Bariatric reduction system - BARS: device, technique and first clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric by-pass (RYGB) is one of the most effective bariatric procedures, but the rate of weight regain (WR) can reach 63% after the second year. Enlargement of the gastrojejunal anastomosis is one of the reported causes. A newly CE-marked flexible endoscopic system, Bariatric Anastomotic Reduction System (BARS) (Ovesco Endoscopy, Tuebingen, Germany), derivative of the well-established endoscopic over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) clipping system, has been recently developed. It was tested in pre-clinical and preliminary clinical use for feasibility and effectiveness in bariatric anastomotic reduction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a single-channel endoscope with external supplemental working channel, the BARS device captures the two limbs of the anastomosis, reducing its size, thus slowing food passage. After preclinical assessment, six patients with at least a 15% WR and the presence of an enlarged gastrojejunostomy > 20 mm were enrolled. The mean patient age was 49 years (range 24-67). Average interval between gastric bypass and BARS procedure: 8 years (4-13). RESULTS: All procedures were safely performed without complications. Mean procedure time: 52 min (37 - 75). Preliminary results: mean weight loss 6 kg (4-9) at a 3-month FU. CONCLUSIONS: BARS could be a promising endoscopic system in case of WR after gastric bypass due to enlargement of the anastomosis.

Curative endoscopic submucosal dissection of large nonpolypoid superficial neoplasms in ulcerative colitis (with videos).

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic resection of superficial neoplasms in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is appropriate if a complete resection can be achieved. However, EMR is ineffective for large, nonpolypoid neoplasms in IBD due to submucosal fibrosis, and no data are available on the efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). OBJECTIVE: To assess ESD feasibility and efficacy for large, nonpolypoid neoplasms in patients with IBD. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Multicenter: Italian and Japanese centers. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis and a superficial nonpolypoid neoplasm, >20 mm within the colitic mucosa. INTERVENTION: Neoplasm characterization and delineation by chromoscopy and narrow-band imaging. ESD performed according to the standard technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Feasibility, safety, curative resection rates. RESULTS: Nine patients with 10 neoplasms were included (7 and 3 in the Italian and Japanese centers, respectively). Neoplasms were laterally spreading tumors-non-granular in 5 cases, in the left side of the colon in 7, had median size of 33 mm, and were associated with scar in 5 cases. Margin delineation was difficult in 5 cases. Submucosal fibrosis was present in 9 cases. ESD was en bloc with negative margins (R0) in 8 cases, and curative in 7. No endoscopic invisible dysplasia or cancer was found during the follow-up (median 24 months, range 6-72 months) at the resection site and elsewhere within the colitic mucosa. LIMITATIONS: Small series. CONCLUSION: ESD achieves curative resections in patients with IBD, but the procedure is difficult because of the high prevalence of submucosal fibrosis. Patients need to be accurately evaluated before resection and adhere to strict long-term follow-ups.

Stepwise training in rectal and colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection with differentiated learning curves.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has revolutionized the resection of GI superficial neoplasms, but adoption in Western countries is significantly delayed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a stepwise colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) learning and operative training protocol. DESIGN: Prospective study in the Western setting. SETTING: This study took place in a nonacademic hospital with one endoscopist expert in therapeutic endoscopy but novice in ESD. PATIENTS: Indications for ESD were superficial neoplasms 20 mm and larger without ulcerations or fibrosis. INTERVENTION: Training consisted of 5 unsupervised ESDs on isolated stomach, an observation period at an ESD expert Japanese center, 1 supervised ESD on isolated stomach, and retraining on 1 rectal ESD under supervision. The operative training on patients was performed without supervision moving from the rectum to the colon according to the competence achieved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Competence was defined as an 80% en bloc resection rate plus a statistically significant reduction in operating time per square centimeter. Learning curves were calculated based on consecutive blocks of 5 procedures. RESULTS: From February 2009 to February 2012, 30 rectal and 30 colonic ESDs were performed. The rectal ESD learning curve showed that the en bloc resection rate was 80% after 5 procedures (P = not significant); the operating time per square centimeter significantly decreased after 20 procedures (P = .0079); perforation occurred in 1 patient. The colonic ESD learning curve showed that the en bloc resection rate was 80% after 20 procedures (P = not significant); the operating time per square centimeter significantly decreased after 20 procedures (P = .031); perforations occurred in 2 patients. LIMITATIONS: Single-center design. CONCLUSIONS: A minimal intensive training seems sufficient for endoscopists expert in therapeutic procedures to take up ESD in a not overly arduous incremental method with separate and sequential learning curves for the rectum and colon.

Over-the-scope clip closure of two chronic fistulas after gastric band penetration.

Gastrointestinal perforations are conservatively managed at endoscopy by through-the-scope endoclips and covered self expandable stents, according to the size and tissue features of the perforation. This is believed to be the first report of successful closure of two gastro-cutaneous fistulas with over-the-scope clips (OTSCs). After laparoscopic gastric banding, a 45-year old woman presented with band erosion and penetration. Despite surgical band removal and gastric wall suturing, external drainage of enteric material persisted for 2 wk, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy demonstrated two adjacent 10-mm and 15-mm fistulous orifices at the esophagogastric junction. After cauterization of the margins, the 10-mm fistulous tract was grasped by the OTSC anchor, invaginated into the applicator cap, and closed by a traumatic OTSC. The other 15-mm fistula was too large to be firmly grasped, and a fully-covered metal stent was temporarily placed. No leak occurred during the following 6 wk. At stent removal: the OTSC was completely embedded in hyperplastic overgrowth; the 15-mm fistula significantly reduced in diameter, and it was closed by another traumatic OTSC. After the procedure, no external fistula recurred and both OTSCs were lost spontaneously after 4 wk. The use of the anchor and the OTSC seem highly effective for successful closure of small chronic perforations.