Transoral Outlet Reduction (TORe) for the Treatment of Weight Regain and Dumping Syndrome after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease of global pandemic proportions. In this context, an increasing number of patients are undergoing bariatric surgery, which is considered the most effective weight loss treatment for long-term improvement in obesity-related comorbidities. One of the most popular bariatric surgeries is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Despite its proven short- and long-term efficacy, progressive weight regain and dumping symptoms remain a challenge. Revisional bariatric surgery is indicated when dietary and lifestyle modification, pharmaceutical agents and/or psychological therapy fail to arrest weight regain or control dumping. However, these re-interventions present greater technical difficulty and are accompanied by an increased risk of peri- and postoperative complications with substantial morbidity and mortality. The endoscopic approach to gastrojejunal anastomotic revision, transoral outlet reduction (TORe), is used as a minimally invasive treatment that aims to reduce the diameter of the gastrojejunal anastomosis, delaying gastric emptying and increasing satiety. With substantial published data supporting its use, TORe is an effective and safe bariatric endoscopic technique for addressing weight regain and dumping syndrome after RYGB.

[Overview and update on treatment in ulcerative colitis].

INTRODUCTION: Ulcerative colitis is characterized by a chronic intestinal inflammation limited to the mucosa of the colon, of variable proximal extent. Main symptoms are diarrhea, possibly bloody, and abdominal pain. It evolves with phases of relapse and remission. The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is made based on clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings. Currently, the various drug treatment options act by, among other things, reducing the activity of the immune system locally or systemically. In mild to moderate forms, 5-ASA remains the mainstay of both induction and maintenance treatment. In more severe flares, cortisone is the treatment of choice. To limit the prolonged/repeated intake of corticosteroids, there are several options of biologics with distinct ranges of action and safety profiles for inducing and/or maintaining remission. Therapeutic goals are evolving and go beyond achieving clinical remission. Endoscopic and histological remission are new targets to further improve quality of life and limit long-term complications, such as colorectal cancer.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in inflammatory bowel disease patients is not associated with flares: a retrospective single-centre Swiss study.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination hesitancy is an important barrier to vaccination among IBD patients. The development of adverse events is the main concern reported. The purpose of this monocentric study was to assess SARS-CoV-2 vaccination safety in IBD patients by evaluating the postvaccination flare risk and incidence of overall adverse events. METHODS: Surveys were handed out on three consecutive months to each patient presenting at the Crohn-Colitis Centre, where they documented their vaccination status and any side effects experienced after vaccination.Dates of flares occurring in 2021 were recorded from their electronic medical records. Baseline and IBD characteristics and flare incidence were compared between the vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, and among the vaccinated population before and after their vaccination doses. The characteristics of patients who developed side effects and of those who did not were compared. RESULTS: We enrolled 396 IBD patients, of whom 91% were vaccinated. The proportion of patients who experienced flares was statistically not different between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated population (1.8 vs 2.6 flares per 100 person-months (p = 0.28)). Among vaccinated patients, there was no difference across the prevaccination, 1 month post any vaccination, and more than 1 month after any vaccination periods, and between the Spikevax and Cominarty subgroups. Overall, 46% of patients reported vaccination side effects, mostly mild flu-like symptoms. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with mRNA vaccines seems safe, with mostly mild side effects. The IBD flare risk is not increased in the month following any vaccination.

Swiss expert opinion: current approaches in faecal microbiota transplantation in daily practice.

INTRODUCTION: Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an established therapy for recurrent C. difficile infection, and recent studies have reported encouraging results of FMT in patients with ulcerative colitis. Few international consensus guidelines exist for this therapy, and thus FMT policies and practices differ among European countries. As of 2019, stool transplants are considered a non-standardised medicinal product in Switzerland, and a standardised production process requires authorisation by the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products. This authorisation leads to prolonged administrative procedures and increasing costs, which reduces treatment accessibility. In particular, patients with ulcerative colitis in Switzerland can only benefit from FMT off-label, even though it is a valid therapeutic option. Therefore, this study summarised the available data on FMT and established a framework for the standardised use of FMT. METHODS: A panel of Swiss gastroenterologists with a special interest in inflammatory bowel disease was established to identify the current key issues of FMT. After a comprehensive review of the literature, statements were formulated about FMT indications, donor screening, stool transplant preparation and administration, and safety aspects. The panel then voted on the statements following the Delphi process; the statements were reformulated and revoted until a consensus was reached. The manuscript was then reviewed by an infectiologist (the head of Lausanne's FMT centre). RESULTS: The established statements are summarised in the supplementary tables in the appendix to this paper. The working group hopes these will help standardise FMT practice in Switzerland and contribute to making faecal microbiota transplantation a safe and accessible treatment for patients with recurrent C. difficile infections and selected patients with ulcerative colitis, as well as other indications in the future.

Five French versus 6 French PCI: a case control study of efficacy, safety and outcome.

We report our experience of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with 5 French (Fr) guiding catheters in a retrospective analysis of consecutive cases undergoing ad hoc PCI. Results were compared with a cohort of 6 Fr PCI cases matched for age, sex and operator over the same study period. A total of 210 patients (311 lesions) underwent PCI using 5 Fr guiding catheters and 174 matched patients (300 lesions) underwent PCI with 6 Fr guiding catheters. Multivessel PCI was performed in 18% of patients in the 5 Fr group and in 26% of the 6 Fr group (p = 0.046). There was no difference in clinical, angiographic or procedural characteristics between groups. Technical success rate was superior in the 5 Fr group compared with the 6 Fr (99% versus 95%; p = 0.03). The rate of stent implantation did not differ and the 5 Fr guiding catheter did not prohibit the use of large or long stents/balloons. Failure of 5 Fr PCI in 3 cases was not due to inadequate guiding catheter support. In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and serious femoral complications were rare and at 6-month follow-up did not differ between groups. However, compared with 6 Fr PCI, procedure time and contrast medium usage was significantly less in the 5 Fr group (contrast: 274 +/- 101 ml versus 313 +/- 124 ml; p = 0.0008; fluoroscopy time: 16 +/- 9 minutes versus 19 +/- 12 minutes; p = 0.006). We conclude that the use of 5 Fr guiding catheters is effective and safe in unselected patients undergoing PCI and may even confer certain advantages. The 5 Fr approach can be recommended for routine interventional practice.