First finding of Greeffiella Cobb, 1922 (Nematoda, Desmoscolecida) in the Black Sea

The first finding of the genus Greeffiella Cobb 1922 (Greeffiellinae, Desmoscolecidae) in the Black Sea is presented. Two mature females were collected in Northwestern Shelf of Crimea in strongly silted fine sand with detritus at a water depth of 56 m. Greeffiella sp. is described and illustrated. The absence of males in the collections does not allow the authors to present it as a new species for science or to identify it as one of the known species of the genus Greeffiella. Black sea specimen is distinguished from the other known species of the genus Greeffiella with the presence of 8 pairs of thicker specific setae along the body, the basis of which looks like a small lamina, but without hairs, which was previously described for G. pierri Schrage & Gerlach, 1975 and G. australis Schrage & Gerlach, 1975. The short esophagus at the base has two salivary glands and a cardia. Cardia has not been mentioned before for the known species of the genus Greeffiella.

Causes of unsatisfactory results after laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair

Purpose of the study. To analyze the causes of unsatisfactory results after laparoscopic repair of hiatal hernia, complicated by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the treatment of 171 patients, who underwent laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair for the period 2009–2018 was carried out. In case of hiatal hernia defect 5 or more cm 29 (29.6%) of 98 patients performed the mesh hiatal hernia repair. Nissen fundoplication was used in 109 (63.7%) patients, Toupet fundoplication – in 62 (36.3%) patients. Intra‑abdominal esophagus segment length was measured intraoperatively after mediastinal mobilization, and after desuflation before the creation of the fundoplication wrap. In the long‑term postoperative period in patients, who did not have complaints the length of fundoplication wrap was measured. The causes of reoperations were analyzed. Results. In the long‑term period, recurrence was noted in 34 (19.9%) patients, persistent dysphagia was noted in 10 (5.8%) patients, the overall unsatisfactory result was 22.8% (39 patients). 26 (15.2%) patients were unsatisfied their present condition (according to the GERD‑HRQL questionnaire). The use of mesh repair in comparison with simple suture repair not affected on frequency of recurrence in case of hernia 5 cm or more – 4 (13.8%) versus 14 (20.3%), CI: 0.19–2.1, p=0.44. The choice of fundoplication method (Nissen or Toupet) not affected on recurrence rate – 17.4% (19/109) versus 24.2% (15/62), CI: 0.71–3.24, p=0.39. The length of the fundoplication wrap at uppercontrastradiographswas 3.2 cm (2.3–3.7 cm). Intraoperativly after desuflation, the shortening of the esophagus was 1.3 cm (0.5–2 cm). 12 (7%) patients were reoperated. The shortening of the esophagus was revealed in all cases of reoperations. Conclusion. Unreduced during the first operation short esophagus, which was diagnosed during all reoperations, was one of the possible factors, affecting the frequency of recurrence in the long term. Further studies are needed to evaluate the use of lengthening esophagus procedure on the long-term outcomes.

The Collis Procedure and the Acquired Short Esophagus

One of the most intriguing problems in modern esophageal surgery is the acquired short esophagus. While some authors recognize this entity, others deny its existence. There is a consensus about types of the short esophagus, its etiology and pathophysiology. Definitive diagnosis can be established only intraoperatively. There are a few surgical procedures for this problem, and most frequently is used Collis gastroplasty with fundoplication. In this review we emphasize recent literature data and further perspectives of the Collis procedure.