A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.
ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of lymphadenectomy in different regions for esophageal squamous cell carcinomas located differently according to the lymph node grouping by Chinese expert consensus. MethodsThe medical records of 1 061 patients (886 males and 175 females with a median age of 60 (54, 65) years with esophageal cancer from March 2011 to December 2017 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the pathological report, the lymph nodes were regrouped according to the Chinese lymph nodes grouping standard of esophageal cancer. The metastasis rate of each group of lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate of metastatic patients and efficacy index (EI) were calculated. ResultsThe upper thoracic esophageal cancer mainly metastasized to the lymph nodes of C201-203 groups. The middle and lower thoracic tumors mainly metastasized to the lymph nodes of C205-207 groups. The lower thoracic tumor had a higher rate of metastasis to the abdominal lymph nodes. According to the metastasis rate, the mediastinal lymph nodes were divided into three regions: an upper mediastinum (C201-204), a middle mediastinum (C205-206), and a lower mediastinum (C207-209). The EIs of lymph nodes of C201-203 and C205-207 groups were higher. For patients with C201-207 groups metastasis, the 5-year survival rates ranged from 13.39% to 21.60%. For patients with positive lymph nodes in each region, tumors at different primary locations had no statistical difference in long-term survival (P>0.05). Patients with lymph nodes of C205 group in the upper thoracic tumors had lower EI and those in the middle and lower thoracic tumors had higher EIs. ConclusionThe effect of lymph node dissection in each area varies with the location of the tumor. No matter where the tumor is, it is necessary to dissect the upper mediastinal lymph nodes, especially the lymph nodes adjacent to the left and right recurrent laryngeal nerves. Group C205 should be classified into the lower mediastinal lymph nodes.
Objective To study the manageable methods, effect of early use of enteral nutrition after operations on esophageal cancer patients. Methods By different way of nutritional support after operation, 209 cases of esophageal cancer were divided into two groups in which enteral nutrition（EN） group,146 cases, were managed with early use of nutritional support through intestine and parenteral nutrition（PN） group, 63 cases, were given nutrition by way of veins. Complications, general recovery and blood biochemical criteria after operation between those two groups were compared. Results No cases of anastomotic fistula occurred in the two groups. The incidence of complications in EN group was significantly lower than that in PN group（P〈0.01）, and the occurrence of diarrhea was higher in EN group （P=0. 000）. The time needed for recovery of bowel sounds, anal exsufflation, defecation and hospital stay was shorter and hospital fee lower in EN group than those in PN group（P=0. 000）. The total amount of gastrointestinal and closed thoracic drainages decreased more significantly in EN group （P= 0. 000） and the value of albumin, globulin and total protein was significantly higher also in EN group （P = 0. 000）. But the amount of BUN, creatinine and neutrophil was significantly lower in EN group （P = 0. 000）. Conclusion Early use of enteral nutrition after operation on esophageal cancer is safe, effective and practical, with more significant advantages than those of parenteral nutrition.
Objective To investigate the current status of esophageal cancer surgery-related researches using bibliometric methodologies and identify the trend and hotspots. Methods The Chinese and English literature was collected from Web of Science and CNKI from inception of each database to April 1, 2022. VOSviewer 1.6.18 and CiteSpace 6.1 were applied to cluster the authors, institutions, and keywords. For social network and time series analysis, Excel, GraphPad, and R 4.0.3 were used to visualize the literature on esophageal cancer surgery. Results Finally, 19 566 English literature and 19 872 Chinese literature was included. The results demonstrated that the annual publishing of both Chinese and English literature increased over time, with English literature increasing rapidly and Chinese literature maintaining an average number of above 1 000 per year from 2011 to 2019. Researches were predominantly centered in Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and China. China's researches in the field of surgical treatment in esophageal cancer lacked international collaboration, which began later than East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea and had less influence. From the keyword perspective, previous researches on surgical treatment of esophageal cancer mostly focused on surgical techniques, complications, and comprehensive perioperative therapy. Both Chinese and English literature showed that the prevalence of keywords such as minimally invasive surgery, comprehensive treatment, and clinical trials increased dramatically during the recent years, indicating that these fields may represent the future directions and research trends. Conclusion Compared to East Asia countries, such as Japan and South Korea, Chinese esophageal cancer surgery-related researches are relatively lacking. The research direction and field are similar to those in developed countries such as the United States and Europe. Future attention may be focused on minimally invasive treatment, comprehensive treatment, and clinical trials associated with surgical treatment of esophageal cancer.
Objective
To compare the short-term efficacy of Ivor-Lewis via hand-sewn purse-string approach and purse-string forceps approach in minimally invasive esophagectomy for middle and lower esophageal cancer, and to discuss the safety and feasibility of hand-sewn purse-string anastomosis technique for minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy (MIILE).
Methods
The clinical data of 151 patients undergoing thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophageal cancer surgery from January 2014 to January 2017 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different methods of purse string making, the patients were divided into a purse-string forceps group including 49 males and 16 females with a mean age of 67.98±7.07 years ranging from 51 to 80 years treated with forceps to make purse-string and a handcraft group including 61 males and 25 females with a mean age of 67.76±8.18 years ranging from 52 to 83 years using hand-sewn way. The perioperative data of two two groups were compared.
Results
The purse-string making time and postoperative total volume of chest drainage were less in the handcraft group than those in the purse-string forceps group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in hemorrhage during operation, the operation duration or postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). There was also no statistical difference between the two groups in the rate of anastomotic or gastric tube fistula, anastomotic stenosis, pulmonary infection or incision infection (P>0.05).
Conclusion
In minimally invasive esophagectomy for middle-lower section, MIILE by hand-sewn purse-string is as safe as purse-string forceps, with no more complications, needing no professional equipments, and easy to learn, master and promote.
Objective To study the molecular characteristics of RNA binding protein aldehyde dehydrogenase 18 family member A1 (ALDH18A1) in esophageal carcinoma cells (KYSE150 cells) and its effect on tumor growth. MethodsHuman esophageal squamous cell (KYSE150 cells) was cultured in vitro. At the same time, RNA co-immuno precipitation technology was used to study the binding of RNA and protein in the cell, and the corresponding RNA-protein complex was precipitated by the antibody of the target protein to separate and purify the captured RNA. The molecular characteristics of ALDH18A1 binding RNA were analyzed, and KyotoEncyclopedia of Genes and Genomes cluster analysis was performed for ALDH18A1 binding target genes. Results Protein immunoblotting experiments showed that the target protein was well enriched by antibodies. ALDH18A1 had extensive RNA binding activity, with significant enrichment in regions such as coding sequences, intron, and 5’untranslated region. ALDH18A1 mainly bound to the UGUAAUC motif of RNA. The cluster analysis showed that the RNA molecules bound to ALDH18A1 mainly participated in focal adhesion, central carbon metabolism in cancer, cell cycle, spliceosome, RNA transport, and ubiquitin mediated protein hydrolysis. Conclusion ALDH18A1 has the function of binding to RNA molecules and may play a role in the expression of esophageal cancer-related genes and related biological processes.
ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors for esophagogastric anastomotic leakage (EGAL) after esophageal cancer surgery, and to establish a risk prediction model for early prevention and treatment.MethodsClinical data of patients undergoing esophagectomy in our hospital from January 2013 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The independent risk factors for postoperative EGAL were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a clinical nomogram prediction model was established. According to whether EGAL occurred after operation, the patients were divided into an anastomotic fistula group and a non-anastomotic fistula group.ResultsA total of 303 patiens were enrolled, including 267 males and 36 females with a mean age of 62.30±7.36 years. The incidence rate of postoperative EGAL was 15.2% (46/303). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high blood pressure, chronic bronchitis, peptic ulcer, operation way, the number of lymph node dissected, anastomotic way, the number of intraoperative chest drainage tube, tumor location, no-supplementing albumin in the first three days after operation, postoperative pulmonary infection, postoperative use of bronchoscope were the independent risk factors for EGAL after esophageal cancer surgery (P<0.05). A prognostic nomogram model was established based on these factors with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.954 (95%CI 0.924-0.975), indicating a high predictive value.ConclusionThe clinical prediction model based on 11 perioperative risk factors in the study has a good evaluation efficacy and can promote the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of EGAL.
ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes (RLN) status for supraclavicular lymph node (SLN) metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 83 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent McKeown three-field lymphadenectomy from January 2017 to April 2018 in our hospital, including 53 males and 30 females with an average age of 64.07±7.05 years.ResultsThe SLN metastasis rate of the patients was 24.1%. The rate in the thoracic and abdominal metastases positive (N1-3) group and negative (N0) group was 37.8% and 13.0%, respectively, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). The rate of SLN metastasis was significantly different between the RLN metastasis positive (RLN+) and negative (RLN–) groups (39.1% vs. 18.3%, P<0.05). One side of RLN metastasis could lead to SLN metastasis on the opposite side. No correlation between the SLN metastasis and age, gender, location, differentiation degree, maximum tumor diameter, T-staging or histologic type was observed (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis in chest or abdomen was an independent predictor of SLN metastasis.ConclusionRLN+ is not the independent predictor for SLN metastasis. SLN should be dissected in N1-3 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma without considering tumor location and T-staging. Bilateral SLN dissection should be recommended even if RLN metastasis is only unilateral.
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of esophageal activity examination under X-ray fluoroscopy and chest CT in evaluating the resectability of upper thoracic esophageal cancer.MethodsA total of 221 upper thoracic esophageal carcinoma patients underwent radical operation between 2009 and 2015 in our hospital were enrolled, including 141 males and 80 females with a median age of 59 (47-79) years. Preoperative routine esophageal activity examination under X-ray fluoroscopy and chest enhanced CT were performed to determine whether the tumor had external invasion. The results of the two methods were compared with that observed during the operation.ResultsThe number of patients with esophageal activity score 1-6 was 70, 85, 32, 29, 2 and 3, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of esophageal activity examination was 0.897 (95%CI 0.85-0.93, P<0.001), and the cut off value was >3. According to the ROC curve activity score, 4-6 points were considered as invasion, and 1-3 points were non-invasion. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and misdiagnosis rate of esophageal activity examination was 75.0%, 89.3%, 88.2%, 10.7%, respectively, and those of CT scan were 75.0%, 66.8%, 67.4%, 33.2%, respectively. Compared with CT scan, the specificity of esophageal activity examination was higher and the misdiagnosis rate was lower. Compared with the detection during the operation, 86.7% of patients with actual invasion of trachea and 85.7% of patients with actual invasion of other parts were in accordance with the esophageal activity examination results.ConclusionEsophageal activity examination under X-ray fluoroscopy can accurately predict the resectability of upper thoracic esophageal cancer, which is a useful supplement to chest CT examination, especially in the aspect of judging the relationship between lesions and the trachea.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of perioperative fluid management on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) of esophagectomy, and to find out the optimal scheme for perioperative fluid administration.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study enrolled 75 patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer who have received esophagectomy in West China Hospital from June to December 2014. We used the Kroenke's postoperative pulmonary complications classification system to define the PPCs. Patients with PPCs of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ were considered as PPCs group (n=13, 12 males, 1 female, age of 64.62±8.64 years), and others were considered as non-complication group (n=62, 50 males, 12 females, age of 60.55±8.73 years). Intraoperative and postoperative fluid inputs and outputs as well as clinical characteristics between groups were compared.
Results
Between two groups, there was a great difference in postoperative albumin infusion, intraoperative fluid administration [net input, total input, net input/kg, total input/kg, net input/(kg·h) and total input/(kg·h)] and fluid input on the first postoerative 1–3 days (total input and total input/kg). The cutoff value for total input/(kg·h) in operation and total input on the first 1–3 postoerative days was 12.07 ml/(kg·h) and 178.57 ml/kg, respectively.
Conclusion
The speed of fluid infusion in operation and total input on postoperative 1-3 days are most important influence factors of PPCs. The speed in operation should not exceed 12.07 ml/(kg·h) and the total input on postoperative 1-3 days should not exceed 178.57 ml/kg. Within this range, an appropriate increase in fluid volume can make patients feel better.
