［0% （0/539） versus 4.7% （22/465），χ2=24.883，P=0.000］. There was no statistical difference in five-year survival rate. Conclusion Pocket esophagogastric anastomosis is better than conventional end-to-side esophagogastric anastomosis for the prevention of postoperative anastomoticleak，stricture and GERD. Montreal definition and classification of GERD is suitable for the diagnosis of postoperativeGERD after esophageal reconstruction.
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect on gastroesophageal reflux and gastric emptying in the different route of gastroesophageal anastomosis objectively after esophagectomy for patients with midesophageal carcinoma. Methods Forty patients with midesophageal carcinoma were randomly divided into two groups. Esophageal bed group (n=20): the gastroesophageal anastomosis were performed while the stomach were pulled on through the esophageal bed after esophagectomy; endothoracic group (n=20): gastroesophageal anastomosis were performed while the stomach were pulled on in the thoracic cavity. Ten persons had no disease of digestive system and healthy volunteers were recruited as normal control group. 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and radioisotope gastric emptying checkup were carried out in all experimental subjects 3 months after operation, so as to observe the changes of gastroesophageal reflux and gastric emptying. Results All of the patients’s operation were success. And no anastomotic leakage and no anastomotic stenosis. Three months after operation, the patients in both operation groups were with different level of reflux. DeMeester total appraise score, the times of regurgitation of gastric juice in 24h, gt;5 min reflux frequency, the longest time of keep reflux, pHlt;4.00 total time and pHlt;4.00 of total time percent, these targets in both operation groups were higher than those in control group (Plt;0.01) DeMeester total appraise score, the times of regurgitation of gastric juice in 24 hours, the longest time of keeping reflux, pHlt;4.00 of total time and pHlt;4.00 of total time percent in esophageal bed group were lower than those in endothoracic group(Plt;0.01). The recent period of gastric emptying percentage (GE) in both operative groups were lower than that in normal control group. GE in esophageal bed group experimental meal in the stomach after entering the 30,60,90,120,180 and 240 min were higher than those in endothoracic group. Conclusion After the operation of esophagogastric anastomosis through esophageal bed in upper aortic site,gastroesophageal reflux and delayed gastric emptying exist objectively, However, the technique is superior to the traditional technique to reduce the extent of gastroesophageal reflux and delayed gastric emptying, its mechanism might be the result of mechanical factors.
Objective To investigate the effect on motility function of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal and cardiac carcinoma. Methods Thirty nine patients with esophageal and cardiac carcinoma were divided into two groups according to surgical procedure. Group of anastomosis above aortic arch （n = 21）： esophagogastrostomy was performed above the aortic arch in patients with esophageal carcinoma of the middle third; group of anastomosis below aortic arch（n= 18）： esophagogastrostomy was performed below the aortic arch in patients with esophageal carcinoma of the low third and cardiac carcinoma. Six health volunteers without gastroesophageal reflux were recruited as control group. Esophageal manometry and upper alimentary tract roentgenography were performed in all patients. Results There was a high pressure zone at the anastomotic orifice in parts of patients of both anastomosis groups. The resting pressure of remnant esophagus was higher than that in control group （P〈0. 05）, and similar to the resting pressure of intrathoracic stomach （P〉0. 05）. There was no significant difference in resting pressure of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach between two anastomosis groups （P〉0.05）. The amplitude and number of primary peristalsis in remnant esophagus of group of anastomosis above aortic arch were significantly reduced in comparison with control group. The number of primary peristalsis in remnant esophagus of group of anastomosis above aortic arch was significantly lower than that of group of anastomosis below aortic arch （P〈0. 05）. The motility in the body of intrathoracic stomach was not observed. Weak motor activity of the gastric antrum was observed with upper alimentary tract roentgenography after surgery and evidently recovered 1 year after surgery. Conclusions The resting pressure of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach is not influenced by the site of anastomosis. Esophagogastric anastomosis at the upper thorax is likely to result in poor motility of remnant esophagus. The motor activity of intrathoracic stomach becomes weak after esophagectomy and then recovers gradually over time, hut still fail to return to normal level.
Objective To review the clinical experience of Heller myotomy for treatment of achalasia through a small thoracotomy. Methods Twenty-five patients with achalasia (9 moderate, 16 severe) underwent Heller myotomy without concomitant antireflux procedure through a small incision. A left thoracotomy was carried out through either the seventh or eighth intercostals space. The length of skin incision was 6 to 8 cm. Results There was no hospital death and severe postoperative complications. The mean operating time was 50 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 10 days. There was one intraoperative perforation and repaired successfully. All patients reported good to excellent relief of dysphagia and no symptom of gastroesophageal reflux after surgery. Eight patients were subsequently studied with a 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and no evidence of pathologic reflux found. Conclusions Transthoracic Heller myotomy with a small incision is effective and safe method for treatment of achalasia with minimal invasion, quick recovery, less postoperative complication and shorter hospital stay. Proper extent of the myotomy may decrease the risk of subsequent gastroesophageal reflux in the postoperative period.