Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Nasogastric tube (NG tube) usage was first described in 1921 by Levin. Surgeons routinely use NG tube in most esophageal resections. Considering the numerous complications caused by this tube, the uncertainty about its usefulness and the scarcity of studies conducted on the subject, particularly in esophageal cancer patients, we investigated the necessity of the NG tube in these cases.

Methods: This clinical trial was performed at the Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital. Esophageal cancer patients were randomized into groups either with or without postoperative NG tube the latter group was also prescribed metoclopramide. Postoperative obstruction was the exclusion criteria. The operation was done by a team of surgeons using the surgical techniques of McKeown or Orringer. All patients received ranitidine, heparin and antibiotics postoperatively. All patients received postoperative chest X-ray and chest physiotherapy. The NG tube was inserted or reinserted for those with abdominal distention and/or repeated vomiting. The NG tube was pulled out after return of bowel movements. The variables recorded for each patient included the first day of flatus, the first day of defecation, the first day of bowel sound (BS) upon auscultation, duration of post-operative hospitalization, nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension, pulmonary complications, wound complications, anastomotic leakage and the need for placing/replacing the NG tube. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, v. 11.5.

Results: After randomization, the NG tube was inserted for 22 patients, and 18 patients had no NG tube. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly higher in the NG-tube group. No significant differences between the two groups were found for other complications. The mean times until first passage of flatus, defecation and BS upon auscultation and the duration of post-operative hospitalization were not significantly different. The need for placing/replacing the NG tube was the same for both groups. There was no difference in the perioperative death rates between the two groups.

Conclusions: We conclude that the routine use of NG tubes after surgery is not recommended for all patients. NG tube should be used according to the specific needs of each patient. This protocol will protect patients from undesired complications.

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Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the most lethal diseases in the world. It has a high prevalence in Iran, especially in the Northern provinces. The main treatment of esophageal cancer is surgery. There are two common surgical procedures for its treatment, Transhiatal esophagectomy and transthoracic esophagectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the results of above methods in esophageal cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on patients with pathologic diagnosis of esophageal cancer that referred to surgery ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital, in Babol, Iran in 2002-2008. Patients according to the location of tumor and physical status were undergone transhiatal or transthoracic esophagectomy. Demographic and surgical findings were recorded. The patients were matched according to age, sex, weight loss, serum albumin level and hemoglobin concentration in two groups. Results: Fifty nine percent of patients were under transhiatal esophagectomy and 41% were under transthoracic esophagectomy (n=166). Morbidity did not show significant difference (p=0.636) between transhiatal (42.9%) and transthoracic (47.1%) methods. Duration of surgery (min) in transhiatal method (180.7±35.1) was significantly (p<0.0001) lower than the transthoracic one (226.7±54.2). Duration of admission (days) did not show significant difference (p=0.44) between transhiatal esophagectomy (8±4.9) and the other method (8.5±1.6). Mortality in 30 days after surgery did not show significant difference (p=0.489) between two groups (4.1% against 7.4%). Conclusions: Based on our study, duration of surgery in transhiatal esophagectomy was lower than transthoracic method. Other parameters include morbidity, mortality, and duration of admission had not significant difference between two groups.

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Background: With approximately 386,000 deaths per year, esophageal cancer is the 6th most common cause of death due to cancer in the world. This cancer, like any other cancer, is the outcome of genetic alterations or environmental factors such as tobacco smoke and gastro-esophageal reflux. Tobacco smoking is a major etiologic factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in western countries, and it increases the risk by approximately 3 to 5 folds. Chronic gastro-esophageal reflux usually leads to the replacement of squamous mucosa by intestinal-type Barrett’s metaplastic mucosa which is considered the most important factor causing esophageal adenocarcinoma. In contrast to esophageal adenocarcinoma, different risk factors and mechanisms, such as mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, play an important role in causing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Molecular studies on esophageal cancers have revealed frequent genetic abnormalities in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, including altered expression of p53, p16, cyclin D1, EGFR, E-cadherin, COX-2, iNOS, RARs, Rb, hTERT, p21, APC, c-MYC, VEGF, TGT-α and NF-κB. Many studies have focused on the role of different polymorphisms such as aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 and alcohol dehydrogenase 2 in causing esophageal cancer. Different agents including bestatin, curcumin, black raspberries, 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) and COX-2 inhibitors have been found to play a role in inhibiting esophageal carcinogenesis. Different gene therapy approaches including p53 and p21WAF1 replacement gene therapies and therapy by suicide genes have also been experimented. Moreover, efforts have been made to use nanotechnology and aptamer technology in this regard.