Impact of biliary stents in the performance of the EUS-guided tissue acquisition: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Pancreatobiliary tumours are challenging to diagnose exclusively by imaging methods. Although the optimum moment for carrying out the EUS is not well defined, it has been suggested that the presence of biliary stents may interfere with the proper staging of tumours and the acquisition of samples. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of biliary stents on EUS-guided tissue acquisition yield. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review in different databases, such as PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, and OVID Database. A search was made of all studies published up to February 2022. RESULTS: Eight studies were analyzed. A total of 3185 patients were included. The mean age was 66.9±2.7 years; 55.4% were male gender. Overall, 1761 patients (55.3%) underwent EUS guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) with stents in situ, whereas 1424 patients (44.7%) underwent EUS-TA without stents. The technical success was similar in both groups (EUS-TA with stents: 88% vs EUS-TA without stents: 88%, OR=0.92 [95% CI 0.55-1.56]). The type of stent, the needle size and the number of the passes were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-TA has similar diagnostic performance and technical success in patients with or without stents. The type of stent (SEMS or plastic) does not seem to influence the diagnostic performance of EUS-TA. Future prospectives and RCT studies are needed to strengthen these conclusions.

Survey on initial management of acute pancreatitis in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: The population of Latin America harbors the highest incidence of gallstones and acute biliary pancreatitis, yet little is known about the initial management of acute pancreatitis in this large geographic region. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of responses from physicians based in Latin America to the international multidisciplinary survey on the initial management of acute pancreatitis. The questionnaire asked about management of patients during the first 72h after admission, related to fluid therapy, prescription of prophylactic antibiotics, feeding and nutrition, and timing of cholecystectomy. Adherence to clinical guidelines in this region was compared with the rest of the world. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 358 participants from 19 Latin American countries (median age, 39 years [33-47]; women, 27.1%). The proportion of participants in Latin America vs. the rest of the world who chose non-compliant options with clinical guidelines were: prescription of fluid therapy rate other than moderate (42.2% vs 34.3%, P=.02); prescription of prophylactic antibiotics for severe (10.6% vs 18.0%, P=.002), necrotizing (28.5% vs 36.9%, P=.008), or systemic inflammatory response syndrome-associated (21.2% vs 30.6%, P=.002) acute pancreatitis; not starting an oral diet to patients with oral tolerance (77.9% vs 71.1%, P=.02); and delayed cholecystectomy (16.2% vs 33.8%, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surveyed physicians in Latin America are less likely to prescribe antibiotics and to delay cholecystectomy when managing patients in the initial phase of acute pancreatitis compared to physicians in the rest of the world. Feeding and nutrition appear to require the greatest improvement.

[Clinical practice guideline for the management of acute pancreatitis in the social security of Peru (Essalud)]. / Guía de práctica clínica para el manejo de la pancreatitis aguda en el seguro social del Perú (Essalud).

This article summarizes the clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the management of acute pancreatitis in the Social Security of Peru (EsSalud), to provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for the management of acute pancreatitis in EsSalud. A guideline development group (GEG) was formed that included medical specialists and methodologists. The GEG formulated 7 clinical questions to be answered by this CPG. Systematic searches of systematic reviews and -when considered relevant- primary studies were carried out in PubMed during 2022. The evidence was selected to answer each of the clinical questions posed. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In periodic work meetings, the GEG used the GRADE methodology to review the evidence and formulate the recommendations, the points of good clinical practice, and the corresponding flow charts. Finally, the CPG was approved with Resolution No. 105-IETSI-ESSALUD-2022. This CPG addressed 7 clinical questions on fluid therapy, start of enteral nutrition, analgesia, type of nutrition, antibiotic, and surgical treatment. Based on these questions, 8 recommendations (1 strong and 7 conditional), 13 BPCs, and 1 flowchart were formulated. This article summarizes the methodology and evidence-based conclusions of the CPG for the management of acute pancreatitis in EsSalud.

Lactate Ringer's Versus Normal Saline in the Management of Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Fluid therapy plays a critical role in the management of acute pancreatitis. Normal saline (NS) is commonly used in these patients. However, Lactate Ringer's (LR) has also been shown to be useful for this condition. AIM: To assess the effect of LR compared to NS in patients with acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We searched in three electronic databases from inception to December 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Outcomes were mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospital stay, and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) at 24, 48, and 72 h. The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. All meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Four RCTs comprising 248 patients were included. The mean age ranged from 42.3 to 63.8 years and 49% of patients were men. Patients treated with LR had similar risk of mortality (risk ratio [RR], 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-3.00) and SIRS at 24 h (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.32-1.51), 48 h (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.46-1.41), and 72 h (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.37-1.25) compared to NS. LR had significantly lower hospital stay (mean difference, - 1.10; 95% CI, - 1.92 to - 0.28) and lower risk of ICU admission (RR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.20-0.89) compared to NS. The risk of bias was low in nearly all RCTs. CONCLUSION: No differences were found in the mortality and SIRS at 24, 48, and 72 h in patients treated with LR and NS. In contrast, patients who received LR had a lower risk of ICU admission and lower hospital stay than NS.

Intracystic Glucose Levels Appear Useful for Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the pancreatic cystic fluid is the most important biomarker for differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). However, recent studies have shown that glucose levels in pancreatic cystic fluid can discriminate mucinous from non-mucinous cysts. AIMS: To perform a meta-analysis to determine the utility of intracystic fluid glucose of pancreatic mucinous cysts compared with intracystic CEA. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the literature in the PubMed, OVID Medline, and Cochrane databases. This meta-analysis considers studies published up to October 2020. RESULTS: Six studies comprising 506 patients were selected; 61.2% of the population was female. Of the 480 PCLs, 287 (59.7%) were mucinous. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of cystic fluid glucose levels for mucinous PCLs were 91% and 85%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) were 6.33 and 0.11, respectively. Pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 60.94. The pooled area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was 0.959. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of pancreatic cystic fluid CEA levels were 61% and 93%. The PLR and NLR were 8.51 and 0.40, respectively. Pooled DOR was 23.52, and the pooled area under the SROC curve was 0.861. CONCLUSION: Glucose has become a useful method and appears to be better than CEA for differentiating between mucinous PCLs and non-mucinous PCLs. We suggest that the analysis of glucose in PCLs be routinely performed for the differential diagnosis of these lesions.

EUS-Guided gallbladder drainage vs percutaneous transhepatic drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Occasionally, cholecystectomy is not possible because the patient is not suitable for surgery, and non-operative management should be performed. In these patients, the non-operative management can be through the percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) or the endoscopic gallbladder drainage. We decided to compare the efficacy and safety of PTGBD and EUS-GBD in the non-operative management of patients with acute cholecystitis. We conducted a systematic review in different databases, such as PubMed, OVID, Medline, and Cochrane Databases. This meta-analysis considers studies published until September 2021. Six studies were selected (2 RCTs). These studies included 749 patients. The mean age was 72.81 ±7.41 years, and males represented 57.4%. EUS-GBD technical success was lower than PTGBD (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99), whereas clinical success and adverse events rates were similar in both groups. Twenty-one deaths were reported in all six studies. The global mortality rate was 2.80%, without differences in both groups (2.84% and 2.77% in the EUS-GBD group and the PTGBD groups, respectively). EUS-GBD and PTGBD were successful techniques for gallbladder drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis who are non-tributary for surgery. EUS-GBD has a similar clinical success rate and a similar adverse events rate in comparison to PTGBD. The high technical success and the low adverse events rate of the EUS approach to gallbladder make this technique an excellent alternative for patients with acute cholecystitis who cannot be undergoing surgery.

[Clinical practice guideline for Diagnosis and management of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis for the Peruvian Social Security (EsSalud)]. / Guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y manejo de la colelitiasis, colecistitis aguda y coledocolitiasis en el Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud).

INTRODUCTION: This article summarizes the clinical practice guide (CPG) for the diagnosis and management of cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis in the Peruvian Social Security (EsSalud). OBJECTIVE: To provide clinical recommendations based on evidence for the management of patients with cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis in EsSalud. METHODS: a guideline task force (GTF) was formed with internists, general surgeons, gastroenterologists, and methodologists. The group proposed 10 clinical questions to be answered in this Clinical practice guideline (CPG). Systematic searches of preview reviews were performed and when it was necessary, primary studies from PubMed and CENTRAL during 2017 were reviewed. The evidence was selected aiming to answer each proposed question. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In periodical work sessions, the group used GRADE methodology for reviewing the evidence and formulating recommendations, good clinical practice items and three flowcharts for diagnosis and treatment. Finally, the CPG was approved by Resolution Nº 046-IETSI-ESSALUD-2017. RESULTS: This CPG approached 10 clinical questions divided into two topics: diagnosis and management. Based on these questions; one strong recommendation, five weak recommendations, and 17 good clinical practice items and three flowcharts were formulated. CONCLUSION: This paper abstracts the methodology and evidence-based conclusions of the CPG for diagnosis and management of cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis in EsSalud.

Complete extraction of a long hepatic hydatid cyst with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.

Hydatid disease or echinococcosis is a systemic zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus larvae. We report the case of a 63 year-old Peruvian female patient who presented with diffuse abdominal pain and jaundice. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan was performed that showed a large hepatic hydatid cyst (6 x 6 cm) in segment IV with an apparent communication with the biliary duct. Laboratory results showed hemoglobin 13.2 g/dl, white blood cell (WBC) count 10,600 cell/mm3, normal serum amylase and lipase, total bilirubin 7,5 mg/dl, direct bilirubin 6,2 mg/dl and alkaline phosphatase 234 UI/l. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) showed the same findings of the CT scan plus dilation of the biliary duct.

Carcinosarcoma of the ampulla of Vater.

Carcinosarcomas, are very rare tumors in gastrointestinal tract, and at the ampulla of Vater location, are extremely uncommon. They are also called spindle cell carcinomas or sarcomatoid carcinomas. These tumors have an aggressive clinical course with frequent metastasis. We report the case of a male patient of 64 y.o with anemia and jaundice, and a diagnosis of carcinosarcoma of the ampulla of Vater.

[Safety and efficacy of the use of self-expanding metal stents in the management ofunresectable malignant biliary stenosis]. / Seguridad y eficacia del uso de prótesis metálicas autoexpandibles en elmanejo de estenosis malignas de la vía biliar irresecables.

BACKGROUND: In recent years there has been an increase in the use of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) in patients with unresectable malignant stenosis of the bile duct. However, in Peru there are no reports on the safety and efficacy of this procedure. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use of SEMS in the palliative management of malignant stenosis of the bile duct. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort. All patients referred for placement of biliary SEMS as part of a palliative treatment between January 2016 and August 2018 were included. Rates of successful placement of SEMS, adequate palliation of the obstruction, and complications associated with the procedure were obtained. The patency of the prosthesis was evaluated during follow-up. Survival was determined after placement of the prosthesis. RESULTS: We included 32 patients with indication of palliative management due to an unresectable malignant stenosis of the bile duct. Pancreatic cancer (56.25%) followed by cholangiocarcinoma (31.25%) were the most frequent etiologies. A successful first-time placement rate of 96.97% was achieved. Adequate palliation of biliary obstruction was achieved in 100% of patients (p<0.05). Two SEMStc migrated during follow-up (6.25%) being managed with the placement of a new SEMSuc. CONCLUSIONS: The placement of SEMS is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy in the palliative management of patients with malignant obstruction of the biliary tract.

Fasciola hepatica in the common bile duct: spyglass visualization and endoscopic extraction.

We report the case of a 60-year-old Peruvian female who was admitted with abdominal pain and jaundice. Cholangioscopy revealed a leaf-like trematode, Fasciola hepatica. This trematode was extracted with a Dormia's basket via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

[Endoscopic treatment of rectal neuroendocrine tumors: multicentre study in Peru]. / Manejo endoscópico de los tumores neuroendocrinos rectales: estudio multicéntrico en Perú.

INTRODUCTION: The incidental detection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NET) has increased but there is no proper consensus about treatment. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic treatment for rectal NET less than 20 mm, with emphasis in "standardized treatment". MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2012 to April 2016, we included patients with rectal NET less than 20 mm resected by conventional EMR, EMR-B and ESD. We considered as "standardized treatment" the one that has precise indication and technical rigor (EMR-B for lesions ≤ 10 mm and ESD for lesions between 11 and 20 mm). We evaluate complete resection rates and incidence of complications. RESULTS: 23 patients with 23 rectal NET were included. The mean age was 52.96 ± 12.44 years. The mean tumor diameter was 8.8 ± 3.4 mm. The complete resection rates by conventional EMR, EMR-Band ESD were 50 (3/6), 92.8 (13/14) and 100% (3/3), respectively; while by standardized and conventional treatment were 100 (14/14) and 55.5% (5/9), respectively. Complications occurred in 4 cases (17.4%), bleeding in 2 and perforation in 2, all of them solved by endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment by EMR-B and ESD is efficacious and safe for rectal NET ≤ 20 mm. Standardized treatment improve the efficacy of endoscopic treatment.

[Efficacy and complications of double guidewire technique in biliary tract cannulation]. / Eficacia y complicaciones de la técnica de doble guía durante la canulación de la vía biliar principal.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of double guidewire technique in patients with difficult biliary cannulation during ERCP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all ERCPs performed between January 2015 and July 2016. DGT was performed in patients for whom biliary cannulation was difficult and guidewire insertion into the pancreatic duct (PD) was inadvertently achieved while attempting the standard WGC technique. RESULTS: 24 patients were enrolled with ERCP and DGT; 17 were female (70.8%) and 7 male (29.2%). The average age was 65.21±16.49 years. The most frequent indication was choledocholithiasis (62.5%), then cholangiocarcinoma (12.5%). Post ERCP diagnosis was choledocholithiasis (45.8%), and papillary fibrosis (29.2%). The success of DGT was 87.5%. Three cases of failure cannulation with the DGT were reported, two patients had pancreatitis post ERCP (8.3%), there were no cases of perforations. CONCLUSIONS: TDG, is an effective alternative to difficult biliary cannulation during ERCP with conventional methods; with a high success rate and low rate of post ERCP pancreatitis, similarly to reported in other countries.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to small bowel disorders through capsule endoscopy and double-balloon endoscopy]. / Abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico de las patologías del intestino delgado mediante cápsula endoscópica y enteroscopía de doble balón.

Many small bowel disorders represent a great challenge for gastroenterologists and endoscopists due to the very low rates of success showed by the different agnosis techniques. The advent of the capsule endoscopy and double-balloon endoscopy has allowed a total, secure and efficient examination of the small bowel, which represents a real impact in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of our patients. The capsule endoscopy is a safe, minimally invasive procedure, which does not need sedation, does not cause pain, and allows the observation of the totality of the small bowel. Furthermore, the double-balloon endoscopy is the complementary technique necessary to provide a therapeutic procedure (cauterizing angiodysplasia, polypectomy, biopsies), and hence achieving resolution of various disorders.

[Caustics injuries in the upper gastrointestinal tract: clinical and endoscopic features]. / Lesiones por cáusticos del tracto digestivo superior: características clínicas y endoscópicas.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and endoscopic features of caustics injuries in the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients of the National Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted; the study populations were patients diagnosed with caustic ingestion who were admitted into the Gastroenterology service of the HNDAC to perform an upper endoscopy during the period of January 2009 to December 2012. We documented the type of caustic substance ingested, cause of intake, amount ingested, intake mode, signs or symptoms present, endoscopic findings as classified by Zargar, presence of complications and treatment performed. Analysis was performed comparing them based on the ingested caustic type: acid or alkali. RESULTS: We obtained 91 patients; the average age was 30.6±16.3 years. Caustic substances ingested were: bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in 71 (78%) patients, muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) in 18 (20%) patients, caustic soda in 2 (2%) patients. The average intake was 136ml (30-500 ml). The most frequent signs and symptoms were vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea and sore throat. The 46% of patients had injuries. 100% of patients who ingested acid and 33% who ingested alkali had lesions. Five (5%) patients had oropharyngeal lesions, 24 (26%) in the esophagus, 36 (40%) in the stomach and 12 (13%) in the duodenum. Grade I lesions were found in 10 (11%) patients, 16 (18%) patients with grade II lesions and 15 (16%) of patients with grade III, 12 patients who toke acid had lesions of grade III. Esophageal stricture was found in 2 (2%) patients, gastric stenosis in 7 (8%) patients and esophageal and gastric stenosis in 3 (3%) patients. Two patients required pneumatic dilation and 10 surgical treatments. CONCLUSION: Most injuries were found in the stomach. Acidic injuries occur more frequently and with greater severity than alkaline. Acidic substances produce esophageal or gastric stenosis more frequently than alkaline.

[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in symptomatic outpatients in Red Rebagliati (EsSalud) from 2010 to 2013, Lima, Peru]. / Prevalencia de Helicobacter pylori en pacientes sintomáticos de consulta externa de la Red Rebagliati (EsSalud),Lima, Perú, en el período 2010 â€" 2013.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in symptomatic outpatients in Red Rebagliati (EsSalud) from 2010 to 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, transversal and analytical study. Records of outpatients with diagnostic 13C-urea breath test of Helicobacter pylori in the period 2010-2013 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 1711 patients, the overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 45.5% (95% CI: 43.17-47.89) being higher in women than in men (47.1% vs. 42.1%, p=0.056). There were significant differences in age between infected and uninfected (44 vs. 39, p < 0.05), with association between age and the presence of Helicobacter pylori (p<0.001). The estimated prevalence in the pediatric population was 36.3% and was found positive in 201 (51.1%) women of childbearing age. Most (43.9%) came from the financial sector of the city. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the study population was similar in both sexes and is related to age. The average socioeconomic status of Lima maintains the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori reported in the last years.

[Large balloon dilation for removal of choledocholithiasis difficult to extract: clinical experience]. / Dilatación con balón de gran diámetro en el manejo de coledocolitiasis de difícil extracción: experiencia clínica.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the initial experience of the combined use of biliary sphincterotomy plus balloon dilatation of the papilla for management of large stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Design: Retrospective, descriptive. This study included 18 patients in whom a hydrostatic dilatation of the papilla with large balloons was performed between June 2012 and April 2014. Patients had multiple large stones, tapered distal common bile duct, previous sphincterotomy, or peri/ intradiverticular papilla. CRE™ dilatation balloons with diameters ranging from 12 to 20 mm were used. Data were recorded as successful procedure, use of lithotripsy and complications during the procedure. RESULTS: The average age was 66.1 years. There was a predominance of the female gender (66.7%). The average size of the bile duct stones was 16.7 mm. The main indications were: giant choledocholithiasis (12 patients, 66.7%) and tapered distal common bile duct (6 patients, 33.3%). The dilatation balloons diameter used were: 15 mm (8 patients, 44.4%), 18 mm (5 patients, 27.8%), 12 mm (3 patients, 16.7%) and 20 mm (2 patients, 11.1%). Complete stone clearance was achieved in 15 patients (83.3%). Lithotripsy was performed in 4 patients (22.2%). There were 3 patients in whom the removal with balloon was unsuccessful, performed surgical management. It was reported 1 case of mild acute pancreatitis (5.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation after sphincterotomy is a safe and effective technique for treatment of difficult bile duct stones.