American Proctology Before 1899, Part 2: The Rise of the Rectal Specialists.

Joseph M. Mathews' study at St. Mark's Hospital (London) in the 1877 to 1878 winter was followed shortly by a landmark move toward specialization in the United States: Mathews' heading of a Special Commission on Rectal Diseases appointed at the 23rd Annual Session of the Kentucky State Medical Society, held April 2 to 4, 1878. Various "rectal specialists," under various makeshift titles, were lecturing and publishing by the mid-1890s. The world's first proctologic journal, published between 1894 and 1898, was Mathews' Medical Quarterly, from its inception interpellating a community of colleagues.

From the Knife to the Endoscope-a History of Bariatric Surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Current bariatric surgical practice has developed from early procedures, some of which are no longer routinely performed. This review highlights how surgical practice in this area has developed over time. RECENT FINDINGS: This review outlines early procedures including jejuno-colic and jejuno-ileal bypass, initial experience with gastric bypass, vertical banded gastroplasty and biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch. The role laparoscopy has played in the widespread utilization of surgery for treatment of obesity will be described, as will the development of procedures which form the mainstay of current bariatric surgical practice including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding. Endoscopic therapies for the treatment of obesity will be described. By outlining how bariatric surgical practice has developed over time, this review will help practicing surgeons understand how individual procedures have evolved and also provide insight into potential future developments in this field.

From the Knife to the Endoscope-a History of Bariatric Surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review was conducted to gain insight into the history, present and future of bariatric and/or metabolic surgery and endoscopic treatments of obesity. The challenges that have been overcome, the challenges we still face and our recommendations for the future are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: Over the last few decades, a number of treatment strategies have emerged for the treatment of obesity. Both endoscopic and surgical options are available and they lead to significant weight loss and comorbidity reduction. However, to remain a credible treatment alternative to the obesity pandemic, we need to perform these procedures in much larger numbers than we currently do. Even though significant gains have been made in reducing the morbidity and mortality of surgical interventions, there is further room for improvement, especially when it comes to long-term issues. Due to its impact on almost every single organ system in the human body, bariatric surgery has attracted the attention of academics from a variety of medical disciplines. This has led to a rapidly enlarging body of high-quality scientific literature, supporting its wider use and cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Despite the advances made in bariatric surgery, the criteria determining suitability of patients for bariatric surgery in most parts of the world are still based on a consensus agreed upon in the USA in 1991. There is a need to formulate some new consensus and guidelines that would allow for a significant expansion of the pool of patients that can be offered these procedures.

Fifty years of digestive endoscopy: Successes, setbacks, solutions and the future.

Flexible endoscopes became generally available 50 years ago and created a revolution in the practice of gastroenterology. They improved diagnosis enormously, enabled quicker, less invasive, and more cost-effective surgical treatment, while endoscopic screening has prevented many cancer deaths. The new technology stimulated research leading to a better understanding of gastrointestinal pathology, identifying new diseases and clarifying the etiology of others. Better-controlled clinical trials accelerated the use of newer and more effective drugs. National and international endoscopy societies supported nursing input, encouraged research, stimulated specialist journals, and devised guidelines that encouraged audit and quality assurance. Advances in instrument design and the manufacture of new accessories enhanced endoscopic technique, diagnostic ability, patient comfort, and safety. The risk of cross-infection inherent in the use of complex labile equipment that cannot be autoclaved remains a challenge. Endoscopy societies working closely with industry have established rigid protocols for high-level disinfection that minimize the risks, but strict adherence to guidelines and continued vigilance is essential, especially with the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant commensals that can give rise to opportunistic infection. Government health departments have a responsibility to encourage and support research in this area by endoscopists, instrument manufacturers, and the pharmaceutical industry. Current trends suggest that in the future, artificial intelligence will greatly improve endoscopic diagnosis, and that therapeutic endoscopy will expand, encouraging endoscopists to subspecialize.

Endoscopic foregut surgery and interventions: The future is now. The state-of-the-art and my personal journey.

In this paper, I reviewed the emerging field of endoscopic surgery and present data supporting the contention that endoscopy can now be used to treat many foregut diseases that have been traditionally treated surgically. Within each topic, the content will progress as follows: "lessons learned", "technical considerations" and "future opportunities". Lessons learned will provide a brief background and update on the most current literature. Technical considerations will include my personal experience, including tips and tricks that I have learned over the years. Finally, future opportunities will address current unmet needs and potential new areas of development. The foregut is defined as "the upper part of the embryonic alimentary canal from which the pharynx, esophagus, lung, stomach, liver, pancreas, and part of the duodenum develop". Foregut surgery is well established in treating conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), achalasia, esophageal diverticula, Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, gastric-outlet obstruction, and obesity. Over the past decade, remarkable progress in interventional endoscopy has culminated in the conceptualization and practice of endoscopic foregut surgery for various clinical conditions summarized in this paper. Regarding GERD, there are now several technologies available to effectively treat it and potentially eliminate symptoms, and the need for long-term treatment with proton pump inhibitors. For the first time, fundoplication can be performed without the need for open or laparoscopic surgery. Long-term data going out 5-10 years are now emerging showing extended durability. In respect to achalasia, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) which was developed in Japan, has become an alternative to the traditional Heller's myotomy. Recent meta-analysis show that POEM may have better results than Heller, but the issue of post-POEM GERD still needs to be addressed. There is now a resurgence of endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticula with improved technique (Z-POEM) and equipment; thus, patients are choosing flexible endoscopic treatment as opposed to open or rigid endoscopy options. In regard to BE, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) which is well established in Asia, is now becoming more mainstream in the West for the treatment of BE with high grade dysplasia, as well as early esophageal cancer. In combination with all the ablation technologies (radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, hybrid argon plasma coagulation), the entire spectrum of Barrett's and related dysplasia and early cancer can be managed predominantly by endoscopy. Importantly, in regard to early gastric cancer and submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the stomach, ESD and full thickness resection (FTR) can excise these lesions en-bloc and endoscopic suturing is now used to close large defects and perforations. For treatment of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), endoscopic gastro-jejunostomy is now showing better results than enteral stenting. G-POEM is also emerging as a treatment option for patients with gastroparesis. Obesity has become an epidemic in many western countries and is becoming also prevalent in Asia. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is now becoming an established treatment option, especially for obese patients with body mass index between 30 and 35. Data show an average weight loss of 16 kg after ESG with long-term data confirming sustainability. Finally, in respect to endo-hepatology, there are many new endoscopic interventions that have been developed for patients with liver disease. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided liver biopsy and EUS-guided portal pressure measurement are exciting new frontiers for the endo-hepatologists.

Analgesia y sedación para endoscopia digestiva superior diagnóstica e intervencionista en pediatría / Analgesia and sedation for diagnostic and interventional upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in pediatrics

La endoscopia digestiva superior es parte integrante fundamental de la práctica de la gastroenterologíapediátrica. Debe ser realizada por personas con experiencia en este tipo de procedimiento. La posibilidad de brindar una adecuada sedación y analgesia de forma segura y efectiva garantiza la estabilidad y comodidad del paciente por lo que se considera como un componente importante del procedimiento. En los últimos años hay un mayor uso de la sedación para este tipo de procederes. En Cuba, se realizan a diario más de mil endoscopías semanales, alrededor del 19% corresponde a pacientes pediátricos. Llevarlos a cabo con éxito, no es solo obtener resultados valiosos para el diagnóstico y la investigación; sino también, es tener al paciente sedado, sin dolor, dispuesto a incorporarse con rapidez a su tarea de jugar y estudiar.

Digestive endoscopy is an important tool in the practice of pediatric gastroenterology. It should be realized by experienced endoscopist. The possibility of a proper sedation and analgesia in a safe and effective waygarantees the stability and and comfort of the patient. It is considered an important component of the procedure. In the recent past years there is an increase in the sedation for endoscopy. In Cuba, more than athousand endoscopies are done dayli. 19% of them are done in pediatric patients. To do the procedure successfully is not only to have a proper diagnosis; it is also to have the patient properly sedated, without pain and ready to play and to go back to school.

Fifty years of Australian pediatric gastroenterology.

When the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) began 50 years ago there were very few pediatric gastroenterologists in the world. The 'Mother' of Paediatric Gastroenterology was Australian Charlotte ('Charlo') Anderson who established one of the world's first pediatric gastroenterology units in Melbourne in the early 1960s. Her earlier work in Birmingham had identified gluten as the component of wheat responsible for celiac disease and helped separate maldigestion (cystic fibrosis) and mucosal malabsorption. The first comprehensive textbook of Paediatric Gastroenterology was edited by Charlotte Anderson and Valerie Burke in 1975. Rudge Townley succeeded Charlotte Anderson in Melbourne and went on to further develop small bowel biopsy techniques making it a safe, simple, and quick procedure that led to much greater understanding of small bowel disease and ultimately the discovery of Rotavirus by Ruth Bishop et al. and subsequently to Rotavirus immunization. Australian Paediatric Gastroenterology subsequently developed rapidly with units being established in all mainland capital cities by the end of the 1970s. The Australian Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (AuSPGHAN) was established in the 1980s. Australians have contributed significantly in many areas of gastroenterology in infants, children, and adolescents including celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, transplantation, gastrointestinal infection, allergy, indigenous health, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal motility, and the development of novel tests of gastrointestinal function and basic science. There have also been major contributions to nutrition in cystic fibrosis, end-stage liver disease, and intestinal failure. The future of Australian Paediatric Gastroenterology is in good hands.

Comportamiento de patologías diagnosticadas por endoscopia digestiva superior: centro de diagnóstico integral Yagua, 2007 / Behavior of the pathologies diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy at the integral diagnostic center Yagua, 2007

Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de carácter retrospectivo, con el objetivo de conocer el comportamiento de las patologías diagnosticadas por endoscopia digestiva superior en un grupo de pacientes atendidos en el Centro de Diagnóstico Integral Yagua, del municipio Guacara, Estado Carabobo, en el período comprendido entre julio a diciembre de 2007. Utilizamos como universo 1542 pacientes de los cuales 464 representaron nuestra muestra simple aleatoria, predominando los pacientes de 45 a 59 años de edad, siendo la mayoría del sexo femenino. El promedio de edad de los casos fue de 46.2 años. La gastritis fue la patología de mayor diagnóstico endoscópico presente en algo más de la tercera parte de los pacientes, correspondiéndose principalmente con el sexo femenino. El estrés mantenido afectaba a más de la mitad de los pacientes estudiados, así como el tabaquismo y el consumo de alcohol fueron otros factores exógenos asociados de alta ocurrencia. El estudio endoscópico fue indicado principalmente bajo la impresión diagnóstica de dolor abdominal, síndrome ulceroso y esofagitis, encontrándose como hallazgo endoscópico fundamental en estos casos la gastritis, la úlcera péptica y la hernia hiatal respectivamente(AU)

We made an observational, descriptive, retrospective study with the objective of knowing the behavior of the pathologies diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy in a group of patients attended at the Integral Diagnostic Center Yagua, municipality of Guacara, Carabobo State, in the period from July to December 2007. Our universe were 1 542 patients, 464 of which were our simple randomized sample prevailing the 45 to 59 years-old patients, most of them women. The media age in these cases was 46.2 years. Gastritis was the pathology most frequently diagnosed by endoscopy, present in more than a third of the patients, mainly of the female sex. The maintained stress affected more than a half of the studied patients, and smoking and alcoholism were other exogenous factors associated to the high occurrence. The endoscopic study was indicated mainly under the diagnostic impression of abdominal pain, ulcerous syndrome and esophagitis, having as main endoscopic findings in these cases, gastritis, peptic ulcer and hiatal hernia respectively(AU)

Comportamiento de patologías diagnosticadas por endoscopia digestiva superior: centro de diagnóstico integral Yagua, 2007 / Behavior of the pathologies diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy at the integral diagnostic center Yagua, 2007

Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de carácter retrospectivo, con el objetivo de conocer el comportamiento de las patologías diagnosticadas por endoscopia digestiva superior en un grupo de pacientes atendidos en el Centro de Diagnóstico Integral Yagua, del municipio Guacara, Estado Carabobo, en el período comprendido entre julio a diciembre de 2007. Utilizamos como universo 1542 pacientes de los cuales 464 representaron nuestra muestra simple aleatoria, predominando los pacientes de 45 a 59 años de edad, siendo la mayoría del sexo femenino. El promedio de edad de los casos fue de 46.2 años. La gastritis fue la patología de mayor diagnóstico endoscópico presente en algo más de la tercera parte de los pacientes, correspondiéndose principalmente con el sexo femenino. El estrés mantenido afectaba a más de la mitad de los pacientes estudiados, así como el tabaquismo y el consumo de alcohol fueron otros factores exógenos asociados de alta ocurrencia. El estudio endoscópico fue indicado principalmente bajo la impresión diagnóstica de dolor abdominal, síndrome ulceroso y esofagitis, encontrándose como hallazgo endoscópico fundamental en estos casos la gastritis, la úlcera péptica y la hernia hiatal respectivamente.

We made an observational, descriptive, retrospective study with the objective of knowing the behavior of the pathologies diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy in a group of patients attended at the Integral Diagnostic Center Yagua, municipality of Guacara, Carabobo State, in the period from July to December 2007. Our universe were 1 542 patients, 464 of which were our simple randomized sample prevailing the 45 to 59 years-old patients, most of them women. The media age in these cases was 46.2 years. Gastritis was the pathology most frequently diagnosed by endoscopy, present in more than a third of the patients, mainly of the female sex. The maintained stress affected more than a half of the studied patients, and smoking and alcoholism were other exogenous factors associated to the high occurrence. The endoscopic study was indicated mainly under the diagnostic impression of abdominal pain, ulcerous syndrome and esophagitis, having as main endoscopic findings in these cases, gastritis, peptic ulcer and hiatal hernia respectively.

Intraductal biliary and pancreatic endoscopy: an expanding scope of possibility.

Intraductal endoscopy describes the use of an endoscope to directly visualize the biliary and pancreatic ducts. For many years, technological challenges have made performing these procedures difficult. The "mother-baby" system and other various miniscopes have been developed, but routine use has been hampered due to complex setup, scope fragility and the time consuming, technically demanding nature of the procedure. Recently, the SpyGlass peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy system has shown early success at providing diagnostic information and therapeutic options. The clinical utility of intraductal endoscopy is broad. It allows better differentiation between benign and malignant processes by allowing direct visualization and targeted sampling of tissue. Therapeutic interventions, such as electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), laser lithotripsy, photodynamic therapy, and argon plasma coagulation (APC), may also be performed as part of intraductal endoscopy. Intraductal endoscopy significantly increases the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP), and as technology progresses, it is likely that its utilization will only increase. In this review of intraductal endoscopy, we describe in detail the various endoscopic platforms and their diagnostic and clinical applications.

[Role of the Orvosi Hetilap in the development of Hungarian gastroenterology. Part 3: 1948-1989]. / Az Orvosi Hetilap szerepe a magyar gasztroenterológia kialakulásában. 3. rész: 1948-1989.

UNLABELLED: The editions of Orvosi Hetilap published between 1905 and 1944 exceeded the amount of publications of the previous period (1857-1904). Most of the knowledge was transferred from German literature. AIM: Evaluation of papers dealing with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract published in Orvosi Hetilap between 1948 and 1989. METHOD: The author manually reviewed the journal volumes published between 1948 and 1989. The original articles, journal and book reviews were identified and classified according to their subject and origin. The publication rates of the editorial periods (1857-1904, 1905-1944, 1948-1989, respectively) were statistically compared. RESULTS: Between 1948 and 1989, a total of 2175 original articles were published about the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, constituting 11.1% of the total publications. There was a continuous increase in the publication rate in the periods studied. Liver and biliary tract diseases were most often studied (24.1%), especially viral hepatitis (18.0%). Endoscopy was studied in 124 articles (4.7%), while radiology achieved a figure of 101 (3.9%). 3965 articles were reviewed from 268 journals, constituting a significant increase as compared to the previous period. 62.2% of the reviews were published in 15 core journals. 52.2% of the journals were English, 39.4% were German, and only 2.9% French. The formerly major German sources were replaced by English literature during the 1960s. The number of book reviews increased from 95 to 211. Endoscopy witnessed the emergence of fiberoptic instruments and, later, video technique. The reception of inflammatory bowel diseases began in 1935 and expanded gradually in the epidemiologic, pathogenetic and therapeutic studies of these conditions. CONCLUSION: The rate of gastroenterologic publications in Orvosi Hetilap increased considerably between 1948 and 1989, as compared to the prior periods. English journals became the main source of information in the 1960s.