Learning Curve in Posterior Segment Ophthalmic Diagnostic Endoscopy: Implications for Budding Enthusiasts and Fellows-In-Training.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the learning curve for posterior segment diagnostic endoscopy (DE) based on the results of a self-trained (ST) and a supervised (SUP) vitreoretinal surgeon. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of DE performed between 2017 and 2023 by one ST and one SUP vitreoretinal surgeon at a tertiary eye care institute. Data were collected and the serial number of cases was plotted against the time taken for the procedure. A comparative regression plot was created for both the surgeons to know the slope of the learning curve. The start time was noted as that of attachment of the endoscope and the stop time was noted as the end of diagnostic evaluation. Procedures were divided into blocks of 10 cases each and the time taken for the procedures was calculated. RESULTS: Total of 106 eyes (58 by ST surgeon and 48 by SUP surgeon) were included. For ST surgeon, the time taken for the surgery correlated inversely (reduced sequentially) with the serial number of the case till the 20th case (correlation coefficient = -0.5, p = .01), for SUP surgeon, the time taken for the surgery correlated inversely with the serial number of the case till the 10th case (correlation coefficient = -0.9, p = <0.0001) and then stabilized. Neither of the groups had any adverse events. CONCLUSION: About 20 cases for a self-trained and about 10 cases for a supervised vitreoretinal surgeon are required to get stable with DE. These observations have implications in creating a training module for DE with appropriate number of training cases.

Advanced diagnostic endoscopy in the upper gastrointestinal tract: Review of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopic Society core sessions.

The Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES) held four serial symposia between 2021 and 2022 on state-of-the-art issues related to advanced diagnostic endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. This review summarizes the four core sessions and presents them as a conference report. Eleven studies were discussed in the 101st JGES Core Session, which addressed the challenges and prospects of upper gastroenterological endoscopy. Ten studies were also explored in the 102nd JGES Core Session on advanced upper gastrointestinal endoscopic diagnosis for decision-making regarding therapeutic strategies. Moreover, eight studies were presented during the 103rd JGES Core Session on the development and evaluation of endoscopic artificial intelligence in the field of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Twelve studies were also discussed in the 104th JGES Core Session, which focused on the evidence and new developments related to the upper gastrointestinal tract. The endoscopic diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal diseases using image-enhanced endoscopy and AI is one of the most recent topics and has received considerable attention. These four core sessions enabled us to grasp the current state-of-the-art in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic diagnostics and identify future challenges. Based on these studies, we hope that an endoscopic diagnostic system useful in clinical practice is established for each field of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Advanced diagnostic endoscopy in the upper gastrointestinal tract: Review of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society core sessions.

We held four upper gastrointestinal tract advanced diagnostic endoscopy sessions from the 89th to the 92nd Congress of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. The most common region addressed was the stomach in 25 presentations, followed by the esophagus in 23, duodenum in five, and other in one. Looking at techniques discussed, the most common image enhancement method discussed was narrowband imaging in 29 presentations, blue laser imaging, and linked color imaging (LCI) in 10 each, dual red imaging in three, and autofluorescence imaging in one. Furthermore, there were presentations of new techniques such as M-Chromo-LCI and acetic acid-indigo carmine mixture LCI. There were also six presentations regarding probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy, and one of endocytoscopy techniques. We also saw presentations of images of gastric subepithelial tumors within the submucosa, 3D endoscopy, the development of computer-aided detection systems for early cancers, and fluorescent imaging.

[Acute oesophageal necrosis: A rare complication]. / Œsophagite nécrosante aiguë : une complication rare.

INTRODUCTION: Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is a rare medical disorder, which is characterized by a diffuse black esophageal mucosal during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy which is a highly recommended diagnostic tool. Its high mortality rate requires to be quickly evocated and an early management. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 93-year-old patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The upper endoscopy shows a grade D AEN according to the Los Angeles classification. Treatment consists of a parenteral nutritional support and an intravenous proton pump inhibitors treatment, which increase chances of a favorable outcome on endoscopic controls at 2 and 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: AEN has to be quickly evocated in a polyvascular and old patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Our experience confirms that optimal and early management allow a esophageal complete healing at 6weeks.

Intraocular endoscopy: A review.

Optimal visualization is one of the most challenging aspects of performing vitreoretinal surgery. In situations where conventional microscopic techniques provide poor posterior visualization, the adjunctive skill set of endoscopic visualization may be needed. This allows for by-passing the opaque anterior segment media and getting access to the posterior segment pathology. Endoscopic vitrectomy is a useful and unique adjunct to microincision vitreoretinal surgery. The optical set-up of endoscopy allows for clinical approaches that are impossible with regular microscope viewing systems. These include the ability to observe across optically significant anterior segment opacities and directly visualize the posterior segment of the eye. It also allows for visualizing the difficult-to-access retroirideal, retrolental, and anterior retinal structures. Surgical access to anatomic spaces like the pars plana, pars plicata, ciliary sulcus, ciliary body, and peripheral lens is tedious. This is made simpler by endoscopy. In this review, we summarize and review the usage of the intraocular endoscope as a diagnostic and therapeutic armamentarium across a wide spectrum of ocular pathologies.

[Effects of remifentanil on awakening of propofol sedated patients submitted to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a randomized clinical trial]. / Efeitos do remifentanil sobre despertar de pacientes sedados com propofol para endoscopia digestiva alta: estudo clínico randomizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sedation for endoscopic procedures aims to provide high quality sedation, lower risks, short recovery time, superior recovery quality and absence of side effects, seeking high patient level of satisfaction. The goal of the study was to assess administration of remifentanil combined with propofol regarding the effects of the drug association during sedation and recovery for patients submitted to upper GI diagnostic endoscopy. METHOD: One hundred and five patients were assessed, randomly divided into three groups of 35 patients. The Control Group was sedated with propofol alone. Study Group 1 was sedated with a fixed dose of 0.2 µg.kg-1 remifentanil combined with propofol. Study Group 2 was sedated with 0.3 µg.kg-1 remifentanil combined with propofol. We assessed the quality of sedation, hemodynamic parameters, incidence of significant hypoxemia, time for spontaneous eye opening, post-anesthetic recovery time, quality of post-anesthetic recovery, presence of side effects and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Study Group 1 showed better quality of sedation. The groups in which remifentanil was administered combined with propofol showed shorter eye-opening time and shorter post-anesthetic recovery time compared to the control group. The three groups presented hemodynamic changes at some of the moments assessed. The incidence of significant hypoxemia, the quality of post-anesthetic recovery, the incidence of side effects and patient satisfaction were similar in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of propofol with remifentanil at a dose of 0.2 µg.kg-1 was effective in improving the quality of sedation, and at doses of 0.2 µg.kg-1 and 0.3 µg.kg-1 reduced the time to spontaneous eye opening and post-anesthetic recovery in comparison to sedation with propofol administered alone.

Effects of remifentanil on awakening of propofol sedated patients submitted to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a randomized clinical trial / Efeitos do remifentanil sobre despertar de pacientes sedados com propofol para endoscopia digestiva alta: estudo clínico randomizado

Abstract Background and objectives: Sedation for endoscopic procedures aims to provide high quality sedation, lower risks, short recovery time, superior recovery quality and absence of side effects, seeking high patient level of satisfaction. The goal of the study was to assess administration of remifentanil combined with propofol regarding the effects of the drug association during sedation and recovery for patients submitted to upper gastrointestinal diagnostic endoscopy. Method: One hundred and five patients were assessed, randomly divided into three groups of 35 patients. The Control Group was sedated with propofol alone. Study Group 1 was sedated with a fixed dose of 0.2 µg.kg−1 remifentanil combined with propofol. Study Group 2 was sedated with 0.3 µg.kg−1 remifentanil combined with propofol. We assessed the quality of sedation, hemodynamic parameters, incidence of significant hypoxemia, time for spontaneous eye opening, post-anesthetic recovery time, quality of post-anesthetic recovery, presence of side effects and patient satisfaction. Results: Study Group 1 showed better quality of sedation. The groups in which remifentanil was administered combined with propofol showed shorter eye-opening time and shorter post-anesthetic recovery time compared to the control group. The three groups presented hemodynamic changes at some of the moments assessed. The incidence of significant hypoxemia, the quality of post-anesthetic recovery, the incidence of side effects and patient satisfaction were similar in the three groups. Conclusions: The combination of propofol with remifentanil at a dose of 0.2 µg.kg−1 was effective in improving the quality of sedation, and at doses of 0.2 µg.kg−1 and 0.3 µg.kg−1 reduced the time to spontaneous eye opening and post-anesthetic recovery in comparison to sedation with propofol administered alone.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A sedação para procedimentos endoscópicos pretende fornecer boa qualidade de sono, menores riscos, tempo de recuperação mais curto, qualidade de recuperação superior e ausência de efeitos colaterais, buscando um elevado nível de satisfação dos pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da associação do remifentanil ao propofol e seus efeitos durante a sedação e a recuperação em exames de endoscopia digestiva alta diagnóstica. Método: Foram avaliados 105, divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos de 35 pacientes. O Grupo Controle foi sedado apenas com o uso de propofol, o Grupo de Estudo 1 foi sedado com uso de remifentanil em dose fixa de 0,2 µg.Kg-1 associado ao propofol. E o Grupo de Estudo 2 foi sedado com o uso de remifentanil em dose fixa de 0,3 µg.Kg-1 associado ao propofol. Foram avaliadas a qualidade da sedação, comportamento hemodinâmico, incidência de hipoxemia significativa, tempo para abertura ocular espontânea, tempo de recuperação pós-anestésica, qualidade da recuperação pós-anestésica, presença de efeitos colaterais e satisfação do paciente. Resultado: O Grupo de Estudo 1 apresentou melhor qualidade de sedação. Os grupos em que se associou o remifentanil apresentaram tempo para abertura ocular e tempo de recuperação anestésica mais curtos em relação ao grupo controle. Os três grupos apresentaram alterações hemodinâmicas em algum dos momentos avaliados. A incidência de hipoxemia significativa, a qualidade da recuperação pós-anestésica, a incidência de efeitos colaterais e a satisfação dos pacientes foram similares nos três grupos. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a associação do remifentanil na dose de 0,2 µg.kg-1 mostrou-se efetivo na melhora da qualidade da sedação, e nas doses 0,2 µg.kg-1 e de 0,3 µg.kg-1 reduziu o tempo de abertura ocular espontânea e o tempo de recuperação pós-anestésica dos pacientes em relação a sedação apenas com propofol.

International development and validation of a classification system for the identification of Barrett's neoplasia using acetic acid chromoendoscopy: the Portsmouth acetic acid classification (PREDICT).

BACKGROUND: Barrett's oesophagus is an established risk factor for developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma. However, Barrett's neoplasia can be subtle and difficult to identify. Acetic acid chromoendoscopy (AAC) is a simple technique that has been demonstrated to highlight neoplastic areas but lesion recognition with AAC remains a challenge, thereby hampering its widespread use. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a simple classification system to identify Barrett's neoplasia using AAC. DESIGN: The study was conducted in four phases: phase 1-development of component descriptive criteria; phase 2-development of a classification system; phase 3-validation of the classification system by endoscopists; and phase 4-validation of the classification system by non-endoscopists. RESULTS: Phases 1 and 2 led to the development of a simplified AAC classification system based on two criteria: focal loss of acetowhitening and surface patterns of Barrett's mucosa. In phase 3, the application of PREDICT (Portsmouth acetic acid classification) by endoscopists improved the sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) from 79.3% and 80.2% to 98.1% and 97.4%, respectively (p<0.001). In phase 4, the application of PREDICT by non-endoscopists improved the sensitivity and NPV from 69.6% and 75.5% to 95.9% and 96.0%, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We developed and validated a classification system known as PREDICT for the diagnosis of Barrett's neoplasia using AAC. The improvement seen in the sensitivity and NPV for detection of Barrett's neoplasia in phase 3 demonstrates the clinical value of PREDICT and the similar improvement seen among non-endoscopists demonstrates the potential for generalisation of PREDICT once proven in real time.

Seguridad y eficiencia de sedación balanceada con propofol y remifentanil en endoscopia digestiva alta diagnóstica. Una experiencia exitosa / A Successful Experience: Safety and Efficiency of Balanced Sedation with Propofol and Remifentanil in Diagnostic Endoscopy

Resumen La sedación es una técnica anestésica de amplio uso en los procedimientos endoscópicos digestivos actuales dado su claro beneficio en la tolerancia y comodidad para el paciente y el endoscopista. El medicamento de mayor uso en la actualidad para utilizarse como monosedación es el propofol, pero los esquemas balanceados utilizando más de un medicamento ahora son ampliamente usados en endoscopia diagnóstica o terapéutica. La sedación balanceada utilizando propofol y remifentanilo permite la potenciación sinérgica de un sedante con un opioide de ultracorta acción, lo que a su vez favorece la disminución respectiva de cada dosis. Se presenta una serie de 1148 pacientes llevados a endoscopia digestiva alta diagnóstica con dosis promedio de remifentanilo de 0,9 µg/kg de peso y de propofol de 0,47 mg/kg de peso, sin eventos adversos graves, con excelente satisfacción para el endoscopista y con muy bajo costo de la dosis por medicamento, con lo que se infiere que es un esquema seguro y eficiente.

Abstract Sedation is an anesthetic technique that is widely used in current digestive endoscopic procedures because of its clear benefits for patients' tolerance and comfort and for the endoscopist. Propofol is the most commonly used drug in monosedation, but balanced regimens using more than one drug are now widely used in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Balanced sedation using Propofol and Remifentanil allows synergistic potentiation of a sedative with an ultra-short acting opioid which in turn favors decreases of each dose. This is a series of 1,148 patients who underwent diagnostic endoscopy under balanced sedation with average Remifentanil doses of 0.9 mcg/kg of body weight and average Propofol doses of 0.47 mg/kg of body weight. There were no serious adverse events, endoscopists were highly satisfied with the procedures, and costs per drug dose were very low. This is clearly a safe and efficient scheme.

Highlights from the 52nd Seminar of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

In this July issue of Clinical Endoscopy, state-of-the-art articles selected from the lectures delivered during the 52nd Seminar of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (KSGE) on March 29, 2015 are covered, focusing on highlighted educational contents relevant to either diagnostic or therapeutic gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Our society, the KSGE, has continued to host this opportunity for annual seminars twice a year over the last 26 years and it has become a large-scale prestigious seminar accommodating over 4,000 participants. Definitely, the KSGE seminar is considered as one of the premier state-of-the-art seminars dealing with GI endoscopy, appealing to both the beginner and advanced experts. Lectures, live demonstrations, hands-on courses, as well as an editor school, which was an important consensus meeting on how to upgrade our society journal, Clinical Endoscopy, to a Science Citation Index (Expanded) designation were included in this seminar. The 52nd KSGE seminar consisted of more than 20 sessions, including special lectures, concurrent sessions for GI endoscopy nurses, and sessions exploring new technologies. This is a very special omnibus article to highlight the core contents divided into four sessions: upper GI tract, lower GI tract, pancreatobiliary system, and other specialized sessions.

Present status of endoscopy, therapeutic endoscopy and the endoscopy training system in Indonesia.

Recently, Indonesia was ranked as the fourth most populous country in the world. Based on 2012 data, 85000 general practitioners and 25000 specialists are in service around the country. Gastrointestinal (GI) disease remains the most common finding in daily practise, in both outpatient and inpatient settings, and ranks fifth in causing mortality in Indonesia. Management of patients with GI disease involves all health-care levels with the main portion in primary health care. Some are managed by specialists in secondary health care or are referred to tertiary health care. GI endoscopy is one of the main diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in the management of GI disease. Development of GI endoscopy in Indonesia started before World War II and, today, many GI endoscopy procedures are conducted in Indonesia, both diagnostic and therapeutic. Based on August 2013 data, there are 515 GI endoscopists in Indonesia. Most GI endoscopists are competent in carrying out basic endoscopy procedures, whereas only a few carry out advanced endoscopy procedures, including therapeutic endoscopy. Recently, the GI endoscopy training system in Indonesia consists of basic GI endoscopy training of 3-6 months held at 10 GI endoscopy training centers. GI endoscopy training is also eligible as part of a fellowship program of consultant gastroenterologists held at six accredited fellowship centers in Indonesia. Indonesian Society for Digestive Endoscopy in collaboration with GI endoscopy training centers in Indonesia and overseas has been working to increase quality and number of GI endoscopists, covering both basic and advanced GI endoscopy procedures.

Imágenes de banda angosta (IBA): nuevo aporte al diagnóstico endoscópico / Narrow band imaging (NBI): a new endoscopic diagnostic approach

La técnica endoscópica IBA, representa un importante avance en el diagnóstico endoscópico, al mejorar la visualización de la superficie de la mucosa y su patrón vascular. Los datos aportados por esta técnica son útiles en el diagnóstico diferencial entre lesiones superficiales benignas y malignas, permitiendo la toma de biopsias dirigidas a áreas de riesgo, sin la necesidad del uso de colorantes y las dificultades técnicas que se relacionan con su uso.

The NBI, is a new tool that represent an important advance in endoscopy, improving observation of the mucosal surface and vascular pattern. These findings are useful for, differential diagnosis between benign and malignant superficial lesions and allows to target areas of risk and to obtain biopsies in several mucosal lesions, without use of dye spraying and technical problems related to this procedure