AGA Clinical Practice Update on Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Gastroparesis: Commentary.

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute Clinical Practice Update (CPU) is to review the available evidence and provide expert advice regarding cognitive, procedural, and post-procedural aspects of performing gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of refractory gastroparesis. METHODS: This CPU was commissioned and approved by the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates Committee (CPUC) and the AGA Governing Board to provide timely guidance on a topic of high clinical importance to the AGA membership and underwent internal peer review by the CPUC and external peer review through standard procedures of Gastroenterology. This expert commentary incorporates important as well as recently published studies in this field, and it reflects the experiences of the authors who are advanced endoscopists with expertise in treating patients by performing third-space endoscopy and gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy.

The Utility of Prophylactic Antibiotics for Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP) for the treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a clean case with low expected rates of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI). Previous studies have shown a low risk of SSI following LP but also large variations in the utilization of prophylactic antibiotics. The goal of this study was to review the use of preoperative antibiotics for LP and to compare this with SSI incidence. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of patients undergoing LP for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis at a large quaternary children's hospital from January 2017 to June 2020. Subjects were <4 mo old. Exclusion criteria were those lost to follow-up within 30 d postoperatively and those who required open conversion intraoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test, two-tailed independent t-tests, and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Two-hundred twenty-seven patients were included, mean population age was 5.7 wk, and 81.1% were male. Preoperative antibiotics were administered in 39% of patients. Only 1.3% (n = 3) of all patients developed an SSI within 30 d of their operation. Analysis between patients who received preoperative antibiotics and those who did not revealed no difference in age (5.72 wk versus 5.72 wk, t (225) = 0.38, P = 0.70), sex (41% of males versus 32% of females, P = 0.39), length of stay (t(225) = -0.94, P = 0.35), or postoperative SSI (1.1% versus 1.4%, P > 0.999). Large variability was noted in antibiotic utilization by surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing LP, there was no difference in SSI rates whether or not patients received preoperative antibiotics and, there is large variation in utilization. Measures are needed to decrease usage of prophylactic antibiotics before LP.

Outcome of gastric electrical stimulator with and without pyloromyotomy for refractory gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatments of refractory gastroparesis include pyloromyotomy and gastric electrical stimulator (GES). It is unclear if patients may benefit from a combined approach with concomitant GES and pyloromyotomy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of all patients with refractory gastroparesis treated with GES implantation with and without concomitant pyloromyotomy at Cleveland Clinic Florida from January 2003 to January 2023. Primary endpoint was efficacy (clinical response duration and success rate) and secondary endpoints included safety (postoperative morbidity) and length of stay. Success rate was defined as the absence of one of the following reinterventions during follow-up: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), pyloromyotomy, GES removal. RESULTS: During a period of 20 years, 134 patients were treated with GES implantation. Three patients with history of previous surgical pyloromyotomy or RYGB were excluded from the analysis. Median follow-up was 31 months (IQR 10, 72). Forty patients (30.5%) had GES with pyloromyotomy, whereas 91 (69.5%) did not have pyloromyotomy. Most of the patients had idiopathic (n = 68, 51.9%) or diabetic (n = 58, 43.3%) gastroparesis. Except for preoperative use of opioids (47.5 vs 14.3%; p < 0.001), patient's characteristics were similar in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of overall postoperative complications (17.5% vs 14.3%; p = 0.610), major postoperative complications (0% vs 2.2%; p = 1), and length of stay (2(IQR 1, 2) vs 2(IQR 1, 3) days; p = 0.068). At 5 years, success rate was higher in patients with than without pyloromyotomy however not statistically significant (82% versus 62%, p = 0.066). Especially patients with diabetic gastroparesis seemed to benefit from pyloromyotomy during GES (100% versus 67%, p = 0.053). In an adjusted Cox regression, GES implantation without pyloromyotomy was associated with a 2.66 times higher risk of treatment failure compared to GES implantation with pyloromyotomy (HR 2.66, 95% CI 1.03-6.94, p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Pyloromyotomy during GES implantation for gastroparesis seems to be associated with a longer clinical response with similar postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay than GES without pyloromyotomy. Patient with diabetic gastroparesis might benefit from a combination of GES implantation and pyloromyotomy.

Intra-operative pyloric BOTOX injection versus pyloric surgery for prevention of delayed gastric emptying after esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common complication after esophagectomy. BOTOX injections and pyloric surgeries (PS), including pyloroplasty (PP) and pyloromyotomy (PM), are performed intraoperatively as prophylaxis against DGE. This study compares the effects of pyloric BOTOX injection and PS for preventing DGE post-esophagectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed Moffitt's IRB-approved database of 1364 esophagectomies, identifying 475 patients receiving BOTOX or PS during esophageal resection. PS was further divided into PP and PM. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were compared using Chi-Square, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and ANOVA. Propensity-score matching was performed between BOTOX and PP cohorts. RESULTS: 238 patients received BOTOX, 108 received PP, and 129 received PM. Most BOTOX patients underwent fully minimally invasive robotic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy (81.1% vs 1.7%) while most PS patients underwent hybrid open/Robotic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy (95.7% vs 13.0%). Anastomotic leak (p = 0.57) and pneumonia (p = 0.75) were comparable between groups. However, PS experienced lower DGE rates (15.9% vs 9.3%; p = 0.04) while BOTOX patients had less postoperative weight loss (9.7 vs 11.45 kg; p = 0.02). After separating PP from PM, leak (p = 0.72) and pneumonia (p = 0.07) rates remained similar. However, PP patients had the lowest DGE incidence (1.9% vs 15.7% vs 15.9%; p = < 0.001) and the highest bile reflux rates (2.8% vs 0% vs 0.4%; p = 0.04). Between matched cohorts of 91 patients, PP had lower DGE rates (18.7% vs 1.1%; p = < 0.001) and less weight loss (9.8 vs 11.4 kg; p = < 0.001). Other complications were comparable (all p > 0.05). BOTOX was consistently associated with shorter LOS compared to PS (all p = < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PP demonstrates lower rates of DGE in unmatched and matched analyses. Compared to BOTOX, PS is linked to reduced DGE rates. While BOTOX is associated with more favorable LOS, this may be attributable to difference in operative approach. PP improves DGE rates after esophagectomy without improving other postoperative complications.

Initial experience and outcomes of per oral pyloromyotomy for the treatment of refractory gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis can be a debilitating disease process for which durable treatment options are lacking. While dietary changes and pharmacotherapy have some efficacy, symptoms frequently recur and some patients progress to needing supplemental enteral feeding access. Per oral pyloromyotomy (POP) has been shown to be a durable minimally invasive treatment option for refractory gastroparesis with a low side effect profile, and therefore has been performed at this institution for the past 6 years. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of all patients who underwent a POP at a single institution over a 6-year period (2018-2023). Patient demographics, preoperative symptomatology and subsequent workup, postoperative complications, and symptom recurrence were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 56 patients included in the study. There was a 1.8:1 female:male ratio. The average patient age was 56 years old (range 23-85). The average duration of symptoms was 1-3 years. Thirty-eight percent of patients had undergone previous endoscopic therapy for gastroparesis (pyloric botox injection or pyloric dilation) and 16% of patients underwent multiple endoscopic therapies. Twenty-nine percent of patients were on a medication for gastroparesis. Past surgery was the most common gastroparesis etiology for POP (50% of patients). Diabetes (23%) and idiopathic (19%) were the other most common gastroparesis etiologies for POP. Nausea was the most common symptom at first follow-up (30%) but these patients continued to improve with 14% of patients continuing to endorse nausea at 6 months. Twenty-seven percent of patients developed symptom recurrence. Forty percent of patients with symptom recurrence underwent a repeat endoscopic or surgical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this present study, POP leads to durable results in approximately 75% of patients with minimal complications. Furthermore, the majority of patients who do develop symptom recurrence do not require additional gastroparesis interventions.

Comparison between umbilical and right upper transverse abdominal incisions for pyloromyotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the operative parameters and complication rates between the umbilical (UMB) and right upper quadrant (RUQ) skin incisions for Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy for the treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus databases were systematically searched. The studies where any one of the main outcomes of interest, i.e., operative time, wound infection rate, mucosal perforation rate were reported were eligible for inclusion. The statistical analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Fifteen studies comprising 2964 infants were included. As compared to the UMB group, the RUQ group showed a significantly lower mean operative time (p = 0.0004), wound infection rate (p < 0.0001) and mucosal perforation rate (p = 0.02). Although UMB incision produces an almost undetectable scar, this approach results in significantly more complications. Therefore, the risks and benefits must be weighed and discussed with the caregivers in deciding the surgical approach in patients with IHPS. However, due to a poor methodological quality of nine out of fifteen studies, further studies need to be conducted for an optimal comparison between the two groups.

A Contemporary Review of Surgical Approach and Outcomes in Pediatric Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: In order to define optimal resources and outcome standards for infant pyloromyotomy, we sought to perform a contemporary analysis of surgical approach (laparoscopic versus open) and outcomes. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Pediatrics Participant Use File (NSQIP PUF) was queried from 2016 to 2020. Utilization of laparoscopy was trended over time. Complication rates and length of stay were compared by operative approach. RESULTS: 9752 pyloromyotomies were included in the analysis. The utilization of laparoscopy steadily increased over the study time period (66% to 79%) and was associated with a shorter operative time. On multivariate regression, the utilization of laparoscopy was associated with a lower risk of overall complications, length of stay, and superficial surgical site infections. Overall complication rates were lower than previously reported (2.02%). The most common complication was superficial infection (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In facilities reporting to pediatric National Quality Improvement Project, utilization of laparoscopy has steadily increased, and complication rates are lower than previously reported. Complication rates and length of stay were lower with the laparoscopic approach in this contemporary cohort. These results offer benchmarks for quality improvement initiatives. The laparoscopic approach should be standard in facilities performing this procedure.

[S156] Comparing outcomes of per-oral pyloromyotomy and robotic pyloroplasty for the treatment of gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis is characterized by delayed gastric emptying without a significant obstructive pathology and is estimated to effect more than 5 million adults in the United States. Therapies for this condition are divided into two categories: gastric electrical stimulation or pyloric therapies to facilitate gastric emptying. Pyloric procedures include pyloroplasty, a well-documented procedure, and per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POP), a relatively novel endoscopic procedure that disrupts the pyloric muscles endoscopically. There is a paucity of literature comparing the two procedures. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of these two techniques. METHODS: Under an IRB protocol, data were collected prospectively from September 2018 through April 2021 at our institution for patients undergoing POP (n = 63 patients) or robotic pyloroplasty (RP) (n = 48). Preoperative and postoperative data including sex, race, age, BMI, and Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) score were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in sex, age, and BMI for both cohorts, but patients with RP were more likely to have private insurance, pre-op reflux, and PPI (p < .05 for all). Patients who underwent POP had significantly shorter operative time compared to RP (median 27 min vs 90, p < 0.001). The average change between preoperative and postoperative GCSI scores was significantly decreased for both interventions (POP mean = 8.2, RP 16.8, p < 0.001 both). However, comparing both data, RP has significantly better improvement in postoperative GCSI score than POP in both univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.030). This was reflected in the individual symptoms with nausea (p < 0.001), ability to finish meal (p = 0.037), abdomen visibly larger (p = 0.037) and bloating (p = 0.022) all showing improvement in both groups, but with RP having a more significant decrease in the scoring of these symptoms than POP. There was no significant difference in the number of postoperative complications (POP 19% vs RP 13%, p = 0.440). CONCLUSION: Even though both interventions are significantly associated with improvement of symptoms in patients with gastroparesis, our data demonstrates that robotic pyloroplasty has a superior response in comparison to per-oral endoscopic myotomy for the management of these symptoms. Per-oral pyloromyotomy has a similar complication rate to robotic pyloroplasty with a shorter operative time.

Endoscopic findings do not predict per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP) response.

INTRODUCTION: Gastroparesis is a life-altering diagnosis caused by the stomach's inability to function in the absence of a mechanical obstruction. The primary causes are idiopathic, diabetic, and postoperative. Our first-line treatment for medical refractory gastroparesis is the endoscopic per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP) procedure. Predicting clinical response cost effectively remains elusive. METHODS: All patients who underwent a POP procedure at our institution by a single surgical endoscopist from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. All endoscopic data were prospectively collected. The patients were followed by a survey including the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) and other relevant postoperative measures. The primary endpoint was clinical response defined as ≥ 1.0 decrease in the GCSI from preoperative to the time of survey. Secondary outcome was normalization of the gastric emptying study (GES). RESULTS: Our patient population is 85% female and has an average age of 44.8 years. The diagnosis of gastroparesis is 71% iatrogenic, 19% postoperative, and 10% diabetic. On endoscopy, 30% had bile in the stomach and 65% had any degree of pylorospasm. The primary outcome measure of clinical response was 39% at an average of 697 ± 151 days post-POP, but 66% of patients attested to an improvement in their symptoms. Of 68 postoperative gastric emptying studies 50% normalized at an average of 145 ± 98 days. Following univariate and multivariate analyses of preoperative data and endoscopic findings, there were no significant predictors of clinical response. A preoperative GCSI ≥ 2.6 trends toward significance (OR 6.87, p = 0.058). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic findings at the time of POP do not correlate with clinical response. The GCSI model currently used to measure clinical response may not accurately capture the full clinical picture. The long-term durability of endoscopic myotomy to treat medical refractory gastroparesis needs to be studied further to improve patient selection.

Open Versus Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy for Pyloric Stenosis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is treated by either open pyloromyotomy (OP) or laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP). The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the open versus laparoscopic technique. METHODS: A literature search was conducted from 1990 to February 2021 using the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Primary outcomes were mucosal perforation and incomplete pyloromyotomy. Secondary outcomes consisted of length of hospital stay, time to full feeds, operating time, postoperative wound infection/abscess, incisional hernia, hematoma/seroma formation, and death. RESULTS: Seven randomized controlled trials including 720 patients (357 with OP and 363 with LP) were included. Mucosal perforation rate was not different between groups (relative risk [RR] LP versus OP 1.60 [0.49-5.26]). LP was associated with nonsignificant higher risk of incomplete pyloromyotomy (RR 7.37 [0.92-59.11]). There was no difference in neither postoperative wound infections after LP compared with OP (RR 0.59 [0.24-1.45]) nor in postoperative seroma/hematoma formation (RR 3.44 [0.39-30.43]) or occurrence of incisional hernias (RR 1.01 [0.11-9.53]). Length of hospital stay (-3.01 h for LP [-8.39 to 2.37 h]) and time to full feeds (-5.86 h for LP [-15.95 to 4.24 h]) were nonsignificantly shorter after LP. Operation time was almost identical between groups (+0.53 min for LP [-3.53 to 4.59 min]). CONCLUSIONS: On a meta-level, there is no precise effect estimate indicating that LP carries a higher risk for mucosal perforation or incomplete pyloromyotomies compared with the open equivalent. Because of very low certainty of evidence, we do not know about the effect of the laparoscopic approach on postoperative wound infections, postoperative hematoma or seroma formation, incisional hernia occurrence, length of postoperative stay, time to full feeds, or operating time.

Endoscopic clips versus overstitch suturing system device for mucosotomy closure after peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy (G-POEM): a prospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: G-POEM is an emerging method for treatment of severe gastroparesis. Safe mucosal closure is necessary to avoid adverse events. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two closure methods: clips and endoscopic suturing (ES) after G-POEM. METHODS: We performed a single center, prospective study. The closure method was assigned at the discretion of an endoscopist prior to the procedure. The main outcome was the proportion of subjects with successful closure. Unsuccessful closure was defined as a need for a rescue method, or a need for an additional intervention or incomplete closure-related adverse events. Secondary outcomes were the easiness of closure (VAS score 1 = very difficult, 10 = easy), closure time, and cost. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients [21 female; mean age, range 47.5; (20-74)] were included; 20 received ES and 20 clips [mean number of clips 6; range (4-19)]. All 20 patients with ES (100%, 95% CI 84-100%) and 18 patients with clips (89%, 95% CI 70-97%) had successful closure (p = 0.49). One patient needed a rescue method (KING closure) and the other patient an additional clipping on POD1. Closure with clips was quicker [mean time 9.8 (range 4-20) min vs. 14.1 (5-21) min; p = 0.007] and cheaper [mean cost 807 USD (± 402) vs. 2353 USD (± 145); p < 0.001]. Endoscopist assessed the easiness of ES and clips as comparable [mean VAS, range 7.5 (3-10) (ES) vs. 6.9 (3-10) (clips); p = 0.3]. CONCLUSIONS: Both ES and clips are effective methods for mucosal closure in patients undergoing G-POEM. However, centres using clips should have a rescue closure method available as clips may fail in some patients. Closure with ES is more costly than with clips.

Significant changes in impedance planimetry (EndoFLIP™) measurements after peroral pyloromyotomy for delayed gastric emptying.

BACKGROUND: The endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) can be used to obtain real-time measurements of the diameter (Dmin), cross-sectional area (CSA), and distensibility of the pylorus before and after peroral pyloromyotomy (POP), an emerging endoscopic treatment for delayed gastric emptying. Our study aims to report our single-center experience in performing POP with FLIP measurements before and after pyloromyotomy. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained gastroesophageal database was performed. Demographic and perioperative data, including intraoperative FLIP measurements of the pylorus before and after POP, were analyzed. Measurements were compared using paired t tests. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent POP between February 2017 and July 2020. Twenty-three (67.7%) patients were male and the average age was 59 years. The etiology of delayed gastric emptying was post-vagotomy in 22 patients, idiopathic gastroparesis in 7 patients, and diabetic gastroparesis in 5 patients. There were no significant differences in pre-myotomy or post-myotomy FLIP measurements when comparing the post-vagotomy versus the gastroparesis groups. There were significant increases in Dmin, CSA, and distensibility index when comparing pre-myotomy and post-myotomy readings for all patients (all p < 0.001). At follow-up, 64.7% of patients reported resolution of all symptoms. CONCLUSION: POP is an effective intervention in patients with delayed gastric emptying. Significant changes in FLIP measurements before and after POP suggest that FLIP may be a useful adjunct in guiding the management of delayed gastric emptying.

Gastroparesis with concomitant gastrointestinal dysmotility is not a contraindication for per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP).

INTRODUCTION: Per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP or G-POEM) provides significant short-term improvements in symptoms and objective emptying for patients with medically refractory gastroparesis, but it is unclear if patients with gastroparesis and co-existing dysmotility (small bowel or colonic delay) also benefit. In this study, we used wireless motility capsule (WMC) data to measure outcomes in patients with isolated gastroparesis (GP) and gastroparesis with co-existing dysmotility (GP + Dys) who underwent POP. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients who had POP and completed WMC data during their evaluation of intestinal dysmotility. WMC data were reviewed to identify patients who demonstrated isolated GP or GP + Dys. Each patient's pre-op and post-op Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) and 4-h solid-phase scintigraphy gastric emptying studies (GES) scores were compared to evaluate improvement. RESULTS: Of the entire cohort (n = 73), 89% were female with a mean age of 47.0 ± 15.0 years old. Gastroparesis etiologies were divided among idiopathic (54.8%), diabetic (26%), postsurgical (8.2%), autoimmune (5.5%), and multifactorial (5.5%). Forty-one patients (56%) had GP and 32 patients (44%) had GP + Dys. GCSI improved after POP whether the patient had isolated GP (- 12.31, p < 0.001) or GP + Dys (- 9.58, p < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in total GCSI improvement between the two groups. A subset of patients had postoperative GES available (n = 47). In the isolated GP and GP + Dys cohorts, 15/28 (54%) and 12/19 (63%) patients had normal post-op 4-h GES, respectively, but no statistical difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with medically refractory gastroparesis with and without concomitant gastrointestinal dysmotility show short-term subjective and objective improvement after POP. Concomitant small bowel or colonic dysmotility should not deter physicians from offering POP in carefully selected patients with gastroparesis.

Real-time intraoperative functioning lumen imaging probe during endoscopic per-oral pyloromyotomy (pop).

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP) has emerged as a safe and effective first line option in medically refractory gastroparesis. Determining the appropriate extent of the pyloromyotomy continues to present a challenge as there are no standardized tools for measuring changes in pyloric distensibility during the procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of using impedance planimetry with endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) to measure changes in pyloric distensibility after POP, and to compare these changes with improvement in symptoms and objective gastric emptying. METHODS: Patients with medically refractory gastroparesis underwent POP with FLIP measurements of the pylorus (EndoFLIP®, Medtronic, Fridley MN). FLIP measurements, as well as changes in symptoms measured by the validated gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI) and scintigraphic gastric emptying studies (GES), were evaluated before and after POP. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients underwent measurement with FLIP during POP, 12 of whom had pre- and post-POP measurements. Mean pyloric diameter increased by 1.4 mm, from 13.9 mm to 15.3 mm (p = 0.0012). Mean distensibility index increased from 6.2 mm2/mmHg to 9.1 mm2/mmHg (p = 0.0074). Successful division of the pylorus was achieved in 100% of patients with a mean operative time of 36 min and no perioperative complications. The mean length of stay was 0.7 days (0-3 days). Post-POP mean GCSI score improved from 2.97 to 2.28 at a mean follow-up time of 27 days (p < 0.001). Objective improvement in gastric emptying was observed in 80% of patients with scintigraphic GES, with mean four-hour retention decreasing from 46.3% to 32.4% (p < 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: FLIP is a safe and feasible tool to provide objective measurements during POP. Larger cohorts with longer follow-up are required to determine if measured improvements in pyloric diameter and distensibility are predictive of sustained improvements in GCSI and GES.

Are intra-operative gastric drainage procedures necessary in esophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Surgical pyloroplasty or pyloromyotomy are often performed during esophagectomy with a view of improving gastric conduit drainage. However, the clinical importance of this is not clear, and some centers opt to omit this step. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the rates of pulmonary complications, anastomotic leak, mortality, delayed gastric emptying, and the need for further pyloric intervention, in patients undergoing esophagectomy with and without a drainage procedure. METHODS: A database search of Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was performed to identify randomized control trials and cohort studies published between 2000 and 2020 which compared outcomes of esophagectomy with and without drainage procedures. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to compare the rates of pulmonary complications, anastomotic leak, mortality, delayed gastric emptying, and the need for further pyloric intervention. RESULTS: Three randomized and 12 non-randomized publications were identified, comprising a total of 2339 patients. No significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to pulmonary complications (RR 1.02 [95% CI, 0.78-1.33], p = 0.91), anastomotic leak (RR 1.14 [95% CI, 0.80-1.62], p = 0.48), mortality (RR 0.53 [95% CI, 0.23-1.26], p = 0.15), delayed gastric emptying (RR 0.98 [95% CI, 0.59-1.62], p = 0.93), and the need for further pyloric intervention (RR 1.99 [95% CI, 0.56-7.08], p = 0.29). CONCLUSION: Where post-operative pyloric treatment is available on demand, surgical pyloric drainage procedures may not have any significant clinical impact on patient outcomes for patients undergoing esophagectomy, though further good-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this.

Transumbilical single-site two incision laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for pediatric hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

PURPOSE: A new novel technique for the treatment of pediatric hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), transumbilical single-site laparoscopic pyloromyotomy with a single instrument (TUSSLP), was introduced. TUSSLP was compared with the transabdominal three-site laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (TATSLP) procedure. METHODS: Patients with HPS who underwent TUSSLP and TATSLP between January 2016 and September 2020 were assigned to group A and group B, respectively. The descriptive variables, perioperative clinical characteristics and postoperative follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. The primary outcome of this study was the rate of switching to conventional pyloromyotomy. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 29 (22 males, 7 females, 54.4 ± 22.6 days) who received TUSSLP were assigned to group A. The remaining 35 (28 males, 7 females, 54.5 ± 27.6 days) who received TATSLP were assigned to group B. The data of preoperative patient variables were comparable between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The mean operative time (ORT) was 28.1 ± 5.6 min in group A, which was not significantly different from 25.8 ± 3.1 min in group B (P = 0.25). The other perioperative features were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). During follow-up (39.1 ± 14.7 m in group A and 35.4 ± 16.1 m in group B, P = 0.51), no significant difference was observed in the overall incidence of vomiting between the 2 groups (P = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: TUSSLP is a feasible and reliable minimally invasive method for HPS. It has the advantages of an improved cosmetic appearance. The postoperative follow-up results of TUSSLP are comparable with those of TATSLP.

Safety and benefit of ad libitum feeding following laparoscopic pyloromyotomy: retrospective comparative trial.

PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated the impacts of ad libitum feedings on outcomes following laparoscopic pyloromyotomy in patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. METHODS: Pediatric patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis who underwent laparoscopic pyloromyotomy were included. Patients were stratified into ad libitum and structured feeding groups. Primary outcomes were times from surgery completion to goal feeding and discharge. RESULTS: A total of 336 patients were included in the study with 63 patients (18.8%) in the ad libitum feeding group. The ad libitum feeding group experienced significantly shorter times from surgery completion to both goal feedings (10.7 h vs 18.7 h; p < 0.001) and hospital discharge (21.6 h vs 23.1 h; p = 0.008) compared to the structured protocol group. Postoperative emesis (47.% vs 30.8%; p = 0.011) was higher in the ab libitum cohort, but the rates of return to an emergency department and/or readmission (4.8% vs 2.2%; p = 0.26) were similar. CONCLUSION: Ad libitum feeding after pyloromyotomy decreases time to reach goal feeding and hospital discharge. While it may contribute to a higher incidence of emesis, it does not appear to significantly increase hospital readmission. Ad libitum feeding appears to be a safe and beneficial alternative to structured feeding protocols following pyloromyotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Pyloric distensibility in health and disease.

Until recently, gastric motility measurements in humans were mostly limited to accommodation (using barostat or 3-dimensional imaging studies of gastric volume) and gastric emptying tests, the latter being the only one performed in routine clinical care. Accurate and easy to use techniques were lacking to assess pyloric function in health and disease. Recently, pyloric distensibility has been developed and validated to assess pyloric opening. Several studies confirmed that pyloric distensibility was decreased in gastroparesis and correlated with gastric emptying as well as gastroparesis symptoms. In addition, pyloric distensibility may predict outcome of endoscopic techniques targeting the pylorus, namely intrapyloric botulinum toxin injection and gastric per-oral pyloromyotomy. Pyloric distensibility appears therefore to be a promising and useful new tool in the workup of gastroparesis patients.

Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (GPOEM) for severe gastroparesis after lung transplantation: A promising minimally invasive option.

BACKGROUND: After lung transplantation (LT), gastroparesis is frequent, occurring in 25-63% of cases and leading to pulmonary infections. In refractory disease, classical management has demonstrated limited efficacy. Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) is a recently developed safe and effective procedure that has been performed here on five patients with severe post-LT gastroparesis. METHODS: In all patients, the diagnosis was confirmed by disturbed gastric emptying scintigraphy and GCSI calculation showing severe disease. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopies confirmed the absence of organic lesions. All patients were informed about the procedure and signed informed consent forms. The procedure consisted of performing an endoscopic pyloromyotomy under general anesthesia. RESULTS: The patients were between 35 and 64 years of age. Four had chronic disease, starting approximately 1 year following LT, and one had acute, severe gastroparesis requiring intubation in the intensive care unit. All patients underwent G-POEM after failure of medical treatment, without any complications. Three of the patients with chronic disease improved; they resumed a normal diet and gained weight. The patient with acute disease was discharged within a few days following the procedure and resumed oral intake. CONCLUSION: G-POEM is promising for managing post-LT refractory gastroparesis and should be further evaluated.

Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy versus pyloromyotomy for gastroparesis: An international comparative study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastroparesis is a potentially debilitating gastric motility disorder with limited treatment options. Highest efficacy treatments include gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (GPOEM) and surgical pyloromyotomy. This study compares the efficacy and safety of GPOEM versus laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for refractory gastroparesis. METHODS: Patients who underwent GPOEM or laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for refractory gastroparesis from four centers across the USA and Latin America were included in a dedicated registry. Data collected included patient demographics, imaging, laboratory values, clinical success, gastroparesis cardinal symptom index, procedure time, pre-op and post-op gastric emptying times, adverse events, and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were included (mean age 47; 32.4% male): GPOEM n = 39, surgical pyloromyotomy n = 63.Technical success was 100% in both groups. Clinical success was 92.3% in the GPOEM group and 82.5% in the surgery group (P = 0.164). The GPOEM group had a significantly higher post-op GSCI score reduction by 1.3 units (P < 0.00001), post-op retention reduction at 2 h by 18% (P < 0.00001), post-op retention reduction at 4 h by 25% (P < 0.00001) and a lower procedure time by 20 min (P < 0.00001) as compared with surgery. GPOEM also had a lower hospital length of stay by 2.8 days (P < 0.00001). Adverse events were significantly fewer in the GPOEM group (13%) compared with surgery group (33.3%; P = 0.021). Mean blood loss in the GPOEM group was only 3.6 mL compared with 866 mL in the surgery group. CONCLUSIONS: The GPOEM may be a less invasive, safer, and more efficacious procedural treatment for refractory gastroparesis as compared with surgical pyloromyotomy.