Clips for the prevention and treatment of postpolypectomy bleeding (hemoclips in polypectomy).

INTRODUCTION: The most accurate method for the prevention and treatment of complications after polypectomy has not been well defined. The prophylactic use of hemoclips may reduce the risk of bleeding, mainly in pedunculated big polyps. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of hemoclips in the prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding after endoscopic polypectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 223 consecutive endoscopic polypectomies performed in our Endoscopy Unit between january and october 2001. Hemoclips were routinely used only for large polyps (15 to 40 mm); all of them were located in the colon except one, a gastric polyp. RESULTS: From a total of 223 polypectomies (215 patients), hemoclips were used for 34 (15.2%), in 30 of them just before and in 4 just after polypectomy. When used prophylactically no complication was observed, except one mild bleeding episode (3.3%) that stopped with the placing of a second hemoclip. The therapeutic clipping (4 polypectomies) induced immediate haemostasis in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic use of hemoclips is associated with a very low risk of bleeding after endoscopic resection of big polyps. Therapeutic clipping is an effective measure for polypectomy-related bleeding.

Clips en la prevención y tratamiento de la hemorragia post-polipectomía endoscópica (polipectomía con hemoclips) / Clips in the prevention and treatment of endoscopic polypectomyrelated bleeding (hemoclips in polypectomy)

Introducción: el método más efectivo en la prevención y tratamiento de complicaciones post-polipectomía endoscópica no ha sido bien definido. La colocación de clips es uno de los procedimientos utilizados. Su uso profiláctico, principalmente en pólipos pediculados de gran tamaño, puede reducir el riesgo de sangrado. Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia de los clips en la profilaxis y tratamiento del sangrado post-polipectomía endoscópica. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo de 223 polipectomías endoscópicas realizadas consecutivamente en nuestro servicio entre los meses de enero y octubre de 2001. Los clips se emplearon únicamente en grandes pólipos (de 15 a 40 mm); todos eran colónicos excepto uno gástrico. Resultados: de un total de 223 polipectomías (215 pacientes) se colocaron clips en 34 de ellas (15,2 por ciento). Se hizo de forma profiláctica en 30 polipectomías y terapéutica en 4. En las aplicaciones profilácticas no se registraron complicaciones salvo un caso de sangrado leve (3,3 por ciento) que cedió tras la colocación de un nuevo hemoclip. El clipaje terapéutico (4 polipectomías) supuso hemostasia inmediata en todos los casos. Conclusiones: la utilización de hemoclips constituye un procedimiento seguro y eficaz, tanto para la profilaxis como para el tratamiento del sangrado post-polipectomía, facilitando la resección en bloque, lo que mejora la evaluación histológica de la pieza (AU)

[Gastroesophageal infection caused by cytomegalovirus in immunodepressed patients. Presentation of 3 cases]. / Infección gastroesofágica por citomegalovirus en pacientes inmunodeprimidos. Presentación de tres casos.

We report three cases of upper gastrointestinal infection by Cytomegalovirus in immunocompromised patients. Two patients suffered from AIDS and the other one had a recent heart transplantation and was on immunodepressant drugs for an episode of rejection. The stomach in two cases and the esophagus in the other were the affected organs. In all cases there were upper gastrointestinal symptoms and the diagnosis was established by biopsy of endoscopically suspicious lesions. Antiviral therapy was effective in all three cases. This diagnosis has to be considered whenever immunocompromised patients present with unusual clinical and endoscopic findings.