Anastomotic fistulas are a frequent and dreaded adverse event of esophagectomy. Endoscopic therapy using different techniques is now a well-established first-line treatment option. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of such endoscopic treatments in patients not fit for surgical reintervention and particularly in cases of major tissue defects of >10 mm.
Fifty-seven patients with postoperative large esophageal fistulas who were not considered for surgical reintervention were retrospectively analyzed after undergoing treatment with different endoscopic techniques in a single tertiary center. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the technical and clinical efficacy of endoscopic treatments of those fistulas. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the endoscopic treatment–related adverse events.
In 94.7% of patients (n = 54), the intervention was effectively carried out from a technical point of view. In 77.2% of patients (n = 44), treatment led to successful complete closure of the fistula. If we consider the 54 patients in whom technical success was reached, in 75.9% of them (n = 41), clinical success with complete closure of the fistula was achieved. Minor adverse events related to the procedure occurred in 26.32% of patients (n = 15) and major adverse events in 8.8% (n = 5). The mortality rate related to the procedure was 3.5% (n = 2).
Endoscopic treatment is a technically achievable, highly effective way of treating postoperative large esophageal fistulas in patients who were not considered fit for surgical treatment, including major defects of >10 mm. It allows patients with a high risk of rapid deterioration to safely recover from their condition, avoiding severe and fatal adverse events without having to resort to debilitating surgical treatment.
Antegrade savary dilation and static balloon dilation are the mainstays of management of simple and complex benign esophageal strictures (BESs). A modified technique, termed retrograde balloon dilation, has potential advantages for the management of BESs. Efficacy and safety data on this technique are limited. We report a single-center experience of retrograde balloon dilation for BESs.
We conducted a retrospective study evaluating retrograde balloon and antegrade savary dilation for BESs in 53 unique patients who met inclusion criteria, including 23 undergoing a retrograde balloon pull-through technique and 30 undergoing antegrade savary dilation. The primary endpoint was technical success, defined as achieving a luminal diameter of ≥16 mm. Secondary endpoints were repeat dilation rates within 1 year after achieving therapeutic endpoint dilation and adverse events.
Technical success was achieved in 22 of 23 patients (95.7%) with the retrograde balloon pull-through technique and in all 30 patients (100%) with antegrade savary dilation (P = .434). A nonsignificant trend of lower repeat dilation rates was present for the retrograde balloon pull-through group, with 4 of 22 in the retrograde balloon pull-through group versus 12 of 30 in the antegrade savary dilation group (P = .076). Only 1 minor adverse event occurred in the retrograde balloon pull-through group.
Our experience suggests that retrograde balloon pull-through dilation is effective and safe for simple and complex benign esophageal stenosis.
The progress of artificial intelligence (AI) in endoscopy is at a crossroads. The positive results of randomized controlled trials of computer-aided detection (CADe) have not been replicated in multiple pragmatic CADe trials, including ours. This gap between efficacy and effectiveness remains to be understood. We surveyed and interviewed our trial’s colonoscopists to gain insight into human-AI interactions.
We used a sequential, mixed-methodology design. After the trial, we administered Survey 1, focusing on attitudes and beliefs before and after trying CADe. The trial’s null results were disclosed, and we then administered Survey 2 and conducted open-ended interviews, focusing on reactions to the null results. Responses were analyzed overall and by baseline adenoma detection rate (ADR) tertile. We identified key themes using thematic analysis and qualitative software.
Nearly all colonoscopists responded (22 and 21 of 24 [92% and 88%] for Surveys 1 and 2, respectively). Most (96%) regarded endoscopic ability as critical to their professional identity. Large majorities conveyed trust in and enthusiasm for AI before and after trying CADe (82%-87%) and desired to have CADe available (72%). Nearly two-thirds (62%) were surprised by the null results. There were few differences by ADR. No unifying explanation for the null results emerged from surveys or individual interviews. Colonoscopists expressed a range of expectations for AI in endoscopy.
Lack of enthusiasm or mistrust of AI/CADe do not explain our pragmatic CADe trial’s null results. AI may need to target dimensions beyond optical recognition to realize its promise in endoscopy.