Gastrointestinal ischemia: endoscopic findings in the context of vascular insufficiency.

Gastrointestinal ischemia may result from different causes: hemodynamic shock, thromboembolism, endoscopic or surgical complications, among other causes. Its symptoms are pain, vomiting, bleeding and bloating. Endoscopic findings are pale or blackened mucosa, and exudative and confluent ulcerative lesions. This paper aims to report a case of gastroduodenal ischemia associated with hemodynamic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This is a case of a 56-years- old male with multiple comorbidities, presenting with refractory septic shock and DIC. He underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) for investigation of melena, which revealed an extensive deep and exudative gastric ulcer, associated with edematous purplish duodenal mucosa. Due to the severity of the underlying condition, the patient evolved to death, evidencing septic shock as cause of death. Gastroduodenal ischemia is associated with a poor prognosis, in which early diagnosis by UGE is fundamental to guide potential interventions.

Cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection for refractory post liver transplant anastomotic strictures: a rescue case series.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Post liver transplant biliary anastomotic strictures have traditionally been treated with balloon dilation and multiple plastic stents. Fully covered self-expandable metallic stents may be used as an initial alternative or after multiple plastic stents failure. Refractory strictures can occur in 10-22% and require revisional surgery. Alternatively, cholangioscopy allows direct visualization and therapeutic approaches. We aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of balloon dilation combined with cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection for the treatment of refractory anastomotic biliary strictures. METHODS: Three post-orthotopic liver transplant patients who failed standard treatment of their biliary anastomotic strictures underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with balloon dilation followed by cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection at a tertiary care center. Patients had follow-up with images and laboratorial tests to evaluate for residual stricture. RESULTS: Technical success of balloon dilation + cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection was achieved in all patients. Cholangioscopy permitted accurate evaluation of bile ducts and precise localization for steroid injection. No adverse events occurred. Mean follow-up was 26 months. Two patients are stent free and remain well in follow-up, with no signs of biliary obstruction. No further therapeutic endoscopic procedures or revisional surgery were required. One patient did not respond to balloon dilation + cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection after 11 months of follow-up and required repeat balloon dilation of new strictures above the anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection combined with balloon dilation in the treatment of refractory post liver transplant strictures is feasible and safe. This method may be used as a rescue alternative before surgical approach. Randomized controlled trials comparing balloon dilation + cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection to fully covered self-expandable metallic stents are needed to determine the role of this treatment for anastomotic biliary strictures.

Gastrointestinal ischemia: endoscopic findings in the context of vascular insufficiency

Gastrointestinal ischemia may result from different causes: hemodynamic shock, thromboembolism, endoscopic or surgical complications, among other causes. Its symptoms are pain, vomiting, bleeding and bloating. Endoscopic findings are pale or blackened mucosa, and exudative and confluent ulcerative lesions. This paper aims to report a case of gastroduodenal ischemia associated with hemodynamic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This is a case of a 56-yearsold male with multiple comorbidities, presenting with refractory septic shock and DIC. He underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) for investigation of melena, which revealed an extensive deep and exudative gastric ulcer, associated with edematous purplish duodenal mucosa. Due to the severity of the underlying condition, the patient evolved to death, evidencing septic shock as cause of death. Gastroduodenal ischemia is associated with a poor prognosis, in which early diagnosis by UGE is fundamental to guide potential interventions.

La isquemia gastroduodenal puede resultar por diferentes causas: shock hemodinámico, tromboembolismo, complicaciones post-procedimientos endoscópicos o quirúrgicos, entre otras. Sus síntomas son dolor, vómito, hemorragia y distensión abdominal. Los hallazgos endoscópicos son mucosa pálida o ennegrecida, lesiones ulcerativas exudativas y confluentes. Este trabajo relata un caso de isquemia gastrointestinal, asociada a choque hemodinámico y coagulación intravascular diseminada (CID). Este es un caso de un hombre de 56 años de edad, con múltiples comorbilidades, que presenta con shock séptico refractario a tratamiento y CID. El paciente se sometió a una endoscopia digestiva alta (EDA) para la investigación de melena, que reveló una extensa úlcera gástrica exudativa y profunda, asociada con mucosa duodenal violácea e inflamada. Debido a la gravedad de la enfermedad de base, el paciente evolucionó a la muerte, siendo el shock séptico como causa principal. La isquemia gastrointestinal es asociada a un mal pronóstico, en el que el diagnóstico precoz por EDA es fundamental para orientar las posibles intervenciones.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided vs endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography biliary drainage for obstructed distal malignant biliary strictures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: For palliation of malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), the gold-standard method of biliary drainage is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with the placement of metallic stents. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage is an alternative that is typically reserved for cases of ERCP failure. Recently, however, there have been robust randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing EUS-guided drainage and ERCP as primary approaches to MBO. AIM: To compare EUS guidance and ERCP in terms of their effectiveness and safety in palliative biliary drainage for MBO. METHODS: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis, in which we searched the MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Only RCTs comparing EUS and ERCP for primary drainage of MBO were eligible. All of the studies selected provided data regarding the rates of technical and clinical success, as well as the duration of the procedure, adverse events, and stent patency. We assessed the risk of biases using the Jadad score and the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. RESULTS: The database searches yielded 5920 records, from which we selected 3 RCTs involving a total of 222 patients (112 submitted to EUS and 110 submitted to ERCP). In the EUS and ERCP groups, the rate of technical success was 91.96% and 91.81%, respectively, with a risk difference (RD) of 0.00% (95%CI: -0.07, 0.07; P = 0.97; I 2 = 0%). The clinical success was 84.81% and 85.53% in the EUS and ERCP groups, respectively, with an RD of -0.01% (95%CI: -0.12, 0.10; P = 0.90; I 2 = 0%). The mean difference (MD) for the duration of the procedure was -0.12% (95%CI: -8.20, 7.97; P = 0.98; I 2 = 84%). In the EUS and ERCP groups, there were 14 and 25 adverse events, respectively, with an RD of -0.06% (95%CI: -0.23, 0.12; P = 0.54; I 2 = 77%). The MD for stent patency was 9.32% (95%CI: -4.53, 23.18; P = 0.19; I 2 = 44%). The stent dysfunction rate was significantly lower in the EUS group (MD = -0.22%; 95CI:-0.35, -0.08; P = 0.001; I 2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: EUS represents an interesting alternative to ERCP for MBO drainage, demonstrating lower stent dysfunction rates compared with ERCP. Technical and clinical success, duration, adverse events and patency rates were similar.

Endoscopic versus surgical treatment for pancreatic pseudocysts: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare surgical and endoscopic treatment for pancreatic pseudocyst (PP). METHODS: The researchers did a search in Medline, EMBASE, Scielo/Lilacs, and Cochrane electronic databases for studies comparing surgical and endoscopic drainage of PP s in adult patients. Then, the extracted data were used to perform a meta-analysis. The outcomes were therapeutic success, drainage-related adverse events, general adverse events, recurrence rate, cost, and time of hospitalization. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between treatment success rate (risk difference [RD] -0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.20,0.01]; P = .07), drainage-related adverse events (RD -0.02; 95% CI [-0.04,0.08]; P = .48), general adverse events (RD -0.05; 95% CI [-0.12, 0.02]; P = .13) and recurrence (RD: 0.02; 95% CI [-0.04,0.07]; P = .58) between surgical and endoscopic treatment.Regarding time of hospitalization, the endoscopic group had better results (RD: -4.23; 95% CI [-5.18, -3.29]; P < .00001). When it comes to treatment cost, the endoscopic arm also had better outcomes (RD: -4.68; 95% CI [-5.43,-3.94]; P < .00001). CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference between surgical and endoscopic treatment success rates, adverse events and recurrence for PP. However, time of hospitalization and treatment costs were lower in the endoscopic group.

Comparison between Enteroscopy-Based and Laparoscopy-Assisted ERCP for Accessing the Biliary Tree in Patients with Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Although balloon-assisted enteroscopy-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BAE-ERCP) is a well-described means of accessing the duodenal papilla in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), it is associated with modest clinical success rates. Laparoscopy-assisted ERCP (LA-ERCP)-performed by advancing a standard duodenoscope through a gastrostomy into the excluded stomach and duodenum-has emerged as a viable alternative to BAE-ERCP, with apparently higher success rates. In this systematic review, we compare LA-ERCP with enteroscopy-based techniques in post-RYGB patients, including 22 case series that provided data on papilla identification, papilla cannulation, and complications. We found that LA-ERCP was superior to the enteroscopy-based techniques in its capacity to reach the duodenal papilla, although complication rates were lower for the latter. Comparative studies are needed in order to corroborate our findings.

Efficacy and Safety of Stents in the Treatment of Fistula After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Fistula development is a serious complication after bariatric surgery. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of fistula closure and complications associated with endoscopic stent treatment of fistulas, developed after bariatric surgeries, particularly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and gastric sleeve (GS). Studies involving patients with fistula after RYGB or GS and those who received stent treatment only were selected. The analyzed outcomes were overall success rate of fistula closure, mean number of stents per patient, mean stent dwelling time, and procedure-associated complications. Current evidence from identified studies demonstrates that, in selected patients, endoscopic stent treatment of fistulas after GS or RYGB can be safe and effective.

Endoscopic Treatment of Weight Regain Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure. Despite its high efficacy, some patients regain part of their lost weight. Several endoscopic therapies have been introduced as alternatives to treat weight regain, but most of the articles are relatively small with unclear long-term data. To systematically assess the efficacy of endoscopic therapies for weight regain after RYGB. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, OVID, CINAHL/EBSCo, LILACS/Bireme, and gray literature. Primary outcomes were absolute weight loss (AWL), excess weight loss (EWL), and total body weight loss (TBWL). Thirty-two studies were included in qualitative analysis. Twenty-six described full-thickness (FT) endoscopic suturing and pooled AWL, EWL, and TBWL at 3 months were 8.5 ± 2.9 kg, 21.6 ± 9.3%, and 7.3 ± 2.6%, respectively. At 6 months, they were 8.6 ± 3.5 kg, 23.7 ± 12.3%, and 8.0 ± 3.9%, respectively. At 12 months, they were 7.63 ± 4.3 kg, 16.9 ± 11.1%, and 6.6 ± 5.0%, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that all outcomes were significantly higher in the group with FT suturing combined with argon plasma coagulation (APC) (p < 0.0001). Meta-analysis included 15 FT studies and showed greater results. Three studies described superficial-thickness suturing with pooled AWL of 3.0 ± 3.8, 4.4 ± 0.07, and 3.7 ± 7.4 kg at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Two articles described APC alone with mean AWL of 15.4 ± 2.0 and 15.4 ± 9.1 kg at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Full-thickness suturing is effective at treating weight regain after RYGB. Performing APC prior to suturing seems to result in greater weight loss. Head-to-head studies are needed to confirm our results. Few studies adequately assess effectiveness of other endoscopic techniques.

Guide wire-assisted cannulation versus conventional contrast to prevent pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized control trials / Canulación asistida por alambre guía versus contraste convencional para prevenir la pancreatitis: Una revisión sistemática y meta-análisis basados en ensayos aleatorios controlados

Objective: Through this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to clarify the differences between these two techniques, thus improving primary success cannulation and reducing complications during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, primarily pancreatitis. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted to search for data available up until June2015from the most important databases available in the health field: EMBASE, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane, LILACS and CENTRAL (via BVS), SCOPUS, the CAPES database (Brazil), and gray literature. Results: Nine randomized clinical trialsincluding2583 people were selected from20,198 studies for meta-analysis. Choledocholithiasis had been diagnosed in mostly (63.8%) of the patients, who were aged an average of 63.15 years. In those patients treated using the guide wire-assisted cannulation technique, provided a significantly lower instance of pancreatitis (RD=0.03; 95% CI: 0.01-0.05; I2= 45%) and greater primary success cannulation (RD=0.07; 95% CI: 0.03-0.12; I2=12%) than conventional contrast cannulation. Conclusions: The guide wire-assisted technique, when compared to the conventional contrast technique, reduces the risk of pancreatitis and increases primary success cannulation rate. Thus, guide wire-assisted cannulation appears to be the most appropriate first-line cannulation technique

Objetivo: A través de esta revisión sistemática y meta-análisis, nuestro objetivo es aclarar las diferencias entre estas dos técnicas, mejorando así la canulación de éxito primario y reducir las complicaciones durante la colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica, principalmente la pancreatitis. Métodos: Una búsqueda exhaustiva se realizó para buscar datos disponibles hasta junio de 2015, desde las bases de datos más importantes disponibles en el campo de la salud: EMBASE, MEDLINE (vía PubMed), Cochrane, LILACS y CENTRAL (a través de la BVS), SCOPUS, la base de datos CAPES (Brasil), y la literatura gris. Resultados: Nueve ensayos clínicos aleatorios incluyendo 2583 personas fueron seleccionados de 20198 estudios de meta- análisis. Coledocolitiasis había sido diagnosticada en su mayoría (63,8%) de los pacientes, que tenían entre un promedio de 63,15 años. En los pacientes tratados con la técnica de canulación guiada, proporcionado una instancia significativamente menor de pancreatitis (RD=0,03; IC del 95%: 0,01-0,05; I2=45%) y una mayor canalización de éxito primario (RD=0,07; IC del 95%: 0,03-0.12; I2=12%) que la canulación por contraste. Conclusiones: La técnica canulación con alambre guía, en comparación a la técnica de contraste convencional, reduce el riesgo de pancreatitis y aumenta la tasa de canulación con éxito primario. Por lo tanto, canulación con alambre guía parece ser la técnica de canulación de primera línea y la más adecuada

Factors associated with complications or failure of endoscopic balloon dilation of anastomotic stricture secondary to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a commonly used technique of bariatric surgery. One of the most important complications is gastrojejunal anastomotic stricture. Endoscopic balloon dilation appears to be well tolerated and effective, but well-designed randomized, controlled trials have not yet been conducted. OBJECTIVE: Identify factors associated with complications or failure of endoscopic balloon dilation of anastomotic stricture secondary to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. SETTING: Gastrointestinal endoscopy service, university hospital, Brazil. METHODS: The records of 64 patients with anastomotic stricture submitted to endoscopic dilation with hydrostatic balloon dilation were reviewed. Information was collected on gastric pouch length, anastomosis diameter before dilation, number of dilation sessions, balloon diameter at each session, anastomosis diameter after the last dilation session, presence of postsurgical complications, endoscopic complications, and outcome of dilation. Comparisons were made among postsurgical and endoscopic complications; number of dilations, balloon diameter; anastomosis diameter before dilation; and dilation outcome. RESULTS: Success of dilation treatment was 95%. Perforation was positively and significantly associated with the number of dilation sessions (P = .03). Highly significant associations were found between ischemic segment and perforation (P<.001) and between ischemic segment and bleeding (P = .047). Ischemic segment (P = .02) and fistula (P = .032) were also associated with dilation failure. CONCLUSION: Ischemic segment and fistula were found to be important risk factors for balloon dilation failure. The greater the number of dilation sessions, the greater the number of endoscopic complications.

Effectiveness of intragastric balloon for obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized control trials.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and many methods are currently used to reduce obesity. This systematic review shows the effectiveness of the intragastric balloon (IGB) method compared to the sham/diet (s/d) method. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effectiveness of the IGB method compared to the s/d method. SETTING: Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, Public Hospital. METHODS: After searching MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, Scopus, and CINAHL, only enrolled randomized control trials comparing IGB/diet with s/d were analyzed. For qualitative analysis, 12 studies were selected, and 9 of these were acceptable for quantitative analysis. RESULTS: The IGB/diet is more effective than s/d when comparing body mass index (BMI) loss with a mean difference of 1.1 kg/m(2) by the Student's t test and 1.41 kg/m(2) by the meta-analysis, with significant differences in both. It is also more effective in weight loss (WL), with a mean difference of 2 kg by the Student's t test and 3.55 kg by the meta-analysis. In the qualitative analysis of % excess WL (%EWL), the mean %EWL is 14.0% in favor of the IGB group compared to the s/d group by the Student's t test; however, no significant difference was found between these groups by quantitative analysis. CONCLUSION: Based on randomized control trial data alone, IGB>400 mL is more effective than sham/diet in achieving BMI loss, WL, and %EWL.

Endoscopic Therapeutic Option for Weight Loss and Control of Type 2 Diabetes: the Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass Liner.

For a long time, obesity has been known as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is one of the main causes of death in developed countries. This risk is due to the coexistence of other factors associated with obesity, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and abnormalities in glycemic metabolism. Obesity is also a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and it is not surprising that the global prevalence of this disease continues to increase. Surgical intervention is now the most effective modality to treat severe obesity and its comorbidities. However, endoluminal interventions performed entirely through the gastrointestinal tract by using endoscopic devices offer the potential for an outpatient weight loss procedure that may be safer, less invasive, and more cost-effective, compared with current surgical approaches. Given the emerging role of endoscopic procedures in the treatment of obesity and rapid changes in endoscopic technologies and techniques, this review considers the current state of endoscopic management of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Endoscopic techniques attempt to mimic some of the anatomic features of bariatric surgery and rely on gastric restriction and duodenal exclusion. The endoscopic placement of the duodenal-jejunal bypass liner in morbidly obese patients induces significant weight loss. Additionally, early studies reported significant improvements in several parameters of glucose homeostasis in morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes. In this article we will review the available results obtained with the duodenal-jejunal bypass liner.

A new technique for performing endoscopic pyloromyotomy by gastric submucosal tunnel dissection.

AIM: To investigate the feasibility of a new endoscopic pyloromyotomy technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endoscopic pyloromyotomy through a gastric submucosal tunnel was performed in 6 pigs. At the greater curvature, 2 cm proximal to the pylorus, we incised the mucosa and dissected the submucosal tunnel up to the pyloric ring. The pyloric muscular ring was sectioned, and then the gastric mucosal incision was closed with metallic clips. The pigs were then euthanized and necropsies were performed. RESULTS: Section of the pyloric ring was successful in all 6 pigs. Small perforations occurred in 2 of the pigs, and there was limited bleeding in 1 pig. Necropsy and histologic evaluation confirmed the pyloric section. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is feasible, easy to perform, and maybe alternative to pyloroplasty in selected cases. Experimental comparative studies with other techniques still must be performed.