Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy for the Management of Achalasia in a Patient with Prior Lap Band, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Introduction: Achalasia after bariatric surgery is a rare pathological entity. Nonetheless, several cases have been described in literature. Per oral endoscopic myotomy has recently emerged as the preferred approach for the management of esophageal motility disorders. Material and Methods: We report a video case of POEM performed in a female patient with prior multiple bariatric surgical procedures. In her past medical history, she underwent to laparoscopic lap band, sleeve gastrectomy, and Roux-Y-gastric bypass. Results: POEM was carried out without complication. Myotomy was performed only for 1 cm below the cardias due to the presence of the gastro-jejunal anastomosis. Post-operative course was uneventful and oral diet was restarted after one day. At 2 months follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic with no weight regain. Conclusion: We report the first case of POEM after three different bariatric surgical procedure. Fibrosis due to prior interventions did not hampered POEM procedure, and the shorter myotomy due to the presence of small gastric pouch did not reduced its efficacy

Anesthesia for Advanced Endoscopic Procedures

The gastrointestinal endoscopy paradigm is rapidly changing, and technological advancements are largely responsible. In tandem, anesthesia providers are adapting to the changing needs and demands. The challenges are unique. Complications arising from the procedures are both routine, such as aspiration and hypoxia, and procedure specific, such as bleeding, pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, and pneumoperitoneum. It is crucial for the anesthesia provider to have a good understanding of the techniques employed by the endoscopist. A higher index of suspicion is also essential to diagnose and appropriately manage many of the complications. In this review, an effort is made to discuss both procedural aspects and anesthesia challenges. We hope that both endoscopists and anesthesia providers will benefit from this review

European Guideline on Achalasia - UEG and ESNM recommendations

Altres ajuts: These guidelines have been developed and funded within the United European Gastroenterology.Achalasia is a primary motor disorder of the oesophagus characterised by absence of peristalsis and insufficient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation. With new advances and developments in achalasia management, there is an increasing demand for comprehensive evidence-based guidelines to assist clinicians in achalasia patient care. Guidelines were established by a working group of representatives from United European Gastroenterology, European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology, and the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery in accordance with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. A systematic review of the literature was performed and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Recommendations were voted upon using a nominal group technique. These guidelines focus on the definition of achalasia, treatment aims, diagnostic tests, medical, endoscopic and surgical therapy, management of treatment failure, follow-up and oesophageal cancer risk. These multidisciplinary guidelines provide a comprehensive evidence-based framework with recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of adult achalasia patients

Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery of the GastroIntestinal Tract

Research Focus - NOTES is a new technique that faces numerous challenges. Current technology, training and research activities are conducted to make it a safe and effective minimal access technique

Innovaciones y nuevas tecnologías en cirugía gastrointestinal

Introduction. Innovations in surgery have advanced significantly in the last decade. The new technologies in minimally invasive surgery, including robotics, advanced endoscopy, and the progress in artificial intelligence and machine learning are impacting gastrointestinal surgery and medicine. These technologies have been available since 1956, and in the early 1970’s, they were implemented for first time with the Mycin system, which was developed to detect infectious diseases in blood. Objective. To describe the experiences of new technology innovations in surgery, in terms of novel interventions, development of devices, and the process of adopting these technologies in the clinical practice. Methodology. Personal reflections about the process of adopting new technologies in surgery and its future implications, documented from my perspective as an academic surgeon. Results and discussion. This article summarizes the most relevant advances in the field of gastrointestinal surgery during the last decade. Conclusions. Adopting a culture of innovation in surgery involves knowledge of the process, technical resources available to support initiatives, access to mentors or tutors, and support services.Introducción. Las innovaciones en cirugía han avanzado significativamente en la última década. Las nuevas tecnologías en cirugía mínimamente invasiva, incluida la robótica, la endoscopia avanzada, el progreso en inteligencia artificial y el aprendizaje automático están impactando en la medicina y la cirugía gastrointestinal. Estas tecnologías existen desde 1956, y en la década de 1970 se implementó por primera vez en el sector salud con el denominado Mycin, un sistema orientado a la detección de enfermedades infecciosas en la sangre. Objetivo. Describir las experiencias de nuevas innovaciones tecnológicas en cirugía, en términos de intervenciones novedosas, el desarrollo de dispositivos, la incorporación de las innovaciones en la práctica clínica y las implicaciones hacia el futuro. Metodología. A partir de la experiencia como cirujano académico al incorporar las nuevas tecnologías en cirugía, se documentan las reflexiones sobre el proceso de adaptación de nuevas tecnologías en cirugía y su implicación en el futuro. Resultados y discusión. Este articulo resume los avances más relevantes en el campo de la cirugía gastrointestinal en la última década. Conclusiones. La adopción de una cultura de innovación en cirugía implica conocimiento del proceso, recursos técnicos disponibles para respaldar las iniciativas, acceso a mentores o tutores y servicios de apoyo

Submucosal Tunnel Endoscopic Resection of Gastric Lesion Before Obesity Surgery: a Case Series

Background: Submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the gastrointestinal tract are a rare pathological entity comprising a wide variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. Even if most SMTs are benign tumors (e.g., leiomyomas), a smaller portion may have a malignant potential (e.g., gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)). Preoperative diagnosis of SMT in bariatric patients may arise challenging clinical dilemmas. Long-term surveillance may be difficult after bariatric surgery. Moreover, according to SMT location, its presence may interfere with planned surgery. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) has emerged as an effective approach for minimally invasive en bloc excision of SMTs. This is the first case series of STER for SMTs before bariatric surgery. Methods: Seven female patients underwent STER for removal of SMTs before bariatric surgery. All lesions were incidentally diagnosed at preoperative endoscopy. STER procedural steps comprised mucosal incision, submucosal tunneling, lesion enucleation, and closure of mucosal defect. Results: En bloc removal of SMT was achieved in all cases. Mean procedural time was of 45 min (SD 18.6). No adverse event occurred. Mean size of the lesions was 20.6 mm (SD 5.8). Histological diagnoses were 5 leyomiomas, 1 lipoma, and 1 low grade GIST. Bariatric procedure was performed after a mean period of 4.1 months (SD 1.6) from endoscopic resection. Conclusion: STER is a safe and effective treatment for the management of SMT even in bariatric patients awaiting surgery. Preoperative endoscopic resection of SMTs has the advantages of reducing the need for surveillance and removing lesions that could interfere with planned surgery. STER did not altered accomplishment of bariatric procedures

Risk Factors for Progression of Barrett’s Esophagus to High Grade Dysplasia and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is the only known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Methods of identifying BE patients at high risk for progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or EAC are needed to improve outcomes and identify who will benefit most from intensive surveillance or ablative therapy. Clinical predictors of BE progression to HGD or EAC are poorly understood, with multiple contradictory studies. We performed a retrospective study included 460 patients at Johns Hopkins Hospital who underwent at least 2 upper endoscopies 6 months apart showing biopsy-documented BE between 1992 and 2013. Patients with EAC or HGD at the initial endoscopy were excluded. Demographic, clinicopathological, and endoscopic data were collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses with time to progression to HGD and EAC were performed. Among 460 patients included in the study, 132 BE patients ultimately progressed to HGD and 62 developed EAC. Two hundreds and seventy two (272) BE patients did not progress to dysplasia or EAC. Significant EAC risk factors included age, abdominal obesity, caffeine intake, and the presence of HGD. Risk factors for HGD or EAC included age, caffeine intake, and low-grade dysplasia while colonic adenomas trended towards significance. Notably, a history of statin or SSRI usage reduced the risk of EAC or HGD by 49% or 61%, respectively. In sum, our study validated several known and identified several novel risk factors, including a history of colonic adenomas or caffeine usage. Low-grade dysplasia (LGD) was a risk factor for progression but various endoscopic characteristics were not, suggesting that screening strategies should focus on histology instead. We identified SSRIs as a new potential chemoprotective medication

Dietary and Nutritional Support in Gastrointestinal Diseases of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract (I): Esophagus

The esophagus is the centerpiece of the digestive system of individuals and plays an essential role in transporting swallowed nutrients to the stomach. Diseases of the esophagus can alter this mechanism either by causing anatomical damage that obstructs the lumen of the organ (e.g., peptic, or eosinophilic stricture) or by generating severe motility disorders that impair the progression of the alimentary bolus (e.g., severe dysphagia of neurological origin or achalasia). In all cases, nutrient assimilation may be compromised. In some cases (e.g., ingestion of corrosive agents), a hypercatabolic state is generated, which increases resting energy expenditure. This manuscript reviews current clinical guidelines on the dietary and nutritional management of esophageal disorders such as severe oropharyngeal dysphagia, achalasia, eosinophilic esophagitis, lesions by caustics, and gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications (Barrett’s esophagus and adenocarcinoma). The importance of nutritional support in improving outcomes is also highlighted