Aorto-oesophageal fistula: rarest cause of haematemesis - is it salvageable?

A 60-year-old man presented with severe abdominal pain, two episodes of massive haematemesis and chest discomfort. CT angiography showed a saccular aneurysm of the juxtaphrenic aorta with possible oesophageal erosion. Upper GI endoscopy revealed external compression of the lower oesophagus—near total luminal obstruction with impending rupture of the aortic aneurysm. Emergency aneurysmal repair by interposition grafting using 20 mm Dacron graft with oesophageal–gastric reconstruction done. Postoperative period was uneventful

AngelChik Device Removal and Revisional Fundoplication

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition in developed countries with an increasing incidence in the UK, currently estimated at 5 per 1000 person-years. Risk factors for GORD include Helicobacter pylori infection, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking and genetic predisposition. Surgical management is performed in chronic, severe cases of GORD, refractory to medical management. There are a variety of interventional surgical techniques available and the patient in this case had placement of an AngelChik Device (AD) 30 years ago. This is now a historic device due to associated complications and this patient had it removed with revisional treatment of the patient’s GORD with Nissen Fundoplication. The patient experienced multiple post-surgical complications, namely biliary leak from the central port, pulmonary embolism and pneumonia. Following description of the case, this report will discuss the increasing incidence of late complications of AD and propose a proactive approach to these patients going forwards. It will also discuss the current uncertain evidence of a new surgical intervention called magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) of the lower oesophagus that has similar principles to the mechanism of an AD. From this it will emphasise that more stringent and worldwide collaboration is required when bringing a new medical device into clinical care.

125 A Case of Mistaken Identity: An Obsolete Anti-Reflux Device in An Older Patient with Variable Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Background A frail 93-year-old lady presented with delirium and hypoxia, on a background of heart failure, constipation, cerebrovascular disease, and osteoporosis. A CTPA on admission revealed an unusual appearance of the left hypochondrium, leading to subsequent CT abdomen. This unexpectedly reported the presence of a gastric band. We therefore considered a possible misidentification as this procedure seemed unlikely in someone of her age. Her GP records revealed that she underwent surgical insertion of an Angelchik prosthesis in 1984. It transpired that our patient had experienced several longstanding symptoms, including reflux, bloating and constipation, which have all been observed in patients with Angelchik prostheses in situ. Discussion The Angelchik prosthesis is an anti-reflux device for patients with chronic reflux disease with or without hiatus hernia, introduced in 1979. It comprised of an elastomer shell ring filled with silicone gel, that was sited at the lower oesophagus and secured with DACRON tapes. It was initially lauded for its replicable insertion technique and promising early results with around 30,000 being inserted in mainly British and American Hospitals. However, over time it became apparent that a significant proportion of patients reported ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms due to device failure. Serious complications such as gastric perforations were also recognised. Surgical removal was noted to be technically complex, providing further challenges. The Angelchik prosthesis therefore fell from favour after a period of use of only fifteen years, and is now rarely encountered. We discovered that our patient had experienced multiple long-standing gastrointestinal complaints potentially linked to her prosthesis, though this association had not previously been considered. Whilst her frailty meant that removal would not be pragmatic, it is uncertain if this could have been a possible consideration in the past. This device is relevant to geriatricians as many recipients are now elderly, and may report ongoing symptoms.

Oligometastatic recurrence in radically treated stage II lower thoracic ca oesophagus at two drain sites: a treatment challenge?

Ca oesophagus is a dreaded malignancy with less than 15 % cure rate and majority of the patients presenting with advanced unresectable disease. Prognosis remains poor despite advances in combined modality treatments. Most common sites of loco-regional recurrence after surgery remains the mediastinal lymph node clearance area while other common sites are lung liver and bone. Unexpected sites of metastasis have been reported like skin, muscle, eyes etc. We report a case of 66-year-old male patient diagnosed with stage II poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma lower oesophagus radically treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, trans hiatal esophagectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, who subsequently developed oligometastatic recurrences at two drain sites. Patient was treated with surgical excision followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Vitamin D deficiency causing eosinophilic esophagogastroenteritis and ascites: a rare association

A 54-year-old Chinese man presented with ascites for 2 weeks. He had a preceding 2-year history of intermittent dysphagia, lethargy and general malaise. Blood investigations revealed leucocytosis with eosinophilia of 26.5%, whereas paracentesis showed turbid fluid with high protein content (45 g/L) and a high white blood cell count of 5580/µL, predominantly eosinophils (90%). An incidental assay of vitamin D showed a very low level of 13.5 ng/mL. No other cause of ascites was found. Gastroscopy was normal except for duodenitis. However, biopsies from lower oesophagus confirmed the presence of eosinophilic infiltration. Following vitamin D replacement, the patient experienced marked improvement in symptoms of dysphagia within 2 weeks and no recurrence of ascites after 3 months. The reason for the patient’s vitamin D deficiency remains unclear. The marked improvement in the patient’s health indicates a causative role of vitamin D deficiency in causing eosinophilic esophagogastroenteritis and associated eosinophilic ascites.

Modified Oesophago-Gastric Dissociation (M-OGD) — a technical modification

Adhesions and fibrosis following failed primary surgery for severe gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in neurologically impaired children (NI) can render mobilization of the lower oesophagus and oesophago-jejunal anastomosis a technically demanding exercise both at open surgery and laparoscopy. This paper presents the Modified Oesophago-Gastric Dissociation (M-OGD) as a less complex technical modification of the original Total Oesophago-Gastric Dissociation (TOGD). The stomach is detached from the oesophago-gastric junction with an articulated 5-mm stapler, leaving a 5-mm strip of stomach attached to the oesophagus. An end-to-side isoperistaltic oesophago-jejunostomy is created between the gastric stump and the isoperistaltic jejunal Roux loop. A jejuno-jejunal anastomosis restores bowel continuity. Between May 2018 and February 2020, M-OGD was performed on 3 NI patients with a weight of 9–27.3 kg (median = 14 kg). Median age at surgery was 60 months (18–180), median surgical time 170 min (146–280), median re-feeding time was 3 days (2–5), and median length of stay was 20 days (11–25). All patients healed primarily and after a median follow-up of 3 months, there were no problems related to the oesophago-jejunal anastomosis. M-OGD reduces the difficulties of redo oesophageal surgery following failed anti-reflux procedures, with a safer oesophago-jejunal anastomosis and a good long-term outcome.

Successful curative surgery for postoperative oesophageal recurrence of oesophagogastric junction cancer

A man in his 70s had undergone total gastrectomy for oesophagogastric junction cancer. Three years and 11 months later, he began to vomit after meals and was diagnosed with mediastinal recurrence of oesophagogastric junction cancer. A CT scan showed that the tumour was suspected of infiltrating the aorta and lung. He received two cycles of chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin, resulting in tumour reduction. The patient underwent resection of the lower oesophagus, including the tumour, the left lower lobe of the lung and the pericardium through a left thoracoabdominal incision. This is the first report of a patient surgically resected for postoperative oesophageal recurrence of oesophagogastric junction cancer. Although most postoperative recurrences of oesophagogastric junction cancer are far advanced at the time of diagnosis and prognosis is poor, chemotherapy followed by surgery may improve the prognosis of patients with locoregional recurrence.

Three cases of an unusual cause of haematemesis: black oesophagus

Black oesophagus, also termed acute oesophageal necrosis or Gurvits syndrome, is an uncommon but well-characterised entity predominantly involving the lower oesophagus. Co-morbidity—such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic liver or kidney or pulmonary disease—predisposes to this condition. On endoscopy, it appears as a diffuse, circumferential, black discolouration. Though poorly understood, tissue hypoperfusion appears central to its pathogenesis. Tackling the underlying predisposing co-morbidity and supportive management are the mainstay of therapy. Despite early diagnosis and prompt treatment, the outcome may be unfavourable and is related to the underlying aetiology. We report a case series of three patients of acute oesophageal necrosis who presented to us with symptoms of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and improved with conservative management.

P95 LAPAROSCOPIC ASSISTED LEFT THORACOABDOMINAL OESOPHAGECTOMY (LLTA); AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR TUMOURS OF THE GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL JUNCTION

Aim To report a novel approach for tumours located at the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) using a laparoscopic abdominal phase combined with a left thoracoabdominal approach. Background and Methods The standard left thoracoabdominal approach offers excellent exposure and access to GOJ and lower oesophagus. It also involves a single position for the procedure, shortening the operation time. The disadvantages are a large incision, dividing the costochondral junction, and a low level thoracotomy. Laparoscopic Left Thoracoabdominal Oesophagectomy (LLTA) is performed with the patient in the same right lateral decubitus position, but rolled away from the operator at 45xxx. allowing laparoscopic gastric mobilisation and lymphadenectomy. The thoracic phase uses an anterolateral left thoracotomy through the higher 5th intercostal space, giving a higher intrathoracic anastomosis, just below the aortic arch. No disruption of the costochondral junction is made. Consecutive patients treated for GOJ tumours with LLTA operated on during 2013-2019 were analysed and compared to national standards (NOGCA). Results This series of 70 consecutive patients had a mean age of 63 years. Median operation time was 235 minutes. Median inpatient hospital stay was 10 days (NOGCA 9 (11-17)). The majority were adenocarcinoma; predominantly located in the GOJ (Siewert Type1 (37.14%), Type2 (45.71%), Type3 (2.86%)); 90% of the tumours were T3 or T4. Postoperative morbidity was low (Clavien-Dindo 0 in 50% of the patients). The median number of total lymph nodes excised was 27.77 (NOGCA >15). Positive nodes were predominantly located in the lesser-curve (40%), Para-oesophageal 34.29%; Sub-carinal 2.86%. Positive circumferential resection margins (<1mm) were present in 28.57% of patients (NOGCA 25.1%). In-Hospital and 30 day mortality was 1.43% (NOGCA 2.7%). Recurrence after LLTA was 24.29% at a mean 371 days (local 5.7%, systemic 15.7%, mixed 2.86%). Conclusion This series demonstrates a novel, safe and reproducible left sided approach for cancer of the GOJ. There is good exposure at the hiatus, without the division of the costochondral junction and low thoracotomy.