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Objective: The double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) procedure is long and requires moderate sedation. We aim to determine whether the administration of propofol infusion is safe by comparing it to intravenous midazolam/meperidine in patients undergoing DBE., Material and Method: A prospective study with 48 patients was conducted at King Chulalongkorn Hospital randomizing (block of four) patients into two groups. In group 1, 28 patients were enrolled for intravenous midazolam/meperidine, and one patient was dropped out before underwent DBE due to hemodynamic instability. Therefore, 27 (n = 27) participants were included in Group 1. In group 2, 28 patients were enrolled for propofol infusion, and seven patients were dropped out before underwent DBE, five due to hemodynamic instability (n = 5), and two refused treatment (n = 2). Therefore, 1 (n = 21) participants were included in Group 2. Vital signs and oxygen saturation were regularly monitored., Results: Mean +/- SD age of patients was 56.8 +/- 9.2 years, and 41.7% of patients were male. There was no difference in demographic data between the groups. For the safety profile, 25.9% of the midazolam/meperidine group and 33.3% of the propofol group developed hypotension and/or desaturation (p = 0.45). The patients' satisfaction of group 1 and group 2 were 86.7 +/- 6.5% and 86.3 +/- 8.1%, respectively, and presented no significant difference (p = 0.89)., Conclusion: Propofol infusion is safe and shows no difference in outcome from the midazolam and meperidine sedation for the DBE procedure.

Objective: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related death worldwide. Primary care physicians play an important role in colorectal cancer screening. However the awareness and knowledge on the methods for colorectal cancer screening are still lacking. The authors aimed to assess Thai primary care physicians' knowledge and practice regarding colorectal cancer screening., Material and Method: Between October and December 2010, questionnaires were distributed to 447 Thai physicians. The questionnaires included demographic data, self-responded knowledge, and practice. Their responses were analyzed., Results: Three hundred eighty seven physicians completed the questionnaires (86.5% response rate). Of these, 44.7% were internists, 27.4% general practitioners (GPs), 11.9% surgeons, and 16.0% other specialists. Two hundred forty of physicians (62%) routinely recommended colorectal cancer screening to asymptomatic, average-risk patients. Only 43% gave the correct recommendation for the correct starting age. Colonoscopy (47.5%) and fecal occult blood test (40.0%) were preferred by the majority of physicians, whereas flexible sigmoidoscopy, double contrast barium enema, and CT colonoscopy were chosen by 5.7%, 4.4%, and 1.8% of physicians respectively. Surgeons had more knowledge of test efficacy and frequency. They also were more aware of colorectal cancer screening than internists. Patient ignorance (66.1%), unavailability of the test (64.6%), unawareness of physicians (57.9%), and financial problems (41.1%) were determinedas barriers for colorectal cancer screening., Conclusion: Although the majority of physicians are aware of colorectal cancer screening, the correct knowledge is lacking. Colonoscopy and FOBT are their most preferred tests. Patient ignorance, unavailability of the test, unawareness of physician, and financial problems are the main barriers for colorectal cancer screening. Improvement in academic support services and standard clinical practice guideline are needed to improve overall morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer.

Background: Rebamipide, a gastro-protective drug, acts on stimulation of prostaglandin and mucus glycoprotein synthesis, inhibition of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines, and neutrophils activation., Objective: To investigate the effect of rebamipide (mucosta) on healing of gastric ulcer caused by various etiologies., Material and Method: Thirty patients with gastric ulcer underwent gastric antral and body biopsies for histopathology. Group classifications depended on H. pylori status using CLO test, histology or urea breath test and history ofNSAIDs taking. All patients received rebamipide 100 mg, three times a day, for 8 weeks. The symptoms and adverse effects were assessed in 4 weeks and 8 weeks after prescription. At the end of the present study, an endoscopy was repeated to evaluate ulcer healing and biopsy for gastric inflammation grading., Results: According to the ulcer cause, there were seven patients with H. pylori+ NSAIDs+, nine patients with H. pylori + NSAIDs-, three patients with H. pylori - NSAIDs +, and 11 patients with H. pylori - NSAIDs-. The ulcers were completely healed in most patients with a history of NSAIDs use. There was a significant improvement of symptom scores from baseline in all groups (5.9 vs. 0.6, p < 0.001). The improvement of gastric inflammation scores were favorable in NSAIDs users (2.38 vs. 1.75, p = 0.011). All patients were satisfied as there were few adverse effects., Conclusion: Rebamipide is effective and well tolerated for treatment of gastric ulcers especially those caused by NSAIDs, as it promotes the improvement of gastric inflammation scores, clinical symptoms, and ulcer healing.

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease is an uncommon gastrointestinal problem in Asia. Recently, there have been many reports from Japan and India demonstrating a higher incidence of this disease entity in this region. To date, there has been only one report from Thailand regarding clinical manifestation of ulcerative colitis. However, information regarding Crohn 's disease has never been demonstrated., Material and Method: The authors retrospectively reviewed clinical data on both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) during a 16 year period from the medical records of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, one of the main referral centers in Thailand., Results: There were 55 patients diagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease. Of these, 45 were diagnosed as UC and the rest were CD. Mean age of UC and CD patients was 32 and 40.5 years respectively. The authors did not find any significant relationship between smoking and colonic cancer in these patients. The main presentations of UC patients were mucous bloody diarrhea and watery diarrhea whereas watery diarrhea, fever and weight loss were the main presentations of patients with CD. There were fistulas in 2 CD patients. In addition, oral ulcer and panuveitis were diagnosed in 2 different CD patients. One UC patient had PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis) and another had pyoderma gangrenosum. The majority of UCpresented as pancolitis (46.7%) while ileocolic involvement was more common in CD (60%)., Conclusion: In Thailand, UC is more common than CD whereas disease involvement is more localized to ileocolic region in CD than UC. Similar to Western countries, both UC and CD are presented at relatively young age.

Background: Several complications from ERCP have been described, including pancreatitis, hemorrhage, perforation, and cholangitis. The actual incidences and risk factors in Thailand have never been analyzed., Material and Method: The authors retrospectively reviewed the outcome of ERCP at Chulalongkorn University Hospital between September 2000 and December 2002. Potential risk factors were statistically assessed., Results: The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis, hemorrhage, perforation and cholangitis was 3.6%, 2.1%, 1.2% and 6%, respectively. Risk factors of pancreatitis were the suspected diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and pancreatic interventions, especially through minor papilla. Prophylactic pancreatic duct stent prior to precut sphincterotomy may reduce the incidence of pancreatitis. Hemorrhage was associated with duodenal diverticulum. The incidence of cholangitis was higher in biliary duct dilation and cholangiocarcinoma, especially hilar involvement., Conclusion: Incidence of these complications was comparable to international series with similar risk factors. Cholangitis developed more frequently probably due to a higher incidence of cholangiocarcinoma.

Background and Aims: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a promising diagnostic tool for patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Only a few papers have reported data from Asian countries. This retrospective study aimed to demonstrate result of capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected small bowel disease as the first series from Thailand., Method: Twenty-one patients who underwent wireless capsule endoscopy between July 2003 and June 2004 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital were retrospectively reviewed in the present study. The indications for capsule endoscopy were overt obscure gastro-intestinal bleeding (n= 12), occult obscure gastro-intestinal bleeding (n=5), chronic recurrent abdominal pain (n=3) and chronic diarrhea (n=1). Diagnoses according to findings of capsule endoscopy were classifield into definite, suspicious and negative finding., Results: The mean age of the 21 patients (10 men and 11 women) was 46 (standard deviation, 18.57) years. Of those 17 obscure gastrointestinal bleeding patients, there were positive findings in 11 from 17 patients (65%). Four patients (24%), 3 with tumor and another with AVM, were classified as definite results. Seven patients (41%), 6 with angioectasia and another with a small ulcer, were classified as suspicious because there was no demonstrated active bleeding lesion and no other clinical supportive evidence. Of these 3 patients with recurrent abdominal pain, one patient (33%) with terminal ileum lymphoid hyperplasia was classified as definite result because of clinical improvement after treatment of the lesion. Another case of chronic diarrhea yielded a negative result., Conclusion: Wireless capsule endoscopy is a safe and useful mode of investigation for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in Thailand. There is not so much difference in capsule endoscopy results between Western and Asian series.

Liver transplantation is one of the best treatments for advanced liver disease since it can prolong the patient's survival. In Thailand, the first liver transplantation was performed in 1987 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Up till now the authors have transplanted the most in Thailand, having done more than 30 cases. From 1997 to 2002, there were 20 cases of liver transplantation and this is the result presented. The authors classified the patients into 2 groups, according to primary indications for transplantation. Patients with cirrhosis were included in group I and patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were included in group II. The one year survival in group I and II was 64 per cent and 29 per cent respectively. Mortality rate in the cirrhotic group was high during the first 3 months post transplant. The reason for a high mortality rate in the hepatocellular carcinoma group may be secondary to the advanced stage of cancer and the poor condition of the patients. However, the acute rejection rate in the present series of 25 per cent is relatively low compared to other series and this may need further study. The one year survival rate in patients who received a new liver from 1997 to 1999 compared to 2000-2002 was 33 per cent and 54 per cent respectively. This showed an improvement in the result of liver transplantation in Thailand. In conclusion, this report showed a satisfactory result of liver transplantation. The main problem with liver transplantation in Thailand is that potential donors do not understand the problems which leads to few donors. There is also a shortage of skilled personnel, budget, and the appropriate instruments.

This study was to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, etiology and therapeutic outcome of active upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients who underwent emergency gastroscopy outside official hours at the Gastroenterology Unit, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. From January to December 2002, 103 emergency gastroscopies were performed in 99 patients. There were 66 men and 33 women (mean age 55.4 years, range 22-98 years). Causes of bleeding were esophageal varices (29/99; 29.3%), gastric ulcer (25/99; 25.3%), duodenal ulcer (9/99; 9.1%), gastric varices (9/99; 9.1%) and miscellaneous (12/99; 12.1%). Etiology of bleeding was uncertain in 10.1 per cent of the cases. Therapeutic modalities for variceal bleeding were banding (78.6%), sclerotherapy (10.7%) and glue injection (10.7%). Endoscopic therapies for patients with non variceal bleeding were: epinephrine injection with bipolar coaptation (48.1%), epinephrine injection only (11.1%), bipolar coaptation alone (7.4%), heater probe (7.4%), epinephrine injection combined with heater probe (11.1%), epinephrine injection with bipolar coaptation and hemoclipping (7.4%), hemoclipping (3.7%), epinephrine injection with hemoclipping (3.7%). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 91.2 per cent of the patients (91/99). Recurrent bleeding within 72 hours developed in 9.1 per cent of patients (9/99). Of these, eight patients (88.9%) underwent re-endoscopy and bleeding was stopped in 62.5 per cent (5/8). And 2.0 per cent of patients (2/99) had to go for emergency surgery after failed therapeutic endoscopy. Overall mortality was 15.2 per cent (15/99). In conclusion, emergency gastroscopy can offer not only diagnostic but also therapeutic modality for patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic therapy is effective for both initial hemostasis and recurrent bleeding.

Even though colorectal cancer in Thailand is not the number one leading cause of death, the incidence of this malignancy is not ignorable. Unfortunately, the majority of patients are diagnosed at a very late stage because of no screening protocol for a high risk group. The authors retrospectively reviewed clinical presentations of patients with colorectal neoplasm who underwent colonoscopy at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital during the two-year period from September 2000 to December 2002. There were 107 patients with colorectal polyps and 48 patients with colorectal cancer. According to frequency of indications: anemia, bowel habit change, and abnormal radiography were presented in patients with colorectal polyps and cancers. There were more right sided colorectal polyps than rectosigmoid polyps. In addition, rectosigmoid cancer was detected less often than right sided colonic cancer. Half of the patients with rectosigmoid cancer presented with hematochezia compared to right sided colonic cancer. Total colonic examination is required if a colonic neoplasm is suspected.

To determine the basic clinical information of colorectal cancer in Thailand, the authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records and pathological reports of 293 patients with histologically proven colonic cancer but only 137 patients met the inclusion criteria in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital during the three-year period from July 1997 to June 2000. There were 72 males (53%) and 65 females (47%) with an age ranging from 24 to 90 years (mean age 61.2 years). Among these, 115 patients (83.9%) were older than 50 years. Bowel-habit change, weight loss and mucous bloody diarrhea were the most common presentations respectively. Distal colorectal cancer is the most common site of colonic cancer (71.3%) and 28.7 per cent were at the proximal colon. Dukes' D (35%) was the most common colorectal cancer staging in the hospital. Considering the sites of metastases, liver was the most common site of metastases (61%). The most common cell type was moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Low anterior resection was the most common surgical procedure (24.9%) since the tumor was usually located distally. In conclusion, 1) bowel habit change was the most common presentation for colorectal cancer at the hospital and the majority of patients were elderly. 2) Colorectal cancer was usually found at the late stage which was associated with poor prognosis.

Currently the best curative therapy for primary malignant biliary tumor is surgery. Unfortunately, many patients present at a very late stage and only palliative biliary drainage is possible. Usually nonsurgical palliative biliary drainage means either percutaneous or endoscopic approach. In this series, the authors reported the rate of technical success and immediate complications in patients with malignant biliary obstruction who underwent endoscopic biliary drainage. From endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) database between September 2000 and October 2001, there were 273 ERCP performed for obstructive jaundice. Of these, 50 patients with malignant tumor underwent 80 procedures for endoscopic biliary drainage. The patients were divided into three groups according to the cholangiographic findings and clinical diagnoses. Patients with carcinoma of the pancreatic head were categorized as group I (n=10). Group II (n=20) and III (n=20) were patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hilar cholangiocarcinoma respectively. All patients received either plastic or metallic endoprothesis placement for biliary drainage. All patients except two in group I had successful endoscopic treatment. Complications in group I, II and III were 15.4 per cent, 14.3 per cent and 53.1 per cent respectively. Only one patient in group II developed significant hypotension during the procedure. Another complication was defined as post procedure cholangitis. In conclusion endoscopic biliary drainage was technically feasible in 97.5 per cent of patients who had malignant biliary obstruction. In patients with hilar tumor the incidence of post procedure cholangitis was high (53.1%). Improvement in technique, avoiding unnecessary contrast injection, and draining the obstructed bile duct after injecting the contrast may improve the outcome and decrease the rate of post procedure cholangitis in these patients.

HIV is a very common infection in Thailand, affecting about one million of the population already, with 99,555 persons with full blown AIDS at the end of 1999. The first case of AIDS was reported in Thailand in 1984. Gastrointestinal involvement is very common, the commonest presentations are diarrhea, esophageal symptoms, hepatobiliary symptoms, and weight loss. When the CD4+ T cell count falls below 200, the body becomes highly susceptible to opportunistic infections and neoplasms. Almost all AIDS patients will have GI symptoms at sometime during the course of their illness. This is because the GI tract contains an abundant quantity of lymphoid tissue and is likely to function as a reservoir of HIV infection. In chronic diarrhea cases, apart from other investigations, small bowel biopsy and aspiration may help to find the cause. If oral candidiasis is present, one should keep HIV in mind and look for oral hairy leucoplakia, dysphagia and odynophagia as one-third of patients with AIDS will develop dysphagia or odynophagia in the course of their disease. Those with esophageal candidiasis will usually have oral candidiasis and odynophagia while 18 per cent of the patients will not have oral thrush. CMV esophagitis and HIV ulcer (or idiopathic oesophageal ulcer) are also common. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy are helpful in finding the exact cause of the oesophageal symptoms. Hepatobiliary manifestations are present with jaundice, hepatomegaly, and pain. ERCP is very helpful in diagnosing and classifying these conditions. Papillary stenosis and dominant biliary stricture can be treated by endoscopy but long term results are still poor due to late manifestation of these conditions.

Papillary stenosis usually presents with biliary type abdominal pain, significantly elevated liver enzymes, and cholangiogram revealing dilated common bile duct without stone. In the Western world, endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy is accepted as a standard treatment for papillary stenosis. In Asia, there are only a few reports regarding papillary stenosis. This is a report of our experience on endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy for papillary stenosis in Thai patients. From our ERCP database, twenty-five patients presented with biliary type abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes and dilated common bile duct by ultrasonography. All of them underwent ERCP for a diagnosis of possible biliary obstruction. Of these 25 cases, seven patients with papillary stenosis were identified. All underwent endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy with or without biliary dilation and stent placement. These patients were followed for clinical improvement and normalization of liver enzymes. Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy was successful in all patients. One patient required additional biliary dilation and stent placement. All seven patients reported significant improvement of biliary type abdominal pain. Liver enzymes also normalized 3 months after endoscopic treatment. There were no severe complications except one patient who developed post ERCP pancreatitis while another developed minimal bleeding at the sphincterotomy site. Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy is effective and safe in patients with papillary stenosis. Results of our series are comparable to previous reports from Western countries.

Cholangiocarcinoma constitutes the second most common primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma. It is particularly prevalent in regions where liver flukes are hyperendemic. Obstructive jaundice is the most common presentation. To evaluate patients suspected for cholangiocarcinoma, endoscopy is becoming more popular. Endoscopy can provide important information especially cholangiogram and tissue diagnosis. Recently, the role of endoscopy has not only been used for diagnosis but also for treatment. In this article, the roles of endoscopy for diagnosis, therapy, and future modality of treatment for cholangiocarcinoma are provided.