Surgical Management of Clostridium difficile Colitis.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) will progress to fulminant disease in 3 to 5% of cases. With the emergence of hypervirulent, multidrug-resistant strains, the incidence and severity of disease are continuing to rise. Prompt identification, early resuscitation, and treatment are critical in preventing morbidity and mortality in this increasingly common condition.

The effect of antireflux surgery on esophageal carcinogenesis in patients with barrett esophagus: a systematic review.

Objective: To determine whether patients with Barrett esophagus who undergo antireflux surgery differ from medically treated patients in incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma and probability of disease regression/progression.

Summary Background Data: Barrett esophagus is a risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. A question exists as to whether antireflux surgery reduces this risk.

A model for gastric banding in the treatment of morbid obesity: the effect of chronic partial gastric outlet obstruction on esophageal physiology.

Objective: This work establishes an animal model for nonadjustable gastric banding and characterizes the effect of gastric banding on esophageal physiology.

Summary Background Data: Obstruction at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) results in esophageal dilation and aperistalsis. Although laparoscopic gastric banding as a primary treatment of morbid obesity has been widely accepted, the effects of this therapy on esophageal function remain unknown.

Endoscopic measurement of cardia circumference as an indicator of GERD.

Background: It is theorized that repeated gastric distention leads to dilatation of the cardia and the development of GERD. We hypothesize that cardia circumference correlates with the presence and the severity of GERD, and we developed software to measure cardia circumference from static endoscopic images. Our aims were to validate the software and to quantify cardia circumference along the spectrum of GERD.