Endoscopy International Open最新文献

Background and study aims: The direct puncture technique has been associated with a better safety profile compared with the classical pull-through technique for insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). In this study, the safety of the hybrid PEG technique, combining gastropexy with the pull-through technique, was analyzed in a large retrospective patient cohort.

Patients and methods: Clinical data from patients undergoing PEG insertion in a high-volume center for endoscopy were included retrospectively between January 2016 and December 2021. Patient characteristics and complication rates were correlated in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: Data from 351 patients undergoing PEG insertion with the hybrid PEG technique were compared with 145 procedures with the direct puncture technique and 1073 procedures with the pull-through technique. In the group where gastropexy was performed (hybrid PEG and direct puncture), we could not find any significant differences in frequency of major and minor complications. Comparing the pull-through technique with the gastropexy group, we detected a five-fold higher major complication rate and a doubled minor complication rate for the pull-through technique. Multivariate analysis confirmed the protective role of gastropexy, with an odds ratio of 0.166 (0.084-0.329; P < 0.001) for major complications.

Conclusions: Hybrid PEG and direct puncture are equally safe PEG insertion techniques, with significantly better safety profiles than the pull-through technique. Despite the retrospective design of the study, these results suggest preferential use of hybrid PEG due to handling.

Background and study aims: Clinical trials and real-world studies show a 1L polyethene glycol and ascorbic acid solution (1L PEG-ASC) to be an effective and safe bowel preparation for colonoscopy in the general population. Here, the effectiveness and safety of 1L PEG-ASC were evaluated in patients aged 80 years or older in a real-world setting.

Patients and methods: A post-hoc analysis of an observational, multicenter, retrospective study assessed the effectiveness and safety of 1L PEG-ASC on outpatients aged ≥ 80 years old undergoing colonoscopy at eight centers in Spain and Portugal. Cleansing quality was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale, with overall scores ≥ 6 and all segmental scores ≥ 2 considered adequate colon cleansing, and overall scores ≥ 8 or 3 in the right colon considered high-quality cleansing. Cecal intubation rate, withdrawal time, polyp and adenoma detection rates (ADR), and adverse events (AEs) were also monitored.

Results: Data were analyzed from 423 patients aged ≥ 80 years; mean age 83.5 years (±3.2) and 49.2% males. The adequate colon cleansing success rate was 88.9%, with high-quality cleansing of the overall and right colon achieved in 54.1% and 46.1% of patients, respectively. Colonoscopy was complete in 94.1% of cases and the ADR was 51.3%. At least one AE was experienced by 4.5% of participants, the most frequent being mild dehydration (2.8%) and nausea (1.2%).

Conclusions: This post-hoc analysis confirms 1L PEG-ASC to be an effective and safe bowel cleansing preparation for patients aged 80 years or older in a real-world setting.

Background and study aims: The National Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Quality Improvement (NEQI) Programme captures over 94% of endoscopic activity in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), accounting for > 120,000 colonoscopies per annum. The aim of this study was to assess temporal changes in colonoscopy Key Quality Indicators (KQIs) at a national level over a 5-year period among low-, intermediate-, and high-volume endoscopists.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all NEQI colonoscopy episodes occurring between 2016 and 2022, collating colonoscopy KQIs (cecal intubation rate [CIR], comfort score [CS], polyp detection rate [PDR] and sedation use). Endoscopists with 5 consecutive years of activity were defined as low, intermediate, or high activity according to annual procedural volumes.

Results: Over 658,000 colonoscopies were completed by 1240 endoscopists. Workload is disproportionate, with 36% of endoscopists completing 66% of national colonoscopy volume. Low-, intermediate-, and high-activity endoscopists all demonstrated sustained improvements in KQI targets over the study period. Comparing experts (≥ 300 colonoscopies/year) vs non-experts, KQI plateaus were demonstrated for PDR at < 150 colonoscopies per year (34.2% vs 29.6%, P = 0.002), CS at < 200 procedures per year (97.5% vs 94.9%, P < 0.001), and CIR at < 250 colonoscopies per year (94.5% vs 93.4%, P = 0.048).

Conclusions: This study represents the first published endoscopist-level NEQI data demonstrating ongoing KQI improvements for endoscopists at all activity levels. Sustaining this improvement and continuing to capture national endoscopic performance will remain a core role of the Irish NEQI program. Workforce imbalances and minimum annual volumes continue to represent challenges for national endoscopy programs.

Background and study aims: Hybrid argon plasma coagulation (H-APC) is a novel technique for ablation of neoplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE), consisting in submucosal fluid injection and subsequent APC of visible BE. The aim of this study was to assess H-APC efficacy, safety, and tolerability.

Patients and methods: We prospectively included patients undergoing H-APC ablation at four Italian Hospitals from September 2022 to March 2024. Patients with BE C3M5 maximum extent, low- or high-grade dysplasia (LGD, HGD) or residual BE after endoscopic resection (ER) of visible lesions were included. Patients who had undergone previous ablative treatments were excluded. The primary endpoints were complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) and dysplasia (CE-D). Secondary endpoints were safety in terms of major and minor adverse events (AEs) and tolerability, assessed using pain (0-10) and dysphagia (0-5) scores within 7 days post-ablation (NCT05645679).

Results: Among the 51 enrolled patients (mean circumferential 0.43 cm; standard deviation [SD] 0.72, mean maximum longitudinal 2.20 cm; SD 1.09) who completed treatment (80 H-APC sessions), 45.1% (23/51) had prior ER of visible lesions. All patients achieved both CE-IM and CE-D (51/51), requiring a mean of 1.51 sessions (SD 0.83). Only one case of fever and absolute dysphagia was observed (1/51; 1.96% AEs). Regarding tolerability, mean pain score was 1.3 (SD 1.99) whereas mean dysphagia score was 1.28 (SD 0.56).

Conclusions: The H-APC technique showed promising results in terms of effectiveness and safety with good tolerability in achieving initial CE-IM and CE-D in a selected population of BE patients.

Background and study aims: There are far fewer female, independent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) practitioners than men in the UK. This study aimed to explore what lies behind the disparity by examining the current state of training, attitudes, and other factors that may influence trainees' decision to pursue ERCP training, with a view to identifying modifiable factors.

Methods: Anonymized responses to an electronic survey distributed to gastroenterology trainees and independent ERCP practitioners in the UK were collected and analyzed.

Results: Of 214 respondents 45% were female. Whereas gender distribution in non-hepatobiliary therapeutic endoscopy was balanced, only 29% of ERCP trainees were female. Eighty percent of those who worked less than full time (LTFT) were female, but 32% felt that LTFT was incompatible with ERCP training. Concerningly, one-quarter of female respondents reported that they had been discouraged. It was noted that females are often treated differently within endoscopy units, including by patients. Fifty percent of females indicated that radiation exposure affected their decision to train in ERCP, compared with 22% of males. A question specific to trainers revealed that 95% felt that male gender was associated with increased confidence. In free-text responses, valuable insights into trainees' personal experiences were provided, and a selection is presented. Finally, strategies to redress the gender imbalance are proposed.

Conclusions: Gender disparity in HPB endoscopy exists and is stark. Underlying this are attitudes, assumptions, and environmental factors that will require systemic and sustained correction. Ideas about how to address this challenge need to be explored.

Background and study aims: Candy cane syndrome (CCS) refers to patients with a long and symptomatic blind afferent roux limb (BARL) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Revisional surgery is efficacious but can be cost prohibitive.

Patients and methods: We describe endoscopic blind limb reduction (EBLR), that converts the BARL into a "common channel" and eliminates food pooling, thereby improving symptoms. Patients that did not have a complete symptomatic response underwent a repeat EBLR or EBLR with septotomy (EBLR-S) based on residual BARL length.

Results: Five patients with CCS underwent the EBLR procedure. Mean age was 60.4 years, average BARL length 5.8 cm, and median Charlson comorbidity index was 3. Technical success was achieved in all five patients (100%). Symptom resolution was achieved in all five patients (100%). Two patients required a second procedure.

Conclusions: EBLR may be a potentially safe, efficacious, and cost-effective alternative to surgery in patients with CCS. Further prospective studies are needed.

Background and study aims: Blunt dissection is not commonly performed in flexible endoscopic procedures. We developed a novel blunt dissection device and evaluated its feasibility, safety, and potential effectiveness in third space endoscopy procedures.

Materials and methods: The device consists of a cotton swab and a flexible shaft. To evaluate its functionality, creation of 4-cm submucosal tunnels in live swine stomachs was attempted by either blunt dissection using our device or sharp dissection using a standard monopolar knife. Data on factors such as completion rate, operating time, adverse events, necessity of submucosal injection, and dissected submucosal thickness were collected.

Results: Eighteen submucosal tunnels were successfully created (sharp: 9, blunt: 9) by two experienced endoscopists and one novice endoscopist. Median operating time was significantly shorter in the blunt dissection group (239 vs. 429 s, P = 0.008). In the sharp dissection group, the experienced endoscopists did not cause any muscle layer injuries, but the novice endoscopist caused muscle layer injuries in all cases. In the blunt dissection group, neither experienced nor novice endoscopists caused muscle layer injuries. The blunt dissection group required significantly fewer submucosal injections (0 vs. 5, P < 0.001). Median dissected submucosal thickness was similar between the groups.

Conclusions: Blunt dissection using our device was feasible, safe, and potentially effective in third space endoscopy procedures by shortening operating time, reducing submucosal injections, and potentially minimizing muscle layer injury.

Background and study aims: Biliary cannulation via balloon-assisted-ERCP (BAE-ERCP) can be challenging. Patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) have among the lowest reported BAE-ERCP success rates when compared with other types of surgically altered anatomy. We explored the role of EUS-guided rendezvous (EUS-RV) as a rescue technique when BAE-ERCP fails.

Patients and methods: Consecutive patients with RYGB underwent BAE-ERCP for both benign and malignant indications. Among them, patients in whom BAE-ERCP failed despite use of conventional advanced biliary cannulation techniques underwent EUS-RV if the ampulla could be reached.

Results: Forty-three consecutive patients with RYGB underwent BAE-ERCP. The procedure was successful in 30 patients (69.7%). Among the 13 patients with failed ERCP, EUS-RV was performed in five. Technical success was achieved in all five patients (100%), thereby increasing the overall BAE-ERCP success to 35 patients (81.3%). There were no major procedure-related adverse events on immediate and 3-month follow-up. Average total procedure time for failed BAE-ERCP followed by EUS-RV was 129 minutes (range 47-205 minutes).

Conclusions: EUS-RV in patients with RYGB has high technical and clinical success and can be a viable alternative to more invasive options when BAE-ERCP fails using traditional cannulation techniques.

Background and study aims Recently, over-the-scope clips (OTSCs) have been extensively studied for hemostasis of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). Our goal was to compare the efficacy of OTSCs with standard endoscopic interventions (SEIs) as first-line treatments. Patients and methods A comprehensive search of electronic databases was performed to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing OTSCs with SEIs as first-line therapy for NVUGIB. This search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results Of 819 reviewed studies, five RCTs comprising 555 patients (277 OTSCs vs. 278 SEIs) were included. The OTSC group had a lower 30-day rebleeding rate (risk ratio [RR] 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24-0.77; I² = 0%; P = 0.004) and a higher clinical success rate (RR 1.19; 95% CI 1.11-1.28; I² = 0%; P < 0.00001). There was no significant difference in technical success (RR 1.06; 95% CI 0.98-1.14; I² = 73%; P = 0.13), 30-day all-cause mortality (RR 0.50; 95% CI 0.22-1.14; I² = 0%; P = 0.10), need for further intervention (RR 1.22; 95% CI 0.43-3.47; I² = 0%; P = 0.71), or length of hospital stay (mean difference 0.31; 95% CI: -1.08- 1.70; I² = 0%; P = 0.66). Risk of bias, which was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, indicated some concerns about bias. Conclusions OTSCs are more efficient than SEIs as first-line treatment in terms of rebleeding within 30 days and clinical success rates.