Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 I too shudder to think of self dilating at home. I had a transhiatal esophagectomy done back in October 2004 and had to have up to 8 dilatations in the first 4 weeks post op. and I most deffinately could not have endured having them if it were not for the sedative drug that I was given pre-op. from the UK ________________________________ From: zlmmom1 <mcnairmichelle@...> achalasia Sent: Wed, January 19, 2011 8:35:41 PM Subject: Re: Refractory cervical esophagogastric anastomotic strictures  you know, years ago I met a Phys Asst. who had A and she talked about self dilating and all I can say is - ugh!! Not a chance!! 'self dilate'?!? Seriously?!? without drugs?? I'm still shuddering just thinking about it > > > > > http://jtcs.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/141/2/444?ct=ct > > > > > > > > > > > J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011;141:444-448 > > © 2011 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery > > > General Thoracic Surgery > > Refractory cervical esophagogastric anastomotic strictures: Management and >outcomes > > J. , BSa,*, > Lili Zhao, PhDb, > C. Chang, MDc, > Mark B. Orringer, MDc > > > a University of Michigan Medical School, Section of Thoracic Surgery, Ann >Arbor, Mich > > b University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Section of Thoracic >Surgery, Ann Arbor, Mich > > c University of Michigan Medical Center, Section of Thoracic Surgery, Ann >Arbor, Mich > > > > > Read at the 36th Annual Meeting of The Western Thoracic Surgical Association, >Ojai, California, June 23†" 26, 2010. > > > Received for publication June 13, 2010; revisions received September 23, 2010; >accepted for publication October 10, 2010. > * Address for reprints: > J. , BS, University of Michigan Medical Center, Department of > Surgery, Section of Thoracic Surgery, 2120 Taubman Center, Box 0344, > 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5344. (Email: sjdmed@...). > > > Objective: For recalcitrant cervical esophagogastric anastomotic strictures >after transhiatal esophagectomy, a protocol of self-dilatation was developed at >the University of Michigan Medical Center, as previously described. This study >was undertaken to determine the outcomes of this treatment. > > > Methods: Self-dilatation was required in 158 (7.6%) of 2075 patients with >cervical esophagogastric anastomotic strictures after transhiatal esophagectomy. >An esophageal-specific survey evaluated the frequency and duration of >dilatation, swallowing function, and satisfaction with treatment. The >relationship among anastomotic leak, subsequent stricture, and the need for >self-dilatation was assessed. A validated survey tool, the Short Form 36-item, >version 2, was used to assess quality of life. > > > Results: At the time of this study, 78 of 158 patients were alive; 34 (43%) >participated in the esophageal-specific survey. Median duration of >self-dilatation was 10 years. The majority were satisfied with their ability to >eat. No adverse events were reported. All patients said they would use >self-dilatation therapy again under similar circumstances. Of these patients, 20 >(59%) responded to the Short Form 36-item, version 2. Compared with the general >population, 55% and 70% of participants scored at or above the norm for physical >health and mental health status, respectively. Patients who required >self-dilatation were twice as likely to have a history of cervical >esophagogastric anastomotic leak as those who did not require this therapy >(P = .0002). > > > Conclusions: Refractory cervical esophagogastric anastomotic strictures are >best managed initially with frequent outpatient dilatations, then transitioning >to self-dilatation. Home use of Maloney dilators is a safe, well-tolerated, >convenient, and cost-effective way to maintain comfortable swallowing. The >effectiveness of self-dilatation therapy is reflected in this cohort’s good >quality of life and level of functioning. > > > > > > > > Abbreviations and Acronyms CEGA = cervical esophagogastric anastomosis; ESS = >Esophageal-Specific Survey; QOL = quality of life; SF-36v2 = Short Form 36-item, >version 2; THE = transhiatal esophagectomy >  California Collegiate Shooting Sports 4-H All-Star Advisor to the most >awesome  kids of Amador County! > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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