Prevention of Esophageal Stricture After Whole Circumferential Endoscopic Resection: A Review for Endoscopists.

The incidence of esophageal stricture without stricture prophylaxis measures after whole circumferential endoscopic resection is almost 100%, which substantially decreases the patients' quality of life and requires multiple sessions of endoscopic balloon dilation. To date, there are many reports concerning the prevention of esophageal stricture after whole circumferential endoscopic resection. Oral steroid may be effective for preventing esophageal stricture after whole circumferential endoscopic resection. However, exposure to a high dose of steroid raises concerns with regard to adverse events. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection and preventive endoscopic balloon dilation did not appear to reduce the frequency of stricture formation after whole circumferential endoscopic resection. Esophageal stent appeared to be a possible prophylactic treatment, but adverse events should be of great concern. Polyglycolic acid sheets seemed promising, because they can not only act as protective barriers but can also be drug carriers to prevent esophageal stricture. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine such as oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets cultured in vitro have been used in patients to prevent esophageal stricture, but it is technically and financially burdensome. Autologous tissue transplantation showed a promising preventive effect for esophageal stricture and it is relatively easy to carry out in clinical practice, and this technique needs further improvements to prevent esophageal stricture after whole circumferential endoscopic resection.

Comparison between endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection and endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial neoplasia at esophagogastric junction: a case-matched controlled study of a single center from China.

BACKGROUND: So far, little evidence is available for the comprehensive comparison of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the treatment of superficial neoplasia at esophagogastric junction (EGJ). METHODS: EGJ superficial neoplasia patients with ESTD treatment between January, 2021 and August, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and individually matched at 1:1 ratio with those with ESD treatment according to lesion size, specimen area and lesion location, forming ESTD and ESD group, respectively. A sample size of 17 patients was collected for each group. Treatment outcomes including resection time, specimen area, and resection speed as well as occurrence of complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with ESD group, ESTD group got shorter resection time (111.00 ± 11.70 min for ESD group vs. 71.59 ± 6.18 min for ESTD group, p = 0.008) and faster section speed (0.23 ± 0.03 cm2/min for ESD group vs. 0.37 ± 0.06 cm2/min for ESTD group, p = 0.012). No complication was found to occur in ESTD group, while 1 patient with MP damage and 1 with delayed bleeding was found in ESD group. CONCLUSION: For the treatment of EGJ superficial neoplasia, ESTD is a safer and more effective and reliable endoscopic technique compared with ESD.

Hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection: An alternative resection modality for large laterally spreading tumors in the cecum?

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic resection for large, laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) in the cecum is challenging. Here we report on the clinical outcomes of hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in large cecal LSTs. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with cecal LSTs ≥ 2 cm who underwent ESD or hybrid ESD procedures between January of 2008 and June of 2019. We compared the baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes, including procedure time, the en bloc and complete resection rates, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were enrolled in the study. There were 27 patients in the ESD group and 35 patients in the hybrid ESD group, respectively. Hybrid ESD was more used for lesions with submucosal fibrosis. No other significant differences were found in patient characteristics between the two groups. The hybrid ESD group had a significantly shorter procedure time compared with the ESD group (27.60 ± 17.21 vs. 52.63 ± 44.202 min, P = 0.001). The en bloc resection rate (77.1% vs. 81.5%, P = 0.677) and complete resection rate (71.4% vs. 81.5%, P = 0.359) of hybrid ESD were relatively lower than that of the ESD group in despite of no significant difference was found. The perforation and post-procedure bleeding rate (2.9% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.684) were similar between the two groups. One patient perforated during the ESD procedure, which was surgically treated. One patient in the hybrid ESD group experienced post-procedure bleeding, which was successfully treated with endoscopic hemostasis. Post-procedural fever and abdominal pain occurred in six patients in the ESD group and five patients in the hybrid ESD group. One patient in the ESD group experienced recurrence, which was endoscopically resected. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that hybrid ESD may be an alternative resection strategy for large cecal LSTs with submucosal fibrosis.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for rectal laterally spreading tumors.

BACKGROUND: Evidence that comprehensively compares the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for rectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) is limited. METHODS: Between January 2009 and June 2018, 143 rectal LSTs in 143 patients who had undergone either ESD (n = 84) or ESTD (n = 59) were included in the study. One-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) was performed, and 50 pairs were selected. The data on patient demographics, treatment information, pathology reports, adverse events and follow-up were collected. RESULTS: Before PSM, the median specimen area was significantly larger in the ESTD group than in the ESD group (12.56 cm2 vs. 6.32 cm2, respectively; p < 0.001). The median dissection speed was significantly higher in the ESTD group than in the ESD group (24.53 mm2/min vs. 15.16 mm2/min, respectively; p < 0.001). After PSM, the median dissection speed was significantly higher in the ESTD group than in the ESD group (23.80 mm2/min vs. 17.12 mm2/min, respectively; p < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, significant factors related to a higher dissection speed were the treatment method of ESTD (p < 0.001) and larger specimen area (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ESTD appears to be a safe and effective method to treat rectal LSTs. Compared with ESD, ESTD appears to achieve a higher dissection speed for rectal LSTs.

Autologous skin-grafting surgery to prevent esophageal stenosis after complete circular endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection: a case-matched controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of postoperative stenosis after endoscopic resection of wholly circumferential superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasms (SESCNs) is extremely high. METHODS: Between January 2011 and April 2019, 19 patients who underwent autologous skin-grafting surgery (ASGS) after complete circular endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ccESTD) were enrolled to form the ASGS group. Cases in the ASGS group were individually matched at a 1:1 ratio to cases undergoing fully covered esophageal stent (FCES) placement alone (FCES group) based on pathological diagnosis, curative resection, longitudinal length of ulceration, lack of stent migration, time to stent removal, follow-up period and operators. Baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the ASGS group and the FCES group. The incidence of patients with esophageal stenosis after removal of the stent in the ASGS group was significantly reduced compared that in the FCES group (36.8% vs 78.9%, p = 0.020). Comparison of preventive methods (ASGS vs FCES alone) between the stenosis group and nonstenosis group revealed that ASGS accounted for a higher proportion than FCES alone in the nonstenosis group (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with FCES placement alone, ASGS appeared to be more effective in preventing esophageal stenosis after ccESTD for SESCNs.

Clinical experience of using a novel self-help inflatable balloon to prevent esophageal stricture after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is gradually becoming a first-line treatment for superficial esophageal neoplasms (SEN), strictures occur in almost 100% of cases after circumferential ESD. A standard method to prevent stricture has not been established. Thus, we propose a novel self-help inflatable balloon to prevent stricture. The new balloon was used by the patients themselves at home (4-5 times a day, duration of each procedure was approximately 15-20 min), and was removed when the defects were almost healed. From January 2018 to September 2018, eight patients who received circumferential ESD for SEN and underwent a novel self-help inflatable balloon to prevent stricture were enrolled. Median size of the mucosal defects was 76.3 mm (range: 50-90 mm). Median time for removing the self-help inflatable balloon was 94.6 days (range, 71-119 days). Only one (12.5%) patient experienced stricture, and three endoscopic balloon dilation sessions were carried out for this patient. All patients tolerated the balloon well, and none experienced perforation or delayed bleeding. The self-help inflatable balloon seems to show a high preventive effect against stricture in patients whose mucosal defect was no longer than 100 mm in length after esophageal circumferential ESD. This method is economic, feasible, and safe.

Inhibitory role of S-nitrosoglutathione in the aggregation of frozen platelets, and its effect on the expression of membrane glycoproteins.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on the aggregation of frozen platelets, the platelet nitric oxide (NO) content and the expression of membrane glycoproteins. The level of frozen platelet aggregation was measured using a platelet aggregation analyzer, while the content of NO was measured by the nitrate reductase method and the expression of frozen platelet membrane glycoproteins was determined by flow cytometry. The level of frozen platelet aggregation was reduced from 35.47±2.93 to 24.43±3.07% following treatment with GSNO. The mean NO concentration in the 32 samples of frozen platelets treated with GSNO was 45.64±6.31 µmol/l, which was significantly higher compared with the concentration in the fresh liquid platelet group. There were no significant differences in the levels of PAC-1 in the fresh liquid platelet, frozen platelet and GSNO-treated frozen platelet groups; by contrast, significant differences were observed in the CD42b and CD62P levels. The platelet membrane glycoprotein expression levels in the frozen platelet and the GSNO-treated frozen platelet groups were not significantly different. The results of the study indicate that GSNO has potential as a cryoprotectant, due to its ability to increase the NO concentration in frozen platelets, inhibit platelet aggregation and maintain platelet function. It is likely that the molecular arrangement and structure of the frozen platelets were altered following GSNO treatment, or that the frozen platelets were affected by alternative mechanisms.

Survey of spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder studies using the Web of Science.

OBJECTIVE: To identify global trends in research on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder, through a bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science. DATA RETRIEVAL: We performed a bibliometric analysis of studies on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder using the Web of Science. Data retrieval was performed using key words "spinal cord injury", "spinal injury", "neurogenic bladder", "neuropathic bladder", "neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction", "neurogenic voiding dysfunction", "neurogenic urination disorder" and "neurogenic vesicourethral dysfunction". INCLUSION CRITERIA: (a) published peer-reviewed articles on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder indexed in the Web of Science; (b) type of articles: original research articles and reviews; (c) year of publication: no limitation. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: (a) articles that required manual searching or telephone access; (b) Corrected papers and book chapters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Annual publication output; (2) distribution according to journals; (3) distribution according to subject areas; (4) distribution according to country; (5) distribution according to institution; and (6) top cited publications. RESULTS: There were 646 research articles addressing spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder in the Web of Science. Research on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder was found in the Science Citation Index-Expanded as of 1946. The United States, Ireland and Switzerland were the three major countries contributing to studies in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder in the 1970s. However, in the 1990s, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and Japan published more papers on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder than Switzerland, and Ireland fell off the top ten countries list. In this century, the United States ranks first in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder studies, followed by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. Subject categories including urology, nephrology and clinical neurology, as well as rehabilitation, are represented in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder studies. CONCLUSION: From our analysis of the literature and research trends, we conclude that spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder is a hot topic that will continue to generate considerable research interest in the future.