Surgery today
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Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been developed as revascularization techniques for coronary artery disease. CABG offers a survival advantage over medical therapy, especially for high-risk coronary patients, whereas PCI is the most frequent initial procedure to treat multi-vessel coronary artery disease, because it is less invasive. However, PCI has been found to confer no additional benefit with respect to myocardial infarction (MI) or death. ⋯ Despite extensive evidence of the advantages of CABG over PCI with respect to death or MI, PCI is recommended more often and CABG less often than indicated in the guidelines. Patients with coronary artery disease should receive unbiased information about the risks and benefits of each procedure and the alternatives. A multidisciplinary approach, referred to as "the Heart Team", could help to improve the informed consent process when recommending revascularization treatment for coronary artery disease.
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Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the premalignant lesion from which esophageal adenocarcinoma near the esophagogastric junction arises. The management of BE and the treatment of Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma (BEA) are important clinical issues in Europe and the United States. As the Helicobacter pylori infection rate in Japan is decreasing in the younger population, the incidence of BE and adenocarcinoma arising from BE may start increasing. ⋯ In Japan, adenocarcinoma arising from BE is managed the same way as squamous cell carcinoma in the same location. Strategies to prevent BEA may include medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and proton pump inhibitors, and anti-reflux surgery. Understanding the pathophysiology of BE will help to reduce the incidence of BEA.
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Preventive effect of sivelestat on postoperative respiratory disorders after thoracic esophagectomy.
Sivelestat, a selective inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, has been reported to reduce acute lung injury associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. This study retrospectively investigated the effect of sivelestat on respiratory function in patients who underwent esophagectomy. ⋯ Perioperative administration of sivelestat improves postoperative respiratory function in patients after esophagectomy.
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The surgical, postoperative and oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for esophageal cancer were reviewed to clarify the benefits of this surgical modality. ⋯ Total MIE using a combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach can be performed safely, although the benefits for short-term outcomes are still controversial. Oncologic outcomes are favorable and MIE may have an advantage in lymph node dissection over OE. The benefits of MIE should therefore be confirmed by randomized controlled trials.
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Comparative Study
Long-term outcomes of patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.
Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock is still associated with a poor prognosis. We reviewed patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock and assessed their long-term outcomes. ⋯ Although postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock requiring ECMO support is associated with high morbidity and mortality, the long-term survival rate is acceptable.