Para-conduit diaphragmatic hernia following esophagectomy-the new price of minimally invasive surgery?

Esophageal Cancer is the seventh commonest cancer worldwide with poor overall survival. Significant morbidity related to open esophagectomy has driven practice toward hybrid, totally minimally invasive and robotic procedures. With the increase in minimally invasive approaches, it has been suggested that there might be an increased incidence of subsequent para-conduit diaphragmatic hernia.

The relationships between the results of contemporary tests of anorectal structure and sensorimotor function and the severity of fecal incontinence.

Background: Diagnostic investigations for fecal incontinence (FI) assess the structure and sensorimotor function of the anorectum. Investigations include anorectal manometry, anorectal sensory testing, pudendal nerve terminal motor latencies (PNTML), and endoanal sonography. The severity of FI and results of investigations are often discordant and the rate of symptom resolution following treatment remains <40%.

Eroded Gastric Band: Where to Next? An Analysis of the Largest Contemporary Series.

Purpose: Erosion of a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is a devastating problem. There is no clear evidence in literature to guide the choice of revisional procedure following an eroded LAGB. The purpose of this study is to analyse the largest series of erosions following LAGB published to-date with an aim to share our experience with this rare complication and how we managed this cohort of patients following explantation of their LAGB.

Outcomes of Two-Step Revisional Bariatric Surgery: Reasons for the Gastric Banding Explantation Matter.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether the reason for gastric band explantation would influence percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) following revisional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Materials & Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study, whose data are maintained in a prospective surgical database. The study period was from January 2012 to March 2017.

Toward More Efficient Surveillance of Barrett's Esophagus: Identification and Exclusion of Patients at Low Risk of Cancer.

Background: Endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is probably not cost-effective. A sub-population with BE at increased risk of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) who could be targeted for cost-effective surveillance was sought.

Methods: The outcome for BE surveillance from 2003 to 2012 in a structured program was reviewed.

Pudendal nerve injury in men with fecal incontinence after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Background: The precise etiology of fecal incontinence (FI), which occurs frequently following external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for prostate carcinoma is unknown. It is possibly related to pelvic nerve injury. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of pudendal nerve dysfunction in men with FI after EBRT for prostate cancer compared to men with FI but no history of EBRT.

Octreotide negates the benefit of galantide when used in the treatment of caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice.

Background: We have previously shown that galantide, a non-specific galanin receptor antagonist, ameliorates acute pancreatitis (AP) induced in mice. Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, has been used in the treatment of AP with inconsistent outcomes. This study set out to compare the efficacy of a combined treatment of galantide and octreotide with the efficacy of each agent individually in experimental AP.

The efficacy of combining feG and galantide in mild caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice.

We have previously shown that galantide ameliorates mild acute pancreatitis (AP), and the salivary tripeptide analogue, feG, ameliorates severe AP in mice. In this study, we compared the efficacy of combining galantide and feG with that of the individual agents in treating mild AP induced in mice with 7-hourly caerulein injections. Galantide was co-administered with each caerulein injection commencing with the first injection.

Outcome of endoscopy surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus.

Background: Endoscopic surveillance of individuals with Barrett's oesophagus is undertaken to detect early stage oesophageal malignancy. The impact of a surveillance programme on endoscopy resources and disease detection is uncertain.

Methods: In 2004, we commenced a structured Barrett's oesophagus surveillance programme.

Galanin mediates the pathogenesis of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in the mouse.

Objectives: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by pancreatic microcirculatory and secretory disturbances. As galanin can modulate pancreatic vascular perfusion, we sought to determine if galanin plays a role in AP.

Methods: Acute pancreatitis was induced in wild-type and galanin gene knockout mice by intraperitoneal injections of cerulein.

The combination of neurokinin-1 and galanin receptor antagonists ameliorates caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice.

Both galanin and substance P have been separately implicated in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. We compared the efficacy of the combination of the galanin antagonist galantide and the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist L703,606 with that of either alone in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced in mice with 7-hourly caerulein injections.

Galanin potentiates supramaximal caerulein-stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion via its action on somatostatin secretion.

Galanin inhibits pancreatic amylase secretion from mouse lobules induced by physiological concentrations of caerulein via an insulin-dependent mechanism. We aimed to determine the effect and elucidate the mechanism of action of exogenous galanin on pancreatic amylase secretion induced by supramaximal concentrations of caerulein. Amylase secretion from isolated murine pancreatic lobules was measured.

Galanin inhibits caerulein-stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion via cholinergic nerves and insulin.

Pancreatic exocrine secretion is affected by galanin, but the mechanisms involved are unclear. We aimed to determine the effect and elucidate the mechanism of action of exogenous galanin on basal and stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion in vitro. The effect of galanin on basal-, carbachol-, and caerulein-stimulated amylase secretion from isolated murine pancreatic lobules was measured.

Sleeve sphincter of Oddi (SO) manometry: a new method for characterizing the motility of the sphincter of Oddi.

Background/purpose: Perfused multilumen sphincter of Oddi (SO) manometry is accepted as the gold standard for diagnosis of SO dysfunction. However, this technique is associated with a relatively high incidence of post-procedure acute pancreatitis. In addition, triple-lumen manometry recordings may be difficult to interpret, as movement may produce artifacts.

Efficacy of a low-pressure laparoscopic adjustable gastric band for morbid obesity: patients at long term in a multidisciplinary center.

Background: Obesity is an increasingly common condition with serious associated morbidity and decreased life expectancy. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has demonstrated its safety and efficacy as a surgical therapy for morbid obesity over the short term. The current study sought to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of a low-pressure LAGB.

The tripeptide analog feG ameliorates severity of acute pancreatitis in a caerulein mouse model.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality; however, there is no specific treatment for this disease. A novel salivary tripeptide analog, feG, reduces inflammation in several different animal models of inflammation. The aims of this study were to determine whether feG reduced the severity of AP and modifies the expression of pancreatic ICAM-1 mRNA during AP in a mouse model.

Second-generation recombinant hemoglobin molecules do not stimulate sphincter of Oddi, gallbladder or duodenal motility in the Australian brush-tailed possum.

Background: Several studies have investigated the effects of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers on gastrointestinal motility. Diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin reduces sphincter of Oddi trans-sphincteric flow and increases duodenal motility in the Australian brush-tailed possum, effects attributed to nitric oxide (NO) scavenging. Recently, second-generation recombinant hemoglobin molecules with reduced NO scavenging ability have been developed.

Endosonographic imaging of anal sphincter injury: does the size of the tear correlate with the degree of dysfunction?

Purpose: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the extent of anal sphincter muscle injury as graded at endosonography correlates with the degree of functional impairment.

Methods: Three hundred and thirty adults presenting for evaluation of fecal incontinence were recruited. Ultrasound was performed with a 7.