Feasibility of Endoscopic Screening for Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancy in a Comprehensive Health Checkup.

Objective In an effort to reduce mortality from gastric cancer, endoscopic screening was introduced in 2016 as a nationwide screening program in Japan. Recent developments in high-definition endoscopic imaging and diagnostic strategies have enabled the simultaneous detection of other upper gastrointestinal (U-GI) malignancies. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic screening for U-GI malignancy in a comprehensive health checkup. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the data of 13,120 participants who had received a comprehensive health checkup in a single institution between April 2012 and March 2018. Participants were divided into two groups [gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) group (n=9,142) and gastrointestinal X-ray (X-ray) group (n=3,978)] and compared with regards to the screening results, adverse events, and detection rate of U-GI malignancies (gastric cancer or other) using a propensity-score matched analysis. Results The gastric cancer detection rate was significantly higher in the GIE group [34/9,142 (0.48%)] than in the X-ray group [3/3,978 (0.08%)] (p=0.003). Other U-GI malignancies were found only in the GIE group and comprised two hypopharyngeal cancers, five esophageal cancers, two duodenal cancers, and one duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Adverse events occurred in 6/9,142 (0.07%) participants in the GIE group and 18/3,978 (0.45%) participants in the X-ray group (p<0.0001). A propensity-score matched analysis yielded 1,551 matched pairs, and the detection rate of gastric cancer and other U-GI malignancies remained significantly higher in the GIE group than in the X-ray group. Conclusion This study indicated that not only gastric cancer but also other U-GI malignancies can be detected by endoscopic screening.

Feasibility of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection without using proton pump inhibitor injection: a propensity score analysis.

Purpose: Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a promising method for the resection of superficial gastric neoplasms. To date, several institutions have used proton pump inhibitor injections over the perioperative period. However, there is very little evidence regarding their efficacy. To overcome this limitation, we compared procedural outcomes and the prevention of adverse events of proton pump inhibitor injection with an orally administered active potassium-competitive acid blocker alone. Participants and Methods: We enrolled a total of 150 patients treated for superficial gastric neoplasms at a single institution between April 2015 and December 2018. Patients treated for 2 days with proton pump inhibitor injections following 12 days of oral potassium-competitive acid blocker (proton pump inhibitor group=80) were compared with patients treated for 14 days orally with potassium-competitive acid blocker alone (potassium-competitive acid blocker group=70) using propensity score analysis. We evaluated intragastric pH levels prior to endoscopic submucosal dissection, frequency of intraoperative major bleeding, procedure time, en bloc resection rate, curability, ulcer reduction rate 14 days after endoscopic submucosal dissection, and adverse events (including perforation and postoperative bleeding). Results: Propensity score analysis yielded 43 matched pairs. The comparison demonstrated similar values for the outcomes. For all cases, we observed intragastric pH levels >6.4 prior to endoscopic submucosal dissection. Postoperative bleeding rates were 2.3% (1/43) in the proton pump inhibitor group and 0.0% (0/43) in the potassium-competitive acid blocker group (P=0.315). Conclusions: Oral potassium-competitive acid blocker alone was as effective as proton pump inhibitor injection, with a low incidence of adverse events. Based on these results, proton pump inhibitor injection might be omitted during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Is the new potent acid-inhibitory drug vonoprazan effective for healing idiopathic peptic ulcers? A multicenter observational study in Akita Prefecture, Japan.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of peptic ulcers unrelated to H. pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), termed idiopathic peptic ulcers (IPUs), has increased worldwide. We recently reported that IPUs were refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. Vonoprazan, which was recently developed in Japan, has shown a more potent acid-inhibitory effect than ordinary PPIs. In the present study, we compared the healing rates among peptic ulcers of different etiologies following treatment with vonoprazan. METHOD: A multicenter observational study was performed at six participating hospitals in Akita Prefecture, Japan. Consecutive patients who had endoscopically confirmed gastro-duodenal ulcers were enrolled between August 2016 and March 2018. For each patient, the Helicobacter pylori infection status and NSAID use, including aspirin, were checked, and 20 mg vonoprazan was administered for 6 weeks for duodenal ulcers and 8 weeks for gastric ulcers. The healing status was checked by endoscopy at the end of vonoprazan treatment. Patients were divided into four subgroups according to the H. pylori status and NSAID usage. RESULTS: The proportion of IPUs was 18.2%. A total of 162 patients completed the study protocol. The healing rate of IPUs was marginally lower than that of simple H. pylori-associated ulcers (81.2% vs. 93.5%, P = 0.05). Similarly, the healing rate of NSAID-related ulcers, irrespective of concomitant H. pylori infection, was significantly lower than that of simple H. pylori-associated ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Six- or 8-week vonoprazan treatment still seems to be insufficient for healing IPUs. Longer-term vonoprazan or another treatment option may be required to heal potentially refractory peptic ulcers.

Effect of Continued Administration of Low-dose Aspirin for Intraoperative Bleeding Control in Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

BACKGROUND: The use of antithrombotic agents for the prevention of cerebro-cardioembolic events has increased, and recent guidelines have recommended the continued administration of low-dose aspirin (LDA) during endoscopic procedures with a high risk of bleeding. However, the influence of LDA on intraoperative bleeding control status during Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains unclear. METHODS: We examined 293 consecutive patients who underwent ESD for gastric cancers between January 2014 and February 2018. Patients administered with LDA (n = 52) were compared with those without antithrombotic therapy (n = 241; control) by propensity-score matching (PSM) concerning outcomes of ESD. RESULTS: PSM analysis yielded 50 matched pairs. Comparison showed similar values for frequency of intraoperative major bleeding: 1 (0-4) times (median [range]) in the LDA group and 0 (0-5) in the control group respectively (p = 0.710). Others (frequency of preventive coagulation, procedure time, decrease of hemoglobin levels, en bloc resection, complete resection) were the same with a few adverse events including perforation (0%), and thromboembolism (0%). Postoperative bleeding rate was 1.9% in LDA group. Multivariate analysis indicated that location U and circumference on the posterior wall were associated with for multiple major intraoperative bleeding. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that gastric ESD can be safely accomplished without cessation of LDA.

Short-term efficacy of potassium-competitive acid blocker following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: a propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a promising method for the resection of superficial gastric neoplasms. Vonoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) that is currently considered as a potential alternative to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for the treatment of acid-related diseases. However, the utility of vonoprazan in ESD-related ulcers is unclear. Therefore, we compared the short-term efficacies of vonoprazan and the PPI lansoprazole in ESD-related ulcer healing during the first two weeks following intervention. METHODS: This study included 115 superficial gastric neoplasms that were treated by ESD at Hiraka General Hospital between April 2015 and January 2017. Patients treated with P-CAB (20 mg vonoprazan, n = 62) or PPI (30 mg lansoprazole, n = 53) were compared using propensity-score matching analysis. Primary outcome was rate of ulcer reduction at two weeks after ESD. Secondary outcomes were coverage ratio of ulcer base by granulation tissue and incidence of postoperative bleeding. RESULTS: The rate of ulcer reduction was significantly higher (median [range], 80.6% [67.6%-94.5%] vs. 62.7% [33.4%-85.2%]; p < .0001) and coverage ratio of the ulcer base by granulation tissue was significantly accelerated (median [range], 84.1% [67.7%-95.3%] vs. 61.9% [12.1%-90.1%]; P < 0.0001) in the P-CAB group compared with the PPI group. Postoperative bleeding was not observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: P-CAB achieved rapid artificial ulcer healing with promotion of granulation tissue formation. However, conventional PPI with initial intravenous infusion might be sufficient for prevention of postoperative bleeding following gastric ESD.

Feasibility of Knife-Coagulated Cut in Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intraoperative bleeding remains a challenge during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Forceps-coagulated cut (FCC) was found to be effective to reduce this bleeding. However, this involved frequent device replacement, and therefore, knife-coagulated cut (KCC) might ensure an easier and smoother procedure. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of KCC with Flushknife-BT at a super-low-output setting. METHODS: In this prospective study, we compared the hemostasis condition during ESD in 40 pairs of gastric lesions treated by FCC (Group F) or KCC (Group K). The primary outcome was frequency of major bleeding with an analysis by tumor location. The secondary outcomes included frequency of exchanging devices, procedure time, en bloc resection rate, and adverse event rate. RESULTS: In terms of the frequency of major bleeding, there was no significant difference between Group F and K (0.95 ± 0.12 vs. 0.88 ± 0.17, p = 0.282). Lesions located on the upper third of the stomach involved repeated hemostasis (p = 0.012). The frequency of exchanging devices was higher in Group F than in Group K (6.95 ± 0.42 vs. 0.88 ± 0.17, p = 0.000). Procedure time was reduced in Group K by 15.6%. Other aspects were the same in both groups. CONCLUSION: KCC prevented intraoperative bleeding just as FCC did. But it decreased device replacement and saved time and only a low risk was involved. This technique could ensure the conduct of a smooth and safe procedure during gastric ESD. UMIN000017229.

Proper muscle layer damage affects ulcer healing after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the established therapy for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms. However, management of the artificial ulcers associated with ESD has become important and the relationship between ulcer healing factors and treatment is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate ESD-related artificial ulcer reduction ratio at 4 weeks to assess factors associating with ulcer healing after ESD that may lead to optimal treatment. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2013, a total of 375 lesions fulfilled the expanded criteria for ESD. We defined ulcer reduction rate <90% as (A) poor-healing group; and rate ≥90% as (B) well-healing group. After exclusion, 328 lesions were divided into two groups and analyzed. These two groups were compared based on clinicopathological/endoscopic features, concomitant drugs, and treatment. RESULTS: Ulcer reduction rate was significantly correlated with factors related to the ESD procedure (i.e. procedure time, submucosal fibrosis, and injury of the proper muscle layer, in univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that submucosal fibrosis (F2) (P = 0.03; OR, 16.46; 95% CI, 1.31-206.73) and injury of the proper muscle layer (P = 0.01; OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 2.04-8.92) were statistically significant predictors of delayed healing. CONCLUSION: This single-center retrospective study indicated that ESD-induced artificial ulcer healing was affected by submucosal fibrosis and injury of the proper muscle layer, which induced damage to the muscle layer. Therefore, the preferable pharmacotherapy can be determined on completion of the ESD procedure.