OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of Dachengqi decoction in the treatment of sepsis complication with gastrointestinal dysfunction via gastric antrum cross-sectional area (CSA) measured by bedside ultrasound. METHODS: A parallel group randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 80 patients with sepsis with gastrointestinal dysfunction admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2021 to October 2022 were enrolled. According to whether patients agree to use Dachengqi decoction after admission, all patients were divided into Dachengqi decoction group (observation group) and conventional treatment group (control group) by 1 : 1 randomization, each group has 40 patients. Both groups were treated with fluid resuscitation, anti-infection, maintaining stable respiratory circulation, early nourishing feeding, promoting gastrointestinal motility, and regulating intestinal flora. The observation group was treated with Dachengqi decoction on the basis of western medicine, 30 mL decoction was taken in the morning and evening. Both groups were treated for 7 days. The CSA of the two groups was measured by bedside ultrasound before and after treatment. The gastric residual volume (GRV1 and GRV2) were calculated by formula and traditional gastric tube withdrawal method. The gastrointestinal dysfunction score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), intraperitoneal pressure (IAP), serum preprotein (PA), albumin (Alb), white blood cell count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT), hypersensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and incidence of aspiration were detected to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Dachengqi decoction, the correlation and advantages and disadvantages between CSA measured by bedside ultrasound and other evaluation indicators of gastrointestinal dysfunction in sepsis were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the indicators before treatment between the two groups, which were comparable. In comparison with the pre-treatment period, CSA, GRV, gastrointestinal dysfunction score, APACHE II score, IAP, WBC, PCT, and hs-CRP of the two groups after treatment were significantly decreased, PA and Alb were significantly increased, and the observation group decreased or increased more significantly than the control group [CSA (cm²): 4.53±1.56 vs. 6.04±2.52, GRV1 (mL): 39.85±8.21 vs. 53.05±11.73, GRV2 (mL): 29.22±5.20 vs. 40.91±8.97, gastrointestinal dysfunction score: 0.87±0.19 vs. 1.35±0.26, APACHE II score: 11.54±3.43 vs. 14.28±3.07, IAP (cmH₂O, 1 cmH₂O ≈ 0.098 kPa): 9.79±2.01 vs. 13.30±2.73, WBC (×10⁹/L): 9.35±1.24 vs. 12.35±1.36, PCT (μg/L): 3.68±1.12 vs. 6.43±1.45, hs-CRP (mg/L): 24.76±5.41 vs. 46.76±6.38, PA (mg/L): 370.29±45.89 vs. 258.33±34.58, Alb (g/L): 38.83±5.64 vs. 33.20±4.98, all P < 0.05]. The length of ICU stay (days: 10.56±3.19 vs. 14.24±3.45) and incidence of aspiration (12.5% vs. 25.0%) were lower than those in the control group (both P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that CSA measured by bedside ultrasound was positively correlated with GRV2, gastrointestinal dysfunction score, APACHE II score, and IAP (r values were 0.84, 0.78, 0.75, 0.72, all P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with PA and Alb (r values were -0.64 and -0.62, both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The Dachengqi decoction can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of septic patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction, reduce systemic inflammatory response, improve nutritional status, and shorten ICU hospital stay. Bedside ultrasound monitoring of CSA is a simple, accurate and effective means to evaluate gastrointestinal dysfunction, which is worthy of further clinical promotion.
Humans ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Pyloric Antrum ; Sepsis/therapy* ; Plant Extracts ; Procalcitonin ; Albumins ; Prognosis ; Intensive Care Units ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To assess the effect of jejunal feeding tube placement on early complications of laparoscopic radical gastrectomy in patients with incomplete pyloric obstruction by gastric cancer. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Perioperative clinical data of 151 patients with gastric antrum cancer complicated by incomplete pyloric obstruction who had undergone laparoscopic distal radical gastrectomy from May 2020 to May 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were collected. Intraoperative jejunal feeding tubes had been inserted in 69 patients (nutrition tube group) and not in the remaining 82 patients (conventional group). There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). The operating time, intraoperative bleeding, time to first intake of solid food, time to passing first flatus, time to drainage tube removal, and postoperative hospital stay, and early postoperative complications (occurded within 30 days after surgery) were compared between the two groups. Results: Patients in both groups completed the surgery successfully and there were no deaths in the perioperative period. The operative time was longer in the nutritional tube group than in the conventional group [(209.2±4.7) minutes vs. (188.5±5.7) minutes, t=2.737, P=0.007], whereas the time to first postoperative intake of food [(2.7±0.1) days vs. (4.1±0.4) days, t=3.535, P<0.001], time to passing first flatus [(2.3±0.1) days vs. (2.8±0.1) days, t=3.999, P<0.001], time to drainage tube removal [(6.3±0.2) days vs. (6.9±0.2) days, t=2.123, P=0.035], and postoperative hospital stay [(7.8±0.2) days vs. (9.7±0.5) days, t=3.282, P=0.001] were shorter in the nutritional tube group than in the conventional group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in intraoperative bleeding [(101.1±9.0) mL vs. (111.4±8.7) mL, t=0.826, P=0.410]. The overall incidence of short-term postoperative complications was 16.6% (25/151). Postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: It is safe and feasible to insert a jejunal feeding tube in patients with incomplete outlet obstruction by gastric antrum cancer during laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Such tubes confer some advantages in postoperative recovery.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/etiology* ; Pyloric Antrum ; Retrospective Studies ; Flatulence/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Laparoscopy ; Gastrectomy/adverse effects* ; Length of Stay ; Pyloric Stenosis/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 300 mL carbohydrates intake two hours before sur-gery on the gastric volume (GV) in patients positioning in trendelenburg undergoing gynecological laparoscopic procedures by using gastric antrum sonography, and further assess the risk of reflux aspiration. METHODS: From June 2020 to February 2021, a total of 80 patients, aged 18-65 years, body mass index (BMI) 18-35 kg/m², falling into American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, scheduled for gynecological laparoscopic procedures positioning in trendelenburg were recruited and divided into two groups: the observation group (n =40) and the control group (n=40). In the observation group, solid food was restricted after 24:00, the patients were required to take 300 mL carbohydrates two hours before surgery. In the control group, solid food and liquid intake were restricted after 24:00 the night before surgery. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of gastric antrum was measured in supine position and right lateral decubitus position before anesthesia. Primary outcome was gastric volume (GV) in each group. Secondary outcome included Perlas A semi-quantitative grading and gastric volume/weight (GV/W). All the patients received assessment of preoperative feeling of thirsty and hunger with visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Complete data were available in eighty patients. GV was (58.8±23.6) mL in the intervention group vs. (56.3±22.1) mL in the control group, GV/W was (0.97±0.39) mL/kg vs. (0.95±0.35) mL/kg, respectively; all the above showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Perlas A semi-quantitative grading showed 0 in 24 patients (60%), 1 in 15 patients (37.5%), 2 in 1 patient (2.5%) in the intervention group and 0 in 25 (62.5%), 1 in 13 (32.5%), 2 in 2 (5%) in the control group, the proportion of Perlas A semi-quantitative grading showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). A total of 3 patients (1 in the intervention group and 2 in the control group) with Perlas A semi-quantitative grading 2 were treated with special intervention, no aspiration case was observed in this study. The observation group endured less thirst and hunger (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION Three hundred mL carbohydrates intake two hours before surgery along with ultrasound guided gastric content monitoring does not increase gastric volume and the risk of reflux aspiration in patients positioning in trendelenburg undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery, and is helpful in minimizing disturbance to the patient's physiological needs, therefore leading to better clinical outcome.
Female ; Humans ; Supine Position ; Prospective Studies ; Pyloric Antrum ; Laparoscopy/adverse effects* ; Carbohydrates

Continuous duodenal levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel delivery by a gastrostomy infusion system improves control of Parkinson’s disease. The overall complication rates of percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy were reported to be 41% and 59% for immediate and delayed adverse events, respectively. A 72-year-old woman underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy using the delivery system noted above. Abdominal pain and vomiting occurred 3 months later. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a longitudinal ulcer extending from the lower gastric body to the ileum end, with small intestinal telescoping. Colonoscopy showed a large bezoar of food residue that was attached around the tip of the tube, reaching the ascending colon, which may have acted as an anchor. Thus, the gastric antrum and small intestine were shortened with telescoping. This complication was resolved by crushing the bezoar with forceps during colonoscopy and can be prevented by consuming a fiber-free diet and periodic exchanges of the tube using esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Bezoars ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Colonoscopy ; Diet ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Female ; Gastric Bypass ; Gastrostomy ; Humans ; Ileum ; Intestine, Small ; Pyloric Antrum ; Surgical Instruments ; Ulcer ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinicopathological features and the prognosis between patients with adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) and with adenocarcinoma of gastric antrum (AGA), and to investigate the prognostic factors of AEG and AGA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on clinicopathological data of 239 AEG patients (AEG group) and 313 AGA patients selected simultaneously (AGA group) undergoing operation at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital from January 2001 to December 2012. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) receiving radical surgery (R0 resection); (2) AEG or AGA confirmed by pathological examination of postoperative tissue specimens; (3) without preoperative neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy; (4) complete clinicopathological and follow-up data; (5) patients who died of non-tumor-related causes were excluded. Chi-square test and independent samples t-test were used to determine differences in clinicopathological factors between two groups. The overall survival (OS) of patients was compared by Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Multivariate prognosis analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: As compared to AGA group, AEG group had higher proportion of male [82.0%(196/239) vs. 65.2%(204/313),χ²=19.243,P<0.001], older age [(60±10) years vs. (55±12) years, t=4.895, P<0.001], larger tumor diameter [(5.6±2.4) cm vs. (5.0±3.3) cm, t=2.480,P=0.013], more T4 stage[64.8%(155/239) vs. 55.6%(174/313),Z=-3.998, P<0.001], and more advanced tumor stage [stage III:60.7%(145/239) vs. 55.6%(174/313),Z=-2.564,P=0.010]. There were no statistically significant differences in serum albumin or hemoglobin between two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year OS rate was 33.5% and 56.9% in AEG group and AGA group respectively and the median OS was 60.0(3.0-60.0) months and 33.6(3.0-60.0) months respectively; the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). In AEG group, univariate analysis showed that differences of hemoglobin level (5-year OS rate: 24.0% for <130 g/L, 39.9% for ≥130 g/L, P=0.006), tumor diameter (5-year OS rate: 41.9% for <5 cm,28.8% for ≥5 cm, P=0.014), N stage (5-year OS rate: 42.2% for N0, 40.9% for N1, 31.7% for N2, 15.8% for N3a, 9.0% for N3b, P<0.001) and TNM stage (5-year OS rate: 56.2% for stage I, 38.5% for stage II, 28.3% for stage III,P=0.017) were statistically significant (all P<0.05); multivariate analysis revealed that the worse N stage was an independent risk factor of prognosis survival for AEG patients(HR=1.404,95%CI:1.164-1.693, P<0.001), and serum hemoglobin level ≥130 g/L was an independent protective factor of prognosis survival for AEG patients (HR=0.689,95%CI:0.501-0.946,P=0.021). In AGA group, univariate analysis showed that differences of serum albumin (5-year OS rate: 49.1% for <40 g/L, 61.1% for ≥ 40 g/L, P=0.021), tumor diameter (5-year OS rate: 74.2% for <5 cm, 39.9% for ≥ 5 cm, P<0.001), T stage (5-year OS rate: 98.3% for T1,83.3% for T2,50.0% for T3,36.8% for T4, P<0.001), N stage (5-year OS rate: 89.0% for N0, 62.3% for N1, 50.0% for N2, 33.9% for N3a, 10.3% for N3b, P<0.001) and TNM stage (5-year OS rate: 97.3% for stage I, 75.8% for stage II, 32.8% for stage III, P<0.001) were statistically significant (all P<0.05); multivariate analysis revealed that the worse T stage (HR=1.516,95%CI:1.060-2.167,P=0.023) and the worse N stage (HR=1.453,95%CI:1.209-1.747,P<0.001) were independent risk factors for prognosis of AGA patients. CONCLUSIONS As compared to AGA, AEG presents have poorer prognosis,and is easier to present with later pathological stage and larger tumor diameter. N stage and hemoglobin level are independent factors associated with the OS of AEG patients. T stage and N stage are independent factors associated with the OS of AGA patients.
Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Esophagogastric Junction ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Pyloric Antrum ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery

antrum and pylorus at GA 10–15 weeks; the colon pushing the pylorus or superior portion of the duodenum upward (at GA 10–15 weeks and 30–38 weeks); and the greater omentum without covering the greater portion of the jejunum and ileum but shifted leftward (at GA 30–38 weeks). These subsequent topographical variations of the transverse colon with the stomach and duodenum included the colon tightly fusing with the stomach by a fibrous tissue and; the greater omentum and/or the mesocolon wedged between the stomach and transverse colon. Therefore, in combination, the colon was partly separated from the greater omentum. Moreover, at GA 30–38 weeks, the duodenum consistently showed a horizontal loop in contrast to the usual C-loop in the frontal plane. Consequently, after a complete fusion occurred once between the greater omentum and transverse mesocolon, the topographical change of the upper abdominal viscera seemed to modify, change or even break the initial fusion of the peritoneum. A logical lamination of the peritoneum seemed not to simply connect with the surgical application.]]>
Adult ; Colon ; Colon, Transverse ; Duodenum ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Ileum ; Jejunum ; Logic ; Mesocolon ; Omentum ; Peritoneum ; Pyloric Antrum ; Pylorus ; Stomach ; Viscera

Heterotopic pancreas in the stomach is usually asymptomatic and benign. Here, we presented a rare case of an early gastric cancer overlying a heterotopic pancreas. A 48-year-old woman underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which revealed a subepithelial mass measuring 2.0×1.5 cm on the gastric antrum with a 1-cm erosive erythematous discoloration on the surface. A biopsy specimen showed moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. Endosonography showed a heterogeneous hypoechoic mass measuring 1.3×0.6 cm, with indistinct margins in the second and third layers of the gastric wall; anechoic tubular structures within the mass were suggestive of heterotopic pancreas. Distal gastrectomy was performed, which confirmed an early gastric cancer confined to the mucosa, and a separate underlying heterotopic pancreas. Although heterotopic pancreas is most likely benign, careful endoscopic observation of the mucosal surface is necessary to avoid overlooking a coincident early gastric cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Endosonography ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Pancreas* ; Pyloric Antrum ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are common in children, the accurate pathogenesis of FAPDs is not known yet. Micro-inflammation, particularly tissue eosinophilia of gastrointestinal (GI) tract, has been suggested as the pathophysiology observed in several GI disorders. We aimed to evaluate eosinophilic infiltration throughout the entire GI tract in children with FAPDs, compared to those with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and to normal reference values. METHODS: We included 56 children with FAPDs, 52 children with Crohn’s disease, and 23 children with ulcerative colitis. All subjects underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopic and colonoscopic examination with biopsies. Tissue eosinophil counts were assessed in 10 regions throughout the GI tract. RESULTS: Eosinophil counts of the gastric antrum, duodenum, terminal ileum, cecum, and ascending colon were significantly higher in children with FAPDs compared to normal reference values. Eosinophil counts of the stomach and the entire colon were observed to be significantly higher in children with IBD than in those with FAPDs. Even after selecting macroscopically uninvolved GI segments on endoscopy in children with IBD, eosinophil counts of the gastric body, cecum, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and the rectum were also significantly higher in children with IBD than those with FAPDs. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly high eosinophil counts of the stomach and colon were observed in the order of IBD, followed by FAPDs, and normal controls, regardless of endoscopically detected macroscopic IBD lesions in children. This suggests some contribution of GI tract eosinophils in the intrinsic pathogenesis of FAPDs in children.
Abdominal Pain ; Biopsy ; Cecum ; Child ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Colon, Descending ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Ileum ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Pyloric Antrum ; Rectum ; Reference Values ; Stomach

Gastric tuberculosis accounts for approximately 2% of all cases of gastrointestinal tuberculosis. Diagnosis of gastric tuberculosis is challenging because it can present with various clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic features. Tuberculosis manifesting as a gastric subepithelial tumor is exceedingly rare; only several dozen cases have been reported. A 30-year-old male visited emergency room of our hospital with hematemesis and melena. Abdominal CT revealed a 2.5 cm mass in the gastric antrum, and endoscopy revealed a subepithelial mass with a visible vessel at its center on gastric antrum. Primary gastric tuberculosis was diagnosed by surgical wedge resection. We report a rare case of gastric tuberculosis mimicking a subepithelial tumor with acute gastric ulcer bleeding.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Endoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hematemesis ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Male ; Melena ; Pyloric Antrum ; Stomach Ulcer ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Portal hypertension (PH) is a syndrome characterized by chronic increase in the pressure gradient between the portal vein and inferior vena cava. Previous studies have suggested an increased frequency of antral elevated erosive gastritis in patients with PH, as well as an etiologic association; however, there has not been any histological evidence of this hypothesis to date. Our aim was to evaluate the histological features found in elevated antral erosions in patients with portal hypertension. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were included; 28 with and 41 without PH. All patients underwent endoscopy, and areas with elevated antral erosion were biopsied. RESULTS: In the PH group, 24 patients had inflammatory infiltration with or without edema and vascular congestion, and 4 patients had no inflammation. In the group without PH, all patients showed inflammatory infiltration of variable intensity. There was no statistical significance between the two groups in the presence of Helicobacter pylori. There as a histological similarity between the two groups, if PH patients without inflammation were excluded; however, more edema and vascular congestion were observed in the PH group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that elevated antral erosions in patients with PH have more evident edema and vascular congestion in addition to lymphocytic infiltration.
Edema ; Endoscopy ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Portal* ; Inflammation ; Lymphocytes ; Portal Vein ; Pyloric Antrum* ; Vena Cava, Inferior