Leading in turbulent times with the aim to serve.

The year 2020 will be remembered for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has been the greatest ever healthcare crisis for the National Health Service. In Spain there have been more than 1,556,730 cases and 42,619 deaths, as well as 20,268 elderly people who have died in nursing homes and 63,000 healthcare professionals infected (as of November 2020).

COVID-19 and the digestive system: implications for transforming care delivery.

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed an unprecedented challenge to health systems, leading in many countries to the collapse of health care and a lack of preventive measures both for the most vulnerable sections of the population and among healthcare professionals.

Defining authorship and contributorship criteria: transparency and visibility.

The complexity and research publications have expanded exponentially.The role of authors and collaborators need to be clarified according with the standards of the International Committee of medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). New projects as Contributor Role Taxonomy (CRediT), has been launched in order to provide credit and transparency to the authors, readers and evaluation agencies.

Ischemic etiopathogenesis as the possible origin of post-double baloon enteroscopy pancreatitis. A porcine model study.

The aim is to evaluate the pancreatic vascular-ischemic effects related to double balloon enteroscopy in the porcine model as a possible etiopathogenesis of post-enteroscopic pancreatitis. For this reason we carry out two independent experiments in a porcine animal model. In the first arm protocol (group I), 10 animals underwent 90 minutes of oral enteroscopy with 7 days follow-up.The levels of amylase, lipase and C-reactive protein were measured at T0 basal-T1 -90 min, T2-24, T3-7 days. Also we perform upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a control group. At 7 days, the animals of experimental protocol-I had their pancreases removed for a pathological and immunohistochemical study to evaluate vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) expression.The second experimental protocol in this study aims to evaluate possible changes in vascular topography due to the double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). Group-II (10 animals) underwent oral enteroscopy and selective angiography of the cranial mesenteric artery and celiac trunk. None of the group I or control group animals presented pancreatitis, although the biochemical results for group-I showed increases in the levels of amylase, lipase and C reactive protein at 24 hours. The microscopic study for group-I showed pancreatic necrotic foci and positive VEGF expression, though these changes were not expressed in the control group.These foci were found in 50% of the group I animals and in relation to the total of the parenchyma were quantified at 6% of the pancreas. The results for group-II showed that the enteroscopy caused mobilization of the mesenteric vascular axis, with signs of both intestinal and pancreatic hypoperfusion. The conclusions of this study are that, after enteroscopy in the porcine model, pancreatic necrotic foci are produced, in addition to ischemic phenomena causing VEGF expression. This could be related to episodes of visceral hypoperfusion caused by vascular alterations on a topographic level. This can be related to the possible ischemic etiopathogenesis described for post-enteroscopic pancreatitis.

Emergency endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding after bariatric surgery. Therapeutic algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GB) is a potential complication after bariatric surgery and its frequency is around 2-4% according to the literature. The aim of this study is to present our experience with GB after bariatric surgery, its presentation and possible treatment options by means of an algorithm. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From January 2004 to December 2012, we performed 300 consecutive laparoscopic bariatric surgeries. A total of 280 patients underwent a laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass with creation of a gastrojejunal anastomosis using a circular stapler type CEAA No 21 in 265 patients and with a linear stapler in 15 patients. Demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and treatment were reviewed. A total of 20 patients underwent a sleeve gastrectomy. RESULTS: Twenty-seven cases (9%) developed GB. Diagnosis and therapeutic endoscopy was required in 13 patients. The onset of bleeding occurred between the 1(st)-6(th) postop days in 10 patients, and the origin was at the gastrojejunostomy staple-lines, and 3 patients had bleeding from an anastomotic ulcer 15-20 days after surgery. All other patients were managed non-operatively. CONCLUSION: Conservative management of gastrointestinal bleeding is effective in most cases, but endoscopy with therapeutic intent should be considered in patients with severe or recurrent bleeding. Multidisciplinary postoperative follow- up is very important for early detention and treatment of this complication.

Gastrojejunal anastomotic stenosis after laparoscopic gastric bypass. Experience in 280 cases in 8 years.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrojejunal stricture (GYS), not only is a common complication after laparoscopic gastric bypass, but its frequency is about 15% according to bibliography. Our aim is to present our experience after 280 laparoscopic gastric bypass. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From January 2004 to December 2012, 280 patients underwent a laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass with creation of the gastrojejunal anastomosis is performed with circular stapler type CEAA No 21 in 265 patients and with a linear stapler in 15 patients. In all patients with persistent feeding intolerance were performed barium transit and/or gastroscopy. When gastrojejunal stricture showed proceeded to endoscopic pneumatic dilation. RESULTS: Twenty cases (7.1%) developed a gastrojejunal stricture, in 4 of these cases the initial diagnosis was made by barium transit and all case were confirmed by endoscopy. Five patients had a history of digestive bleeding that required endoscopic sclerosis of the bleeding lesion. All cases were resolved by endoscopic dilatation. One patient suffered a perforation and a re-intervention. At follow-up has not been detected re-stricture. CONCLUSION: Structure at the gastrojejunal anastomosis after gastric bypass is the commonest complication early after surgery. Endoscopic balloon dilatation is a safe and effective therapy.

Carbon dioxide insufflation safety in double-balloon enteroscopy: an experimental animal study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of CO(2) during double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in an experimental animal model study. In this study, insufflation with room air and with CO(2) was compared. METHODS: Twenty healthy swines were used. The animals were randomly allocated to two groups. The room air-DBE group was insufflated with room air, whereas the CO(2)-DBE group was insufflated with CO(2). Endoscopy duration was 90 min. The following parameters were measured during the study (basal, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min): invasive hemodynamic parameters, ventilatory parameters, arterial blood gases, exploration depth, as well as biochemical tests. Residual gas was evaluated at the end of DBE, at 180 min and 24 h after DBE. RESULTS: During the endoscopic exploration none of the animals showed hemodynamic, ventilatory or arterial blood gas alterations in the normal reference range for the swine species. The CO(2) group showed statistically significant differences over the room air group with lower post-procedure residual gas and greater depth of the small bowel explored. CONCLUSION: The use of CO(2) for insufflation during DBE was safe and no complications associated with CO(2) were observed. In addition, the use of CO(2) offers benefits over the use of room air for insufflation during DBE.

An endoscopic technique for treating symptomatic distal jejunum obstruction by leaving the overtube in place.

Double balloon enteroscopy has a limitation for positioning an enteral stent in the distal jejunum through its long, narrow biopsy channel. When the distal end of its overtube is left in place close to the neoplasia with the enteroscope removed, if we push an enteral stent introduction system, it tends to form loops so the techniquecannot be performed with this instrument. However, the double balloon colonoscope has a shorter overtube length and using the same push-and-pull technique we can reach the distal jejunum with this instrument by inserting the delivery stent system without loops through its overtube. We present a patient with neoplastic obstruction in the distal jejunum with resolution of his symptoms after positioning an enteral stent.

[Current management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Spain]. / Situación actual del manejo de la hemorragia digestiva alta no varicosa en España.

BACKGROUND: Mortality related to nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) has not changed. More information is needed to improve the management of this entity. The aims of this study were: a) to determine the characteristics of bleeding episodes, b) to describe the clinical approaches routinely used in NVUGIB, and c) to identify adverse outcomes related to endoscopic or medical treatments in Spain. METHODS: The European survey of nonvariceal upper GI bleeding (ENERGiB) was an observational, retrospective cohort study on NVUGIB with endoscopic evaluation carried out across Europe. The present study focused on Spanish patients in the ENERGiB study. The patients were managed according to routine care. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated for categorical variables. RESULTS: Patients (n=403) were mostly men (71%), with a mean age of 65 years, and co-morbidities (62.5%). Most of the patients were managed by gastroenterologists (57.1%) or internal medicine teams (25.1%). A proton pump inhibitor was used empirically in 80% before endoscopy. Bleeding persistence occurred in 6.4% and recurrence in 6.7%. The mortality rate at 30 days was 3.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the characterization of Spanish patients and NVUGIB episodes in a real clinical setting and identifies the routine management of this entity, which is in line with the standards proposed by recent clinical practice guidelines. A notable finding was that age and the number of comorbidities in NVUGIB patients were increasing. These factors could explain the persistent mortality rate, despite the evident advances in the management of this entity.

Evaluation of different bowel preparations for small bowel capsule endoscopy: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: To obtain an adequate view of the whole small intestine during capsule endoscopy (CE) a clear liquid diet and overnight fasting is recommended. However, intestinal content can hamper vision in spite of these measures. Our aim was to evaluate tolerance and degree of intestinal cleanliness during CE following three types of bowel preparation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled study. Two-hundred ninety-one patients underwent one of the following preparations: 4 L of clear liquids (CL) (group A; 92 patients); 90 mL of aqueous sodium phosphate (group B; 89 patients); or 4 L of a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (group C; 92 patients). The degree of cleanliness of the small bowel was classified by blinded examiners according to four categories (excellent, good, fair or poor). The degree of patient satisfaction, gastric and small bowel transit times, and diagnostic yield were measured. RESULTS: The degree of cleanliness did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.496). Interobserver concordance was fair (k = 0.38). No significant differences were detected between the diagnostic yields of the CE (P = 0.601). Gastric transit time was 35.7 ± 3.7 min (group A), 46.1 ± 8.6 min (group B) and 34.6 ± 5.0 min (group C) (P = 0.417). Small-intestinal transit time was 276.9 ± 10.7 min (group A), 249.7 ± 13.1 min (group B) and 245.6 ± 11.6 min (group C) (P = 0.120). CL was the best tolerated preparation. Compliance with the bowel preparation regimen was lowest in group C (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: A clear liquid diet and overnight fasting is sufficient to achieve an adequate level of cleanliness and is better tolerated by patients than other forms of preparation.

A case of lymphocytic-plasmacytic jejunitis diagnosed by double-balloon enteroscopy in a dog.

A 3 yr old male English setter dog was presented for evaluation of a 6-wk history of intermittent diarrhea. After standard gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy showed normal mucosa, double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) was used via both oral and anal approaches. Gross changes consistent with inflammation in the jejunum were seen, and biopsy specimens were obtained. Histologic analysis confirmed a diagnosis of lymphocytic-plasmacytic jejunitis. Clinical remission of the disease occurred after 3 mo of therapy with prednisone, metronidazole, and a novel protein diet. Use of DBE has not been previously reported in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease, and isolated lymphocytic-plasmacytic jejunitis has not been described. The described cases of intestinal inflammatory disease diagnosed by conventional endoscopy were related to pathologic changes in the duodenum, ileum or colon, but not the jejunum. The main advantage of the DBE technique allowed examination of portions of the small intestine (jejunum) that were not commonly accessible by standard endoscopic techniques, and permitted a minimally invasive collection of biopsy samples compared with surgical biopsy. This case highlights the need to consider using DBE in animals with gastrointestinal disorders, whose symptoms are not readily explained by routine tests, conventional endoscopy, and dietary or therapeutic trials.

Effect of the manipulation of the duodenal papilla during double balloon enteroscopy.

AIM: To determine the hypothesis that inflating the balloons in the duodenal papilla determines changes in the biochemical markers of pancreatitis. METHODS: Four groups of pigs were used: Group papilla (GP), the overtube's balloon was inflated in the area of the papilla; GP + double balloon enteroscopy (GP + DBE), the overtube's balloon was kept inflated in the area of the papilla for 20 min before a DBE; Group DBE (GDBE), DBE was carried out after insuring the balloon's inflation far from the pancreatic papilla; and Group control (GC). Serum concentrations of amylase, lipase and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. Pancreases were processed for histopathology examination. RESULTS: Main changes occurred 24 h after the procedure compared with baseline levels. Amylase levels increased significantly in GP (59.2% higher) and were moderately higher in groups GP + DBE and GDBE (22.7% and 20%, respectively). Lipase increased in GP and GP + DBE, whereas it hardly changed in GDBE and in GC. CRP increased significantly in GP, GP + DBE and GDBE, while no changes were reported for GC. No statistically significant difference between groups GP and GP + DBE was found for the histopathological findings, except for vacuolization and necrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma that was higher in GP than in GP + DBE. CONCLUSION: The manipulation of the duodenal papilla by the inflated overtube's balloon during DBE causes pancreatic structural damage and increased biochemical markers associated with pancreatitis.

Characterization of anal double balloon endoscopy in the dog.

Retrograde (anal) exploration of the canine small intestine by conventional endoscopy is restricted to the ileum, but double balloon endoscopy (DBE) has recently been validated using the oral approach. In this study, anal DBE was performed on nine healthy dogs to characterize the efficiency, exploration dynamics and safety of the technique. DBE was successful in all dogs; the average estimated insertion depth of the endoscope was about 2m and took approximately 1h to achieve. No complications or related adverse clinical effects were observed, and pancreatitis did not occur following the procedure. Anal DBE is viable and safe in the dog within the limits of the study, and has the potential to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, not only in portions of the colon and ileum, but also in portions of the distal jejunum.

Effect of double-balloon enteroscopy on pancreas: an experimental porcine model.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) on pancreas histology and levels of pancreatic enzymes. METHODS: Conventional upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on five control pigs. Oral DBE was performed with an EN-450T5 enteroscope on 20 pigs. Two experimental groups (10 pigs each) were defined according to DBE duration: 90 min for Group 1 and 140 min for group 2. During oral insertion, the balloons were not inflated in the descending part of the duodenum to avoid the minor duodenal papilla. Serum amylase, lipase and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were monitored before the procedure and repeated every 30 min until the exploration was finished, as well as 24 h and 7 d after. After the procedure and for a total of 7 d, the pigs were observed twice a day for signs of decreased activity, irritability, vomiting or anorexia. Gross and microscopic examination of the pancreas was performed on day 7. RESULTS: All animals tolerated DBE without clinical manifestations of acute pancreatitis. Experimental groups had higher levels of enzymes than the control group at 24 h. Throughout the exploration, the amylase levels increased significantly above the baseline 24 h after DBE, although the increase was not statistically significant and did not reach 20% of the baseline. An increase in lipase and CRP was observed at 24 h after the procedure, although by day 7, all enzymatic levels had returned to baseline. No differences between groups 1 and 2 were found for any enzyme and sampling site during and after the procedure. Similarly, no correlation between insertion depth and enzyme levels was observed. Direct in situ and post-removal inspection of the pancreas did not show any evidence of fluid collection, abscesses or hemorrhage. Histological examination of the pancreas from groups 1 and 2 revealed the existence of focal areas (0.14-0.26 mm2) of ischemic necrosis in 47.4% of the animals. In the pigs with damaged pancreas, the left lobe (tail) was always affected. However, this only happened in 83.3% of the samples from the right lobe (head) and in 33.3% of the samples from the body of the pancreas. Significant differences were found between the left lobe (tail) and the body for the percentage of affected pancreas. Both the size of the lesions and the percentage of affected pancreas were higher in the left pancreatic lobe (tail). The presence of the lesions was not related to the exploration length. CONCLUSION: The increase in pancreatic enzymes after DBE could be related to focal points of pancreatic ischemic necrosis due to mechanical stress.

[Colorectal stents: efficacy and complications in our center]. / Prótesis de colon y recto: eficacia y complicaciones en nuestro centro.

BACKGROUND: in emergency surgery, colorectal mortality is very high compared with elective surgery. An alternative is placement of endoscopic stents to correct the bowel obstruction and then allow elective surgery. Moreover, it is possible to use stents in the palliative treatment of patients at high surgical risk or with unresecable tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rates of technical and clinical success and complications of colorectal stent placement over the past 5 years. METHODS: retrospective study of 33 patients in which stents were placed since 2006 to 2011. Variables were analyzed: 1) the indication (palliation or "bridge to surgery"), 2) rates of technical success and clinical success, and 3) complications (perforation, migration, bleeding, and reocclusion). RESULTS: in 24 patients the prosthesis was placed as a palliative treatment (72.7%) and in 9 cases as a "bridge to surgery". The technical success rate was 87.87% and 82.14% clinical success. There were five cases of bowel perforation with high pneumoperitoneum and a case of microperforation (18.1%). Five patients had reocclusion (17.2%); there were 3 and 4 with bleeding and migration. Three patients died within 24 hours after endoscopic treatment. In 9 cases of "bridge to surgery," technical success was 100% and 77% clinical success. One patient required emergency surgery due to migration of the prosthesis and reocclusion and another colonic perforation. CONCLUSIONS: endoscopic treatment is a good option as a transitional step to elective surgery or palliative treatment. But serious complications such as perforation or reocclusion should be considered.