General Surgery (Upper GI) Flashcards
Give 4 presenting features of GORD
Burning retrosternal chest pain
Excessive belching
Odynophagia
Chronic cough
Give 3 differentials for GORD
Malignancy
Peptic Ulcer
Oesophagitis
Describe the LA Classification of GORD (based on mucosal breaks in distal oesophagus)
A - breaks<5mm
B - breaks>5mm
C - breaks extending between the tops of two folds (but circumference<75%)
D- same as C but circumference>75%
Describe the Savary Miller Grading of GORD
1 - Single/Multiple erosions on a single fold
2 - Multiple erosions on multiple folds
3 - Multiple circumferential erosions
4 - Ulcer/Stenosis/Shortening
5 - Barrett’s Oesophagus
What is 24hr pH monitoring in GORD?
Used when medical treatment has failed and surgery is considered
Often used in combination with Manometry
Used to correlate oesophageal pH with symptoms
Give 3 indications for surgery in GORD
Failure to respond to medical therapy
Patient’s Preference (avoiding long term meds)
Complications of GORD
Describe the three surgical options for GORD
Fundoplication (Fundus wrapped around GOJ)
Stretta (Radiofrequency causing thickening of LOS)
Linx (String of magnetic beads inserted around LOS laproscopically)
State three post op complications of Fundoplication
Dysphagia
Bloating
Inability to vomit
Generally resolves after 6 weeks
Define Barrett’s Oesophagus
Metaplasia of lower oesophagus, transitioning from stratified squamous to simple columnar
How would Barrett’s Oesophagus appear on endoscopy?
Red and Velvety
How would you manage Barrett’s Oesophagus?
High dose PPi (BD)
Surveillance (monitoring for any dysplasia)
If high grade dysplasia - muscosal/submucosal resection
State four histological types of Oesophageal Cancer
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Leimyosarcoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Describe 3 associations of SCC of Oesophagus, including where it normally occurs
Middle and Upper 1/3 of Oesophagus
Smoking, Excess Alcohol, Xeropthalmia
Describe 3 associations of Adenocarcinoma of Oesophagus, including where it normally occurs
Lower 1/3 of Oesophagus
GORD, Obesity, High Dietary Fat
Give four features of Oesophageal Cancer
Progressive Dysphagia (RED FLAG)
Weight Loss (RED FLAG)
Odynophagia
Hoarseness
Describe the inital investigation for suspected Oesophageal Cancer and then 3 further investiagtions
Initial - OGD and biopsy
CT Chest/Abdo/Pelvis
Endoscopic USS (Penetration into oesophageal wall)
Hoarseness? - Bronchoscopy
Describe 3 palliative managements of Oesophageal Cancer
Stent
Thickened Fluid
Photodynamic Therapy
What is Photodynamic Therapy?
Photosensitising agent that when exposed to a certain wavelength of light produces a certain oxygen that kills nearby cells
The curative management of Oesophageal Cancer is surgical resection (this is challenging in the upper 1/3). Describe the procedure in two brief steps
1) Removal of tumour, top of the stomach and surrounding lymph nodes
2) Remaining stomach is made into a conduit and brought up into chest to replace the oesophagus
Name three things to consider for patients about to undergo Oesophageal resection (Iver Lewis)
Major Surgery as both chest and abdo cavities need to be opened
One lung needs to be deflated intra-operatively for 2 hours
Lose resevoir capacity of stomach (requiring either jejunostomy or small frequent feeding)
What are the two types of Oesophageal Tears?
Full Thickness
Partial Thickness
Describe the pathophysiology of a Full Thickness Oesophageal Tear (i.e Oesophageal Perforation)
-Can be iatrogenic or after severe forceful vomiting
-Normally just above the diaphragm in the left posterolateral position
-Causes leakage of stomach contents into pleural cavity
How would a Full Thickness Oesophageal Tear present? (HINT: Mackler’s Triad)
Sudden onset retrosternal chest pain
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Severe vomiting
Give three possible investigations for a Full Thickness Oesophageal Tears
CXR (Pneumomediastinum)
CT (with oral contrast)
Endoscopy
Describe the general 4 step management plan for a Full Thickness Oesophageal Perforation
`1) Control the Leak
2) Eradicate contamination
3) Decompress the oesophagus
4) Nutritional support
How would you surgically control the leak of a Full Thickness Oesophageal Perforation (ie Step 1)?
Repair using flap from diaphragm
How would you surgically decompress the Oesophagus (ie Step 2)?
Insertion of trans-gastric drain (from oesophagus into fundus of the stomach)
What is a Partial Thickness Oesophageal Tear (AKA Mallory Weiss)?
Lacerations at oesophageal mucosa often after profuse vomiting (leading to brief episode of haematemesis)
Generally small and self limiting unless on anti-coags
Describe the anatomy of the Oesophagus in terms of muscle types
Upper 1/3 = Skeletal Muscle
Middle 1/3 = Skeletal and Smooth Muscle
Lower 1/3 = Smooth Muscle
State the purposes of the UOS and LOS respectively
UOS - Prevents air entering Oesophagus
LOS - Prevents reflux of contents into Oesophagus
Describe the Peristaltic Waves of the Oesophagus
Controlled by Oesophageal Myenteric Neurones
First Wave - Under control of swallowing centre
Second Wave - In response to distension
Define Achalasia
Failure of relaxation of LOS and progressive failure of Oesophageal Contraction (continued squeezing against obstruction)
Give four presenting features of Achalasia
Progressive dysphagia with solids AND liquids
Regurgitation
Coughing
Weight Loss
Achalasia often requires an endoscopy to rule out a malignant cause. What is the gold standard investigation for Achalasia?
Oesophageal Manometry (pressure sensitive probe inserted into Oesophagus, measuring pressure of sphincter and surrounding muscle)
Shows absence of oesophageal peristalsis, failure of relaxation of LOS, High Resting LOS tone
How would Achalasia appear on a Barium Swallow?
Proximal Dilation with Birds Beak appearance
Describe three conservative managements of Achalasia
Using many pillows
Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly
CCBs/Botox
Describe the two surgical managements of Achalasia
Endoscopic Balloon Dilation (stretches fibres of LOS, good response but risk of perforation)
Laproscopic Heller Myotomy (division of specific muscular fibres enabling LOS to relax)
What is Diffuse Oesophageal Spasm?
Multifocal high amplitude contractions of the oesophagus due to dysfunction of Oesophageal Inhibitory Nerves (can progress to Achalasia)
Give 3 clinical features of Diffuse Oesophageal Spasm
Severe dysphagia to solids and liquids
Central chest pain
Responsive to nitrates (therefoe may be difficult to distinguish from Angina)
What would the Manometry of Diffuse Oesophageal Spasm show?
Repetitive, simultaneous and ineffective contractions of the Oesophagus
Describe three possible managements of Diffuse Oesophageal Spasm
Nitrates and CCB
Pneumatic Dilation (if high LOS tone aswell)
Myotomy (if severe)
Other than Achalasia and Diffuse Oesophageal Spasm, give two causes of Oesophageal Dysmotility
Systemic Sclerosis
Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis
Describe the 2 types of Hiatus Hernia
Sliding - GOJ, Abdominal Oesophagus and Cardia slide up through diaphragmatic hernia into thorax
Rolling (AKA Paraoesophageal) - Upwards movement of Gastric Fundus to lie laterally to a normally positioned GOJ
Describe four clinical features of Hiatus Hernia
GORD symptoms
Hiccoughs (Diaphragmatic Irritation)
Palpitations (Pericardial Sac Irritation)
Swallowing Difficulties
What would the OGD of a Sliding Hernia feature?
Z line - Upwards displacement of GOJ
Hiatus Hernias are managed conservatively the same as GORD. Name three things that would qualify a patient for surgery
Symptomatic despite maximal medical therapy
High risk of Strangulation/Volvulus
Nutritional Failure
Describe two surgical options for Hiatus Hernia
Cruroplasty - Hernia reduced and hiatus reapproximated to right size
Fundoplication - Fundus wrapped around GOJ
How would a Gastric Volvulus present? (AKA Borchardts Triad)?
Severe Epigastric Pain
Wretching without vomiting
Inability to pass NG tube
Define Peptic Ulcer
A break in the lining of the GI tract extending through to the muscularis mucosa
Usually occurs in first part of Duodenum or Lesser Curvature of stomach
H.Pylori is often present in Peptic Ulcers (90% Duodenal and 70% Gastric), describe how the bacteria causes it
Produces an alkaline microenvironemnt via Urease
Degrades surface glycoproteins
Reduces bicarbonate layer
How do NSAIDs cause Peptic Ulcers?
Inhibits Prostaglandin Synthesis
Reduces secretion of glycoprotein/phospholipids/mucous
State the two types of Physiological Stress causing Peptic Ulcers
Head Trauma -Cushing’s Ulcer
Severe Burns - Curling’s Ulcer