Enterocutaneous fistula secondary to retained intraperitoneal fragment of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a 48-year-old man with spina bifida.

We report the case of a 48-year-old man with spina bifida and history of previous ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement for hydrocephalus. On attempted removal of the shunt 2 years prior to presentation at a neurosurgical unit, the peritoneal component was left in situ due to difficulties with removal. He presented acutely to our general surgical department with an enterocutaneous fistula precipitated by the retained fragment discharging to the right upper abdominal quadrant that required urgent surgical intervention. Although abdominal complications of VP shunts are documented, there is minimal literature as to the risks of remnant catheters being left in situ. This case demonstrates the possible risks with retained VP shunt catheters and the necessity to remove any redundant foreign bodies to prevent significant delayed complications.

Colorectal cancer detection by measuring DNA from exfoliated colonocytes obtained by direct contact with rectal mucosa.

The purpose of the study was to explore the potential of direct exfoliated colonocyte collection from human rectal mucosa for colorectal cancer screening. A special device was designed for standardized collection of exfoliated cells from the surface of human rectal mucosa. Material was collected from 120 outpatients selected for colonoscopy and 36 patients with confirmed diagnosis of colorectal cancer or large polyps. Determination of total DNA amounts in the collected samples (DNA scores) by PicoGreen assay and real-time PCR was employed alongside cytological assessment. Well preserved cells with cytological patterns characteristic for different colorectal conditions (cancer, inflammatory bowel disease) were detected in the collected material. In the outpatient group DNA scores were higher in patients with cancer and inflammatory bowel disease compared to those with no abnormalities detected, diverticular disease and small polyps (P<0.001 for PicoGreen assay; P=0.002 for real-time PCR). The sensitivity and specificity of the quantitative DNA test (PicoGreen assay; cut-off point 3.0 microg/ml) for detecting serious colorectal conditions were 1.00 and 0.74, respectively. In the group with confirmed tumours, the PicoGreen assay performed better for distal colorectal cancer (sensitivity 0.83; specificity 0.76) compared with proximal colon malignancies (sensitivity 0.57; specificity 0.76). It can be concluded that the proposed technique of direct collection of exfoliated cells from the surface of human rectal mucosa provides abundant cellular material suitable for diagnostic and research applications. Further refinement of the quantitative DNA test may lead to a new approach for colorectal cancer early detection and screening.

Development of a national automated endoscopy database: The United Kingdom National Endoscopy Database (NED).

Background: The National Endoscopy Database (NED) project commenced in 2013 under the auspices of the Joint Advisory Group. The aim is to upload endoscopy procedure data from all units across the United Kingdom to a centralised database. The database can be used to facilitate quality assurance, research and training in endoscopy. Objective: This article describes the development and implementation process of NED from its inception to date. Methods: NED utilises automated data uploading of a minimum dataset from local endoscopy reporting systems to a central national database via the internet. Currently all data are anonymised. Key performance indicators are presented to endoscopists and organisations on a web-based platform for quality assurance purposes. Results: As of October 2018, 295 endoscopy services out of a total of 529 known services in the UK (56%) are actively uploading to NED. Data from more than 400,000 endoscopic procedures have been uploaded. Conclusion: UK-wide data collection from endoscopy units to a central database is feasible using an automated upload system. This has the potential to facilitate endoscopy quality assurance and research.

Endoscopy in 2017: a national survey of practice in the UK.

INTRODUCTION: The Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG), hosted by the Royal College of Physicians, London, oversees the quality assurance of endoscopy services across the UK. Additional questions focusing on the pressures faced by endoscopy units to meet targets were added to the 2017 annual Global Rating Scale (GRS) return. This provides a unique insight into endoscopy services across all nations of the UK involving the acute and non-acute Nation Health Service sector as well as the independent sector. METHODS: All 508 services who are registered with JAG were asked to complete every field of the survey online in order to submit their completed April 2017 GRS return. RESULTS: A number of services reported difficulty in meeting national waiting time targets with a national average of only 55% of units meeting urgent cancer wait targets. Many services were insourcing or outsourcing patients to external providers to improve waiting times. Services are striving hard to increase capacity by backfilling lists and working weekends. Data collection was done in most units to reflect productivity but not to look at demand and capacity. Some of the units did not have an agreed capacity plan. The Did Not Attend rates for patients in the bowel cancer screening programme were much lower compared with standard lists. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the increased pressure endoscopy services are under and the 'just about coping' situation. This is the first published overview of different aspects of UK-wide endoscopy services and the future challenges.

Factors affecting adenoma detection rate in a national flexible sigmoidoscopy screening programme: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: A national colorectal cancer screening programme started in England in 2013, offering one-off flexible sigmoidoscopy to all men and women aged 55 years in addition to the biennial faecal occult blood testing programme offered to all individuals aged 60-74 years. We analysed data from six pilot flexible sigmoidoscopy screening centres to examine factors affecting the adenoma detection rate (ADR). METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of flexible sigmoidoscopy screening procedures performed in individuals aged 55 years at six pilot sites in England as part of the National Health Service Bowel Scope Screening programme. ADR (number of procedures in which at least one adenoma was removed or biopsied, divided by total number of procedures) was calculated for each site and each endoscopist. Multiple regression models were used to examine the variation in ADR with withdrawal time and extent of examination, and the effect of other factors including comfort and bowel preparation on extent of examination. FINDINGS: The analysis included 8256 procedures done between May 7, 2013, and May 6, 2014. The overall ADR was 9·1% (95% CI 8·5-9·8; 755 of 8256 procedures), varying from 7·4% (6·2-8·9) to 11·0% (9·1-13·4) by screening centre. The ADR was 11·5% (95% CI 10·6-12·5; 493 of 4299 procedures) in men and 6·6% (5·9-7·4; 262 of 3957 procedures) in women (p<0·0001). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with adenoma detection were male sex (relative risk 1·69, 95% CI 1·46-1·95; p<0·0001) and a withdrawal time from the splenic flexure of at least 3·25 min in negative procedures (1·22, 1·00-1·48; p=0·045). However, increasing the withdrawal time to 4·0 min or more did not increase the likelihood of adenoma detection (1·22, 0·99-1·51; p=0·057). Procedures not reaching the splenic flexure were associated with lower chance of adenoma detection (eg, 0·77, 0·66-0·91; p=0·0015 for procedures reaching the descending colon), but there was no additional benefit associated with reaching the transverse colon (0·83, 0·67-1·02; p=0·069). Women (0·83, 0·80-0·87; p<0·0001), individuals with adequate (0·79, 0·76-0·83; p<0·0001) or poor (0·58, 0·51-0·67; p<0·0001) bowel preparation (compared with good bowel preparation), and those with mild (0·82, 0·76-0·88; p<0·0001) or moderate or severe (0·58, 0·51-0·66; p<0·0001) discomfort (compared with no discomfort) were less likely to have a procedure reaching the splenic flexure. INTERPRETATION: Key performance indicators for flexible sigmoidoscopy screening should be defined, including standards for insertion and withdrawal times, optimal depth, and bowel preparation. ADR could be improved by recommending a withdrawal time from the splenic flexure of at least 3·25 min (ideally 3·5-4·0 min). FUNDING: None.

Impact of the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) on endoscopy services in the UK and beyond.

The Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) was initially established in 1994 to standardise endoscopy training across specialties. Over the last two decades, the position of JAG has evolved to meet its current role of quality assuring all aspects of endoscopy in the UK to provide the highest quality, patient-centred care. Drivers such as changes to healthcare agenda, national audits, advances in research and technology and the advent of population-based cancer screening have underpinned this shift in priority. Over this period, JAG has spearheaded various quality assurance initiatives with support from national stakeholders. These have led to the achievement of notable milestones in endoscopy quality assurance, particularly in the three major areas of: (1) endoscopy training, (2) accreditation of endoscopy services (including the Global Rating Scale), and (3) accreditation of screening endoscopists. These developments have changed the landscape of UK practice, serving as a model to promote excellence in endoscopy. This review provides a summary of JAG initiatives and assesses the impact of JAG on training and endoscopy services within the UK and beyond.

Failure to gain weight on long-term parenteral nutrition attributed to tri-iodothyronine thyrotoxicosis.

We describe the case of a 49-y-old female patient on long-term parenteral nutrition after abdominal surgery who failed to gain weight despite nutritional provision in excess of theoretical requirements. On investigation, she was found to have a negative nitrogen balance (-5.9 g) and to have a tri-iodothyronine thyrotoxicosis but without many of the typical clinical features of hyperthyroidism. The patient also had mild hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, which resolved fully after mobilization and treatment of the thyrotoxicosis. A derangement of the liver function tests was observed, which worsened progressively during parenteral nutrition but resolved promptly at its discontinuation. This case illustrates the importance of carrying out appropriate investigations including all thyroid function tests on patients who fail to gain weight on nutritional support.

Quality assurance of endoscopy units.

This chapter reflects on how England has led the world in service development and quality assurance of endoscopy. It draws out themes of leadership, strategic vision and organisational culture. It emphasises the pivotal importance of focussing service improvement on enhancing the quality of a patient's experience of endoscopy. It describes the processes used here for quality assurance of endoscopy units and how these have dovetailed with other strands of work in transforming the English endoscopy service. The chapter presents discussion of the responses to accreditation processes and how the design of the JAG Accreditation process maximises its effectiveness.

Predictive and prognostic factors in colorectal cancer: a personalized approach.

It is an exciting time for all those engaged in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The advent of new therapies presents the opportunity for a personalized approach to the patient. This approach considers the complex genetic mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis in addition to classical clinicopathological staging. The potential predictive and prognostic biomarkers which have stemmed from the study of the genetic basis of colorectal cancer and therapeutics are discussed with a focus on mismatch repair status, KRAS, BRAF, 18qLOH, CIMP and TGF-ß.