No abstract available.
Esophagogastric Junction

No abstract available.
Esophagogastric Junction*

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder characterized by incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and aperistalsis of the esophageal body. Treatment of achalasia is aimed at decreasing the resting pressure in the LES. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), derived from natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and advances in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), presents a novel, minimally invasive, and curative endoscopic treatment for achalasia. POEM involves an esophageal mucosal incision followed by creation of a submucosal tunnel crossing the esophagogastric junction and myotomy before closure of the mucosal incision. Although the procedure is technically demanding and requires a certain degree of skill and competency, treatment success is high (90%) with low complication rates. Since the first described POEM in humans in 2010, it has been used increasingly at centers worldwide. This article reviews available published clinical studies demonstrating POEM efficacy and safety in order to present a proposal on how to establish a dedicated POEM program and reach base proficiency for the procedure.
Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Humans ; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery ; Relaxation

Current parameters of the Chicago classification include assessment of the esophageal body (contraction vigour and peristalsis), lower esophageal sphincter relaxation pressure, and intra-bolus pressure pattern. Esophageal disorders include achalasia, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, major disorders of peristalsis, and minor disorders of peristalsis. Sub-classification of achalasia in types I, II, and III seems to be useful to predict outcomes and choose the optimal treatment approach. The real clinical significance of other new parameters and disorders is still under investigation.
Classification* ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Humans ; Peristalsis ; Relaxation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) is a modality that enables clinicians to measure volume-controlled distension of the esophagus. This study aimed to assess the utility of EndoFLIP in patients who had achalasia treated with peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). We hypothesized that improvement in the distensibility index (DI) is correlated with the postoperative clinical outcome of POEM. METHODS: Patients who underwent POEM for achalasia at Cha Bundang Medical Center were included. Physiological measurements of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure before and after POEM were assessed using EndoFLIP. Patients’ symptoms were recorded using the Eckardt score. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients with achalasia were included in this study. Patients with a post-POEM DI below 7 (30 or 40 mL) had a significantly higher rate of incomplete response after POEM (p=0.001). Changes in LES pressure or integrated relaxation pressure after POEM were also significantly associated with an incomplete response (p=0.026 and p=0.016, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that post-POEM DI < 7 was the most important predictor of an incomplete response after POEM (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Lower post-POEM DI values were associated with an incomplete post-POEM response. Therefore, post-POEM DI at the esophagogastric junction using EndoFLIP is a useful index for predicting the clinical outcome of POEM in patients with achalasia.
Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Relaxation ; Treatment Outcome

A laparoscopic wedge resection for a submucosal tumor, which is close to the gastroesophageal junction, is technically challenging. This can be a dilemma to both patients and surgeons when the tumor margin involves the gastroesophageal junction because a wedge resection in this situation might result in a deformity of the gastroesophageal junction or an injury to the lower esophageal sphincter, which ultimately results in lifelong gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient was a 42 year-old male, whose preoperative endoscopic ultrasonographic finding did not rule out a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. He underwent a laparoscopic gastric wedge resection and prophylactic anterior partial fundoplication (Dor) and was discharged from hospital on the fifth postoperative day without any complications. There were no symptoms of reflux 5 months after surgery. A laparoscopic wedge resection and prophylactic anti-reflux surgery might be a good surgical option for a submucosal tumor at the gastroesophageal junction.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Fundoplication ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Male

Transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation (TLESR) is defined as LES relaxation without a swallow. TLESRs are observed in both of the normal individuals and the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). However, TLESR is widely considered as the major mechanism of the GERD. The new equipments such as high resolution manometry and impedance pH study is helped to understand of TLESR and the related esophageal motor activities. The strong longitudinal muscle contraction was observed during development of TLESR. Most of TLESRs are terminated by TLESR related motor events such as primary peristalsis and secondary contractions. The majority of TLESRs are associated with gastroesophageal reflux. Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) contraction is mainly associated with liquid reflux during recumbent position and UES relaxation predominantly related with air reflux during upright position. The frequency of TLESR in GERD patients seems to be not different compared to normal individuals, but the refluxate of GERD patients tend to be more acidic during TLESR.
Esophageal Sphincter, Lower/*physiology ; Esophagogastric Junction/physiology ; Esophagus/*physiology ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/*physiopathology ; Humans ; Muscle Relaxation/physiology

BACKGROUND: The high pressure zone(HPZ) at the gastroesophageal junction is an important barrier for prevention of gastroesophageal reflux. Smooth muscle layers in the lower esophageal sphincter mainly contributes to HPZ at the throacoabdominal junction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the manometric characteristics of the thoracoabdominal junction in patients after surgical removal of the lower esophageal sphincter. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty two patients with prior esophagogastrectomy(10 Ivor-Lewis method and 12 left thoracotomy) and 30 normal adults(control group) were studied manometrically. RESULT: Esophageal manometry showed a HPZ and pressure inversion point distal to the anastomosis in 12 of 22 patients(2 of 10 patients with Ivor-Lewis method and 10 of 12 patients with left thoracotomy) and a HPZ in 30 of 30 normal adults. The location of HPZ from nostril was not significant different between the two groups(42.5+/-0.9cm in patients and 43.9+/-2.1cm in the control), while the length of HPZ was shorter in patients than in the control(2.13+/-0.6cm vs 2.83+/-0.59cm). By SPT and RPT, pressures of HPZ at rest were lower in patients(13.78+/-1.63mmHg, 28.58+/-6.06mmHg) than in control(20.3+/-4.95mmHg, 42.80+/-15.91mmHg). The HPZ relaxed partially in response to deglutition(84.4% in patient, 90.5% in control group) and contracted in response to increased intra- abdominal pressure induced by leg lifts(HPZ/ Intra-abdominal pressure= 1.81+/-0.23 in patient, 2.13+/-0.58 in control group). CONCLUSION: This study shows an HPZ at thoracoabdominal junction after surgical removal of the lower esophageal sphincter. It may be important to perform a crural myoplasty during esophageal reconstruction after esophagogastrectomy because crural diaphragm acts as sphincter like HPZ at the thoracoabdominal junction.
Adult ; Diaphragm* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Leg ; Manometry ; Muscle, Smooth

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The competency of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) holds the key in unlocking pathophysiologic mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, a relationship between GERD and the incompetent GEJ has not been established. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between the shape of the GEJ and gastroesophageal acid reflux. METHODS: Forty six patients with reflux symptoms underwent an endoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. Patients were placed in 3 groups according to the shape of their GEJ, categorized by a retroflex view of the endoscopy; type I - gastroesophageal fold without a pouch, type II - no pouch and no fold, and type III - a pouch without a fold. RESULTS: In type II and III, LESP was reduced. However, % of time with the pH < 4.0 was increased in type III only. There was a significant correlation between the size of a hiatal hernia and the shape of the GEJ. There was a relationship between the grade of esophagitis and the shape of the GEJ. CONCLUSIONS: The retroflex endoscopic finding of the GEJ focusing on the presence or absence of a GE fold and hiatal pouch, could be an indicator of whether a patient has GERD.
Endoscopy ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagitis ; Esophagogastric Junction* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Manometry

Achalasia is a rare primary motor disorder of the esophagus. Achalasia is characterized by insufficient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and loss of esophageal peristalsis. The patients present with symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation and chest pain. The diagnostic tools of achalasia include esophageal manometry, esophagogram, and endoscopy. Esophageal manometry is the gold standard however endoscopy and esophagogram plays complementary roles for diagnosis of achalasia. Endoscopy is essential to rule out pseudoachalasia and mechanical obstruction before diagnosis of achalasia. Esophagogram is recommended to assess esophageal emptying and gastroesophageal junction morphology in those with equivocal esophageal manometry findings.
Chest Pain ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis* ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Manometry ; Peristalsis ; Relaxation