Endoscopy training through the COVID-19 pandemic: maintaining procedural volumes and key performance standards.

Objective: Endoscopy departments have experienced considerable challenges in the provision of endoscopy services since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several studies have reported a reduction of procedures performed by trainee endoscopists during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impact on colonoscopy training and quality in an academic centre throughout successive waves of the pandemic. Methods: This was a single-centre, retrospective, observational study comparing colonoscopies performed at a tertiary endoscopy centre in Ireland at different stages of the pandemic with those performed during a similar time frame prepandemic. Data were collected using electronic patient records. Primary outcomes were procedure volumes, adenoma detection rate and mean adenoma per procedure. Results: In the prepandemic period, 798 colonoscopies were performed. During the same period in 2020, 172 colonoscopies were performed. In 2021, during the third wave of the pandemic, 538 colonoscopies were performed. Percentages of colonoscopies performed by trainees were 46.0% (n=367) in 2019, 25.6% (n=44) in 2020 and 45.2% (n=243) in 2021. Adenoma detection rate was 21.3% in 2019, 38.6% in 2020 and 23.9% in 2021. Mean adenoma per procedure was 0.45 in 2019, 0.86 in 2020 and 0.49 in 2021. Caecal intubation rate was 90.74% in 2019, 90.9% in 2020 and 95.88% in 2021. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic initially had a negative impact on overall colonoscopy volumes and training. Despite a reduction in procedural volume, key performance standards were maintained by trainees. Maintenance of hands-on training is essential to allow trainees achieve and retain competency in endoscopy.

Synchronous Upper Squamous and Lower Adenocarcinoma of the Oesophagus: A Rarely Reported Case Treated with Palliative Chemotherapy and Stenting.

Oesophageal cancer is divided into two main subtypes, squamous and adenocarcinoma. It is the eighth most common cancer in the world with squamous more common in the developing world and adenocarcinoma most prevalent in the developed world. Incidences of concomitant squamous carcinoma with adenocarcinoma are exceedingly rare with only a few documented occurrences in the form of case reports existing. Here we report a case of synchronous squamous and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus occurring in an 81-year-old lady with dysphagia, weight loss, and no identifiable risk factors.

Hepatitis C virus-associated thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: impact upon multidisciplinary care provision.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have implicated hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia. In pregnancy-associated immune thrombocytopenia, multidisciplinary management is required due to a potential for bleeding complications. We performed a retrospective review of HCV-infected pregnant women and age-matched controls who were not infected with HCV. METHODS: One hundred and six women with a HCV viral load were identified from 2009 to 2011. RESULTS: Thrombocytopenia was identified in 10.3% of HCV-infected pregnant women and 1.6% of age-matched controls (P<0.001). Mean platelet count during pregnancy was 120 ± 23 × 109/L in HCV-infected women and at delivery was significantly lower in HCV-infected women than in controls (P=0.01). Despite the significant difference in platelet counts, there was no significant difference in estimated blood loss (EBL) at delivery. Regional anaesthesia was performed in 73% of thrombocytopenic HCV-infected women and no complications were recorded. There were no fetal bleeding complications. CONCLUSION: In the first study to date to investigate the impact of HCV on maternal platelet count we demonstrated a significantly higher frequency of thrombocytopenia and a significantly lower platelet count in HCV-infected pregnant women compared with controls. Interestingly, thrombocytopenia had no detectable impact on EBL at delivery.

The diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound in suspected biliary obstruction and its impact on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography burden in real clinical practice: a consecutive analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Performing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been described to be useful in cases of suspected biliary obstruction where EUS can triage patients for ERCP. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of EUS and its impact on ERCP burden in real clinical practice. We also evaluated the safety and efficacy of EUS+ERCP in a single endoscopic session. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred and eighteen consecutive patients with suspected but unexplained biliary obstruction referred for EUS before possible ERCP were evaluated. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS and its value in predicting the need for ERCP were determined. EUS established whether pancreaticobiliary disorder (PBD) was present and whether therapeutic ERCP was required. These decisions were matched with ERCP findings, histology, clinical course, and follow-up. Where ERCP was indicated, it was performed in the same endoscopic session. RESULTS: EUS was performed in 412/418 patients (feasibility 98.5%), and ERCP was considered necessary in 64% (ERCP avoided in 36%). The single-session EUS and ERCP was safe and effective (264 patients). The diagnostic accuracy of EUS was as follows: choledocholithiasis 99%, malignant strictures 90%, and benign strictures 92%. EUS showed pathology in 42% of patients who had a nondilated biliary system at initial investigations. When EUS indicated a normal common bile duct (n=119), this had a 100% positive predictive value for non-necessity for ERCP. The median overall follow-up period was 12 months (range 6-34 months). CONCLUSION: EUS demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy in this mixed group of PBD. This accurately guided ERCP need and avoided unnecessary ERCP in 36%. EUS and ERCP in the same endoscopic session for the evaluation and management of PBD is technically feasible, with safety and efficacy profiles equivalent to that of each procedure performed independently in different sessions.