[Effect of erythromycin on electrical activity and gastric emptying of the intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer].

Objective: To investigate the effect of erythromycin on electrical activity and emptying of the intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Methods: Thirty patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer and esophagogastrostomy above the aortic arch were divided into the study group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Electrogastrography and radionuclide gastric emptying were examined for these patients before and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery.

[Antireflux anastomosis following resection of esophageal cancer].

Objective: To investigate the antireflux effects of a modified Nissen fundoplication following esophagectomy for cancer.

Methods: From March 2006 to March 2007, 70 patients with esophageal cancer were divided into two groups randomly. Esophagogastrostomy with a stapler only was perform in 35 patients as controls (group C), and a modified Nissen fundoplication was added after esophagogastrostomy with stapler in the other 35 patients as observed group (group O).

[Long-term outcome of antireflux surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease].

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcomes of various antireflux procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods: Between November 1988 and January 2004, 129 patients with GERD underwent antireflux procedures. Six kinds of antireflux procedures were performed including Nissen fundoplication, cardiac oblique invagination (COI) procedure, Belsey Mark IV, Toupet, Thal and Dor procedures.

[Functional study of the remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach in patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer].

Objective: To investigate pathophysiological changes of the remnant esophagus and gastric cardia in patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer, and to provide objective evidences for the improvement of the postoperative quality of life.

Methods: The function of the remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach in patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer were assessed objectively. The methods that we used were gastric scintigraphy, esophageal manometry, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, electronic gastroscopy, videofluoroscopy, and DeMeester scoring system for the assessment of heartburn.

[Expression and prognostic significance of survivin and caspase-3 in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma and their relationship with HSPs expression].

Objective: To explore the prognostic significance of expression of survivin and caspase-3 in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the relasionship with expression of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 (HSP27 and HSP70).

Methods: Expressions of survivin and caspase-3 in 101 cases of ESCC were quantitatively detected with flow cytometry. Their expressions in long-term survival group (group A, >or= 5 years, 38 cases) were compared with those in the short-term survival group (group B, View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Prognostic significances of natural killer cells and dendritic cells infiltrations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma].

Background & Objective: Natural killer (NK) cell and dendritic cell (DC) play important roles in anti-tumor immunity. Heat shock protein (HSP) is also involved in anti-tumor immune mechanisms. This study was to explore prognostic significances of NK cells and DCs infiltrations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and their relationships with expressions of HSP27 and HSP70.

Responses of human clasp and sling fibers to neuromimetics.

Background And Aims: It has previously been demonstrated that clasp and sling fibers at the human gastroesophageal junction respond differently to acetylcholine (Ach). The present study was undertaken to investigate the differences between the physiological and pharmacological properties of the two types of muscle fiber.

Methods: Recordings were made of the isometric tension of human sling and clasp fibers in response to Ach, dopamine (DA), phenylephrine (Phe), and isoprenaline (Iso).

Long-term outcome of esophageal myotomy for achalasia.

Aim: Modified Heller's myotomy is still the first choice for achalasia and the assessment of surgical outcomes is usually made based on the subjective sensation of patients. This study was to objectively assess the long-term outcomes of esophageal myotomy for achalasia using esophageal manometry, 24-hour pH monitoring, esophageal scintigraphy and fiberoptic esophagoscopy.

Methods: From February 1979 to October 2000, 176 patients with achalasia underwent modified Heller's myotomy, including esophageal myotomy alone in 146 patients, myotomy in combination with Gallone or Dor antireflux procedure in 22 and 8 patients, respectively.