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Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) with a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) is a novel, minimally invasive technique in the palliative treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Several studies have demonstrated feasibility and safety of EUS-GE, but evidence on long-term durability is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate patency of EUS-GE in treatment of malignant GOO. Patients and Methods An international multicenter study was performed in seven centers in four European countries. Patients who underwent EUS-GE with a LAMS between March 2015 and March 2019 for palliative treatment of symptomatic malignant GOO were included retrospectively. Our main outcome was recurrent obstruction due to LAMS dysfunction; other outcomes of interest were technical success, clinical success, adverse events (AEs), and survival. Results A total of 45 patients (mean age 69.9 ± 12.3 years and 48.9 % male) were included. Median duration of follow-up was 59 days (interquartile range [IQR] 41–128). Recurrent obstruction occurred in two patients (6.1 %), after 33 and 283 days of follow-up. Technical success was achieved in 39 patients (86.7 %). Clinical success was achieved in 33 patients (73.3 %). AEs occurred in 12 patients (26.7 %), of which five were fatal. Median overall survival was 57 days (IQR 32–114). Conclusions EUS-GE showed a low rate of recurrent obstruction. The relatively high number of fatal AEs underscores the importance of careful implementation of EUS-GE in clinical practice.

Background and study aims Zenker's diverticulum may cause disabling symptoms, especially in the elderly. Treatment has changed in recent decades from open surgery to management with flexible endoscopy, resulting in lower morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to present the largest series, with the longest follow-up, of patients with Zenker's diverticulum receiving outpatient treatment with flexible endoscopy using a diverticuloscope and Ligasure (Covidien, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States), a device that allows tissue sealing and coagulation of vessels before cutting the septum between the diverticulum and esophagus. Patients and methods We performed 79 diverticulotomies in 69 patients (65.2 % male, mean age 73.4 years). The mean diverticulum size was 2.8 cm. In three cases with a diverticulum ≤ 1.5 cm, the diverticuloscope could not be placed. Results The technical success was 95.83 % and the clinical success 96.7 %: 84 % of the 56 patients followed for a mean of 34.6 months (24 – 64 months) had no dysphagia. The recurrence rate was 10.4 %, with a good response to a second diverticulotomy at 12 months (IQR: 11.5 – 17) in most cases. The most severe complications were two microperforations, resolved with conservative treatment, and one case of delayed bleeding endoscopically-controlled with a clip. Conclusions Diverticulotomy of the esophageal-diverticular septum with Ligasure is an outpatient endoscopic technique that is simple, effective in the long term and very safe for the treatment of patients with Zenker's diverticulum. In symptomatic recurrences, a second procedure was equally safe and effective in most patients.

The clip Ovesco (Ovesco, Tübingen, Germany) is a novel endoscopic method for mechanical compression of tissue in the gastrointestinal tract. The indications for treatment are closure of perforations and fistulas and control of bleeding in which the conventional endoscopic treatment has failed. We report two cases about the use of an Ovesco (over-the-scope clip, OTSC) system to control persistent bleeding postpolypectomy after failure of usual treatment.

Objectives: compare the intensity of pain experienced after colonoscopy with air or with CO2 and evaluate the safety of CO2 in colonoscopies performed with moderate/deep sedation. Materials and methods: individuals undergoing ambulatory colonoscopy without exclusion criteria (severe respiratory disease, morbid obesity) were randomized in air or CO2 group. We recorded different variables prior to, during and upon completion of the colonoscopy, performing monitoring using pulse oximetry and capnography. Each patient rated, using a visual numeric scale, the intensity of post-colonoscopy pain at different moments. Results: 141 individuals in the air group (sex M/F 63/78, age 24-83) and 129 in the CO2 group (sex M/F 59/70, age 24-82). No significant differences existed in the recorded variables in both groups except for the greater number of explorations performed by an endoscopist in training (TE) in the air group compared to those by a more experienced endoscopist (SE). CO2 in expired air, episodes of oxygen desaturation and of apnoea and dose of propofol, of midazolam were similar in both groups. No episodes of hypercapnea or any complication requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures were recorded. The pain in the air group was significantly higher at 15 minutes and at 1, 3 and 6 hours after the endoscopy, equalising at 24 hours. After multivariant adjustment for type of doctor (TE vs. SE) the differences observed in pain intensity for each group were maintained. Conclusions: a) the use of CO2 in colonoscopy causes significantly less pain in the first 6 hours after the procedure; b) its use in patients with moderate/deep sedation is safe; and c) performance of the endoscopic technique is not modified, nor are times reduced.Objetivos: comparar la intensidad del dolor experimentado tras una colonoscopia con aire ambiente o con dióxido de carbono (CO2) y evaluar la seguridad del CO2 en pacientes con sedación moderada o profunda. Materiales y métodos: individuos sometidos a una colonoscopia ambulatoria, sin enfermedad respiratoria severa ni obesidad mórbida, randomizados a grupo "aire" o "CO2". Se recogieron diferentes variables antes, durante y tras la colonoscopia. Todos los pacientes fueron monitorizados mediante capnografía y pulsioximetría. Posteriormente cada paciente puntuó mediante una escala visual numérica la intensidad del dolor experimentado en diferentes momentos tras la colonoscopia. Resultados: 141 pacientes incluidos en grupo "aire" (hombres/ mujeres 63/78, rango edad 24-83) y 129 en "CO2" (hombres/mujeres 59/70, rango edad 24-82). No existieron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos a excepción del mayor número de exploraciones realizadas por un endoscopista en formación en el grupo "aire" en comparación con las realizadas por endoscopistas experimentados. El CO2 en aire espirado, los episodios de desaturación de oxígeno y las dosis de propofol o midazolam empleadas fueron similares en ambos grupos. No existieron episodios de hipercapnia severos ni complicaciones clínicamente relevantes. El dolor experimentado en el grupo "aire" fue significativamente mayor a los 15 minutos, 1, 3 y 6 horas tras la colonoscopia, igualándose a las 24 horas. Tras la realización de un análisis multivariante según el tipo de endoscopista (experimentado o en formación) las diferencias observadas en la intensidad del dolor en cada grupo se mantuvieron. Conclusiones: a) el uso de CO2 en la colonoscopia causa significativamente menos dolor en las siguientes 6 horas; b) su uso en pacientes con sedación moderada o profunda es seguro; y c) la realización de la técnica no se ve modificada ni sus tiempos reducidos.

Background and aims: ERCP during pregnancy is always challenging for the entire team performing the endoscopic intervention. In this study techniques and different interventional aspects used at several centres about the clinical experience on ERCP in pregnant women are analyzed. Patients and methods: the practice on ERCP in pregnant women in six centers during a period of ten years is reported. Results: eleven patients were included in the study. Mean age was 30.6 years. Indication for ERCP was always symptomatic common bile duct stone (CBDS) disease. Before the procedure abdominal ultrasound was performed at all times and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in four occasions. Conscious sedation by means of midazolam and fentanyl or meperidine was applied. Sphincterotomes and guidewires were used for bilary cannulation. Sometimes, rapid exchange platforms with short-length guidewires controlled by the same endoscopist were employed. Biliary cannulation was confirmed in 9 occasions by bile aspiration. In five procedures, a mean of 30 seconds of fluoroscopy was used, both to verify cannulation and to corroborate complete CBDS clearance. These patients had the pelvic zone protected with a lead shield and radiation dose was measured. Ten biliary sphincterotomies were performed followed by CBDS extraction. Two plastic stents were inserted. Relief of biliary obstruction was attained in all circumstances. Only one patient had hyperamylasemia after ERCP. All pregnant women had healthy foetuses with normal deliveries. Conclusions: with experience, ERCP appears to be a safe technique during pregnancy. With simple measures fluoroscopic time can be diminished or even abolished. It seems that ERCP during pregnancy is underused in our working areas, although it has shown to be a useful technique for relieving biliary obstruction.Antecedentes y objetivos: la CPRE realizada durante el embarazo constituye siempre un reto para todo el equipo que participa en la intervención endoscópica. En este estudio se analizan los diferentes aspectos y técnicas en varios centros sobre la experiencia clínica de la CPRE realizada en mujeres gestantes. Pacientes y métodos: experiencia en seis centros sobre las CPRE en embarazadas durante 10 años. Resultados: se incluyeron 11 pacientes con edad media de 30,6 años. La indicación fue siempre coledocolitiasis sintomática. Antes de la CPRE se realizó ecografía abdominal en todos los casos y colangiorresonancia en 4. Se utilizó sedación consciente con midazolam y fentanilo o meperidina. Para la canulación biliar se utilizaron esfinterotomos y guías. A veces con sistemas de intercambio rápido y guías cortas manejadas por el endoscopista. En 9 ocasiones la confirmación de canulación biliar fue por aspiración de bilis. Se utilizó fluoroscopia (media de 30 segundos) en 5 procedimientos, para confirmar la canulación biliar y asegurar la extracción completa de coledocolitiasis. En estos casos se protegió la zona pélvica con un mandil de plomo y se midió la radiación. Se realizaron 10 esfinterotomías biliares con extracción de las coledocolitiasis y se insertaron dos prótesis plásticas resolviéndose en todos los casos la obstrucción biliar. Tras la CPRE solo hubo hiperamilasemia en una paciente. Todas las gestantes dieron a luz fetos sanos con partos normales. Conclusiones: con experiencia, la CPRE es una técnica segura durante el embarazo. El tiempo de fluoroscopia puede reducirse incluso suprimirse con medidas sencillas. Parece que, en nuestro medio, la CPRE es poco utilizada en la gestación, aunque es una forma útil para desobstruir la vía biliar.

The growing endoscopic activity, both diagnostic and therapeutic, are also globally makes frequent endoscopic complications, perforation being one of the most serious. However, we also have more possibilities for endoscopic resolution of iatrogenic caused. We report the case of a sigmoid perforation during a colonoscopy that was resolved satisfactorily, avoiding surgery, by endoscopic closure with a nitinol clip Ovesco®.La cada vez mayor actividad endoscópica, tanto diagnóstica como terapéutica, hace que también sean globalmente más frecuentes las complicaciones endoscópicas, siendo la perforación una de las más graves. Sin embargo, también disponemos cada vez de mayores posibilidades a la hora de la resolución endoscópica de las complicaciones iatrogénicas causadas. Presentamos el caso de una perforación de sigma durante una colonoscopia que se resolvió de forma satisfactoria, evitando la cirugía, mediante cierre endoscópico con un clip de nitinol Ovesco®.

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the gold standard technique in loco-regional staging of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). Nevertheless, the introduction of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) allows accurate studies to be performed. Objective: To compare the diagnostic yield of EUS and MDCT in loco-regional preoperative staging of gastric adenocarcinoma. Material and methods: This was a retrospective and comparative study of all surgical patients with GAC and preoperative staging by EUS and 64-row MDCT. The results for each case were compared with the histological data. Results: Seventy seven surgical patients with GAC were identified and forty two had a complete preoperative staging and were finally included in the study. With regard to overall accuracy of T staging, EUS was superior to MDCT (62% vs 50%). In a subanalysis of early stages (T1-T2) and advanced stages (T3-T4), accuracy and sensitivity (S) were higher for EUS than for MDTC (83.3% vs 64.29% and 84.4% vs 59.5% respectively), although this did not reach statistical significance. The overall accuracy and sensitivity of EUS for N staging was lower than that for MDCT, although neither comparison reached statistical significance (57% vs 64% and 29% vs 55%). Conclusions: EUS diagnostic yield is similar to new MDCT with regard to T and N preoperative staging of GAC. Nevertheless, both techniques should be considered as complementary until more extensive and randomized studies can confirm these results.

In recent years, therapeutic endoscopy has become a fundamental tool in the management of gallbladder diseases in light of its minimal invasiveness, high clinical efficacy, and good safety profile. Both endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (TGBD) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) provide effective internal drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis unfit for cholecystectomy, avoiding the drawbacks of external percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PGBD). The availability of dedicated lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) for EUS-guided transluminal interventions contributed to the expansion of endoscopic therapies for acute cholecystitis, making endoscopic gallbladder drainage easier, faster, and hence more widely available. Moreover, EUS-GBD with LAMS opened the possibility of several cholecystoscopy-guided interventions, such as gallstone lithotripsy and clearance. Finally, EUS-GBD has also been proposed as a rescue drainage modality in malignant biliary obstruction after failure of standard techniques, with encouraging results. In this review, we will describe the TBGD and EUS-GBD techniques, and we will discuss the available data on clinical efficacy in different settings in comparison with PGBD. Finally, we will comment on the future perspectives of EUS-GBD, discussing the areas of uncertainty in which new data are more strongly awaited.