Impact of changing diagnostic criteria on the diagnosis of serrated polyposis syndrome.

Background and study aims The World Health Organization criteria for serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) were established in 2010 and modified in 2019. Neither set of criteria have been validated against genetic markers or proven to be the optimal criteria for defining colorectal cancer risk in patients with serrated colorectal lesions. In this study, we sought to gain insight into how frequently the change in SPS criteria in 2019 impacted the diagnosis of SPS. Patients and methods We reviewed 279 patients with SPS diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 using the 2010 criteria (n = 163) or since 2019 using the 2019 criteria (n = 116). We reviewed whether patients in each group met the diagnosis of SPS by the alternative criteria. Results Of those diagnosed using 2010 criteria, 5.5 % did not meet 2019 criteria. Of those diagnosed by 2019 criteria, 10.3 % did not meet 2010 criteria. Conclusions Most patients with SPS in our database met the diagnosis of SPS by both 2010 and 2019 criteria, with only 5 % to 10 % of patients in each cohort not meeting the alternative diagnostic criteria.

Prevalence of synchronous neoplasia in patients with large pedunculated colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Large (≥ 20 mm) nonpedunculated colorectal lesions have high rates of synchronous neoplasia and advanced neoplasia. Synchronous neoplasia prevalence in patients with large pedunculated lesions is uncertain. We describe synchronous neoplasia in patients with large pedunculated colorectal polyps, using a cohort of patients with large nonpedunculated lesions as controls. METHODS: This study was a retrospective assessment of a prospectively recorded database listing synchronous findings in patients with ≥ 20 mm colorectal lesions referred to a tertiary center for endoscopic resection. RESULTS: At least one synchronous precancerous lesion was identified in 66/78 patients with large pedunculated index lesions (84.6 %, 95 %CI 74.9-91.1) and 726/814 patients with large nonpedunculated index lesions (89.2 %, 95 %CI 87.1-91.3). Patients with a large pedunculated index lesion had mean of 4.8 synchronous conventional adenomas, 56.4 % had ≥ 1 synchronous high risk lesion (advanced adenoma or advanced serrated lesion), 48.7 % had ≥ 1 synchronous advanced conventional adenoma, and 19.2 % had a synchronous neoplastic lesion ≥ 20 mm. Compared with patients with nonpedunculated index lesions, patients with large pedunculated index lesions had comparable rates of synchronous polyps, adenomas, and sessile serrated lesions, and higher rates of synchronous adenomas with villous elements (15.6 % [95 %CI 13.3-18.3] vs. 26.9 % [95 %CI 18.3-37.7]; P = 0.01) and synchronous pedunculated polyps (9.5 % [95 %CI 7.6-11.7] vs. 33.3 % [95 %CI 23.8-44.4]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with large (≥ 20 mm) pedunculated colorectal lesions, rates of synchronous neoplasia and advanced synchronous neoplasia were high and comparable to or higher than rates of synchronous neoplasia in patients with large nonpedunculated colorectal lesions.

Outcomes of large colorectal polyp endoscopic resections during small audience live endoscopy events with endoscopist at their home endoscopy unit.

Background and study aims Live endoscopy courses are popular. The safety of performing live endoscopy has been questioned. In this study, we compared outcomes of large colorectal polyp resections during live endoscopy events (LEEs) (with a small audience of 2 to 5 physicians) to those removed during standard procedure days (SPDs) (without an audience). All procedures were performed at the endoscopist's home unit. Methods Retrospective assessment of the adverse event (AE) and recurrence rates for large ( ≥ 20 mm) non-pedunculated colorectal lesions removed during LEEs. Logistic regression was used to assess whether presence of an audience predicted worse outcomes. Results From January 2017 to May 2021, 317 lesions were removed with a live audience and 866 were removed on SPDs. Polyp pathology and procedure length were similar in both groups. There were 16 (5.0 %) total adverse events in the LEE group and 30 (3.4 %) in the SPD group ( P  = 0.224). The majority in both groups were delayed hemorrhage. There were 2 (0.6 %) perforations in the LEE and 3 (0.3 %) in the SPD group. Increasing polyp size was associated with more AEs and higher recurrence. Increasing patient age predicted higher recurrence, and thermal injury of the resection margin predicted lower recurrence. There were no other predictors of AEs or recurrence, including presence of a live audience. Conclusions Removing large colorectal polyps with a small live audience did not increase adverse outcomes.

Implications of stable or increasing adenoma detection rate on the need for continuous measurement.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Measurement of the adenoma detection rate (ADR) is resource intensive, and the benefit of continuous measurement for colonoscopists with high ADR is unclear. We examined the ADR trends at our center to determine whether continuous measurement for consistently high ADR is warranted. METHODS: Among colonoscopies performed between January 1999 and November 2019 at a tertiary center, we analyzed data from colonoscopists performing at least 50 screening colonoscopies annually for 5 consecutive years. ADR trends for individual colonoscopists were examined using Joinpoint regression models. RESULTS: Eleven colonoscopists performed screening colonoscopies on 14,047 patients, and 5912 among them had at least 1 conventional adenoma removed (42.0%). Of 25,829 polyps, 13,585 (52.6%) were conventional adenomas or adenocarcinomas and contributed to ADR calculation. All but 1 colonoscopist included met the recommended minimum threshold ADR of 25% continuously over the study period. Of the 11 colonoscopists, 5 had an increase in their ADR and the remaining 6 had stable ADRs over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: For colonoscopists consistently performing above the minimum threshold, diversion of resources toward improvement of quality measures other than ADR is justified.

Incidence and Predictors of Surgical Site Infection Complications in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Amputation.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) following lower extremity amputations (LEAs) are a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study are to investigate the annual incidence of SSI and risk factors associated with SSI after LEA in diabetic patients. METHODS: LEAs performed on diabetic patients between 2005 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Incidence rates were calculated and analyzed for temporal change. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify the independent predictors of SSIs in LEA. RESULTS: In 21,449 diabetic patients, the incidence of SSIs was 6.8% after LEA, with an overall decreasing annual trend (P = 0.013). Amputation location (below-knee in reference to above-knee) [OR (95% CI): 1.35 (1.20 - 1.53), P <0.001], smoking [OR (95% CI): 1.25 (1.11 - 1.41), P <0.001)], female sex [OR (95% CI): 1.16 (1.03 - 1.30)], preoperative sepsis [OR (95% CI): 1.24 (1.10 - 1.40), P <0.001], P = 0.013], emergency status [OR (95% CI): 1.38 (1.17 - 1.63), P <0.001], and obesity [OR (95% CI): 1.59 (1.12 - 2.27), P = 0.009] emerged as independent predictors of SSIs, while moderate/severe anemia emerged as a risk-adjusted protective factor [OR (95% CI): 0.75 (0.62 - 0.91), P = 0.003]. Sensitivity analysis found that moderate/severe anemia, not body mass index (BMI) class, remained a significant risk factor in the development of SSIs in below-the-knee amputations; in contrast, higher BMI, not preoperative hematocrit, was significantly associated with an increased risk for SSI in above-the-knee amputations. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SSIs after LEA in diabetic patients is decreasing. Overall, below-knee amputation, smoking, emergency status, and preoperative sepsis appeared to be associated with SSIs. Obesity increased SSIs in above-the-knee amputations, while moderate/severe preoperative anemia appears to protect against below-the-knee SSIs. Surgeons should take predictors of SSI into consideration while optimizing care for their patients, and future studies should investigate the role of preoperative hematocrit correction and how it may influence outcomes positively or negatively.

Adverse events and residual lesion rate after cold endoscopic mucosal resection of serrated lesions ≥10 mm.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cold EMR is being increasingly used for large serrated lesions. We sought to measure residual lesion rates and adverse events after cold EMR of large serrated lesions. METHODS: In a single academic center, we retrospectively examined a database of serrated class lesions ≥10 mm removed with cold EMR for safety and efficacy. RESULTS: Five hundred sixty-six serrated lesions ≥10 mm in size were removed from 312 patients. We successfully contacted 223 patients (71.5%) with no reported serious adverse events that required hospitalization, repeat endoscopy, or transfusion. The residual lesion rate per lesion at first follow-up colonoscopy was 18 of 225 (8%; 95% confidence interval, 5-12.1). Lesions with residual were larger at polypectomy compared with lesions without recurrence (median, 23 mm versus 16 mm, P = .017). CONCLUSION: Cold EMR appears to be safe and effective for the removal of large serrated lesions.

Room temperature water infusion during colonoscopy insertion induces rectosigmoid colon mucus production.

BACKGROUND: Water filling during colonoscopy improves several colonoscopy outcomes. We evaluated an anecdotal observation that room temperature water filling during colonoscope insertion results in mucus production in the left colon, which may impair mucosal visualization during withdrawal. METHODS: We performed 55 colonoscopies with either water or saline filling during insertion, and video recorded the examinations. Three blinded observers scored the amount of mucus visible on the video recordings. RESULTS: 29 patients had water filling and 26 patients had saline filling during insertion. Demographic features, procedure indications, volume of infused fluid, and insertion time to the cecum were similar in the two groups. All three blinded observers rated the mucus as greater after water filling than after saline (median 3 out of 5 vs. 1 out of 5; P < 0.001), with a kappa value for interobserver agreement of 0.364 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Room temperature water filling is associated with mucus production by the rectosigmoid colon, requiring additional cleansing during withdrawal.

Coordinating the Provision of Health Services in Humanitarian Crises: a Systematic Review of Suggested Models.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to identify published models of coordination between entities funding or delivering health services in humanitarian crises, whether the coordination took place during or after the crises. METHODS: We included reports describing models of coordination in sufficient detail to allow reproducibility. We also included reports describing implementation of identified models, as case studies. We searched Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the WHO Global Health Library. We also searched websites of relevant organizations. We followed standard systematic review methodology. RESULTS: Our search captured 14,309 citations. The screening process identified 34 eligible papers describing five models of coordination of delivering health services: the "Cluster Approach" (with 16 case studies), the 4Ws "Who is Where, When, doing What" mapping tool (with four case studies), the "Sphere Project" (with two case studies), the "5x5" model (with one case study), and the "model of information coordination" (with one case study). The 4Ws and the 5x5 focus on coordination of services for mental health, the remaining models do not focus on a specific health topic. The Cluster approach appears to be the most widely used. One case study was a mixed implementation of the Cluster approach and the Sphere model. We identified no model of coordination for funding of health service. CONCLUSION: This systematic review identified five proposed coordination models that have been implemented by entities funding or delivering health service in humanitarian crises. There is a need to compare the effect of these different models on outcomes such as availability of and access to health services.