Endoscopic Options Research Articles

Spyglass® na resolução de coledocolitíase primária: um relato de caso

Introdução: A observação endoscópica direta das vias biliopancreáticas tem sido aprimorada durante décadas visando maior efetividade diagnóstica e terapêutica. Em 2006 foi desenvolvida a colangioscopia de operador único (SPYGLASS®), que permite a tripsia de cálculos grandes, bem como tratamento de estenoses e biópsias de tumores das vias biliares. Relato de Caso: Apresentamos um caso de coledocolitíase primária por cálculo gigante extraído após litotripsia a laser com a técnica da colangioscopia peroral por operador único. Discussão: Antigamente a escolha para pacientes com coledocolitíase por cálculo maior que 1,5cm era a derivação biliodigestiva. Hoje a colangioscopia representa um importante avanço na endoscopia terapêutica devido a alta acurácia e precisão na manipulação da árvore biliar, evitando realização de cirurgia de grande porte. Conclusão: A partir deste relato de caso pode-se concluir que, apesar do alto custo, a colangioscopia representa uma opção endoscópica inovadora, acurada e pouco invasiva, capaz de evitar ato cirúrgico de grande porte. Además está bem indicada para biópsia em vias biliares e tratamento de pacientes com estenose em via biliar e cálculos gigantes.

Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

Cancers of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) remain challenging malignancies to treat effectively. The GEJ represents the transition between esophagus and stomach, and approaching GEJ cancers as “esophageal” or as “gastric” cancers, a priori will run risk for excluding some more appropriate therapeutic options based on actual location. Gastroesophageal junction cancers are increasing in incidence, in particular at the distal esophageal and gastric cardia locations. They may be discovered in an early stage on upper GI endoscopy, but when presenting with dysphagia symptoms they are often of more advanced stage. Endoscopic resection options are limited to non-ulcerated T1 lesions, and surgical resection as only therapy is accepted for nodal-negative T1 or T2 disease. All other mid-stage GEJ cancers should be considered for multimodality therapy and should undergo a formal and complete multidisciplinary evaluation process before any therapy is started. While the proper approach remains debated, most often trimodality therapy with preoperative chemoradiation followed by resection is being offered, as it offers the greatest likelihood for complete pathologic response and survival benefit but requires a shorter preoperative treatment duration. Perioperative chemotherapy remains acceptable as well, based on the patient’s tolerance for related toxicity. The Siewert classification with 3 subtypes of GEJ cancers, based on the relationship of the tumor’s epicenter to the gastric cardia, remains useful for planning resection approach and extent as well as reconstruction technique. Type I (proximal GEJ) tumors require esophageal resection with mediastinal and retrogastric lymphadenectomy; reconstruction most often involves a gastric tube pull-up. Type III (distal GEJ) lesions are gastric cancers that require total or proximal gastrectomy with D2 dissection; reconstruction often utilizes Roux-Y esophagojejunostomy, but may include small bowel interposition for proximal gastrectomy too. Best approaches to type II lesions (of the cardia) remain debated; complete resection through esophagectomy (as type I) or transhiatal esophagogastrectomy (as in type III with appropriate proximal extension) remain acceptable, as long as complete resection and proper extent lymphadenectomy are performed. Minimally invasive approaches (versus open), patient comorbidity, individual tumor extent and surgeon’s experience should determine the best individual choice for operative approach. Surgeons engaging in GEJ cancer care should be familiar with all aspects of multidisciplinary and operative treatment planning, and should be able to offer the most appropriate resection choice for the patient’s best benefit. This review contains 2 figures, 3 tables, and 100 references. Key words: adenocarcinoma, gastrectomy, gastroesophageal junction, laproscopy, lymphadenectomy, metastasis, minimally invasive esophagectomy

Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

Cancers of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) remain challenging malignancies to treat effectively. The GEJ represents the transition between esophagus and stomach, and approaching GEJ cancers as “esophageal” or as “gastric” cancers, a priori will run risk for excluding some more appropriate therapeutic options based on actual location. Gastroesophageal junction cancers are increasing in incidence, in particular at the distal esophageal and gastric cardia locations. They may be discovered in an early stage on upper GI endoscopy, but when presenting with dysphagia symptoms they are often of more advanced stage. Endoscopic resection options are limited to non-ulcerated T1 lesions, and surgical resection as only therapy is accepted for nodal-negative T1 or T2 disease. All other mid-stage GEJ cancers should be considered for multimodality therapy and should undergo a formal and complete multidisciplinary evaluation process before any therapy is started. While the proper approach remains debated, most often trimodality therapy with preoperative chemoradiation followed by resection is being offered, as it offers the greatest likelihood for complete pathologic response and survival benefit but requires a shorter preoperative treatment duration. Perioperative chemotherapy remains acceptable as well, based on the patient’s tolerance for related toxicity. The Siewert classification with 3 subtypes of GEJ cancers, based on the relationship of the tumor’s epicenter to the gastric cardia, remains useful for planning resection approach and extent as well as reconstruction technique. Type I (proximal GEJ) tumors require esophageal resection with mediastinal and retrogastric lymphadenectomy; reconstruction most often involves a gastric tube pull-up. Type III (distal GEJ) lesions are gastric cancers that require total or proximal gastrectomy with D2 dissection; reconstruction often utilizes Roux-Y esophagojejunostomy, but may include small bowel interposition for proximal gastrectomy too. Best approaches to type II lesions (of the cardia) remain debated; complete resection through esophagectomy (as type I) or transhiatal esophagogastrectomy (as in type III with appropriate proximal extension) remain acceptable, as long as complete resection and proper extent lymphadenectomy are performed. Minimally invasive approaches (versus open), patient comorbidity, individual tumor extent and surgeon’s experience should determine the best individual choice for operative approach. Surgeons engaging in GEJ cancer care should be familiar with all aspects of multidisciplinary and operative treatment planning, and should be able to offer the most appropriate resection choice for the patient’s best benefit. This review contains 2 figures, 3 tables, and 100 references. Key words: adenocarcinoma, gastrectomy, gastroesophageal junction, laproscopy, lymphadenectomy, metastasis, minimally invasive esophagectomy

Use of endoscopic vacuum (E-Vac) therapy for the treatment of a cervical oesophagoileostomy leakage after a right-colon interposition for oesophageal replacement.

Anastomotic leakage is considered the Achilles heel after oesophagogastric resection and its therapeutic management remains a challenge. Different endoscopic options, such a clips, stents, internal drainage, fibrin glue instillation, or suturing devices, have been suggested as minimally endoscopic therapies to treat these complications. Recently, the use of endoscopic vacuum (E-Vac) therapy has proven to be useful for the healing of these adverse events and some studies have even reported its superiority to other endoscopic devices [1]. The E-Vac promotes the growth of granulation tissue and increases microcirculation while providing debridement of the cavity leak in each sponge replacement by continuous negative pressure. We describe an exceptional clinical scenario in which the use of the E-Vac allows the successful closure of a cervical oesophagoileostomy leakage and the resolution of a mediastinal abscess after an ileum and right-colon interposition for oesophageal replacement.

Early lessons on assembling a center for bariatric endoscopy

As the obesity epidemic continues to grow, the need for effective management strategies is more important than ever. There are several medical, endoscopic, and surgical management options available. The last decade has seen a rise in endoscopic bariatric interventions. These minimally invasive therapies can be used for patients who do not qualify or are unwilling to undergo bariatric surgery. Currently, there is limited formal training in bariatric endoscopy. In this commentary, we discuss our experience in establishing a center for bariatric endoscopy at a large academic medical center.

7RECENT Advances in Endoscopic Treatments for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

There is a growing interest in minimally invasive approaches to the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including endoscopic GERD therapy. This review evaluates available endoscopic therapeutic options utilized in GERD management. Application of radiofrequency energy at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) reduces reflux symptoms, but esophageal acid exposure does not necessarily normalize, and esophageal sensation is compromised. Two approaches to the creation of a valve at the EGJ, the Medigus ultrasonic surgical stapler (ultrasound guided stapling of the gastric fundus to the EGJ) and EsophyX (fasteners to create a 270 ° partial fundoplication), improve symptoms and reduce esophageal acid burden, but long-term durability remains unknown. Endoscopic management is widely utilized for GERD complications. Selecting the appropriate patient is key for therapeutic success with endoscopic GERD therapy. Patients with minimally disrupted EGJ barrier (< 2 cm hiatus hernia) and intact esophageal peristalsis are optimal candidates.

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Endoscopic Therapies for Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Expert Review

The purpose of this American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute Clinical Practice Update is to review the available evidence and best practice advice statements regarding the use of endoscopic therapies in treating patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This expert review was commissioned and approved by the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates Committee and the AGA Governing Board to provide timely guidance on a topic of high clinical importance to the AGA membership, and underwent internal peer review by the Clinical Practice Updates Committee and external peer review through standard procedures of Gastroenterology. This review is framed around the 10 best practice advice points agreed upon by the authors, which reflect landmark and recent published articles in this field. This expert review also reflects the experiences of the authors who are gastroenterologists with extensive experience in managing and teaching others to treat patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 1: Endoscopic therapy should achieve hemostasis in the majority of patients with NVUGIB. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 2: Initial management of the patient with NVUGIB should focus on resuscitation, triage, and preparation for upper endoscopy. After stabilization, patients with NVUGIB should undergo endoscopy with endoscopic treatment of sites with active bleeding or high-risk stigmata for rebleeding. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 3: Endoscopists should be familiar with the indications, efficacy, and limitations of currently available tools and techniques for endoscopic hemostasis, and be comfortable applying conventional thermal therapy and placing hemoclips. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 4: Monopolar hemostatic forceps with low-voltage coagulation can be an effective alternative to other mechanical and thermal treatments for NVUGIB, particularly for ulcers in difficult locations or those with a rigid and fibrotic base. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 5: Hemostasis using an over-the-scope clip should be considered in select patients with NVUGIB, in whom conventional electrosurgical coagulation and hemostatic clips are unsuccessful or predicted to be ineffective. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 6: Hemostatic powders are a noncontact endoscopic option that may be considered in cases of massive bleeding with poor visualization, for salvage therapy, and for diffuse bleeding from malignancy. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 7: Hemostatic powder should be preferentially used as a rescue therapy and not for primary hemostasis, except in cases of malignant bleeding or massive bleeding with inability to perform thermal therapy or hemoclip placement. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 8: Endoscopists should understand the risk of bleeding from therapeutic endoscopic interventions (eg, endoluminal resection and endoscopic sphincterotomy) and be familiar with the endoscopic tools and techniques to treat intraprocedural bleeding and minimize the risk of delayed bleeding. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 9: In patients with endoscopically refractory NVUGIB, the etiology of bleeding (peptic ulcer disease, unknown source, post surgical); patient factors (hemodynamic instability, coagulopathy, multi-organ failure, surgical history); risk of rebleeding; and potential adverse events should be taken into consideration when deciding on a case-by-case basis between transcatheter arterial embolization and surgery. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 10: Prophylactic transcatheter arterial embolization of high-risk ulcers after successful endoscopic therapy is not encouraged.

Bowel perforation of ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter: endoscopically treated two cases.

Many techniques were used for the treatment of hydrocephalus, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery is a widely used procedure. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery has been associated with several complications like obstruction of the tube, infection, cerebrospinal fluid loculation, intestinal obstruction, migration of the shunt, and perforation of the intestinal organs. Perforation of the bowel owing to protrusion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter from the anus is an extremely rare complication. Mini or exploratory laparotomy and revision of peritoneal part of shunt and repair of bowel perforation, or pulling out the ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter and using external ventricular drainage and antibiotics, or colonoscopic removal of ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter and repair of the bowel can be performed. Retrograde contamination of cerebrospinal fluid and meningitis is a very important part of the treatment in these cases. We aimed to present two cases with bowel perforation who treated with endoscopically. We report the cases of 2 patients with transanal protrusion of VPS catheter and the management via endoscopic therapeutic options. Successful treatment of the patients was achieved by endoscopic removal of the catheter and endoscopic repair of the bowel perforation. If peritonitis, bowel obstruction, or abscess does not occur, endoscopic removal of shunt and bowel repairing with endoclips may be enough.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy versus pneumatic dilation for achalasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Presently, the primary endoscopic options for the treatment of achalasia are peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and pneumatic dilation. But the clinical outcomes of POEM and pneumatic dilation for achalasia have not yet to be fully evaluated. So, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between the two treatment modalities. We searched all the relevant studies published up to September 2019 examining the comparative efficacy between POEM and pneumatic dilation. Outcomes included success rate, Eckardt score, lower esophageal sphincter pressure and adverse events. Outcomes were documented by pooled risk ratios and mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) using Review Manager 5.3. Seven studies with a total of 619 patients were identified. There were 298 patients underwent POEM treatment and 321 patients underwent pneumatic dilation treatment. The clinical success rate was higher in the POEM group than that in the pneumatic dilation group at 6, 12 and 24 months' follow-up, with a risk ratio of 1.14 (95% CI, 1.06-1.22, P = 0.0002, I= 0%), 1.34 (95% CI, 1.24-1.45, P < 0.00001, I= 17%) and 1.35 (95% CI, 1.10-1.65, P = 0.004, I= 70%), respectively. The change of Eckardt scores was more obvious in the POEM group than in the pneumatic dilation group, with a mean difference of 1.19 (95% CI, 0.78-1.60, P < 0.00001, I= 70%). The rate of gastroesophageal reflux and other complications for POEM was significantly higher than for pneumatic dilation, with a risk ratio of 4.17 (95% CI, 1.52-11.45, P = 0.006, I= 61%) and 3.78 (95% CI, 1.41-10.16, P = 0.008, I= 0%). Our current evidence suggests that the long-term efficacy of POEM was superior to that of pneumatic dilation, but accompanied by higher complications.

981 RESECTION AND PLICATION (RAP): AN ENDOSCOPIC ANTI-REFLUX SOLUTION IN ALTERED ANATOMY

In recent years, significant advances have been made in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Options for therapy have expanded in the surgical field, and new endoscopic options have emerged as alternative means of treating GERD in select populations. However, GERD remains a common problem in many polulations that do not quality for these new therapies, either due to severe co-morbidities or altered anatomy. The Resection and Plication (RAP) procedure is a novel endoscopic option for the treatment of medication refractory GERD. The RAP procedure can uniquely be empolyed in patietns unable to undergo surgical or alternate endoscopic anti-reflux therapies due to gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) anatomy that has been altered, for example in patients with prior nissen fundoplication, roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or esophagectomy. The RAP procedure involves band endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) semi-circumferential mucosectomy at the GEJ followed by full-thickness plication (RAP). Endoscopic suturing creats a gastro-gastric plication which serves to tighten the GEJ and decrease the rate of reflux into the esophagus. The following video demonstrates the RAP procedure in 2 patients with altered anatomy. Case 1, 66-year-old female with GERD previously treated with Nissen Fundoplication 10 years ago presents with refractory GERD symptoms. Case 2, 44-year-old female with history of morbid obesity treated with roux-en-Y gastric bypass with initial weight loss, now with significant weight gain and morbid obesity who is presenting with persistent GERD symptoms. 26 patients have undergone the RAP procedure at our institution. The average procedure time is 31 minutes. Ninety percent of were discharged the same day without major complications. Eighteen patients had altered anatomy (5 Fundoplication, 4 Gastric Bypass, 4 Esophagectomy, 2 failed TIF, 2 Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, 1 Sleeve Gastrectomy). We observed dramatic improvements in Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and GERD Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) questionnaires (RDQ Frequency 80%, RDQ Severity 76%, GERD-HRQL 85%). Sixty percent of patients were able to stop or decrease PPI use at follow-up. The average follow-up period was 6 months. The Resection and Plication (RAP) procedure is a novel endoscopic endoscopic anti-reflux procedure which results in gastro-gastric plications just below the level of the GEJ, thereby reducing the rate of reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This provides an effective endoscopic option in patients who otherwise cannot get other surgical or endoscopic therapies, specifically due to prior surgeries. This is a same day procedure and is overall safe, well tolerated and patients report a high degree of satisfaction following therapy.

From the Knife to the Endoscope-a History of Bariatric Surgery.

This review was conducted to gain insight into the history, present and future of bariatric and/or metabolic surgery and endoscopic treatments of obesity. The challenges that have been overcome, the challenges we still face and our recommendations for the future are discussed. Over the last few decades, a number of treatment strategies have emerged for the treatment of obesity. Both endoscopic and surgical options are available and they lead to significant weight loss and comorbidity reduction. However, to remain a credible treatment alternative to the obesity pandemic, we need to perform these procedures in much larger numbers than we currently do. Even though significant gains have been made in reducing the morbidity and mortality of surgical interventions, there is further room for improvement, especially when it comes to long-term issues. Due to its impact on almost every single organ system in the human body, bariatric surgery has attracted the attention of academics from a variety of medical disciplines. This has led to a rapidly enlarging body of high-quality scientific literature, supporting its wider use and cost-effectiveness. Despite the advances made in bariatric surgery, the criteria determining suitability of patients for bariatric surgery in most parts of the world are still based on a consensus agreed upon in the USA in 1991. There is a need to formulate some new consensus and guidelines that would allow for a significant expansion of the pool of patients that can be offered these procedures.

Management of Suprasellar Arachnoid Cysts in Children: A Systematic Literature Review Highlighting Modern Endoscopic Approaches

Suprasellar arachnoid cysts are a rare but important pediatric neurosurgical pathology with unknown ideal management. They have been previously managed with techniques including open craniotomy with microsurgical fenestration, cystoperitoneal shunting, endoscopic ventriculocystostomy, and endoscopic ventriculocystocisternostomy (VCC), without a consistent consensus on the best surgical approach. We present an overview of the literature on surgical management of suprasellar arachnoid cysts. A literature search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted for all articles evaluating treatment modalities for suprasellar arachnoid cysts, using PubMed, OVID, and Web of Science. Twenty-five articles on management of suprasellar arachnoid cysts in children were identified. Few published studies exist that examine different types of surgical management across a single institution. The majority of studies reported best clinical outcomes in patients treated with endoscopic approaches when compared with microsurgical fenestration or cystoperitoneal shunting, reporting lower rates of infection, shunt dependence, and need for revision in addition to better resolution of clinical symptoms. Furthermore, most studies argue that VCC is superior to ventriculocystostomy, offering better long-term improvement of clinical symptoms and lower rates of failure. This study examines the current literature on suprasellar arachnoid cyst surgical management to conclude that an endoscopic approach in comparison with other approaches has the best outcomes. Of the endoscopic options available, VCC provides patients with the best long-term resolution of symptoms and the lowest need for revision. These findings should be further investigated with larger multicenter studies to further compare different surgical techniques and outcomes.

Comparison of the effectiveness of 11 mainstay treatments for secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis: A network meta-analysis.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), endoscopic options, medications and mainstay combination therapies for patients with cirrhosis who have had at least one episode of variceal haemorrhage. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases, as well as the reference lists of relevant articles, were searched to identify eligible studies. P-scores, that were based solely on the point estimates and standard errors of the network estimates, were performed to rank all treatments, on a scale from 0 (worst) to 1 (best). The odds ratio (OR) was determined to assess effects on mortality, treatment failure and bleeding from gastroesophageal ulcers. A total of 43 randomized controlled trials comprising 3,787 adult patients were included. In total, 26 (61%) trials adopted concealed randomization, while most studies did not specify blinding. The drug combination of nadolol and isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) ranked first for lowering risks of overall mortality (P-score=0.8162), mortality due to liver failure (P-score=0.7536) and bleeding from gastroesophageal ulcers (P-score=0.7536). This combination was determined to be superior to endoscopic sclerotherapy (ES) alone (OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.94) and TIPS alone in reducing overall mortality (OR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.40-0.96). ES was more likely to increase treatment failure compared with TIPS, endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL), ES plus EVL, EVL plus nadolol/propranolol plus ISMN and nadolol/propranolol plus ISMN. In conclusion, the present network meta-analysis suggested that for a decreased mortality due to variceal rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis, nadolol plus ISMN may be a preferable choice, while ES is associated with a higher risk of unfavourable treatment outcomes. Further well-controlled studies are required to further elucidate the appropriate treatment options.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most important obesity-related comorbidity, with prevalence >50% in obese population. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the gold standard for metabolic surgery in obese patients with GERD, but in a subgroup of patients this pathological GERD may be not really controlled after this technique. Aims of this article are to discuss surgical and endoscopic options to manage refractory GERD after RYGB. Materials and Methods: We realized a literature review using the PubMed database and searching articles published before December 2019 about GERD after RYGB. Results: We found six studies, four case reports, and two retrospective studies about surgical and endoscopic options to treat this subgroup of patients. Discussion: Pharmacological therapy and life style optimization are the first line of treatment. For resistant GERD, new surgical and endoscopic strategies are proposed in the past years to manage this subgroup of patients related to anatomic limitation of RYGB. Conclusion: More studies are needed to compare surgical and endoscopic solutions. The choice of treatment depends on local resources and skills, and if necessary refer the patient to a specialist center.

AB005. Initial experience in using a dual console robotic platform for training in minimally invasive Heller’s myotomy for achalasia

Background: Achalasia is a rare condition characterized by loss of myenteric cells in Auerbach’s plexus. Although there are a range of endoscopic options, laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy with anterior fundoplication is the gold standard intervention. The Da Vinci dual-console Xi offers a novel platform to approach this condition both as a minimally invasive procedure and as a training platform.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: endoscopic assessment and treatment

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) represents 10% of medical emergencies in the UK and is associated with a significant mortality risk. Mortality has remained steady over the past 2 decades, at approximately 10%, with over 4000 deaths per annum in the UK. Patients with significant bleeding present with symptoms of haematemesis, melaena or haematochezia (rapid transit of red blood through the GI tract). An assessment of haemodynamic stability along with adequate resuscitation is vital prior to performing safe endoscopy. The performance of prompt upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is then necessary, as it has diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic roles. Early identification of aetiology (variceal versus non-variceal bleeding) is important and directs endoscopic and medical treatment. An increasing number of endoscopic therapeutic options are now available.

Surgical and endoscopic management options for patients with GERD based on proton pump inhibitor symptom response: recommendations from an expert U.S. panel

The objective of this study was to examine expert opinion and agreement on the treatment of distinct GERD profiles from surgical and therapeutic endoscopy perspectives. We used the RAND/University of California, Los Angeles Appropriateness Method over 6 months (July 2018 to January 2019) to assess the appropriateness of antireflux interventions among foregut surgeons and therapeutic gastroenterologists. Patients with primary atypical or extraesophageal symptoms were not considered. Patient scenarios were grouped according to their symptom response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The primary outcome was appropriateness of an intervention. Antireflux surgery with laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) and magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) were ranked as appropriate for all complete and partial PPI responder scenarios. Transoral incisionless fundoplication was ranked as appropriate in complete and partial PPI responders without a hiatal hernia. Radiofrequency energy was not ranked as appropriate for complete or partial responders. There was lack of agreement between surgery and interventional gastroenterology groups on the appropriateness of LF and MSA for PPI nonresponders. Rankings for PPI nonresponders were similar when results from impedance-pH testing on PPI therapy were available, except that LF and MSA were not ranked as appropriate for PPI nonresponders if the impedance-pH study was negative. This work highlights areas of agreement for invasive therapeutic approaches for GERD and provides impetus for further interdisciplinary collaboration and trials to compare and generate novel and effective treatment approaches and care pathways, including the role of impedance-pH testing in PPI nonresponders.

Sclerotherapy versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

Portal hypertension commonly accompanies advanced liver disease and often gives rise to life-threatening complications, including bleeding (haemorrhage) from oesophageal and gastrointestinal varices. Variceal bleeding commonly occurs in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein obstruction. Prevention is therefore important. Primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in adults is the established standard of care because of the results of numerous randomised clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of non-selective beta-blockers or endoscopic variceal ligation in decreasing the incidence of variceal bleeding. However, sclerotherapy is the only endoscopic prophylactic option currently available in infants weighing less than 10 kg of bodyweight due to the size of the endoscopic ligator. To assess the benefits and harms of sclerotherapy versus any type of beta-blocker for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase Elsevier, LILACS (Bireme), and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) in February 2019. We scrutinised the reference lists of the retrieved publications and performed a manual search from the main paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology conferences (NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN) abstract books from January 2008 to December 2018. We searched ClinicalTrials.gov, FDA, EMA, and WHO, for ongoing clinical trials. There were no language or document type restrictions. We planned to include randomised clinical trials irrespective of blinding, language, or publication status, assessing sclerotherapy versus any type of beta-blocker for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. We planned to include quasi-randomised and other observational studies retrieved with the searches for randomised clinical trials for report of harm. We planned to collect and summarise data from randomised clinical trials as described in our protocol, using standard Cochrane methodologies. We found no randomised clinical trials assessing sclerotherapy versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. Randomised clinical trials assessing the benefits or harms of sclerotherapy versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis are lacking. Therefore, trials with adequate power and proper design, assessing the benefits and harms of sclerotherapy versus beta-blockers on patient-relevant clinical outcomes such as mortality, failure to control bleeding, and adverse events are needed. Unless such trials are conducted and the results become published, we cannot make any conclusions regarding the benefits or harms of the two interventions.

Endoscopic management of local complications of chronic pancreatitis.

Endoscopic treatment of local complications in patients with chronic pancreatitis has gained ground over the surgical alternative in the last few years. The lower aggressiveness of endoscopic treatment, as well as the possibility to use it repeatedly in high-risk patients, has favored this development. In addition, the incorporation of new, highly accurate endoscopic therapeutic options such as pancreatoscopy-guided lithotripsy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided treatments make endoscopic treatment the first choice in many cases, despite discordant data in the literature. This article reviews the endoscopic treatment of the most common local complications of chronic pancreatitis, such as pancreatolithiasis, pseudocysts, and pancreatic, biliary, and duodenal ductal stenosis.

СПОСОБ ПРОЕКТИРОВАНИЯ ХИРУРГИЧЕСКОГО ДОСТУПА ДЛЯ АДРЕНАЛЭКТОМИИ ПРИ ПОМОЩИ 3D-МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЯ

In the literature, insufficient attention is paid to the preoperative planning of the approach to adrenal glands using the modern capabilities of computed tomography (CT) navigation. The aim of the work was to demonstrate the possibilities of designing safe access for adrenalectomy using three-dimensional printed models based on preoperative CT data. The possibilities of preoperative access design for edrenalectomy were studied in 362 adrenal tumor patients who underwent CT imaging on Aquillion 64 (Toshiba, Japan), followed by post-processor image processing, construction of multi-plane and 3D reconstructions. All patients were divided into retrospective (n=157) and prospective (n=205) groups. In 3 clinical cases, preoperative access design was supplemented by the creation of a three-dimensional printed model of the adrenal gland with a tumor using the Slicer 4.10.1 software. Reliable anthropometric (body mass index, body shape) and CT-criteria for designing surgical access to the left and right adrenals were determined: diameter of formation; tumor syntopy in relation to the walls of the inferior vena cava; the length of the central adrenal vein and the place where it flows into the inferior vena cava; the location of the tumor relative to the inferior vein of the right lobe of the liver, as well as relative to the gate of the right kidney; location near the aortic-renal vascular triangle, gate of the left kidney and spleen vessels. Three patients with a borderline number of risk criteria for the development of vascular complications associated with the technical difficulties of adrenalectomy (for right adrenals≥4, for left adrenals≥3) underwent CT-segmentation of images with the subsequent creation of three-dimensional plates - a model of an NP tumor with neighboring organs and vessels. Preoperative CT design of the approach, taking into account the risk criteria for complications and the use of 3-D printed models, can reasonably apply endoscopic and open options for adrenalectomy, significantly improving the immediate results of treatment of patients.