Adding ursodeoxycholic acid to the endoscopic treatment and common bile duct stenting for large and multiple biliary stones: Will it improve the outcomes?

BACKGROUND: The role of common bile duct (CBD) stenting in the establishment of bile stream in the elderly patients and the ones who are not good candidates for surgery due to not responding to treatments was well documented in previous studies. The current study aimed at investigating the effect of adding Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to CBD stenting alone in order to reduce the size of large and multiple CBD stones. METHODS: Clinical outcomes including success rates in CBD stones clearance, incidence of pancreatitis, perforation, bleeding, as well as, decrease in size of stones and liver enzymes after a two-month period were assessed in the UDCA + CBD stenting group. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients referring to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Qom, Iran with multiple or large CBD stones (above three or larger than 15 mm) received standard endoscopic therapies and UDCA + CBD stenting (group B) and controls only received standard endoscopic therapies with only CBD stenting (group A). The mean reduction in the size of stones in group B was significantly higher than that of group A (3.22 ± 1.31 vs 4.09 ± 1.87 mm) (p = 0.034). There was no difference in the incidence rate of complications including pancreatitis, cholangitis, bleeding, and perforation between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adding UDCA to CBD stenting, due to decrease in the stone size and subsequently facilitation of the stones outlet, can be considered as the first-line treatment for patients with large and multiple CBD stones. Also, in the cases with large or multi stones may be effective in reducing size and subsequently stone retrieval. Trial registry The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qom University of Medical Sciences (ethical code: IR.MUQ.REC.1397.075); the study was also registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (No. IRCT20161205031252N8). This study adheres to CONSORT guidelines.

Atorvastatin in combination with conventional antimicrobial treatment of Helicobacter pylori eradication: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Helicobacter pylori is one of the main causes of digestive diseases, which is difficult to treat and requires the administration of several antimicrobial agents. Considering the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect of atorvastatin, the present study aimed at adding this agent to a four-drug regimen in order to eradicate H. pylori. METHODS: A total of 220 patients with H. pylori infection were included in the current randomized controlled clinical trial. In the current study, 110 patients in the control group received a 14-day regimen of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, bismuth, and esomeprazole, and 110 patients in the intervention group received 40 mg of atorvastatin daily plus the antibiotic regimen for 14 weeks. The treatment results were evaluated 1 month later using H. pylori stool antigen test. Data were collected using checklist and analyzed using chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests with spss version 18. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori eradication rate in the intervention and control groups was 78.18% and 65.45%, respectively (P = 0.025), and there was a significant difference in terms of non-ulcer dyspepsia between the groups (P = 0.049), but there was no significant difference in age, gender, and body mass index between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study results showed that adding atorvastatin to the four-drug regimen of omeprazole, clarithromycin, bismuth, and amoxicillin is effective in the eradication of H. pylori. Also, the addition of atorvastatin to H. pylori eradication therapy is more effective in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Repair of post polypectomy colonic perforation by Endoclip: a case report / Reparo de perfuração de cólon pós-polipectomia por Endoclip: relato de caso

A 73-year-old woman was admitted to evaluate for iron deficiency anemia, increased serum creatinine, and ascites. Her colonoscopy revealed a polyp at the junction of sigmoid and descending colon, and after polypectomy, a 6 mm colonic perforation was seen. The perforation was detected by radiography and CT scan; and beside conservative management and antibiotics, her perforation was closed by using Endoclip. The patient was observed and discharged from hospital without any surgery 5 days later, and in follow-up there was no problem regarding perforation. (AU)

Mulher, 73 anos, internada para avaliação para anemia ferropriva, com aumento da creatinina sérica e ascite. A colonoscopia revelou um pólipo na junção dos colos sigmoide e descendente e, em seguida à polipectomia, foi observada uma perfuração de 6 mm no cólon, comprovada por radiografias e tomografia computadorizada. Além do tratamento conservador e da antibioticoterapia, a perfuração foi ocluída com Endoclip. A paciente ficou sob observação e recebeu alta do hospital sem qualquer cirurgia 5 dias mais tarde. Durante o seguimento, não foram observados problemas com relação à perfuração. (AU)