Balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and rendezvous procedures in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy.

BACKGROUND: Standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) frequently fails to treat biliary obstruction in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy. Balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERC (BE-ERC) and combined percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic rendezvous procedures (PTE-RVs) may offer effective rescue approaches. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BE-ERC and PTE-RV for the treatment of biliary obstruction in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy. METHODS: In this observational study, all patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy underwent BE-ERC between 2003 and 2016 at a tertiary referral center. In case of procedural failure, a combined PTE-RV was performed in selected cases. Endpoints included the success and safety of the procedures. RESULTS: A total of 180 BE-ERC performed in 106 patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy were included. Of the procedures, 76.7% were performed due to benign and 23.3% due to malignant biliary obstruction. BE-ERC was successful in 53% (96/180) of cases. In case of failure, in 23/32 cases a combined PTE-RV was successfully performed, improving the overall success rate of BE-ERC, including PTE-RV, to 66% (119/180). Benign biliary obstruction and repeated procedures were positive predictors of successful BE-ERC (odds ratio 6.8 (95% CI 2.7-17.0), p < .001 and odds ratio 4.1 (2.1-8.2), p < .001). Complications were significantly more frequent in combined PTE-RVs than in BE-ERC procedures alone (34.4% vs. 7.4%; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: BE-ERC is effective and safe for the endoscopic management of patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy and percutaneous transhepatic rendezvous procedures can substantially increase success rates in selected cases.

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for rebleeding following device-assisted enteroscopy therapy of small-bowel vascular lesions

INTRODUCTION: the aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for rebleeding following device-assisted enteroscopy therapy of small bowel vascular lesions. METHODS: this is a systematic review and meta-analysis. A literature search was performed from January 2003 to October 2019. All studies reporting on at least one risk factor for bleeding recurrence after endoscopic therapy of small bowel vascular lesions were included. A meta-analysis of those risk factors reported in at least three studies was performed to assess their association with rebleeding. The OR and 95 % CI were used for binary outcome data. Heterogeneity analysis was performed using the Tau and I2 index. If I2 > 20 %, potential sources of heterogeneity were identified by sensitivity analyses and a random-effect model was used. RESULTS: the search identified a total of 572 articles and 35 full-text records were assessed for eligibility after screening. Finally, eight studies that included 548 patients were selected. The overall median rebleeding rate was 38.5 % (range: 10.9-53.3 %) with a median follow-up of 24.5 months. Female sex (OR: 1.96, 95 % CI: 1.14-3.37, p = 0.01, I2 = 0 %), Osler-Weber syndrome (OR: 4.35, 95 % CI: 1.22-15.45, p = 0.02, I2 = 0 %) and cardiac disease (OR: 1.89, 95 % CI: 1.12-2.97, p = 0.005, I2: 0 %) were associated with rebleeding. According to the sensitivity analysis, overt bleeding (OR: 2.13, 95 % CI: 1.22-3.70, p = 0.007, I2 = 0 %), multiple lesions (OR: 4.57, 95 % CI: 2.04-10.22, p < 0.001, I2 = 0 %) and liver cirrhosis (OR: 2.61, 95 % CI: 1.11-6.13, p = 0.03, I2 = 0 %) were also predictors for rebleeding. CONCLUSIONS: patient characteristics and comorbidities should be considered for follow-up patient management after effective device-assisted endoscopic therapy, as they can predict rebleeding

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Seguridad y eficacia de la enteroscopia con intercambio de agua en comparación con la enteroscopia con dióxido de carbono / No disponible

INTRODUCCIÓN: la insuflación de dióxido de carbono (CO2) durante la enteroscopia reduce el tiempo del procedimiento y los síntomas posteriores al mismo e incrementa la profundidad de inserción comparado con aire ambiente. En colonoscopia, la técnica de intercambio de agua (IA) se asocia a menor dolor en comparación con la insuflación de CO2. La técnica IA no está bien estudiada en enteroscopia. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la seguridad y eficacia de la enteroscopia con IA y la enteroscopia con CO2. MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo, comparativo y observacional, que incluyó enteroscopias de doble balón (EDB) que fueron aleatorizadas en dos grupos: el primero con IA y el segundo con insuflación de CO2. Los datos recopilados se evaluaron mediante análisis univariado y una regresión logística múltiple (variables con p ≤ 0.10 en análisis univariado). RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 46 EDB (23 por brazo; mediana de edad 63,5 años, 37% mujeres). No hubo diferencias estadísticas en la vía de acceso, los hallazgos, la terapéutica y las complicaciones entre grupos. Cuatro pacientes (20%) en el grupo de CO2 tuvieron eventos adversos (distensión abdominal y dolor) y uno en el grupo IA (náuseas) sin diferencia estadística. La mediana de profundidad de inserción fue mayor en el grupo de CO2 (260 cm vs. 160 cm; p = 0,048). La regresión logística múltiple mostró una diferencia estadística en la profundidad de inserción utilizando insuflación de CO2 (OR 1,009, 1,001-1,017; p = 0,034). CONCLUSIONES: las EDB con técnica de insuflación de CO2 y con IA son seguras con una mayor profundidad de inserción con CO2

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Is Endoscopic Balloon Dilation Still Associated With Higher Rates of Pancreatitis?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD), endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES), and the combination of large balloon dilation and ES (ES + EPLBD) in the treatment of common bile duct stones, with a special focus on postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP). Individualized search strategies were developed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated at least one of the following outcomes: PEP, complete stone removal in the first ERCP, need for mechanical lithotripsy, recurrence of common bile duct stones, bleeding, and cholangitis. Twenty-five RCTs were selected for analysis. Pancreatitis rates were higher for EPBD than for ES (P = 0.003), as were severe pancreatitis rates (P = 0.04). However, in the 10-mm or greater balloon subgroup analysis, this difference was not shown (P = 0.82). Rates of PEP were higher in the subgroup of non-Asian subjects (P = 0.02), and the results were not robust when RCTs that used endoscopic nasobiliary drainage were omitted. The incidence of pancreatitis was comparable between EPLBD and ES + EPLBD. All 3 approaches were equally efficacious. Nevertheless, the results should be interpreted with caution, because pancreatitis is a multifactorial pathology, and RCTs can have limited generalizability.

Predictors for Small Bowel Stenosis in Balloon-Assisted Enteroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Predictors besides symptoms of obstruction indicating small bowel stenosis are little known. AIMS: To detect predictors of small bowel stenosis in balloon-assisted enteroscopy. METHODS: Over a 6-year period, 461 patients had enteroscopy for suspected small intestinal disease. Details of clinical manifestations, medical history, demographic characteristics, findings of examinations, information on enteroscopy, and treatment were retrospectively collected based on medical records. Small bowel stenosis was defined as stricture that over-tube cannot go through in enteroscopy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors for small bowel stenosis. RESULTS: A total of 314 patients had definite diagnosis after enteroscopy, imaging modalities, and/or even surgical exploration. They were included in this study for analyses. Mean age for them was 48.2 years old (range 15-81 years). Small bowel stenosis was present in 59 patients (18.8%). Analyses showed that CT/MRI indicating stenosis was significantly associated with severe stenosis (p = 0.014) but insignificant related to general stenosis (p = 0.097). Predictive factors that accompanied stenosis were age ≥ 60 years (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.0), underweight (BMI ≤ 18.5) (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.4-8.4), symptoms of obstruction (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.4), and overt small bowel bleeding (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Small bowel stenosis more tended to occur to patients with symptoms of obstruction, no overt small bowel bleeding, age ≥ 60 years, or underweight.

Efficacy of a modified double-guidewire technique using an uneven double lumen cannula (uneven method) in patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy (with video).

BACKGROUND: Balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BE-ERCP) has been reported to be effective for patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy. However, selective biliary cannulation remains difficult in BE-ERCP. We examined the usefulness of a modified double-guidewire technique using an uneven double lumen cannula (the uneven method) for BE-ERCP in patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy. METHODS: To clarify the usefulness of the uneven method for selective biliary cannulation in BE-ERCP in comparison to the pancreatic guidewire (PGW) method, 40 patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy who underwent BE-ERCP with successful placement of a guidewire in the pancreatic duct were evaluated. The uneven method was used in 18 cases (uneven group) and the PGW method was used in the remaining 22 cases (PGW group). RESULTS: The technical success rate of biliary cannulation was higher in the uneven group than in the PGW group (83.3 vs. 59.0%; P = 0.165). In addition, the time to biliary cannulation were significantly shorter in the uneven group than in the PGW group (6 vs. 18 min; P = 0.004; respectively). In the PGW group, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) occurred in 3 of 22 cases (13.6%). No adverse events, including PEP, occurred in the uneven group. CONCLUSIONS: The uneven method may be a useful option of selective biliary cannulation in BE-ERCP for the patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy.

Device-assisted enteroscopy: A review of available techniques and upcoming new technologies.

The advent of video capsule endoscopy into clinical routine more than 15 years ago led to a substantial change in the diagnostic approach to patients with suspected small bowel diseases, often indicating a deep enteroscopy procedure for diagnostical confirmation or endoscopic treatment. Device assisted enteroscopy was developed in 2001 and for the first time established a practicable, safe and effective method for evaluation of the small bowel. Currently with double-balloon enteroscopy, single-balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy three different platforms are available in clinical routine. Summarizing, double-balloon enteroscopy seems to offer the deepest insertion depth to the small bowel going hand in hand with the disadvantage of a longer procedural duration. Manual spiral enteroscopy seems to be a faster procedure but without reaching the depth of the DBE in currently available data. Finally, single-balloon enteroscopy seems to be the least complicated procedure to perform. Despite substantial improvements in the field of direct enteroscopy, even nowadays deep endoscopic access to the small bowel with all available methods is still a complex procedure, cumbersome and time-consuming and requires high endoscopic skills. This review will give an overview of the currently available techniques and will further discuss the role of the upcoming new technology of the motorized spiral enteroscopy (PowerSpiral).

A reliable detachable balloon that prevents abdominal cavity contamination during transrectal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a detachable endoluminal balloon in the prevention of abdominal cavity contamination during transrectal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). METHODS: The efficacy and safety of a detachable endoluminal balloon to maintain disinfection in the distal colon of the pigs were evaluated. The bacterial loads and colonic cleanliness were monitored. Additionally, the device was applied to another nine pigs that underwent a cholecystotomy by transrectal NOTES. Necropsy and pathological examination were performed after 28-day follow-up. RESULTS: All animals exposed to the device and one of the seven pigs not exposed to the device scored three points on the bowel cleanliness scale (P < 0.001). After 30 min bacterial loads of the test (with balloon occlusion) and control (without balloon occlusion) groups showed a significant difference (0.8 × 103 CFU/mL vs 186.8 × 103 CFU/mL, P < 0.01). Cholecystotomy by transrectal NOTES with the device was successfully performed. The mean intraperitoneal procedure time was 102.9 ± 37.7 min. There were no procedure-related adverse events. During the follow-up, all animals presented normal behavior and appetite. No peritoneal infection or adhesion was detected at autopsy. Cholecystotomy and rectal incision were histologically healed and no histological abnormalities were detected in the colon related to balloon placement. CONCLUSIONS: The detachable balloon provides a reliable solution for preventing peritoneal contamination during transluminal operations. The technique may assist in future transrectal NOTES.

Comparison between Enteroscopy-Based and Laparoscopy-Assisted ERCP for Accessing the Biliary Tree in Patients with Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Although balloon-assisted enteroscopy-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BAE-ERCP) is a well-described means of accessing the duodenal papilla in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), it is associated with modest clinical success rates. Laparoscopy-assisted ERCP (LA-ERCP)-performed by advancing a standard duodenoscope through a gastrostomy into the excluded stomach and duodenum-has emerged as a viable alternative to BAE-ERCP, with apparently higher success rates. In this systematic review, we compare LA-ERCP with enteroscopy-based techniques in post-RYGB patients, including 22 case series that provided data on papilla identification, papilla cannulation, and complications. We found that LA-ERCP was superior to the enteroscopy-based techniques in its capacity to reach the duodenal papilla, although complication rates were lower for the latter. Comparative studies are needed in order to corroborate our findings.

Endoscopic treatment for patients with gastric outlet stricture and biliary obstruction in the absence of endoscopic ultrasound: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic biliary drainage is difficult in patients with biliary obstruction combined with gastric outlet stricture (GOS). Endoscopic ultrasound is useful for such patients, but needs advanced technique and sophisticated equipment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with GOS and biliary obstruction without the assistance of endoscopic ultrasound. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients with GOS proximal to the ampulla and biliary obstruction, including 27 with benign GOS and 47 with malignant GOS, were retrospectively enrolled. Three conventional methods were used to pass through the stricture and allow the duodenoscope to reach the papilla: adjusting the endoscope, balloon dilation, and metal stent insertion. The uncovered metal stent insertion was applied only in patients with malignant GOS. The primary outcome evaluated was successful biliary drainage. RESULTS: No serious complications occurred during or after ERCP. The overall success rate of biliary drainage in the patients was 81.1%. The success rate of duodenoscopy insertion by endoscope adjustment, balloon dilation, and stent insertion was 44.6, 68.9, and 71.4%, respectively. Endoscope adjustment was more successful in the patients in the benign group compared with the patients in the malignant group (60.9 vs. 35.7%). Similar findings were obtained for balloon dilation (92.3 vs. 59.4%). CONCLUSION: Most GOS, encountered during ERCP, can be safely dealt with using conventional endoscopic approaches in patients with biliary obstruction. However, the efficacy of endoscope adjustment or balloon dilation is better for benign GOS than for malignant GOS.

Diagnostic and therapeutic yields of urgent balloon-assisted enteroscopy in overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) is one of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the algorithm for the evaluation of overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). There is currently no consensus regarding the role of urgent BAE in overt OGIB. The aims of this study were to compare the diagnostic and therapeutic yields of urgent and nonurgent BAE in patients with overt OGIB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single-center study that included patients who underwent BAE for overt OGIB between January 2010 and December 2017. Urgent BAE was defined as an enteroscopy performed within 72 h of clinical presentation. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and technical data were reviewed and the diagnostic and therapeutic yields evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Seventy BAEs were performed in 57 patients with overt OGIB [29 (50.9%) females, mean age: 68.0±11.1 years]. The diagnostic yield of urgent BAE was significantly higher than nonurgent BAE (84.5 vs. 50.0%, P<0.01). The most common diagnosis were angiodysplasias (30%), tumors (15.7%), erosions/ulcers (4.3%), and diverticula (4.3%). Endoscopic therapy was more frequently performed in urgent BAE patients (57.7 vs. 31.8%, P=0.03). The most commonly used endoscopic therapies were argon plasma coagulation (30.0%), hemostatic clips (5.7%), epinephrine injection (5.7%), and polypectomy (2.9%). In terms of urgent BAE, the diagnostic yield was similar when enteroscopy was performed at less than or equal to 24, 48, or 72 h (P>0.05), but the therapeutic yield was higher the earlier the enteroscopy was performed (100, 76.9, and 57.7% at ≤24, ≤48, and ≤72 h respectively; P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic and therapeutic impact of BAE was higher in an urgent setting. These data support an important role for urgent BAE in overt OGIB.

Clinical outcome after enteroscopy for small bowel angioectasia bleeding: A Korean Associateion for the Study of Intestinal Disease (KASID) multiceter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Angioectasias are the most common sources of bleeding in the small bowel. They can be treated using balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE). This study aimed to identify the rebleeding rate and associated factors after BAE in patients with small bowel angioectasia bleeding. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with bleeding due to small bowel vascular lesion in a multicenter enteroscopy database including 1108 BAEs. Finally, in rebleeding analysis, we analyzed 66 patients with angioectasia on the basis of the Yano-Yamamoto classification. Patients who had undergone endotherapy (ET) were divided into ET (n = 45) and non-ET (n = 21) groups. Rebleeding was defined as evidence of bleeding at least 30 days after BAE. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (80.4%) underwent only one-side enteroscopy. The most common ET was argon plasma coagulation (87.2%). During a mean follow-up duration of 24.5 months, ET and non-ET groups had rebleeding rates of 15.6% and 38.1% (P = 0.059), respectively. Median rebleeding time of ET and non-ET groups was 32.5 and 62 months, respectively. Liver cirrhosis (LC), low platelet count (< 105 /µL), and transfusions were the rebleeding-associated factors in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of LC (HR 4.064, 95% CI 1.098-15.045; P = 0.036) was the only independent rebleeding-associated risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: ET using BAE did not significantly affect the rebleeding rate in patients with small bowel angioectasia bleeding. An independent rebleeding risk factor was the presence of LC. Regardless of ET, careful long-term follow-up may be needed, especially in LC patients with small bowel angioectasia bleeding.

Comparison of side-viewing duodenoscope and single-balloon enteroscope to perform ERCP in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Billroth II patients is challenging and different endoscopes can be used. We retrospectively analysed 67 ERCP procedures in 38 Billroth II patients focussing on endoscope type and respective technical success and adverse event rate. 33 (49.2 %) ERCPs were performed using a duodenoscope, 87.9 % were successful and 3 were completed with the single-balloon enteroscope. 28 (41.8 %) ERCPs were performed with the single-balloon enteroscope, 82.1 % were successful and 2 were completed with a paediatric colonoscope. For 6 (9.0 %) ERCPs a paediatric colonoscope was used but only 3 (50.0 %) were successful. Overall technical success rate was 82.1 % without difference between the success rate of the duodenoscope and the single-balloon enteroscope. Overall adverse event rate was 10.5 %: 6.1 % duodenoscope,10.7 % single-balloon enteroscope, 33.3 % paediatric colonoscope. The duodenoscope allowed all conventional ERCP procedures, whereas the singleballoon enteroscope required dedicated ERCP catheters and did not allow metallic stent placement. However, the single-balloon enteroscope facilitated access to the papilla and sphincteroplasty allowed direct cholangioscopy. ERCP indications were bile duct stones (53.7 %), cholangitis (20.9 %), chronic pancreatitis (20.9 %), pancreatic cancer (1.5 %) and liver transplantation (3%). Therapeutic ERCP success rate is high in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy using either a conventional duodenoscope or the single-balloon enteroscope, with an acceptable and comparable adverse event rate. The choice of endoscope may depend on local experience, post-operative anatomy and therapeutic indication.

Systematic review: Safety of balloon assisted enteroscopy in Crohn's disease.

AIM: To determine the overall and comparative risk of procedure related perforation of balloon assisted enteroscopy (BAE) in Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: Systematic review (PROSPERO #CRD42015016381) of studies reporting on CD patients undergoing BAE. Seventy-three studies reporting on 1812 patients undergoing 2340 BAEs were included. Primary outcome of interest was the overall and comparative risk of procedure related perforation of diagnostic BAE in CD. Secondary outcomes of interest were risk of procedure related perforation of diagnostic double balloon enteroscopy (DBE), risk of procedure related perforation of therapeutic BAE, efficacy of stricture dilation, and clinical utility of endoscopically assessing small bowel disease activity. RESULTS: Per procedure perforation rate of diagnostic BAE in CD was 0.15% (95%CI: 0.05-0.45), which was similar to diagnostic BAE for all indications (0.11%; IRR = 1.41, 95%CI: 0.28-4.50). Per procedure perforation rate of diagnostic DBE in CD was 0.12% (95%CI: 0.03-0.44), which was similar to diagnostic DBE for all indications (0.22%; IRR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.06-0.24). Per procedure perforation rate of therapeutic BAE in CD was 1.74% (95%CI: 0.85-3.55). Eighty-six percent of therapeutic perforations were secondary to stricture dilation. Dilation was attempted in 207 patients and 30% required surgery during median follow-up of 18 months. When diagnostic BAE assessed small bowel disease activity, changes in medical therapy resulted in endoscopic improvement in 77% of patients. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic BAE in CD has a similar rate of perforation as diagnostic BAE for all indications and can be safely performed in assessment of mucosal healing.

Long-term rebleeding risk following endoscopic therapy of small-bowel vascular lesions with device-assisted enteroscopy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effectiveness of endoscopic therapy of small-bowel vascular lesions (SBVL) remains unclear as recent studies report high recurrence rates after 2 years of follow-up. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term rebleeding risk after endoscopic therapy of SBVL and to identify predictive factors of rebleeding. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center series of patients with SBVL treated endoscopically between July 2007 and February 2015. Relevant data from patient files, capsule endoscopies, and enteroscopy reports were retrieved. The primary endpoint was long-term rebleeding and the secondary endpoints were risk factors for rebleeding and transfusion requirements. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included. Capsule endoscopies indicated angioectasias in 74.3% and blood in the remaining; angioectasias were found in 97.1% of enteroscopies. Rebleeding occurred in 40% of patients during a median follow-up of 23 months (interquartile range 9-43). The rebleeding rate at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 32.7, 38.3, 46.0, 53.7, and 63.0%, respectively. Only the presence of high-risk comorbidities (aortic valve stenosis, chronic renal or liver disease, or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome) was associated with higher rebleeding (P=0.006) in the univariate and multivariate analyses, being 51.3%/67.6% at 1/3 years, compared with 6.7%/22.2% in patients without any of these comorbidities. Transfusion requirements decreased to 6.3 (0.0-6.0) packed red blood cells units the year after endoscopic therapy compared with 11.5 (2.0-17.0) in the previous year (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: More than half of the patients had rebleeding after 5 years of follow-up, although transfusion requirements decreased. Patients with high-risk comorbidities are more likely to rebleed.