Promoting endoscopists' health through cutting-edge motion analysis technology: Accuracy and precision of ergonomic motion tracking system for endoscopy suite (EMTES).

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopists often suffer from musculoskeletal disorders due to posture-specific workloads imposed by precise maneuvering or long procedural duration. An ergonomic motion tracking system for endoscopy suite (EMTES) was developed using Azure Kinect sensors to evaluate the occlusion, accuracy, and precision, focusing mainly on upper and lower limb movements. METHODS: Three healthy male participants pointed the prescribed points for 5 s on the designated work envelopes and their coordinates were measured. The mean occlusion rate (%) of the 32 motion tracking landmarks, standard deviation (SD) of distance and orientation, and partial regression coefficient (ß) and R2 model fit for accuracy were calculated using the time series of coordinates data of the upper/lower limb movements. RESULTS: The mean occlusion rate was 5.2 ± 10.6% and 1.6 ± 1.4% for upper and lower limb movements, respectively. Of the 32 landmarks, 28 (87.5%) had occlusion rates of 10% or less. The mean SDs of 4.2 mm for distance and 1.2° for orientation were found. Most of the R2 values were over 0.9. In the case of right upper/lower limb measurement for orientation, ß coefficients ranged from 0.82 to 1.36. CONCLUSION: EMTES is reliable in calculating occlusion, precision, and accuracy for practical motion-tracking measurements in endoscopists.

Effects of endoscopy-related procedure time on musculoskeletal disorders in Japanese endoscopists: a cross-sectional study.

Background and study aims There has been little evidence assessing the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among endoscopists performing recent diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures requiring prolonged procedural times. We evaluated the prevalence and identified the risk factors for developing MSDs, focusing on procedural time. Methods An electronic survey of endoscopists (n = 213) employed at the Nagoya University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals was developed by a multidisciplinary group.  Results Of the 110 endoscopists (51.6 %) who responded to the survey, eighty-seven endoscopists (79.1 %) had experienced endoscopy-related MSDs during the previous 1 year, and 49 endoscopists (44.5 %) had experienced these MSDs during the previous week. Nineteen endoscopists (17.3 %) reported absence from work due to severe MSDs. The most frequent sites of MSDs were neck, low back, and shoulders. Logistic regression analyses showed that longer upper endoscopic submucosal dissection ESD, (odds ratio: 5.7; 95 %CI: 1.3-25.0), lower ESD (odds ratio 4.9; 95 %CI: 1.1-22.0), and lower gastrointestinal treatment (odds ratio: 5.6; 95 %CI: 2.3-13.3) were significantly associated with the development of MSDs in the low back area. Moreover, longer lower ESD (odds ratio: 5.0; 95 % CI: 1.2-20.2) was a risk factor for symptoms in the left shoulder. Conclusion This study suggests a correlation between the volume of therapeutic endoscopic procedures including ESD and the risk of MSDs mainly low back area and left shoulder. Managing monthly total endoscopic time, in light of organizational ergonomics, could contribute to minimizing such risks of endoscopy-related MSDs.

Clip-on-clip closure method for a mucosal defect after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a prospective feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: The closure of mucosal defects after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains difficult. Therefore, various methods and devices have been developed to aid in this procedure. However, a standard method for mucosal defect closure after ESD has not been established. We aimed to examine the efficiency and safety of our clip-on-clip closure method (CCCM) after colorectal ESD. METHODS: The CCCM is a novel method for colorectal mucosal defect closure that uses a conventional clip on the handle of another clip, with the gap as an anchor. The CCCM was prospectively used for closing mucosal defects in 30 patients with 32 lesions after colorectal ESD at the Japanese Ise Red Cross Hospital, Yokkaichi Municipal Hospital, and Medical Corporation Yamashita Hospital between March 2018 and July 2018. Outcome measures were closure success rates of CCCM, procedural closure time, and postoperative adverse events. RESULTS: The median resected specimen size was 34 mm (range 28-73 mm) and the median CCCM defect closure success rate was 97% (31/32). The median procedural time was 8 min (range 3.5-29.2 min), and the median number of clips used was 12 pieces (range 5-20). None of the patients had postoperative adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: CCCM is an efficient, safe, and simple method for the closure of mucosal defects after colorectal ESD that can be performed using only conventional clips.

Magnetic anchor-guided endoscopic submucosal dissection for colorectal tumors (with video).

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of magnetic anchor-guided endoscopic submucosal dissection (MAG-ESD) using a neodymium magnet for colorectal tumors has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to clarify the feasibility of MAG-ESD for colorectal tumors. METHODS: This prospective trial was conducted at Yamashita Hospital. MAG-ESD was performed for 49 colorectal tumors. The magnetic anchor comprised an internal magnet attached to an endoclip with 3-0 silk. Both external and internal magnets were made using neodymium magnets. The feasibility of traction achieved using MAG-ESD, en bloc resection rate, complete en bloc resection rate, time required for preparation and attachment of the magnetic anchor, procedure time, rate of retrieval of magnetic anchors, and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: MAG-ESDs were successfully performed for 48 colorectal tumors except for a rectal case in which the internal magnet stuck to the endoscope. En bloc resections and complete en bloc resections were achieved in all cases. Attaching the magnetic anchor required a median of 8 min (range 3-37 min). Median procedure time was 76 min (range 28-283 min) and the magnetic anchors were retrieved in all cases without adverse events. CONCLUSION: MAG-ESD is feasible and safe in the colon and may facilitate the treatment of all difficult lesions. (UMIN000024100).

Magnetic anchor-guided endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric lesions (with video).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The feasibility of magnetic anchor-guided endoscopic submucosal dissection (MAG-ESD) using a neodymium magnet for gastric lesions has not been clarified. The aim of study was to evaluate the feasibility of MAG-ESD using neodymium magnets while treating gastric lesions. METHODS: This prospective trial was conducted at the Yamashita Hospital. MAG-ESD was performed for 50 gastric lesions using an insulated-tip knife. The magnetic anchor consisted of an internal neodymium magnet attached to a hemoclip with 3-0 silk. The external and internal magnets were made from the neodymium magnet. The feasibility of traction using MAG-ESD, en bloc resection rate, complete en bloc resection rate, time required for preparation and attaching the magnetic anchor, procedure time, rate of retrieval of the magnetic anchors, and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty patients (median lesion size, 20 mm [range, 5-100]) were enrolled. MAG-ESDs were successfully performed for all 50 gastric lesions. Adequate counter-traction was obtained using the external magnet. En bloc resections were achieved and complete en bloc resections confirmed in all cases without adverse events. Attaching the magnetic anchor required a median of 6 minutes (range, 2-14). The median procedure time was 49 minutes (range, 15-301), and the magnetic anchors could be retrieved in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly demonstrated the feasibility of this MAG-ESD in the stomach. We hope this procedure will facilitate the resection of difficult lesions. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN000024100.).

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided forceps biopsy from upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions using a forward-viewing echoendoscope.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic tissue acquisition techniques using needle-knife and biopsy forceps allow abundant tissue acquisition from upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions; however, these techniques cannot capture real-time intratumor information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided forceps biopsy (EUS-FB) from upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions using a forward-viewing echoendoscope. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a prospective case series. After mucosal cuts, several specimens were taken using a hot biopsy forceps under real-time EUS visualization. The incision was closed using hemoclips. Diagnostic yield, rate of diagnosable samples obtained under EUS visualization, procedure time, and adverse events were assessed. RESULTS: Ten patients (median lesion size 16 mm, range 15 - 44 mm) underwent EUS-FB. The overall rate of histological diagnosis by EUS-FB was 100 % (10/10). The rate of diagnosable samples among all cases was 97.6 % (41/42). The median procedure times for EUS-FB and complete closure were 28.5 and 4.5 minutes, respectively. No adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This newly developed EUS-FB is feasible and allowed forceps biopsy from upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions. STUDY REGISTRATION: UMIN000015364.

Forward-viewing versus oblique-viewing echoendoscopes in the diagnosis of upper GI subepithelial lesions with EUS-guided FNA: a prospective, randomized, crossover study.

BACKGROUND: The role of the forward-viewing echoendoscope compared with the oblique-viewing echoendoscope for EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) of upper GI subepithelial lesions has not been defined. OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic yield and clinical efficacy of EUS-FNA by using the 2 echoendoscopes in the same upper GI subepithelial lesion. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, crossover study. SETTING: Tertiary-care medical center. PATIENTS: Forty-one patients with an upper GI subepithelial lesion. INTERVENTIONS: All patients first underwent EUS-FNA with a 19-gauge needle by using both echoendoscopes, based on random selection. When required, 22-gauge or 25-gauge needles were used additionally. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Comparison of diagnostic yield, tissue sample area, puncture success rates, procedure time, and adverse events. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (median lesion size 22 mm, range 15-63 mm) were enrolled. Rates of histologic diagnosis were 80.5% (33/41) and 73.2% (30/41) (P=.453) by using forward-viewing and oblique-viewing echoendoscopes, respectively. Median tissue sample area in GI stromal tumors (n=22) obtained with the forward-viewing echoendoscope was larger than with the oblique-viewing echoendoscope (2.46 mm2 vs 1.00 mm2; P=.046). Puncture success rates were 39 of 41 (95.1%) and 35 of 41 (85.4%; P=.289) with forward-viewing and oblique-viewing echoendoscopes, respectively. Median procedure time was 21 minutes with the forward-viewing echoendoscope and 27 minutes with the oblique-viewing echoendoscope (P=.009). An infectious adverse event occurred in a patient and was treated with antibiotics. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic yield did not differ between the 2 echoendoscopes. However, tissue sample area and procedure time were superior with the forward-viewing echoendoscope.

Simplified magnetic anchor-guided endoscopic submucosal dissection in dogs (with videos).

BACKGROUND: Magnetic anchor-guided endoscopic submucosal dissection (MAG-ESD) was developed to reduce adverse events such as bleeding and perforation and to facilitate ESD. However, the external electromagnet required miniaturization to make it suitable for daily clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of simplified MAG-ESD using permanent magnets. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Nagoya University Hospital. SUBJECTS: Beagle dogs. INTERVENTIONS: The simplified MAG-ESD was performed on 10 representative areas of the stomachs of beagle dogs. The magnetic anchor consisted of an internal magnet attached to a hemoclip. The external and internal magnets were made from the rare earth neodymium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The feasibility of countertraction with good visualization using simplified MAG-ESD. The rate of perforation, the time required for preparation, and attaching the magnetic anchor were also evaluated. RESULTS: All lesions were successfully resected without perforation. The magnetic anchor could be controlled easily, and direct visualization was maintained by adequate counter traction. Preparing the magnetic anchor and grasping the mucosal edge using the hemoclip was easy and required a median of only 4 minutes (range, 2-7 minutes). LIMITATIONS: Animal experiment, low number and lesion size. CONCLUSIONS: This simplified MAG-ESD is feasible and allowed excellent visualization in the dog stomach. The feasibility of this system should be assessed in humans.