Esophageal Ulceration Following the Ingestion of a Single Dose of Doxycycline: A Case Report.

Doxycycline is one of the medications that cause drug-induced esophagitis. This condition occurs due to prolonged contact of the medications with the esophageal mucosa, leading to erosion, ulcers, and, in some cases, stricture of the esophagus. Chest pain, dysphagia, and odynophagia are the most common symptoms. Endoscopy is the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis. The treatment consists of stopping the offending medication and starting proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and sucralfate. Herein, we describe a middle-aged man who presented with severe chest pain, odynophagia, and dysphagia that started two hours after ingesting the first doxycycline pill. An endoscopy showed multiple longitudinal ulcers in the distal esophagus. Symptoms significantly improved after starting a PPI and sucralfate, and feeding was resumed two days later. A follow-up with endoscopy after two months reported completely healed esophageal ulcers. In conclusion, doxycycline-induced esophageal injury is often an underdiagnosed and underreported condition. Physicians and patients should be more aware of doxycycline's detrimental effect on the esophagus, as it can induce esophageal ulceration even after a single dose if not administered properly. Therefore, all patients prescribed oral doxycycline should receive appropriate instructions to minimize this side effect.

Appropriateness and clinical outcomes of short sustained low-efficiency dialysis: A national experience.

Sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) is usually performed over 6-12 h among hemodynamically unstable patients. Conduction of 4-h SLED may spare time and manpower during hospitalization. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective observational study to explore the appropriateness and clinical outcomes of 4-h SLED among critically ill patients admitted to our center from 1/06/2016 to 1/06/2020. Renal parameters including blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, and bicarbonate were determined on the day of dialysis before SLED and within 24 h after SLED, and clinical outcomes including, acute kidney injury (AKI) recovery, in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, 180-day mortality, and re-admission with AKI, were evaluated. Of the 304 patients included, 69.4% were male. The majority of patients were from the Middle East (65.8%), followed by 28.6% from Asia. Four-hour SLED resulted in a significant improvement in the renal parameters. Recovery from AKI was observed in 25.4%, in-hospital mortality rate was 48.7%, while the 30- and 180-day mortality outcomes were 3.2 and 9.6%, respectively, and re-admission with AKI was observed in 16.9%. Our findings suggest that 4-h SLED significantly improved renal parameters and was associated with favorable clinical outcomes in terms of survival and AKI recovery, suggesting possible utilization of SLED shorter than 6 h in the acute settings to preserve time and manpower for procedures.

Massive pulmonary embolism led to cardiac arrest two days after thoracoscopy in a young male with pleural tuberculosis.

TB itself is considered an independent risk factor for VTE; however, developing pulmonary embolism after medical thoracoscopy is extremely rare. Herein, we describe a 30-year-old previously healthy male with pleural tuberculosis developed a massive pulmonary embolism with subsequent cardiac arrest after a diagnostic medical thoracoscopy. Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) showed major right pulmonary embolism (PE). Unfortunately, the patient passed away despite resuscitation and extensive organ support in the intensive care unit (ICU). This case highlights the thrombotic risk in this population group in order to avoid such devastating complications.

Hemorrhagic ascites as a complication of heart failure: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Although ascites is a common complication of congestive heart failure, the association between heart failure and hemorrhagic ascites is quite rare. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 64-year-old woman with recurrent large bloody ascites secondary to heart failure. DIAGNOSIS: Ascitic fluid assessment revealed red blood cells of 75,125/mm3 and white blood cells of 225/mm3. The total protein in the ascitic fluid was 28.7 g/L, with a high serum ascites albumin gradient. Peritoneal fluid examinations for bacterial culture, acid-fast bacilli (smear and culture), and malignant cell cytology were negative. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was managed with therapeutic paracentesis, aggressive diuresis, and optimization of her heart failure medications. OUTCOMES: The patient's symptoms improved dramatically and was discharged in a stable condition. CONCLUSION: Congestive heart failure should be considered as a potential cause of hemorrhagic ascites after ruling out other serious causes.

Recurrent spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis in thalassemia patient: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord compression secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a rare condition. Variable treatment options have been reported with different efficacy and recurrence rate. Due to its rarity, no clear optimal management guidelines have been established yet. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS: We report a recurrence of spinal cord compression secondary to EMH in a 19-year-old male, with a background of transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia on luspatercept, who presented with weakness in both lower limbs. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: He was treated successfully both times with radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and management of EMH compressing the spinal cord are essential to prevent permanent neurological damage. Diagnosis should be suspected based on the clinical presentation and magnetic resonance imaging findings in a patient with a history of ineffective hemopoiesis. Treatment option remains controversial. Radiotherapy option seems effective, even in recurrent cases, and valid, particularly for those at high risk of surgery or who do not prefer it.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome in the Chronic Phase of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Following COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a hematological emergency. This syndrome is characterized by metabolic derangements such as hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia, which result from rapid lysis of cells, especially rapidly growing tumors, after the initiation of chemotherapy. It is rarely seen in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and has not been previously reported to be triggered by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We report a case of a 45-year-old male, a known case of CML in the chronic phase, who presented with fatigue and abdominal pain for four days. Initial laboratory results were consistent with leukocytosis and positive COVID-19 antigen. The patient was started on intravenous fluids and hydroxyurea; however, over the next few days, he deteriorated quickly and developed oliguric acute kidney injury (AKI) with electrolyte disturbance consistent with TLS. The patient was shifted to the intensive care unit and underwent one sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) session and received rasburicase. Over the next few days, the patient started to improve and was discharged in good shape. Although CML rarely presents with TLS, physicians should monitor their patients closely, especially those who have concurrent COVID-19 infection, as this condition may result in lethal sequelae such as AKI, severe arrhythmias, and multiorgan failure. Additionally, early detection and treatment lead to a better prognosis.

The efficacy of Elbasvir/Grazoprevir fixed-dose combination for 8 weeks in HCV treatment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in treatment-naïve, non-cirrhotic, genotype 4-infected patients (ELEGANT-4): A single-center, single-arm, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: Cost, adverse events, and long treatment duration can be significant obstacles in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals. Shortening the treatment regimen can minimize these barriers, thereby enhancing adherence and increasing medication availability to more patients. Methods: This is a single-centre, single-arm, open-label, phase 3 clinical trial on treatment naïve, non-cirrhotic, HCV genotype 4 patients. The study aimed to evaluate an 8-week course of Elbasvir (ELB)/Grazoprevir (GZR) in this population. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR-12). The secondary endpoints were SVR-4, adverse events, and changes in health- and hepatitis-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results: Of the 30 patients who were enrolled, 29 (97%) achieved SVR-12 and SVR-4 (95% CI: 90-100%). No patients experienced serious or life-threatening adverse events (AEs), but mild/moderate AEs were reported by 16 (53%). The most commonly reported AEs were itching/skin rash (20%), headache (16.7%), abdominal/epigastric pain and decreased appetite (13.3% each), and nausea/vomiting (10%). Marked improvements in HRQoL were reported between the first (baseline) and third (SVR-12) timepoints. HRQoL score improvements involved the physical, mental, and hepatitis-specific indices, and ranged between 6 and 42 points (out of 100, P ≤0.003). Conclusion: The trial provides empirical evidence that HCV genotype 4-infected patients can achieve viral eradication with an 8-week-regimen of ELB/GZR. Further, this course of treatment is associated with a minimal adverse event profile and potentially significant improvements in quality of life. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03578640).

The Attitude of Practitioners Towards Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite widespread adoption and encouraging results seen over the last 5 years, no consensus exists regarding the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) technique, training, or preprocedure and postprocedure management of the patient. The aim of our survey was to assess practice trends and preferences of bariatric endoscopists with respect to ESG. METHODS: Using a digital platform, we conducted a worldwide survey by emailing a link with an electronic questionnaire to 1200 bariatric endoscopists trained to perform endoscopic suturing using the Apollo Overstitch suturing device (Apollo Endosurgery). RESULTS: We received 221 responses that were included in the analysis. Fifty-one responders (36.4%) required 1 to 10 procedures, and 37 (26.4%) needed 11 to 20 procedures to become proficient at ESG. Ninety-six (68.6%) stated that lower body mass index thresholds should be adopted for Asian and Arab patients. There was no consensus on the ideal number of sutures, with 45 (32.1%), 42 (30%), 36 (25.7%), 13 (9.3%), and 4 (2.9%) recommending 4 to 6, 5 to 7, 6 to 8, 7 to 9, and 8 to 12 sutures, respectively. The primary barriers to establishing an endobariatric program were the inability to establish a cash pay model, 77 (95.1%); lack of institutional support, 61 (75.3%); and difficulty in establishing an ambulatory surgical center/hospital to perform ESG, 73 (90.1%). CONCLUSIONS: ESG practice trends remain heterogenous among practitioners in regard to indication, technique, and preprocedure and postprocedure management. Specific ESG guidelines are warranted, and this survey will assist in providing the framework for these guidelines to be written.

Gastric Mucosal Devitalization (GMD): Using the Porcine Model to Develop a Novel Endoscopic Bariatric Approach.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: As the pig model has similar gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology to humans, we used pigs to create a gastric mucosal devitalization (GMD) model in preparation for clinical translation of this technique as an endoscopic bariatric therapy (EBT). The aims of this study were to determine the ablation parameters and technique for a successful, safe, and feasible large surface area GMD that produces weight loss. METHODS: We performed GMD using argon plasma coagulation (APC) in 3 phases. Phase 1 assessed the ablation energy required to accomplish selective mucosal ablation using ex vivo pig stomachs (n = 2). Phase 2 assessed the optimal percentage of mucosal surface area to be treated and was performed on 10 pigs. Phase 3 assessed feasibility, efficacy, and safety with 8 pigs randomized into GMD (n = 4) or sham (SH, n = 4) and survived for 1 month. Body weights (GMD, n = 4, SH, n = 4) were measured daily in phase 3 for 1 month, and relative body weights were calculated and analyzed using one-tailed Student's t-test. Percent body fat was compared between GMD and SH at baseline and 1 month post-GMD. RESULTS: Phase 1 identified the optimal ablation parameters (120 W) that were then used in phase 2. Phase 2 revealed a trend that was suggestive that the optimal percent surface area to ablate was similar to that which is removed at laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. In phase 3, GMD was performed over 70% surface area of the greater curvature of the stomach in four pigs. GMD pigs had significantly lower relative body weight increase compared to SH at 1 month (1.375 ± 0.085 vs 1.575 ± 0.047, p = 0.0435). MRI showed a significantly lower body fat mass at 1 month in GMD pigs (5.9 ± 0.4% vs 12.7 ± 2.3%, p = 0.026) compared to SH. CONCLUSIONS: GMD resulted in decreased weight gain in the GMD group as evidenced by a lower relative body weight at 1 month. GMD in an animal model appears to show promise as a potential weight loss therapy.

Minimal change disease following the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: first case report.

BACKGROUND: There have been cases of minimal change disease (MCD) reported following previous vaccines. During the COVID-19 era, only 3 cases of new-onset MCD and a case of MCD relapse were reported following the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. We herein report the first case of MCD after receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old man presented to hospital 3 weeks after receiving the first dose of the Moderna vaccine, with both bilateral lower extremities and scrotal edema. He initially developed a sudden-onset bilateral lower extremities swelling on day 7 post-vaccine. He, then, developed dyspnea and scrotal swelling over a time span of 2 weeks. On physical examination, his blood pressure was 150/92 mmHg. There was a decreased air entry at lung bases, bilateral lower extremities and scrotal edema. Labs revealed hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia and 15 g of proteinuria. His immunologic and serologic work up was negative. Renal biopsy showed concomitant MCD and IgA nephropathy. Patient was treated with oral steroids and had a good response; his edema resolved, serum albumin improved, and proteinuria decreased to 1 g within 2 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, MCD has not been previously reported after receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. It remains unclear whether the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are associated with the development of MCD, or it coincided with the mass vaccination. Further studies are needed to determine the incidence of MCD post COVID-19 vaccines and the underlying pathophysiology of glomerular injury post vaccination.

The Utility of EndoFLIP for Measuring Gastrojejunal Anastomosis Diameter and Distensibility in Patients Experiencing Weight Regain Post Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

A dilated gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJA) diameter is an independent predictor of weight regain following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Despite this, there is no standardized method for GJA diameter measurement. We performed a retrospective analysis to compare endoscopic visual estimation and endoluminal functional impedance planimetry (EndoFLIP) for measuring GJA diameter in patients with weight regain post-RYGB. Visual estimation was found to overestimate GJA diameter by a mean of 4.2mm ± 4.6mm when compared with EndoFLIP. Furthermore, we identified symptomatic patients with normal GJA diameter but increased distensibility, which may represent a previously unrecognized subgroup. Our findings suggest the potential utility of EndoFLIP in the evaluation of post-RYGB weight regain and support the need for prospective studies to investigate the relationship between GJA distensibility and weight regain.

Peripancreatic fluid collections, plastic stents, and different sub-types of metal stents: Where does the evidence land?

BACKGROUND: Peripancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) are a frequent complication of acute pancreatitis. Symptomatic PFCs may need to be drained, and there are multiple endoscopic accessories that can facilitate the procedure. This paper aims to compare the success rate, number of procedures required for resolution and adverse events rate for PFCs EUS-guided drainage with plastic stents and lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a consecutive sample of patients that was collected from 2013 - 2019. The medical records of these patients were reviewed, and the outcomes for each type of stent (plastic vs LAMS, and different subtypes of LAMS) were compared in terms of clinical success, number of re-interventions needed, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients (23 males) were treated for PFCs with EUS-guided drainage and stenting. The patients' ages ranged between 14 and 85 years (mean ± SD: 43.5 ± 19 years). Overall, there was no difference between plastic stents and LAMS in terms of symptomatic recovery (P = 0. 24), but metal stents had better results with regards to radiological resolution (P = 0.03), and were associated with a higher number of necrosectomies (P = 0.029). Adverse events occurred more frequently in patients who had plastic stents, but direct comparison between the two groups showed that the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.2). Stratification for different LAMS subtypes showed no difference in terms of symptomatic or radiological resolution (P =0.49), number of rescue procedures (P = 0.41), and adverse events (P = 0.81). CONCLUSION: Our study, along with the current available evidence, suggests a slight advantage of metal stents over plastic stents in terms of clinical success, need for rescue procedures, and incidence of adverse events. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence that the different sub-types of LAMS perform similarly when compared against each other.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: suturing the gastric fundus does not confer benefit.

BACKGROUND : There is heterogeneity regarding the technical aspects of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), such as applying fundal sutures. Our aim was to determine whether ESG with fundal suturing (ESG-FS) affects weight loss and the serious adverse event (SAE) rate when compared with ESG with no fundal suturing (ESG-NFS). METHODS: We conducted a two-center retrospective analysis of 247 patients who underwent ESG with or without fundal suturing. The primary outcome was percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) at 3, 6, and 12 months post-ESG. The secondary outcomes included the SAE rate and procedure duration. RESULTS: At 3, 6, and 12-months, ESG-NFS had a significantly greater mean %EWL compared with ESG-FS (38.4 % [standard deviation (SD) 15.3 %] vs. 31.2 % [SD 13.9 %], P = 0.001; 54.7 % [SD 19.2 %] vs. 37.7 % [SD 17.3 %], P < 0.001; 65.3 % [SD 21.1 %] vs. 40.6 % [SD 23.5 %], P < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the SAE rates for ESG-NFS (n = 2; 2.0 %) and ESG-FS (n = 4; 2.6 %; P > 0.99). The mean procedure time was significantly shorter in the ESG-NFS group at 59.1 minutes (SD 32.7) vs. 93.0 minutes (35.5; P < 0.001), and a lower mean number of sutures were used, with 5.7 (SD 1.1) vs. 8.4 (SD 1.6; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION : ESG-NFS demonstrated greater efficacy and shorter procedure duration. Therefore, fundal suturing should not be performed.

Transoral outlet reduction: could additional sutures cause more harm?

BACKGROUND: The double purse-string pattern (DPSP) of transoral outlet reduction (TORe) should conceivably result in a more robust scaffolding for the gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJA). However, there is a paucity of literature pertaining to post-TORe stenosis as an adverse event. Our aim was to determine the rate of stenosis, its potential predictors, and other complications of DPSP TORe. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of 129 consecutive patients who underwent DPSP TORe between December 2015 and August 2019. RESULTS: The adverse event rate of TORe was 17.1 % (n = 22), with a 13.3 % (n = 17) rate of stenosis. Stenosis was not significantly associated with any baseline characteristics. GJA diameter pre- and post-TORe, the difference between these values, and procedure duration were not predictive of stenosis. Of patients who developed stenosis, 10 (58.8 %) responded to endoscopic balloon dilation and 7 (41.2 %) required stent placement. CONCLUSION: As the DPSP technique is a challenging procedure, with high complication rate and limited benefit, it should not be used for TORe.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty plus liraglutide versus endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty alone for weight loss.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) has been shown to be effective for inducing weight loss. The efficacy of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, to augment weight loss after ESG is unknown. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ESG and liraglutide (ESG-L) compared with ESG alone. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data from patients undergoing ESG at 3 outpatient clinics in Brazil between November 2017 and July 2018. Liraglutide was offered to all patients 5 months after ESG. Patients who opted to take liraglutide (ESG-L) were matched 1:1 to patients who declined it (ESG). The primary outcome was percent total body weight loss (%TBWL), and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) 7 months after initiation of liraglutide (12 months after ESG). The secondary outcome was change in percent body fat 12 months after ESG. ESG technique and postprocedure follow-up were identical at all 3 sites. RESULTS: Propensity score matching yielded 26 matched pairs. Adjusted comparisons between the 2 groups showed that patients who opted to take liraglutide had a superior mean %TBWL 7 months after initiation of liraglutide (ESG-L) compared with those who declined it (ESG) (24.72% ± 2.12% vs 20.51% ± 1.68%, respectively; P < .001). ESG-L had a statistically greater reduction in percent body fat compared with ESG (7.85% ± 1.26% vs 10.54% ± 1.88%, respectively; P < .001) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of liraglutide at 5 months results in superior weight loss and improved efficacy as demonstrated by decreased body fat 12 months after ESG. Further studies are imperative to determine optimal dose, timing, and duration of liraglutide.

Efficacy of Liraglutide to Prevent Weight Regain After Retrieval of an Adjustable Intra-gastric Balloon-a Case-Matched Study.

PURPOSE: Weight regain after balloon retrieval is a concern with all intra-gastric balloons (IGBs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, to prevent weight regain following IGB retrieval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a case-matched study of patients undergoing Spatz3 adjustable IGB (Spatz FGIA, Inc. NY, USA) at three outpatient clinics in Brazil between November 2015 and January 2019. Seventy-seven patients that opted to take liraglutide following IGB retrieval (IGB-L) were matched 1:1 to 198 patients that declined the medication-IGB-Alone (IGB-A). Propensity score adjustment was performed at the time of balloon retrieval on factors known to influence the choice of liraglutide. Weight and percent body fat (%BF) was measured at baseline and 9 months after IGB retrieval. % BF is defined as the total mass of fat divided by total body mass, multiplied by 100. The primary outcome was weight regain, and the secondary outcome was change in %BF 9 months after IGB retrieval. RESULTS: Propensity score matching yielded 53 matched pairs. Weight regain to the starting point was not observed in either group. There was significantly less weight regain in IGB-L compared to IGB-A, - 1.15 ± 0.94 kg versus - 0.66 ± 0.99 kg (p = 0.010) 9 months after balloon retrieval. Additionally, %BF decline in IGB-L was superior to IGB-A - 10.83 ± 1.50 versus - 7.94 ± 2.02 (p < 0.01). There was no difference in weight regain or decline in %BF based on liraglutide dose. CONCLUSION: Liraglutide has an additive benefit with respect to efficacy and a reduction in body fat when commenced after IGB retrieval. Future randomized control studies will be needed to determine the optimal dose and duration of liraglutide to achieve superior outcomes.

Unusual Thyroid Nodule: A Case of Symptomatic Thyroid Schwannoma.

Primary thyroid schwannoma is a sporadic non-epithelial tumor of the thyroid gland. Most previous cases reported in the literature presented it as an asymptomatic neck mass. In this report, we describe a rare case of thyroid schwannoma in a 33-year-old female, presented as a left-side neck swelling, accompanied by a change in voice and difficulty swallowing. An ultrasound of the mass showed a large heterogeneous, predominantly cystic, nodule; in contrast to the usual predominantly solid nodule described in the literature. After several pre-operative diagnostic tests, including fine needle aspiration (FNA), the diagnosis remained unclear. In the end, the patient underwent a successful surgical excision of the mass, and the diagnosis of schwannoma was confirmed based on the histopathologic examination which revealed both type A and B Antoni cells as well as positive staining for S-100 protein.

Endobariatrics and Metabolic Endoscopy: Can We Solve the Obesity Epidemic with Our Scope?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease that results in cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Currently, surgery represents the most effective treatment. However, the advent of minimally invasive endoscopic bariatric therapy (EBT) has shifted the treatment paradigm to less invasive, cost-effective procedures with minimal complications and recovery time that are preferred by patients. In this review, we will describe current and future EBTs, focusing on outcomes and safety. RECENT FINDINGS: The endoscope has provided an incisionless portal into the gastrointestinal tract for placement of space-occupying devices and intraluminal procedures. EBTs are no longer solely manipulating anatomic alterations; instead, they aim to improve metabolic parameters such as glycated hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, and hepatic indices by targeting the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract. The endoscope has succeeded in facilitating clinically meaningful weight loss and improvement of metabolic parameters. Future, solutions to the obesity epidemic will likely entail genetic testing, evaluation of the microbiome, and delivery of personalized therapy, utilizing combination endoscopic modalities that change the anatomy and physiology of individual patients, with new targets such as the abnormal metabolic signal.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty with argon plasma coagulation: A novel technique.

OBJECTIVE: The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive procedure in which the anterior and posterior aspects of the greater curvature are stitched endoscopically, producing a sleeve-like anatomy mimicking that in a sleeve gastrectomy. However, suture dehiscence and enlargement of the stomach within months of the procedure have been observed. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is widely used in gastrointestinal endoscopy and is able to induce scarring and fibrosis. We coupled ESG with APC to evaluate its potential to improve durability. METHODS: A 46-year-old woman with obesity presented for ESG. Her pre-procedure weight was 117 kg with a body mass index (BMI) of 41.4 kg/m2 . After each plication was complete, APC (60 W, argon flow rate 1.2 L/min) was used to ablate the mucosal surface of the exposed plicated mucosa. APC was applied until the mucosal color was dark brown, indicating adequate and successful mucosal and submucosal ablation. RESULTS: The procedure was successful, and the patient recovered without peri- or post-operative complications. The procedure time was 47 minutes. A total of seven sutures were used. At 6-month follow-up the patient had lost 17 kg (37.5 lbs), equivalent to 14.5% total weight loss and had a BMI of 35.4 kg/m2 . Endoscopic follow-up at 6 months revealed enhanced fibrosis along the plications, resulting in a superior, sleeve-like lumen. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ESG with APC may act synergistically to reduce weight without adding significant procedure time. Further investigation is needed to determine whether it should be widely recommended.