Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Triple-anchoring Technique for Colonic Hybrid Endoscopic Mucosal Resection: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A hybrid technique may be a reasonable compromise to make endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) more reliable for lesions ≥ 20 mm and a good way of approaching to endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a novel hybrid EMR technique, triple-anchoring EMR (T-EMR) for colorectal lesions 20-30 mm. METHODS: Fifteen patients have been prospectively enrolled to T-EMR from December 2019 to April 2020 in two Endoscopy Units: Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, and University Hospital of Udine, Italy. Patients eligible for the study were ≥18 years old with superficial colorectal lesions 20-30 mm, morphologically liable to endoscopic treatment based on chromoendoscopy. The primary endpoint was assessment of the "en bloc" and the free resection margins (R0) rates. The secondary endpoints were resected specimen size, procedure time, complication rate, and recurrence rate at 6 months. RESULTS: Among the 15 patients enrolled, 12 were males (80%), mean age 68.73±11.04 years. The mean size of the lesions was 24.93±2.89 mm. Mean procedure time was 22.13±4.31 min. T-EMR was performed en bloc in 14/15 patients (93.3%) with R0 in 13/15 patients (86.7%). No major intra-/peri-procedural or delayed complications occurred. At histological analysis, 13/15 lesions (86.7%) were adenomas, while 2 were early colorectal cancer. At a 6-month follow-up colonoscopy, only one patient (6.7%) had a recurrence of adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: T-EMR seems to be an effective and safe option to treat colorectal lesions between 20 and 30 mm, with a short procedure time and low costs.

Is Ustekinumab Effective in Refractory Crohn's Disease of the Pouch and Chronic Pouchitis? A Systematic Review.

Crohn's disease (CD) of the pouch and chronic pouchitis represent the most common long-term complications of total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). These conditions are treated with multiple agents, including antibiotics, immunomodulators, and biologics. Among the latter, ustekinumab is approved for both CD and UC. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of this anti-IL12/23 in CD of the pouch and chronic refractory pouchitis. Pubmed, Embase, Ovid, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched to identify studies published until August 2020 investigating the use of ustekinumab for these conditions. Eighty-six eligible patients with IPAA-51 with CD of the pouch, 35 with chronic pouchitis-were identified from 2 retrospective studies and 5 case reports. Reported clinical response to ustekinumab was 63 and 85% in chronic pouchitis and CD of the pouch after 4-12 and 4-16 weeks, respectively. Clinical remission was reported in 10% of patients with chronic pouchitis and 27% of patients with CD of the pouch after 8-52 and 4-52 weeks of treatment, respectively. Endoscopic response was reported in 60% and 67% of patients with chronic pouchitis and CD of the pouch after 24-32 and 8-24 weeks of treatment respectively. Small sample sizes and large heterogeneity of therapy protocols/outcome definitions were significant studies limitations. In conclusion, there is a limited and inconclusive body of evidence suggesting that ustekinumab may be a therapeutic option for patients with chronic pouchitis and CD of the pouch refractory to other therapies.

Endoscopic revision for weight regain after open vertical-banded gastroplasty.

Video 1Technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel endoscopic approach to treating weight regain after open vertical-banded gastroplasty using an endoscopic suturing device.

Long-term follow-up after multiple plastic stenting for refractory pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Dominant pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis are often managed by endoscopic placement of a single plastic stent. Insertion of multiple plastic stents (MPS) has been proven to be effective in managing refractory strictures, but data are still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and long-term results of MPS to dilate pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: 48 patients (34 men; mean age 44 years) with chronic pancreatitis and a single pancreatic stent through a refractory stricture in the pancreatic head underwent the following protocol: 1) removal of the single pancreatic stent; 2) balloon dilation of the stricture; 3) insertion of the maximum number of stents; 4) stent removal after 6 - 12 months. RESULTS: The median number of pancreatic plastic stents placed was 3 (diameter 7 - 11.5 Fr, length 3 - 7 cm). Five patients (10.4 %) had persistent strictures after MPS removal. During a mean follow-up of 9.5 years (0.3 - 15.5 years) after stent removal, 74.4 % (32/43) of the patients were asymptomatic, and 25.6 % (11/43) experienced pancreatitis recurrence or pancreatic type pain after a mean time of 26.4 months (8/43, 18.6 % underwent plug extraction without evidence of stricture recurrence; 3/43, 7.0 % had stricture recurrence). No major complications were recorded. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic multiple plastic stenting of chronic pancreatitis-related pancreatic duct strictures showed satisfactory long-term results, with the option of re-treatment. This procedure can be considered an important therapeutic alternative for painful pancreatic duct strictures located in the head of the pancreas in the setting of chronic pancreatitis.

Endoscopic necrosectomy of walled-off pancreatic necrosis by large-bore percutaneus metal stent: a new opportunity?

Background and study aims Endoscopic drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is feasible when contact with the gastric or duodenal wall is present; when WOPN cannot be accessed endoscopically, a percutaneous approach can be considered. Percutaneous use of esophageal self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) to establish access to a WOPN cavity was evaluated.

Endoscopic and pharmacological treatment for prophylaxis against postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (post-ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common complication following ERCP. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of the global literature on PEP prevention to provide clinical guidance and a framework for future research in this important field. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Science Citation Index, Ovid, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched by two independent reviewers to identify full-length, prospective, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up until March 2016 investigating the use of pancreatic duct stents and pharmacological agents to prevent PEP. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs comparing the risk of PEP after pancreatic duct stent placement (1369 patients) and 30 RCTs comparing pharmacological agents over placebo (10251 patients) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for final review and analysis. Meta-analysis showed that prophylactic pancreatic stents significantly decreased the odds of post-ERCP pancreatitis [odds ratio (OR), 0.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.18-0.42]. Significant OR reduction of PEP was also observed in relation to rectal administration of diclofenac (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12-0.48) and rectal administration of indometacin (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.79) compared with placebo. Subgroup analysis showed a significant reduction with bolus-administered somatostatin (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.11-0.49). Subgroup analysis showed a significant reduction with bolus-administered somatostatin (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.11-0.49). CONCLUSION: Pancreatic stent placement, rectal diclofenac, and bolus administration of somatostatin appear to be most effective in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Predictors of endoscopic treatment outcome in the management of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The most common complications after liver transplantation nowadays affect the biliary tract.We carried out a retrospective study to identify predictors of endoscopic treatment outcome in the management of post-transplantation biliary complications. METHODS: Data from all patients with post-transplantation biliary complications subjected to endoscopic treatment at the University of Udine between 2000 and 2012 were extracted. To identify predictors of endoscopic treatment outcome, a logistic regression analysis was carried out. Cox modeling was used to identify factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: We identified 142 patients who developed biliary complications: 83 of these patients had a successful endoscopic therapy, whereas 45 had a failure. Fourteen patients, who developed nonanastomotic biliary stricture, were excluded from the analysis. Patients with biliary complications who had pretransplant Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score more than 10 [odds ratio (OR) 3.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-12.95; P = 0.03] and stent retention time more than 12 months (OR 6.45; 95% CI 2.14-19.42; P < 0.01) were less likely to respond to endoscopic therapy. In contrast, both dilatation and stenting procedures (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.03-0.30; P < 0.01) and 10 Fr diameter stent placement (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.07-0.70; P = 0.01) predicted favorable endoscopic treatment outcome. Time to the occurrence of biliary complications of more than 3 months [hazard ratio (HR) 0.24; 95% CI 0.10-0.56] and placement of five or more stents (HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.12-0.79) were found to be protective against mortality, whereas hepatic artery thrombosis was a significant risk factor for mortality (HR 13.88; 95% CI 4.08-47.25). CONCLUSION: We found endoscopic treatment to be less effective in patients with pretransplant Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score more than 10 and stent retention time more than 12, whereas dilatation and stenting procedure and 10 Fr diameter stent placement predicted a favorable outcome.