LINX: How I Do It and Why

The LINX device consists of a “bracelet” of magnetic beads in titanium cases, connected by individual wires placed noncompressively around the distal esophagus during laparoscopic surgery. This augments the native lower esophageal sphincter’s (LES) ability to resist reflux by increasing yield pressure and resisting shortening of the LES. Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) was conceived as a safe, stomach sparing, minimally invasive, reversible implantable device for patients seeking an alternative to laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Though initially studied in patients with limited hiatal hernias, its use has expanded to include patients with large and even giant or paraesophageal hernias with excellent results. The author’s techniques of complete esophageal dissection, precise hiatal repair, current concepts on noncompressive sizing and placement of the MSA device are reviewed in this article. MSA can be considered first-line surgical therapy for GERD patients with adequate peristalsis regardless of hernia size.

Esophagitis dissecans superficialis associated with acute transoral paraquat poisoning: Clinical study of 15 cases

To analyze the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects of transoral paraquat poisoning combined with Esophagitis dissecans superficialis (EDS). A retrospective observational study was conducted on paraquat poisoning patients between January 1, 2011 and August 30, 2016 in Qilu hospital. Fifteen patients with EDS were enrolled in this study. The clinical characteristics, prognosis, and pathological features of esophageal necrosis mucosa of these patients were retrospectively analyzed and summarized. Esophageal mucosal dissection occurs mainly within 3–8 days after transoral paraquat poisoning in 15 patients. Dosage of paraquat is range from 50 to 100 ml. Most patients have physical problems with swallowing before the intramural esophageal dissection occurred. And there are other symptoms, including sore throat or dysphagia (100%), nausea and vomiting (86.7%), heartburn or upper abdominal pain (73.3%), hematemesis (60%), abdominal distension (20%) and cough frequently (6.7%). In death group, most patients demonstrate features of the multiple organ failure when the esophageal mucosal stripping happened, including lung injury, renal failure, and hepatic failure. The shape of esophageal dissection was tubular in 60%, irregular in 40%, and they vary in size. Pathological examination showed extensive injury, necrosis and hemorrhage of digestive tract epithelium, and obvious inflammatory reaction of epithelial tissue. Transoral paraquat poisoning has certain damage to the patient’s esophageal mucosa, and some may be complicated with EDS, and the prognosis is poor, especially when combined with multiple organ dysfunction. Esophageal damage is mainly located in the esophageal mucosa and have different degrees. Special attention should be paid on such patients.

Intramucosal esophageal dissection after esophagogastroduodenoscopy: two case reports

Introduction: Intramucosal esophageal dissection (IED) is an uncommon disorder, described as the separation of the mucosa and/or submucosa from deeper muscular layers due to abrupt increase in intraesophageal pressure. Case presentation: The first case il that of a 52 – years old female patient who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy for control. After the procedure an extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the neck and a massive pneumomediastinum occurred. The patient was successfully treated with a conservative approach. The second case is that of a 43-years old male patient affected by Down’s Syndrome, who underwent an esopagogastroduodenoscopy because of persisting dysphagia. The endoscopic showed the presence of a serrated stricture at 20 centimeters from dental arcade. After the procedure he fell dysphagia. A neck-chest TC-SCAN showed superior and posterior pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema, without signs of mediastinitis. The patient was successfully treated with conservative approach. After a few days, a new chest CT-SCAN showed the presence of an anomalous right subclavian artery arising from the descending part of the aortic arch, causing dysphagia lusoria. Discussion: The causes of IED include iatrogenic instrumentation, hemostatic applications, mucosal injuries from ingestion of sharp foreign body, or spontaneous. A fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal series or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy has been widely used to diagnose IED. CT and magnetic resonance are useful for differential diagnosis. In the absence of signs of mediastinitis management is conservative. Conclusion: CT SCAN should be the first exam to perform in the suspicion of IED. The first line treatment should be conservative. In case of the onset of complications and in patients who are refractory to conservative management, endoscopic or surgical treatment are indicated.