No abstract

Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) gene may underlie the disturbance in gut function in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Association studies of SERT polymorphisms and IBS have shown diverse results among different countries, which might be due to racial and subject composition differences. The aim of this study was to assess the potential association between SERT polymorphisms and IBS in Koreans. A total of 190 IBS patients, who met the Rome II criteria, and 437 healthy controls were subjected to genotyping. SERT polymorphisms differed in the IBS and control groups (P = 0.014). The SERT deletion/deletion genotype occurred with greater frequency in the diarrhoea-predominant IBS group than in the controls. A strong genotypic association was observed between the SERT deletion/deletion genotype and diarrhoea-predominant IBS (P = 0.012). None of the clinical symptoms analysed was significantly associated with the SERT genotypes. The frequency of the SERT insertion/insertion genotype was much lower than that of the other two genotypes. A significant association was observed between the SERT polymorphism and IBS, especially diarrhoea-predominant IBS, suggesting that the SERT gene is a potential candidate gene involved in IBS in Korea.

Benign esophageal tumors are rare; complete surgical resection is essential for the management of the submucosal tumors. Larger, symptomatic, or non-diagnostic lesions should be resected for both diagnostic and therapeutic indications. Video-assisted thoracic surgery has become a popular treatment in the field of thoracic surgery; however, thoracoscopic esophageal surgery may lead to an increase in operative complications. The effect and safety of thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal submucosal lesions were evaluated. A retrospective study evaluated patients undergoing thoracoscopic treatment of benign submucosal tumors. Between March 2011 and December 2013, 17 patients underwent thoracoscopic resection of benign submucocal tumors. Intraoperative esophagoscopy was performed for tumor localization by transillumination and confirmation of mucosal integrity after enucleation in every patient. Median patient age was 47 years (range 30-65). The median surgery time was 170 minutes (range 80-429). The median tumor size was 3.8 cm (range 1.3-9). The median hospital stay was 4 days (range 2-12). There were 16 leiomyoma and 1 neurogenic tumor. There was one case of conversion to thoracotomy because of residual tumor after enucleation. Mucosal injuries occurred in three patients, two accidentally and one intentionally; each patient was treated with primary repair and confirmed integrity with flexible esophagoscopy at operating room. The small sized tumor with intraoperative esophagoscopy could be localized. Esophagoscopic assistance was necessary in eight patients to have better idea where to make myotomy. There were no major morbidities such as postoperative leakage or mortality. Esophageal submucosal tumors can be treated safely with thoracoscopic surgery. However, intraoperative esophagoscopy allows accurate tumor localization, direction of esophageal access incision, and decreases complications during VATS enucleation of esophageal submucosal tumors.

No abstract