Esophageal resection: indications, techniques, and radiologic assessment

Machine Learning for Postoperative Continuous Recovery Scores of Oncology Patients in Perioperative Care with Data from Wearables

Assessing post-operative recovery is a significant component of perioperative care, since this assessment might facilitate detecting complications and determining an appropriate discharge date. However, recovery is difficult to assess and challenging to predict, as no universally accepted definition exists. Current solutions often contain a high level of subjectivity, measure recovery only at one moment in time, and only investigate recovery until the discharge moment. For these reasons, this research aims to create a model that predicts continuous recovery scores in perioperative care in the hospital and at home for objective decision making. This regression model utilized vital signs and activity metrics measured using wearable sensors and the XGBoost algorithm for training. The proposed model described continuous recovery profiles, obtained a high predictive performance, and provided outcomes that are interpretable due to the low number of features in the final model. Moreover, activity features, the circadian rhythm of the heart, and heart rate recovery showed the highest feature importance in the recovery model. Patients could be identified with fast and slow recovery trajectories by comparing patient-specific predicted profiles to the average fast- and slow-recovering populations. This identification may facilitate determining appropriate discharge dates, detecting complications, preventing readmission, and planning physical therapy. Hence, the model can provide an automatic and objective decision support tool.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of primary malignant melanoma of esophagus: a single center experience

Background

Primary malignant melanoma of esophagus (PMME) is an extremely rare disease with poor prognosis. We aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with PMME.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients diagnosed with PMME in Samsung Medical Center between 2000 and 2020 with median 34 months of follow-up. Survival outcomes were analyzed with Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

15 patients (88.2%) were male and the most common presenting symptom was dysphagia (9/17, 52.9%). On endoscopy, tumors were mass-forming in 15 patients (88.2%) and diffusely infiltrative in two patients (11.8%). Lesions were melanotic in 13 patients (76.5%) and amelanotic in four patients (23.5%). The most common tumor location was lower esophagus (11/17, 64.7%). The disease was metastatic at the time of diagnosis in four patients (23.5%). As for treatment, 10 patients (58.8%) underwent surgery. In all 17 patients, the median overall survival was 10 months. In surgically treated patients, all patients experienced recurrence and the median disease-free survival was 4 months. There was no statistical difference in overall survival between patients with or without surgery. Patients with diffusely infiltrative tumor morphology had better overall survival compared to those with mass-forming tumor morphology (P = 0.048). Two patients who received immunotherapy as the first-line treatment without surgery showed overall survival of 34 and 18 months, respectively.

Conclusions

As radical resection for patients with PMME does not guarantee favorable treatment outcomes, novel treatment strategy is required. Further large-scale studies are warranted to determine the efficacy of immunotherapy for patients with PMME.

A Comparative Study between the Postoperative Complications of Stripping Esophagectomy and Classic (Orringer's Technique) Esophagectomy

Recent studies have suggested that morbidity and mortality rate of transhiatal esophagectomy is comparable to that of thoracotomy, calling the need for the modifications in the surgical procedures. Our methodology includes stripping of esophagus by nasogastric tube to reduce the manipulation of thoracic cavity and associated complications. We also present the comparison between the stripping and classic (Orringer's technique) esophagectomy. Patients presenting esophageal carcinoma from 2015 to 2017 were the target of this study. Patients undergoing esophagectomy were randomized to have classic or stripping esophagectomy. Operating time, manipulation time, blood losses during the surgery, duration of hospitalization, volume intake, hypotension time, arrhythmia, and transfusion were the recorded parameters. Complications, such as anastomotic leak, cardiac effects, and morbidity, were also studied. Seventy patients were referred for transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma at the Al Zahra Hospital. Mean ages of patients in the stripping and Orringer group were 64.00 ± 10.57 and 57.42 ± 12.20 years, respectively. Manipulation time, operating time, blood loss during the surgery, and transfusion were statistically significant variables between the two groups. Although volume intake and duration of hospitalization were not significantly different parameters, however, betterment in the outcomes was evident. Substantial decrease in overall complications via stripping method was obtained, hence can be suggested as an effective alternative, to remove the need of thoracotomy, for transhiatal esophagectomy.

Surgical management of esophageal stenosis due to ingestion of corrosive substances

BACKGROUND

Corrosive ingestion is a significant challenge for healthcare systems. Limited data are available regarding the best treatments, and there remains a lack of consensus about the optimal surgical approach and its outcomes. This study aims to review the current literature and show a single institution's experience regarding the surgical treatment of esophageal stenosis due to corrosive substance ingestion.

METHODS

A retrospective review that accounted for demographics, psychiatric profiles, surgical procedures, and outcomes was performed. A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed.

RESULTS

In total, 27 surgical procedures for esophageal stenosis due to corrosive substance ingestion were performed from 2010 to 2019. Depression and drug abuse were diagnosed in 30% and 22% of the included patients, respectively. Esophagectomies and esophageal bypasses were performed in 13 and 14 patients, respectively. No 30-day mortality was recorded.

CONCLUSION

Surgical intervention either by esophagectomy or esophageal bypass results in durable relief from dysphagia. However, successful clinical outcomes depend on a high-quality multidisciplinary network of esophageal and thoracic surgeons, intensivists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and nutritional teams.

Safety and feasibility of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with prior esophageal surgery

BACKGROUND

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a specialized form of cardiac ultrasound and has been associated with rare but serious complications. In patients with prior esophageal surgery, the risk of esophageal damage or the inability to perform a comprehensive and successful TEE warrants further evaluation.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients with prior esophageal surgery who underwent TEE between June 21, 2002 and October 15, 2019. Medical and echocardiographic records were reviewed for image quality and procedural complications. Post-procedure complications and 30-day all-cause mortality were collected. Evaluation by gastroenterology (GI), otolaryngology/ear, nose, throat (ENT), or thoracic surgery (TS) within 30 days of TEE was reviewed in detail.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients with prior esophageal surgery underwent 145 TEEs. The most commonly performed esophageal procedures were anti-reflux operations (89%). TEE image quality was degraded in 16% while transgastric imaging was not completed in 37% of cases. A comprehensive TEE was completed in 57% of patients with diagnostic study goals achieved in 96% of cases. Comments describing procedural difficulty were reported in 6% while comments on procedural complications occurred in 1% of cases. Post-procedure complications occurred in 1% of patients including hypotension and unplanned hospital/ICU admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Concern for esophageal damage and the inability to perform a comprehensive and diagnostic TEE may limit the usefulness of TEE in patients with prior esophageal surgery. While TEE-associated complications were rare in this series, a conservative approach with a thorough pre-procedure assessment, including multi-disciplinary evaluation when appropriate, is prudent in this complex cohort of patients.

Transhiatal versus Left Transthoracic Esophagectomy for Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer; The Impact of Surgical Approach on Postoperative Complications

BACKGROUND Esophagectomy is the mainstay of treatment for esophageal cancer. Although different surgical approaches have been described, choosing the most appropriate technique is still on debate. We compared the complications of transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) versus left transthoracic esophagectomy (LTE) among a group of Iranian patients with gastroesophageal junction cancer. METHODS This was a retrospective study between 2011 and 2013 on 40 patients with gastroesophageal cancer. 23 patients underwent THE and the others underwent LTE. 30-day postoperative mortality, complications, duration of hospital stay, and number of dissected lymph nodes were studied. RESULTS 37.5% of the patients had squamous cell carcinoma. No mortality was seen. Totally, 10 patients suffered from complications. Cardiac and pulmonary complications occurred in eight and six patients, respectively. No patients suffered from vocal cord injuries and anastomotic leakage. The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 11.82 ± 3.8 days, and the mean number of dissected lymph nodes was 8.2 ± 3.9. No significant difference was seen between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Choosing between the approaches for resection of gastroesophageal cancer may not impact the complications and mortality rates. We propose that LTE approach could be used safely in comparison with THE, and that selecting between THE and LTE may be based on the surgeon's preference and experience.

Treatment of post-thoracic endovascular aortic repair aorto-esophageal fistula-only radical surgery can be effective: techniques and sequence of treatment

Aorto-esophageal fistulas (AEFs) are rare after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), being associated with the presence of mediastinal hematoma and the need for emergency TEVAR. Left untreated, AEFs are always lethal. "Redo"-stent-grafting can serve as a "bridging" procedure in hemodynamically unstable patients, but is not a durable therapy. Radical surgery is shown to be the most durable and effective treatment. This includes esophagectomy, stent-graft removal and aortic replacement followed by esophageal reconstruction, e.g., gastric pull-up operation. Aortic reconstruction can be performed by the use of self-made bovine pericardial tubes. A bilateral anterior ("clam-shell") thoracotomy can be chosen for surgical exposure in revision cases after previous sternotomy, in which the ascending aorta, aortic arch and proximal descending aorta require reconstruction.

HPV, KRAS mutations, alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking effects on esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma carcinogenesis

Esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an invasive neoplastic disease generally associated with poor survival rates. The incidence of ESCC is characterized by marked geographic variation, with highest rates noted in developing Southeastern African, Central and Eastern Asian countries. In the developed Western European and North American regions where there is a low disease incidence, heavy alcohol and cigarette consumption constitute major risk factors. The toxic effects of both these risk factors cause chronic irritation and inflammation of the esophageal mucosa, while at the cellular level they further confer mutagenic effects by the activation of oncogenes (e.g., RAS mutations), inhibition of tumor-suppressor genes, and profound DNA damage. Viral infections, particularly with human papillomavirus, may activate specific antiapoptotic, proliferative and malignant cellular responses that may be intensified in combination with the effects of alcohol and tobacco. In countries with a high ESCC incidence, low socioeconomic status and an inadequate diet of poorly preserved food are combined with basic nutritional deficiencies and inadequate medical treatment. These conditions are favorable to the above-mentioned risk factors implicated in ESCC development, which may be present and/or habitually used in certain populations. New perspectives in epidemiological studies of ESCC development and its risk factors allow genome-wide research involving specific environments and habits. Such research should consist of adequately large and representative samples, should use newly designed informative genetic markers, and apply genomic variation analysis of the functional transcripts involved in malignant cell cycle regulation and neoplastic transformation in the multi-step process of ESCC carcinogenesis.

Esophagectomy and Gastric Pull-through Procedures: Surgical Techniques, Imaging Features, and Potential Complications

Esophagectomy takes the center stage in the curative treatment of local and local-regional esophageal cancer. It is a complex procedure with a high postoperative complication rate. When interpreting imaging studies, radiologists must understand the surgical techniques used and their potential complications. The most common surgical techniques are transthoracic esophagectomies, such as the Ivor Lewis and McKeown techniques, and transhiatal esophagectomy. Variations of these techniques include different choices of conduit (ie, stomach, colon, or jejunum) to serve in lieu of the resected esophagus. Postoperative imaging and accurate interpretation is vital in the aftercare of these patients. Chest radiographs, esophagrams, and computed tomographic images play an essential role in early identification of complications. Pulmonary complications and anastomotic leaks are the leading causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality secondary to esophagectomy. Other complications include technical and functional problems and delayed complications such as anastomotic strictures and disease recurrence. An esophagographic technique is described that is performed by using hand injection of contrast material into an indwelling nasogastric tube. Familiarity with the various types of esophagectomy and an understanding of possible complications are of utmost importance for radiologists and allow them to be key participants in the treatment of patients undergoing these complicated procedures.

Post-discharge complications after esophagectomy account for high readmission rates

AIM: To identify rates of post-discharge complications (PDC), associated risk factors, and their influence on early hospital outcomes after esophagectomy.

METHODS: We used the 2005-2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database to identify patients ≥ 18 years of age who underwent an esophagectomy. These procedures were categorized into four operative approaches: transhiatal, Ivor-Lewis, 3-holes, and non-gastric conduit. We selected patient data based on clinical relevance to patients undergoing esophagectomy and compared demographic and clinical characteristics. The primary outcome was PDC, and secondary outcomes were hospital readmission and reoperation. The patients were then divided in 3 groups: no complication (Group 1), only pre-discharge complication (Group 2), and PDC patients (Group 3). A modified Poisson regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with developing post-discharge complication, and risk ratios were estimated.

RESULTS: 4483 total patients were identified, with 8.9% developing PDC within 30-d after esophagectomy. Patients who experienced complications post-discharge had a median initial hospital length of stay (LOS) of 9 d; however, PDC occurred on average 14 d following surgery. Patients with PDC had greater rates of wound infection (41.0% vs 19.3%, P < 0.001), venous thromboembolism (16.3% vs 8.9%, P < 0.001), and organ space surgical site infection (17.1% vs 11.0%, P = 0.001) than patients with pre-discharge complication. The readmission rate in our entire population was 12.8%. PDC patients were overwhelmingly more likely to have a reoperation (39.5% vs 22.4%, P < 0.001) and readmission (66.9% vs 6.6%, P < 0.001). BMI 25-29.9 and BMI ≥ 30 were associated with increased risk of PDC compared to normal BMI (18.5-25).

CONCLUSION: PDC after esophagectomy account for significant number of reoperations and readmissions. Efforts should be directed towards optimizing patient’s health pre-discharge, with possible prevention programs at discharge.

Complex Esophageal Reconstruction Procedures Have Acceptable Outcomes Compared With Routine Esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Complex esophageal reconstruction (CER) is defined as restoring esophageal continuity in a previously operated field, using a nongastric conduit, or after esophageal diversion. This study compares the outcomes of CER with non-CER (NCER), which uses an undisturbed stomach for reconstruction.

METHODS

This single-institution retrospective cohort study compares 75 CERs with 75 NCERs from 1995 to 2014 that were matched for cancer versus benign disease. Distributions of demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and complications were compared between CER and NCER. Odds of mortality at 30 and 90 days were calculated with logistic regression. Overall survival was illustrated with Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Although patients were similar in age, sex, and preoperative comorbidities, more non-white patients underwent CER (p = 0.04). Most NCER patients had adenocarcinoma (44%) or Barrett's high-grade dysplasia (39%); most CER patients had other benign disease (44%) or squamous cell carcinoma (24%, p < 0.01). CER had statistically significantly higher rates of reoperation, pneumonia, infection, and gastrointestinal complications, and longer median length of stay than NCER. Odds of mortality for CER and NCER at 30 days (odds ratio [OR] 1.0, 95% CI: 0.1 to 16.3), 90 days (OR 2.6, 95% CI: 0.5 to 13.9) and overall (adjusted hazard ratio 1.56, 95% CI: 0.9 to 2.7) were not statistically significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with NCER, CER patients had higher rates of return to the operating room, more postoperative infections and gastrointestinal complications, and longer length of stay. However, 30-day, 90-day, and overall survival were similar. CER should be offered to patients with acceptable risks and anticipated long-term survival.

The dynamic of nasogastric decompression after esophagectomy and its predictive value of postoperative complications

BACKGROUND

To investigate the regularity and the influence factors of nasogastric decompression volume after esophagectomy, and explore whether the volume of nasogastric decompression can be employed as a predictor for postoperative complications of esophageal carcinoma.

METHODS

Consecutive 247 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy were retrospectively evaluated. The volume of postoperative nasogastric decompression was recorded and the regularity based on it was described. The single and multiple factors regression analysis were used to find out relative factors of the nasogastric decompression volume among the patients without postoperative complication. Gender, age, height, weight, tobacco or alcohol exposure, location of the tumor, histological type, pathological staging, operation time, surgical procedures, anastomotic position and gastric conduit reconstruction were considered as the independent variable. Then, verify the former regression models using the data of patients with postoperative complications.

RESULTS

In trend analysis, the curve estimation revealed a quadratic trend in the relationship between nasogastric decompression volume and postoperative days (R(2) =0.890, P=0.004). The volume of postoperative nasogastric decompression was described by daily drainage (mL) =82.215 + 69.620 × days - 6.604 × days(2). The results of multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that gastric conduit reconstruction (β=0.410, P=0.000), smoking (β=-0.231, P=0.000), age (β=-0.193, P=0.001) and histological type of the tumor (β=-0.169, P=0.006) were significantly related to the volume of nasogastric decompression. The average drainage in 5 days after surgery =262.287 + 132.873 × X1 - 72.160 × X2 - 27.904 × X3 - 36.368 × X4 (X1, gastric conduit reconstruction; X2, smoking; X3, histological type; X4, age). The nasogastric decompression of the patients with delayed gastric emptying, and lung infection statistically differ from their predictive values respectively according to the former equation (P<0.01), but the data of anastomotic leakage cases had no significance difference (P=0.344).

CONCLUSIONS

It is found that the volume of postoperative nasogastric decompression presents a quadratic trend based on the days after esophagectomy. Gastric conduit reconstruction, smoking history, age and histological type were independent factors affecting on the volume of postoperative nasogastric decompression. Also, the volume of nasogastric decompression has validity and application value for predicting postoperative complications.

The role of ultrasound and computed tomography in the evaluation of subcutaneous esophageal bypass in a dysphagic patient

Several conditions require subcutaneous colon bypass surgery in the esophageal diseases treatment. Esophageal reconstructions are high risk procedures because of their morbidity and mortality rate. Cervical anastomotic strictures, colon transplant redundancy, recurrent dysphagia, intestinal obstruction, regurgitation, and aspiration are the most frequent late complications. The patient assessment should be performed with noninvasive methods in order to prevent long-term complications. We report the use of ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) for evaluating a dysphagic patient, after subcutaneous esophageal bypass. A thorax and upper abdomen contrast media CT study with volume rendering reconstruction was performed in order to evaluate late post operative complications. In addition a US examination, performed after CT scan, was used for the assessment of the colonic wall and its vascularization. The subcutaneous esophageal bypass allowed for an effective ultrasound evaluation with no additional discomfort for the patient. ultrasonography has been shown effective in the esophageal bypass follow up, when subcutaneous colon bypass surgery was performed. The ultrasonography evaluation, also thanks to a Doppler flowmetry, allowed completing the patient assessment without additional invasive procedures or contrast. Thus it may be performed as a first level evaluation or in the follow up of subcutaneous esophageal bypass patients.

Significant variation of resected meso-esophageal tissue volume in two-stage subtotal esophagectomy specimens: a retrospective morphometric study

BACKGROUND

Differences in the extent and quality of surgical resection for esophageal cancer may influence the pathological staging and patient outcome. There are no data in the literature qualitatively and/or quantitatively characterizing esophagectomy specimens.

METHODS

Macroscopic images of 161 esophagectomy specimens were analyzed retrospectively. The extent of resection was qualitatively classified as "muscularis propria," "intra-meso-esophageal," or "meso-esophageal." The volume of meso-esophageal tissue was quantified morphometrically. The number of muscle defects per specimen was counted. Results were related to clinicopathological variables, including survival.

RESULTS

Sixty-two (39%) specimens were classified as "muscularis propria," 65 (40%) as "intra-meso-esophageal," and 34 (21%) as "meso-esophageal." The morphometrically measured meso-esophageal tissue volume was different between the three types (P < 0.001). The specimen type was related to the total number of lymph nodes (P = 0.02), number of metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.024), and depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.013), but not related to extramural tumor volume, circumferential resection margin status, or the surgeon performing the resection. The number of muscle defects per specimen was similar in all resection types. The resection specimen classification was related to survival in patients treated by surgery alone (P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to quantify and classify the volume of tissue resected during esophagectomy. Our study shows significant variation of the resected tissue volume impacting pathological tumor staging. This variation was not associated with individual surgeon performance. A prospective, multicenter study is needed to validate our results and to investigate the potential biological mechanisms influencing the resectable volume of meso-esophageal tissue in cancer patients.

Imaging following surgery for oesophageal cancer

The incidence of oesophageal malignancy is increasing in the UK. Surgical management with oesophagectomy is determined by tumour location, stage and extent of lymphadenectomy,and is also dependent on patient age and co-morbidity. Surgery is associated with considerable postoperative morbidity and mortalities of up to 7%. The indications for imaging and findings in both the immediate and delayed postoperative periods are discussed.

Risk factors for an intraoperative arrhythmia during esophagectomy

PURPOSE

Arrhythmias after an esophagectomy (most commonly atrial fibrillation) are a significant contributing factor to patient morbidity. However, the significance of an intraoperative arrhythmia is not completely understood. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the occurrence and risk factors for developing intraoperative arrhythmias in patients undergoing an esophagectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the records of 427 patients who underwent a transthoracic esophagectomy between 2001 and 2005. Variables such as age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease, preoperative pulmonary function test (PFT) results, cancer level, combined radiochemotherapy, intrathoracic cavity adhesions and anastomosis site, hemoglobin, central venous pressure (CVP), fluid balance, serum potassium level, dose of vasopressors, temperature, and combined general and epidural anesthesia were analyzed as risk factors for the occurrence of an arrhythmia. We defined this arrhythmia as one not originating from the sinus node.

RESULTS

The incidence of intraoperative arrhythmia in this subset of patients was 17.1%, with a 37.2% reoccurrence rate during the first three postoperative days. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed the presence of heart disease, poor PFTs, cervical anastomosis, elevated CVP, and higher ephedrine doses to be independent predictors of the development of an intraoperative arrhythmia.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of intraoperative arrhythmia during esophagectomy was 17.1% with a 37.2% of reoccurrence rate.

A new technique for substernal colon transposition with a breast dissector: report of 39 cases

This paper investigates the effectiveness of the breast dissector to create a substernal space for oesophageal reconstruction. The surgeon must be extremely careful while dissecting the tissue below the sternum in order to avoid pneumothorax. The endoscopically assisted preparation of the substernal route is safe but it requires appropriate training. A retrospective study on 68 patients who underwent oesophageal reconstruction was done analysing the patients' records. In 39 cases, the breast dissector was used. In 29 cases, the substernal tunnel was created with hand dissection only. All 68 colon segments were successfully transferred in the two groups of patients. In all 39 the cases where the breast dissector was used no pneumothorax followed. In 10 (34%) patients of the control group pneumothorax occurred. Concluding, no more pneumothorax has occurred during the substernal oesophageal reconstruction since we started using the breast dissector.

Recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus after curative surgery: rates and patterns on imaging studies correlated with tumour location and pathological stage

Many factors have been related to recurrence after resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. These include age, gender, location and local stage of tumours, cell differentiation, lymph node metastasis and vascular involvement. The recurrence rates of squamous cell carcinoma after curative surgery are high (34-79%). Tumour recurrence is categorized as locoregional or distant. Lymph node recurrence and haematogenous metastasis to solid organs (commonly to the lung) are the usual patterns of recurrence. Awareness of recurrence patterns, particularly on imaging studies, is essential for the diagnosis of recurrent tumours on follow-up examinations.

The postoperative stomach

Gastric surgery may be performed for the treatment of a variety of benign and malignant diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including peptic ulcers and gastric carcinoma. Radiographic studies with water-soluble contrast agents often are obtained to rule out leaks, obstruction, or other acute complications during the early postoperative period. Barium studies may also be obtained to evaluate for anastomotic strictures or ulcers, bile reflux gastritis, recurrent tumor, or other chronic complications during the late postoperative period. Cross-sectional imaging studies such as CT are also helpful for detecting abscesses or other postoperative collections, recurrent or metastatic tumor, or less common complications such as afferent loop syndrome or gastrojejunal intussusception. It is important for radiologists to be familiar not only with the radiographic findings associated with these various abnormalities but also with the normal appearances of the postoperative stomach on radiographic examinations, so that such appearances are not mistaken for pseudoleaks or other postoperative complications. The purpose of this article is to describe the normal postsurgical anatomy after the most commonly performed operations (including partial gastrectomy, esophagogastrectomy and gastric pull-through, and total gastrectomy and esophagojejunostomy) and to review the acute and chronic complications, normal postoperative findings, and major abnormalities detected on radiographic examinations in these patients.

Postoperative radiologic evaluation of the esophagus

A wide range of surgical procedures are performed for either benign and malignant esophageal lesions, that may be classified as demolitive or conservative interventions. The former is characterized by resection and replacement of the esophagus with another organ, whereas conservative surgery is obtained preserving esophageal function without resection. Knowledge of surgical techniques and major complications is extremely important for a correctly performed radiographic study and a proper interpretation of the imaging findings. Functional evaluation of the operated alimentary tract and early detection of postoperative complications are essential for a successful recovery of esophageal surgery patients. We provide a brief overview of the main esophageal surgical procedures, reporting our experience on postoperative imaging of 104 patients submitted to surgery for either benign or malignant esophageal disease during a 6-year period.

Radiologic diagnosis of gastrointestinal perforation

Perforations of the gastrointestinal tract have many causes. Holes in the wall of gastrointestinal organs can be created by blunt or penetrating trauma, iatrogenic injury, inflammatory conditions that penetrate the serosa or adventitia, extrinsic neoplasms that invade the gastrointestinal tract, or primary neoplasms that penetrate outside the wall of gastrointestinal organs. This article provides a radiologic approach for investigating the wide variety of gastrointestinal perforations. General principles about contrast agents and studies are reviewed, and then perforations in specific gastrointestinal organs are discussed.