In-hospital Pediatric Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Is Associated With Shorter Hospitalization for Children With Choledocholithiasis.

OBJECTIVES: Children with choledocholithiasis are frequently managed at tertiary children's hospitals that do not have available endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) proceduralists. We hypothesized that patients treated at hospitals without ERCP proceduralists would have a longer hospital length of stay (LOS) than those with ERCP proceduralists. METHODS: Charts were reviewed for patients who underwent cholecystectomy and ERCP at 3 tertiary children's hospitals over 10 years. Trauma and complicated pancreatitis patients were excluded. Comparisons between patients requiring and not requiring transfer for ERCP were made using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables and Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four children underwent ERCP for suspected choledocholithiasis: 79 (48%) in the transfer group and 85 (52%) in the no transfer group.Median LOS was longer for patients requiring transfer (7 vs 5 days, P < 0.0001). One-third (34%) of the transfer patients had magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography compared to only 7% that did not require transfer (P < 0.0001). Among the 123 patients who underwent ERCP before cholecystectomy, 53% required (66/123) transfer and 47% (57/123) did not. Transfer group patients had longer median hospital LOS (P < 0.0001), more days between admission and ERCP (P < 0.0001), and more days between ERCP and surgery (P = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: Overall median LOS was significantly shorter for patients who underwent ERCP at the admitting facility. Patients who underwent ERCP before cholecystectomy at hospitals without available ERCP proceduralists incurred longer LOS. There is a need for more pediatric proceduralists appropriately trained to perform ERCP in children.

Over the Scope Clips for Treatment of Acute Nonvariceal Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Children Are Safe and Effective.

OBJECTIVE: There is little published experience with the use of over-the-scope clips (OTSCs) in pediatric patients. The aim of this study is to present our single-center experience utilizing OTSCs for nonvariceal gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of pediatric patients who underwent endoscopic management of GI bleeding during which OTSCs were used. RESULTS: Eleven cases of OTSC utilization for hemostasis were identified in 10 unique patients between November 2014 and May 2016. The median age at intervention was 14.7 years (range 3.9-16.8 years) and median weight was 39 kg (range 17.4-85.8 kg). Technical success and hemostasis were achieved in all cases and there were no complications. Median follow-up was 32.9 months (range 21.2-39.4 months). All nonanastomotic ulcers (4), polypectomy bleeding (2), and sphincterotomy bleeding (1) had no evidence of recurrent GI bleeding at last follow-up. Two patients with anastomotic ulcerations required additional medical interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Our series demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of the OTSCs in the pediatric population for acute GI bleeding throughout the GI tract. In our experience, it is effective for nonanastomotic ulcers, postpolypectomy bleeding, and postsphincterotomy bleeding even when other hemostatic techniques have failed. OTSCs may be less effective in the setting of anastomotic ulcerations, reaffirming the refractory nature of these lesions.

Devices for the endoscopic treatment of hemorrhoids.

Multiple endoscopic methods are available to treat symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Because of its low cost, ease of use, low rate of adverse events, and relative effectiveness, RBL is currently the most widely used technique.

Wireless capsule endoscopy.

Over the last decade, WCE has established itself as a valuable test for imaging the small intestine. It is a safe and relatively easy procedure to perform that can provide valuable information in the diagnosis of small-bowel conditions. Its applications still remain limited within the esophagus and colon. Future developments may include improving visualization within the esophagus and developing technologies that may allow manipulation of the capsule within the GI tract and biopsy capabilities.

Pancreatic and biliary stents.

Biliary and pancreatic stents are used in a variety of benign and malignant conditions including strictures and leaks and in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.Both plastic and metal stents are safe, effective, and easy to use. SEMSs have traditionally been used for inoperable malignant disease. Covered SEMSs are now being evaluated for use in benign disease. Increasing the duration of patency of both plastic and metal stents remains an important area for future research.

Endoluminal bariatric techniques.

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Technology Committee provides reviews of new or emerging endoscopic technologies that have the potential to have an impact on the practice of GI endoscopy. Evidence-based methodology is used, with a MEDLINE literature search to identify pertinent preclinical and clinical studies on the topic and a MAUDE (U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health) database search to identify the reported complications of a given technology. Both are supplemented by accessing the "related articles" feature of PubMed and by scrutinizing pertinent references cited by the identified studies. Controlled clinical trials are emphasized, but in many cases, data from randomized, controlled trials are lacking. In such cases, large case series, preliminary clinical studies, and expert opinions are used. Technical data are gathered from traditional and Web-based publications, proprietary publications, and informal communications with pertinent vendors. For this review, the MEDLINE database was searched through January 2011 using the keywords "bariatric," "endoscopic," "intragastric balloon," "duodenojejunal bypass sleeve," and "transoral gastroplasty." Reports on Emerging Technologies are drafted by 1 or 2 members of the ASGE Technology Committee, reviewed and edited by the committee as a whole, and approved by the Governing Board of the ASGE. These reports are scientific reviews provided solely for educational and informational purposes. Reports on Emerging Technologies are not rules and should not be construed as establishing a legal standard of care or as encouraging, advocating, requiring, or discouraging any particular treatment or payment for such treatment.

Enteroscopy in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Endoscopic investigation of small bowel disorders in children has historically been difficult due to the length and tortuosity of the organ itself. New technology introduced over the past decade allows minimally invasive, detailed endoscopic evaluation of the small bowel mucosa from the duodenum to the cecum. While understudied in the pediatric population, literature is emerging supporting the use of these techniques and devices in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Well tolerated and clinically useful capsule endoscopy has been reported a number of times in children, and the indications and potential complications of this procedure are discussed. The limitations of capsule endoscopy, namely inability to biopsy and treat small bowel lesions, have been addressed to some extent by the introduction of balloon enteroscopy, which allows deep intubation of the small bowel, and at times viewing of the entire mucosal surface. Balloon enteroscopy has been safely reported in children as small as 13.1  kg, and has been successfully performed in children with Roux-en-Y anastomoses in the evaluation and therapy of biliary strictures. SUMMARY: New enteroscopic techniques now allow detailed investigation and therapy of small bowel lesions in a minimally invasive fashion in the pediatric population.

GI endoscopes.

The ASGE Technology Committee provides reviews of existing, new, or emerging endoscopic technologies that have an impact on the practice of GI endoscopy. Evidence-based methodology is used, performing a MEDLINE literature search to identify pertinent clinical studies on the topic and a MAUDE (U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health) database search to identify the reported complications of a given technology. Both are supplemented by accessing the "related articles" feature of PubMed and by scrutinizing pertinent references cited by the identified studies. Controlled clinical trials are emphasized, but in many cases data from randomized, controlled trials are lacking. In such cases, large case series, preliminary clinical studies, and expert opinions are used. Technical data are gathered from traditional and Web-based publications, proprietary publications, and informal communications with pertinent vendors. Technology Status Evaluation Reports are drafted by 1 or 2 members of the ASGE Technology Committee, reviewed and edited by the Committee as a whole, and approved by the Governing Board of the ASGE. When financial guidance is indicated, the most recent coding data and list prices at the time of publication are provided. For this review, the MEDLINE database was searched through September 2010 for articles related to endoscopy by using the key words "gastroscope," "colonoscope," "echoendoscope," "duodenoscope," "choledochoscope," "ultraslim endoscope," "variable stiffness colonoscope," and "wide-angle colonoscope." Technology Status Evaluation Reports are scientific reviews provided solely for educational and informational purposes. Technology Status Evaluation Reports are not rules and should not be construed as establishing a legal standard of care or as encouraging, advocating, requiring, or discouraging any particular treatment or payment for such treatment.

Efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts in a pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: While pancreatitis is uncommon in children, pseudocyst development can be a serious complication. Endoscopic drainage of pseudocysts is well established in adults. However, there are limited data regarding this procedure in a pediatric population. The objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided pseudocyst drainage in children. METHODS: The study group included children (age <18 years) who presented for endoscopic drainage of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts in whom endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was performed. In those cases with EUS guidance, a 19-gauge needle was used to access the pseudocyst and place a guidewire under fluoroscopic visualization. Needle-knife diathermy and balloon dilation of the tract were performed with subsequent placement of double pig-tailed stents for drainage. RESULTS: Ten children with mean age of 11.8 years (range 4-17 years) were analyzed for pancreatic pseudocysts due to biliary pancreatitis (n = 4), trauma (n = 2), familial pancreatitis (n = 1), idiopathic pancreatitis (n = 2), and pancreas divisum (n = 1). In eight cases, EUS-guided puncture and stent placement was successful. In the remaining two cases, aspiration of cyst fluid until complete collapse was adequate. As experience increased with EUS examination in children, the therapeutic EUS scope alone was used in 50% of cases for the entire procedure. In all ten cases, successful transgastric endoscopic drainage of pseudocysts was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic drainage of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts can be achieved safely in children. EUS guidance facilitates optimal site of puncture as well as placement of transmural stents.

Single-balloon enteroscopy in children: initial experience at a pediatric center.

Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) allows deep endoscopic access to the jejunum and ileum in adults; however, there are no published series describing the safety of, and indications for, SBE in a pediatric population.Seven pediatric patients (5-17 years) underwent SBE in a 9-month period. Five of 7 procedures achieved the goal. There were no serious complications, and SBE positively affected patient management in 5 of 7 cases.We conclude that SBE is feasible in a pediatric population and can positively affect patient care.

Endoscopic placement of the capsule endoscope in children.

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy provides a minimally invasive examination of the entire small bowel. However, some children and disabled adults may be unable to independently ingest the capsule. A new method for endoscopic placement of the capsule endoscope is described. METHODS: Consecutive children who required capsule endoscopy of the small bowel and who were unable to independently ingest the capsule were selected for endoscopic placement. A net retrieval catheter and a translucent ligation adaptor were used to hold and stabilize alignment of the capsule during endoscopic insertion into the distal duodenum. RESULTS: Eleven pediatric patients underwent successful endoscopic placement of a capsule endoscope in the duodenum without complication. One capsule migrated back into the stomach, where it remained for the life of the battery. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic placement of the capsule endoscope by using the described technique appears to be effective and safe. It facilitates capsule endoscopy in patients who are unable to independently ingest the capsule.