scholarly journals Laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty: an alternative procedure for end-stage achalasia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fátima Senra ◽  
Lalin Navaratne ◽  
Asunción Acosta-Mérida ◽  
Stuart Gould ◽  
Alberto Martínez-Isla
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Lower Oesophageal Sphincter ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Motor Disorder ◽  
Reflux Symptom Index ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
End Stage ◽  
Rescue Procedure

Abstract Background Primary achalasia is a rare oesophageal motor disorder characterized by the absence of swallow-induced relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter and diminished or absent oesophageal body peristalsis. Around 5% of these patients will develop end-stage achalasia, where oesophagectomy may be advocated. We present the laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty as an alternative ‘oesophagus-preserving’ procedure in patients with end-stage achalasia. Methods We present a retrospective review of four patients who underwent laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty. Data collected included pre-operative demographic information and investigations; and post-operative outcomes. Patients were scored pre- and post-operatively using Reflux Symptom Index, Eating Assessment Tool-10 and Voice Handicap Index-10 questionnaires. Results Four patients underwent laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty during the study period. In one patient, it was performed as a rescue procedure during attempted myotomy following multiple perforations of friable mucosa. In the other three patients, laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty was performed for end-stage achalasia. None of the patients had post-operative complications and all patients were discharged on the second post-operative day. All patients experienced improvement in swallowing symptoms (EAT-10; p = 0.03) but developed post-operative gastroesophageal reflux. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first published case series of laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty for end-stage achalasia. It appears to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of end-stage achalasia, offering an alternative minimally invasive procedure to oesophagectomy. Laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty can also be used as a ‘rescue’ procedure during myotomy in patients who have poor-quality mucosa which perforates intra-operatively or is at high risk of perforation/leaking post-operatively.

scholarly journals Usefulness of The Reflux Symptom Index in the Management of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-240
Author(s):  
Saai Ram Thejas ◽  
Ganganamoni Rajamohan ◽  
Sindu Mohan ◽  
Kowsalya Swarna
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ◽  
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ◽  
Lower Oesophageal Sphincter ◽  
Reflux Symptom ◽  
Reflux Symptom Index ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Transient Relaxation

Introduction Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is highly prevalent in the general population and its impact on health systems is growing dramatically by the day. The contents of the stomach flowing back into the oesophagus, pharynx and larynx because of a transient relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter leads to a spectrum of symptoms diagnosed as LPR and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The aim was to study in detail the symptoms of LPR and to ascertain if and how they hamper the routine of an individual by using the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI).  Materials and Methods The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) is a self-administered nine-item outcomes instrument for LPR.  Ninety-one patients with clinically diagnosed LPR were taken up for this study and were issued the RSI (translated into the local language for better results) before and after treatment.  Data was assessed at the end of 3 months and 6 months.  Results The tabulated data showed significant improvement in the symptomatic index after treatment.   Conclusion It can thus be concluded that RSI is still highly valid in the follow-up for patients with LPR because it can be easily administered and gives accurate results with excellent validation.

scholarly journals Arthroscopic-assisted arthrodesis in the foot and ankle. Subtalar, tibiotalar, tibiocalcaneal, and metatarsophalangeal: 25 years of experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Luis Perez-Carro ◽  
Carlos Rodrigo-Arriaza ◽  
Lorena Trueba-Sanchez ◽  
Gustavo Gutierrez-Castanedo ◽  
Guillermo Menendez-Solana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Aofas Score ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Non Union ◽  
End Stage ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
Radiographic Union

Objectives: Arthritis of the foot and ankle joints provoke pain and restricts function. The arthroscopic assisted arthrodesis (AAA) is a minimally invasive procedure for end stage arthritis to eliminate pain and achieve painless mobilization, with numerous benefits like faster time to union, less blood loss, less morbidity, less infection rate, and less soft tissue complications compared with open surgery. The objective of this paper is to retrospectively evaluate our case series (136 patients) of arthroscopic assisted foot and ankle fusion that includes the subtalar, tibiocalcaneal, tibiotalar and metatarsophalangeal joint in our last 25 years of practice. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic assisted arthrodesis in the foot and ankle were identified by review of a registry. Minimum follow-up was 24 months. Patient demographics characteristics, time to radiographic union, and preoperative and postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS) were obtained. Results: Subtalar fusion: 43 patients. Radiographic union was seen in 40 patients at a mean time of 10 weeks (8-14) and non union was seen in three patients, of which 1 required open revision surgery. AOFAS score improved from 43 preoperatively (27-57) to 83 (67-93) postoperatively. Tibiotalar fusion: 55 patients. Radiographic union in a mean time of 12 weeks (7-15) in all 55 cases. AOFAS score improved from 50.5 preoperatively (25-60) to 82 (62-94) postoperatively. Tibiotalocalcaneal fusion: 3 patients. 2 patients with radiographic union at 14 and 16 weeks and 1 showed a fibrotic union of the subtalar joint without pain. AOFAS score improved from 43 preoperatively (34-58) to 78 (67-81) postoperatively. Metatarsophalangeal fusion: 35 patients. Radiographic union in 33 patients at a mean time of 8 weeks (6-11). Two patients presented asymptomatic non union. AOFAS score improved from 38 preoperatively (30-60) to 86 (75-93) postoperatively. Conclusion: Arthroscopic assisted arthrodesis in the foot and ankle is an excellent procedure for end stage degenerated joint.

The Value of Routine pH Monitoring in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

2012 ◽  
Vol 146 (6) ◽  
pp. 952-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Friedman ◽  
Craig Hamilton ◽  
Christian G. Samuelson ◽  
Kanwar Kelley ◽  
Renwick Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ◽  
Ph Monitoring ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Reflux Symptom ◽  
Reflux Symptom Index ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective. To assess the need for pH testing in diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Study Design. Case series with planned data collection. Setting. Tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods. On the basis of symptoms and/or abnormal endoscopic findings, more than 500 patients underwent 24-hour pharyngeal pH testing at a single center (using the Dx-pH probe) between January 2009 and June 2011. A total of 163 patients not on proton-pump inhibitors at the time of study and with complete data available for analysis (pH results, body mass index, smoking status, pretest reflux symptom index) were divided into 2 groups by positive (n = 70) and negative (n = 93) Ryan Score. The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) was compared between groups and assessed overall against Ryan Score parameters at different pH thresholds. The diagnostic utility of an RSI ≥ 13 for prediction of Ryan Score was assessed. Results. No significant difference in RSI was seen between Ryan-positive (17.50 ± 11.47) and Ryan-negative (14.95 ± 11.43) patients ( P = .161). Overall, RSI correlated poorly with percentage time spent below pH thresholds 6.5, 6.0, 5.5, and 5.0 and upright and supine Ryan parameters at these thresholds (as determined by linear regression analysis). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of RSI ≥ 13 for Ryan positivity were 55.7%, 47.3%, 44.3%, and 58.7%, respectively. Conclusion. Our findings show that in our population of otolaryngology patients, the diagnosis of LPR cannot be reliably made on the basis of symptoms alone. Diagnosis, and in particular treatment decisions, should ideally be made on the basis of a combination of symptoms, signs, and confirmatory testing.

scholarly journals Clinical and Electromyographic Assessment of Swallowing in Individuals with Functional Dysphonia Associated with Dysphagia Due to Muscle Tension or Atypical Swallowing

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-178
Author(s):  
Paulina Krasnodębska ◽  
Agnieszka Jarzyńska-Bućko ◽  
Agata Szkiełkowska ◽  
Jędrzej Bartosik
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Surface Electromyography ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Reflux Symptom Index ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
Submental Muscles ◽  
Swallowing Difficulties ◽  
Almost All

Introduction: Over the past few years, attention has been paid to the coexistence of dysphonia with dysphagia, in the context of functional disorders. The aim of this work was to objectify logopaedic examination of dysphonic patients with coexisting swallowing difficulties by surface electromyography. Methods: The material of the work included 58 patients with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). Each patient underwent otolaryngologic, phoniatric and logopaedic examination. We collected information about medical history and asked patients to fill out Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) and Swallowing Disorder Scale (SDS). The algorithm of dysphagia diagnostics in our clinic assumes parallel surface electromyography (SEMG) during Functional Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. Results: In comparison to patients suffering from atypical swallowing, patients with muscle tension dysphagia (MTDg) obtained higher values from almost all questionnaires. Logopaedic evaluation revealed abnormalities in the structure and efficiency of the articulatory organs and in the assessment of primary functions. Patients with more abnormalities in logopaedic examination had significantly higher infrahyoid muscle activity during swallowing observed in EMG. Patients with non-normative swallowing pattern had significantly greater asymmetry of the average and maximum amplitude of masseters, as well as submental muscles. Patients with higher percent of muscles asymmetry gained higher scores in questionnaires. Conclusions: Surface electromyography objectifies logopaedic examination of patients with swallowing difficulties. The results of this work showed that, apart from longer swallows, patients with MTDg differ from patients with non-normative swallowing patterns in the muscle activity measured by SEMG, abnormalities in logopaedic evaluation and the severity of complaints reported by patients.

scholarly journals Neurogenic Dyspnea: Is Idiopathic Dyspnea Related to a Post-Viral Sensory Neuropathy? A Case Series Supporting a New Hypothesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zalvan C ◽  
◽  
Yuen E1 ◽  
Cole J ◽  
Loftus C ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Previous Treatment ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Reflux Symptom Index ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
Saline Irrigation ◽  
Reduction Approach

Objective: To propose a hypothesis of a novel potentially post-viral sensory neuropathic disorder, termed neurogenic dyspnea, and assess the therapeutic efficacy of a trigger reduction approach in this unique patient population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients seen between January 2011 and April 2018 for persistent dyspnea of unknown etiology was conducted. All patients failed to improve with treatment for presumptive diagnoses of allergy, asthma, sinus disease, and reflux. Patients were educated on our treatment protocol consisting of a Mediterranean style, plant-based diet with alkaline water, saline irrigation, and combined azelastine/fluticasone nasal spray. Treatment response was followed using two validated symptom questionnaires, Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Dyspnea Index (DI). Results: Of 57 initial patients, 8 were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 38.8 years (range 11-68). Six (75%) patients were female. All patients were followed for a minimum of 4 weeks. Using the reduction in DI and RSI as continuous variables to assess response, patients experienced a 9.4 (95% CI: 3.9-14.9) and 14.1 (95% CI: 6.0-22.2) mean point reduction, respectively. One patient saw a 100% and another a 95% reduction in DI. Six of eight patients experienced more than a 50% reduction in RSI. Conclusion: We hypothesize that Neurogenic Dyspnea is a newly described clinical phenomenon with a possible post-viral etiology. This pilot study demonstrated that our trigger reduction approach improved subjective symptoms in the majority of patients with unexplained dyspnea with previous treatment failure for common etiologies. Further studies are required to validate these findings.

Association of Heartburn and Laryngopharyngeal Symptoms with Endoscopic Reflux Esophagitis, Smoking, and Drinking

2009 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Chun Lin ◽  
Ya-Yu Wang ◽  
Kai-Li Wang ◽  
Han-Chung Lien ◽  
Ming-Tai Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reflux Esophagitis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Reflux Symptom Index ◽  
Voice Change ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
Taiwanese People ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Endoscopic Esophagitis

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the association of laryngopharyngeal symptoms and heartburn with endoscopic esophagitis, smoking, and drinking. The clinical importance of the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) in predicting endoscopic esophagitis was also evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with planned data collection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From November 2006 to February 2007, 156 adults received a whole-body physical check-up. They filled out the RSI questionnaire and were dichotomized into either a “no problem group” or a “possible patients group” according to their scores on the RSI. All subjects received an esophagoscopy. The relationship between RSI score and endoscopic esophagitis, smoking, and drinking was analyzed. RESULTS: Voice change, but not heartburn, was significantly associated with endoscopic reflux esophagitis. Based on the RSI scores, some items in addition to voice change were significantly associated with smoking or drinking but not with endoscopic esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: While screening patients for reflux esophagitis by using the RSI questionnaire, there is little value in using heartburn to predict endoscopic esophagitis in Taiwanese people. On the other hand, a husky voice might be a good clinical indicator of patients at risk of having reflux esophagitis.

Voice Therapy With Seniors: Attendance, Outcomes, and Associated Patient Characteristics

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 814-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie E. Smith ◽  
Ruth Huntley Bahr ◽  
Hector N. Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Data ◽  
Voice Therapy ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Reflux Symptom Index ◽  
Voice Change ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Unsuccessful Treatment

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the attendance and success rates for seniors in voice therapy, identify any contributing patient-related factors, and compare results to existing findings for younger patients. Method This retrospective study included information from the voice records of 50 seniors seen by the same speech-language pathologist in a private practice. Analysis of attendance and outcome data divided participants into 6 groups. Outcomes for Groups 1–3 (64% of patients) were considered successful (positive voice change), while outcomes for Groups 4–6 (36% of patients) were considered unsuccessful. These data were compared to similar data collected for younger adults in a previous study. Results The attendance and success rates for seniors in this study were higher than those previously reported for younger patients. Further consideration of patient factors revealed that reports of increased stress, Reflux Symptom Index scores > 13, and higher Voice Handicap Index functional subscale scores were significant in distinguishing between patients in the successful and unsuccessful treatment outcome groups. Conclusions The relatively high attendance and success rates among this sample of seniors suggest the desire to achieve voice improvement does not diminish with age, and chances for success in voice therapy among nonfrail seniors may be greater than for younger patients.

ASSESSMENT OF ANATOMICAL & FUNCTIONAL SUCCESS IN EXTERNAL DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY BY AIR BUBBLE TEST

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Vikas Tantuway
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Nasolacrimal Duct ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Reliability Indices ◽  
Air Bubble ◽  
Bubble Test ◽  
External Dacryocystorhinostomy ◽  
Anatomical Success

Aim: To assess reliability indices of Air Bubble Test (ABT) for anatomical and functional success in external Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Methods: Prospective case series of nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent DCR. Functional success defined as Munk score 0 & 1 & anatomical success as free irrigation at followup.ABT performed by putting antibiotic drops into eye& asking patient to exhale while keeping nose & mouth closed. Formation of bubbles at punctum considered as positive test. Specificity, sensitivity, positive & negative predictive values calculated. Results: There were 103 DCR in 97 patients(23 male,74 female)with mean age 45.56 yr. Anatomical and functional success was 99.02% & 98.05%, respectively.ABT showed sensitivity 96.07%, specificity 100% for anatomical success after DCR. Sensitivity and specificity were 97.02% & 100% for functional success. Conclusion: As non-invasive procedure ABT is a good tool to assess success of DCR, though lacrimal syringing remains the gold standard. Keywords: Anatomical, Dacryocystorhinostomy & Air Bubble Test.

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