Lumen-apposing metal stents for the treatment of pancreatic and peripancreatic fluid collections and bleeding risk: a propensity matched study.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of symptomatic pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) using the Hot-Axios device has recently been associated with a significant risk of bleeding. This adverse event (AE) seems to occur less frequently with the use of a different device, the Spaxus stent. The aim of the current study was to compare the rates of bleeding between the two stents. METHODS: Patients admitted for treatment of PFCs by EUS plus lumen-apposing metal stent in 18 endoscopy referral centers between 10 July 2019 and 28 February 2022 were identified and their outcomes compared using a propensity-matching analysis. RESULTS: 363 patients were evaluated. After a 1-to-1 propensity score match, 264 patients were selected (132 per group). The technical and clinical success rates were comparable between the two groups. Significantly more bleeding requiring transfusion and/or intervention occurred in the Hot-Axios group than in the Spaxus group (6.8% vs. 1.5%; P = 0.03); stent type was a significant predictor of bleeding in both univariate and multivariate regression analyses (P = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). Bleeding necessitating arterial embolization did not however differ significantly between the two groups (3.0% vs. 0%; P = 0.12). In addition, the Hot-Axios was associated with a significantly higher rate of overall AEs compared with the Spaxus stent (9.8% vs. 3.0%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that, in patients with PFCs, bleeding requiring transfusion and/or intervention occurred significantly more frequently with use of the Hot-Axios stent than with the Spaxus stent, although this was not the case for bleeding requiring embolization.

Treatment of a completely obstructed colonic anastomotic stricture by using a prototype forward-array echoendoscope and facilitated by SpyGlass (with videos).

BACKGROUND: Colonic anastomotic strictures complicate colorectal resection in up to 7% of cases and are often managed with endoscopic dilation. Complete anastomotic obstructions are rare and have traditionally required surgical remediation. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a novel endoscopic approach to treat complete colonic anastomotic obstruction. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Tertiary-referral center. PATIENT: A 40-year-old woman with a completely obstructed colonic anastomosis after sigmoidectomy for a fibrotic Crohn's stricture. INTERVENTIONS: A prototype front-view and forward-array echoendoscope was used to recanalize the completely obstructed anastomotic stricture. Real-time EUS imaging guided puncture through the stenosis. Access into the proximal obstructed segment was confirmed by using SpyGlass fiberoptic probe visualization. Subsequent stricture dilation was performed by using wire-guided balloon dilators through the instrument channel of the prototype echoendoscope, and luminal continuity was reestablished. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Technique success and complications. RESULTS: The completely obstructed anastomotic stricture was successfully recanalized and dilated by using a single, prototype, forward-array echoendoscope without complications. LIMITATIONS: Single case report with a relatively short follow-up interval. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided puncture and dilation of completely obstructed anastomotic strictures is feasible when using a prototype forward-array echoendoscope. This novel technique appears to be an effective method to reestablish luminal continuity across completely obstructed strictures.