Incidence of retained biopsy specimens after esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.

Background and study aims In gastrointestinal endoscopy, biopsies must transit through the accessory channel and cap, presenting an opportunity for loss of tissue. We sought to determine the incidence of specimen retention in the accessory channel or cap and identify procedure characteristics associated with specimen retention. Patients and methods After completion of standard endoscopic procedures in which biopsies were obtained, the biopsy cap and accessory channel were inspected, brushed, and irrigated for any retained biopsy specimens according to a standard protocol. For controls, the same protocol was applied to procedures in which biopsies were not obtained. Specimen bottles from the recovery protocol were sent for pathological examination regardless of whether any visible tissue was present. Results A total of 216 outpatient procedures were included: 55 esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs) and 50 colonoscopies in which biopsies were obtained and 56 EGDs and 55 colonoscopies in the control group. Retained specimens were found in either the cap or channel in 50 of 105 (48%). In 20 of 105 (19%), retained specimens were found just in the cap, in six of 105 (5.7%), retained specimens were found just in the channel, while in 24 of 105 (23%), retained specimens were found in both the cap and channel. Retained specimens were more likely to be found in EGDs compared to colonoscopies (58% vs. 36%, P = 0.031). No retained specimens were found in the control group. Conclusions Retained specimens are startingly common in standard gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures and could potentially change diagnoses and management. Quality improvement measures should be instituted to monitor prevalence of retained biopsies and methods to prevent them should be developed.

Hydrogen peroxide-assisted endoscopic necrosectomy of pancreatic walled-off necrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been reported in direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) of pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON). The aim of this meta-analysis was to study the pooled clinical outcomes of H2O2-assisted DEN of pancreatic WON. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases (inception to July 2021) to identify studies reporting on the use of H2O2 in DEN of WON. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled rates and I2 values, and 95% prediction intervals were used to assess heterogeneity. The outcomes studied were technical success, clinical success, and adverse events in H2O2-assisted DEN of pancreatic WON. RESULTS: In 7 analyzed studies, 186 patients underwent H2O2-assisted DEN of WON. The pooled rate of technical success was 95.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.5-98.5), clinical success was 91.6% (95% CI, 86.1-95), and cumulative rate of overall adverse events was 19.3% (95% CI, 7.6-41). The pooled rate of bleeding was 7.9% (95% CI, 2.4-22.7), stent migration was 11.3% (95% CI, 4.9-23.9), perforation 5.4% (95% CI, 1.7-15.7), infection 5.7% (95% CI, 2-15.1), and pulmonary adverse event 2.9% (95% CI, 1.3-6.1). Mean treatment sessions ranged from 2 to 5. CONCLUSIONS: H2O2-assisted DEN of WON demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes, with minimal heterogeneity. No adverse events attributable to H2O2 were reported. Future controlled studies are warranted comparing the clinical outcomes with and without H2O2 before H2O2 use can be established in DEN of pancreatic WON.

Endoscopic band ligation in the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is typically treated by endoscopic thermal therapies. Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) has been reported in the treatment of GAVE with encouraging results. However, EBL is not widely used to this end. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases (inception to May 2021) to identify studies reporting on the use of EBL in the treatment of GAVE. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled rates; I2 values and 95% prediction intervals were calculated to assess the heterogeneity. RESULTS: Ten studies (194 patients) were included in the final analysis. The pooled rate of treatment responders with EBL in GAVE was 81% (95% confidence interval [CI], 62.2-91.7), and GAVE recurrence was 15.4% (95% CI, 4.5-41.3). The pooled mean number of treatment sessions required was 2.4 (95% CI, 2.2-2.7), and the number of bands used to achieve eradication per patient was 15.1 (95% CI, 10.7-19.4). The pooled mean difference of pre- to post-treatment hemoglobin was 1.5 (95% CI, .9-2.2; P = .001), pre- to post-treatment units of packed red blood cells transfused was 1.1 (95% CI, .4-1.9; P = .002), and pre- to post-treatment hospital length of stay was .5 days (95% CI, .1-.9; P = .01). The pooled rate of overall adverse events was 15.9% (95% CI, 10.4-23.7). CONCLUSIONS: EBL demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes in the treatment of GAVE with minimal adverse events. Multicenter randomized controlled trials comparing EBL and other modalities as initial therapy are warranted.