The feasibility of vagus nerve preservation and double-flap technique in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy

Background: Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with an anti-reflux procedure, as a function-preserving surgery, has been a common treatment strategy for proximal early gastric cancer. This study aimed to develop a new surgical technique for these patients. Methods: Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with vagus nerve preservation and double-flap technique was performed in patients who could retain two-thirds of the stomach. The hepatic branches and the celiac branches were both preserved. A seromuscular double-flap was created through the auxiliary incision, and the anastomosis was performed under laparoscopy. The detailed surgical procedure and preliminary results were presented. Results: Six patients underwent this procedure with no conversion to open surgery. No intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred during the perioperative period. No patients showed diarrhea and appetite loss, and body weight regained preoperative level 6 month later. No food residue and reflux esophagitis were observed via endoscopic examination. Gallbladder contraction was observed in all the patients by ultrasonography after high-fat diet. Conclusion: Although long-term follow up and a larger number of patients are required to evaluate the functional outcomes, this new technique provides a minimally invasive surgical option for proximal early gastric cancer, especially in the cardiac area.

A Six-Year Retrospective Follow-up of 502 Patients with Laparoscopic Cholelithotomy for Gallstone Recurrence: Success or Prospect

Background This research was designed to explore the risk factors for gallstone recurrence after laparoscopic cholelithotomy. Methods A total of 502 patients who were diagnosed with gallstones using ultrasonography underwent laparoscopic cholelithotomy between January 2011 and December 2017 at the Shanghai-East Affiliated Hospital of Tongji University. Results Our retrospective study revealed that the gallstone recurrence rate of patients taking tauro-ursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of patients not taking TUDCA. The recurrence rate of gallstones in patients with an incision at the fundus of the gallbladder was significantly lower than that of the patients with an incision on the body of the gallbladder. The risk of recurrence in patients with gallstones combined with polyps was significantly higher than that in patients without polyps; the risk of recurrence of gallstones in patients with gallbladder contraction function < 50% was significantly higher than that in patients with gallbladder contraction function ≥ 50%. Additionally, the prognosis of patients without gallbladder adhesions to the peritoneum was better than that of patients with adhesions. Conclusion During the 6-year follow-up period of this study, the recurrence rate of gallstones after laparoscopic gallbladder-preserving cholelithotomy (LGPC) was 22.91%. Factors related to gallstone recurrence were use of TUDCA, location of the incision, presence of gallstones combined with polyps, gallbladder contraction function and presence of gallbladder adhesions to the peritoneum. The main cause of gallstone recurrence needs further investigation, and laparoscopic cholelithotomy remains promising for treatment of gallstone recurrence but requires thorough follow-up.

Modern approaches to treatment of patients with biliary sludge: how to choose optimal scheme?

Currently, biliary sludge (BS) is considered as a pathological process associated with an increase in the lithogenicity of bile and according to the modern classification of gallstone disease referred to the prestone stage of the disease. In the mechanism of BS formation, the main role belongs to four factors: glut of bile with cholesterol, formation of crystallization nucleus, dysfunction of the gallbladder (contraction, absorption, secretion), violation of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Clinical manifestations in BS are most often associated with concomitant functional disorders of the biliary tract and chronic bacterial duodenitis with duodenal hypertension. The main directions in the treatment of BS are reduced to the restoration of the normal rheological properties of bile, the normalization of the motor function of the biliary system and the duodenum, the correction of the intestinal microbiome. The article discusses effective treatment regimens for BS depending on its morphological features and clinical course with the use of ursodeoxycholic acid or hofitol. The mechanism of Chophytol action (Mayoly Spindler, France) at BS is presented. The additional use of Meteospasmyl in the presence of intestinal antiseptic indications contributes to the rapid resolution of clinical manifestations in this pathology.

Effects of a Gluten-Containing Meal on Gastric Emptying and Gallbladder Contraction

The ingestion of gluten has been associated with gastrointestinal symptoms even in the absence of detectable immune responses. Little is known about the pathophysiological effects of gluten on the upper gastrointestinal tract. We aimed to assess whether the ingestion of gluten leads to an impairment of the physiological mechanisms of gastric emptying, gallbladder contraction and relaxation. A total of 17 healthy subjects underwent ultrasound evaluation of gastric emptying dynamics and gallbladder contractions at baseline and every 30 min after a standard gluten-containing and gluten-free meal (250 kcal, 70% carbohydrates). The pattern of gastric emptying was similar after a standard meal with or without gluten, but differed in terms of the peak of the antral filling curve, which was wider (mean area 5.69, median 4.70, range 3.71‒9.27 cm2 vs. mean 4.89, median 4.57, 2.27‒10.22 cm2, p = 0.023) after the gluten-containing meal. The pattern of gallbladder contractions was different after the gluten-free meal (p < 0.05), with higher gallbladder volumes in the late refilling phases. The results of this study show that gluten ingestion exerts objective effects on gastric and gallbladder motility. Although the underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains unknown, these results could account for some of the gluten-related symptoms reported by patients with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Fatty meal sonography comparing coconut oil and chocolate bar with full-fat yoghurt as cholecystagogues for gallbladder ejection fractions

Background: The authors compared the effectiveness of a chocolate bar and full-fat yoghurt combination to coconut oil in determining the gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF). The clinical motive was functional gallbladder disorder (FGD) which has the clinical picture of symptomatic gallstones but without gallstones. Functional gallbladder disorder has a decreased GBEF of less than 35%. Gallbladder ejection fraction can be calculated by ultrasound, using cholecystokinin (CCK) as a stimulant for gallbladder contraction. Cholecystokinin is not available in South Africa, and the researchers compared a 60 g Snickers chocolate bar with 200 g full-fat yoghurt, against the theoretically superior coconut oil. Objectives: To determine the efficacy of coconut oil versus chocolate bar and 200 g full-fat yoghurt combination in performing sonographic GBEFs. Method: This was a randomised clinical experiment, before and after crossover trial. The three experimental components of the study included 15 g coconut oil, 20 g coconut oil and a standard fatty meal consisting of 60 g Snickers bar and 200 g full-fat yoghurt. Results: The GBEF for the chocolate bar and yoghurt combination was the highest (62.84%). The GBEF for 20 g of coconut oil was 23.47% and for 15 g of coconut oil was 5.11%. There was a statistically significant difference between the chocolate and yoghurt combination and the 20 g coconut oil, as well as the chocolate yoghurt combination and the 15 g coconut oil, both with a p-value of < 0.0001. No statistically significant difference was found between the 20 g and 15 g coconut oil. Conclusions: The 60 g Snickers chocolate bar and 200 g full-fat yoghurt combination was superior to the coconut oil. The authors advocate using the chocolate and yoghurt fatty meal oral stimulant to determine GBEF.

Sonographic Evaluation of Effect of Smoking and Fatty Meals on Gallbladder

Background: It is well established that fatty food causes gallbladder contraction by releasing cholecystokinin (CCK). Smoking also causes contraction of gallbladder. There are a limited number of studies evaluating the effect of smoking and fatty meals on gallbladder motility by ultrasonography.Objective: The aim of this study is to see the effect of smoking on gallbladder contraction in comparison with fatty meals.Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on thirty young adult male volunteers having age between 18−40 years in the department of Radiology and Imaging of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Unbiased gallbladder volume measurement of each volunteer was taken on two separate days before and after taking fatty food and as well as before and after smoking at 5,15, 30 and 60 minutes interval. All information were meticulously recorded in structured data collection sheet and analyzed statistically. Then mean gallbladder volume changes against time were presented graphically for two groups using the pre and post smoking values.Results: The result shows that smoking has contractile effect on gallbladder like fatty food. The mean comparison of net change of gallbladder volume before and after smoking and before and after fatty food intake in both smoker and non-smoker groups has been statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusion: Fatty food and smoking should be strictly prohibited before ultrasonography of hepatobiliary system for better evaluation.J Enam Med Col 2018; 8(1): 29-34

The unappreciated roles of the cholecystokinin receptor CCK(1) in brain functioning

The CCK(1) receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor activated by the sulfated forms of cholecystokinin (CCK), a gastrin-like peptide released in the gastrointestinal tract and mammal brain. A substantial body of research supports the hypothesis that CCK(1)r stimulates gallbladder contraction and pancreatic secretion in the gut, as well as satiety in brain. However, this receptor may also fulfill relevant roles in behavior, thanks to its widespread distribution in the brain. The strategic location of CCK(1)r in mesolimbic structures and specific hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei lead to complex interactions with neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate, as well as hypothalamic hormones and neuropeptides. The activity of CCK(1)r maintains adequate levels of dopamine and regulates the activity of serotonin neurons of raphe nuclei, which makes CCK(1)r an interesting therapeutic target for the development of adjuvant treatments for schizophrenia, drug addiction, and mood disorders. Unexplored functions of CCK(1)r, like the transmission of interoceptive sensitivity in addition to the regulation of hypothalamic hormones and neurotransmitters affecting emotional states, well-being, and attachment behaviors, may open exciting roads of research. The absence of specific ligands for the CCK(1) receptor has complicated the study of its distribution in brain so that research about its impact on behavior has been published sporadically over the last 30 years. The present review reunites all this body of evidence in a comprehensive way to summarize our knowledge about the actual role of CCK in the neurobiology of mental illness.