Single vs Repeated Treatment with the Intragastric Balloon: A 5-Year Weight Loss Study

Background: Saline-filled intragastric balloons (IB) may be inserted for 6months to promote weight loss. We aimed to assess potential benefits of repeating IB therapy. Methods: One hundred eighteen consecutive subjects (median body mass index, 34.0kg/m2; interquartile range [IQR], 31.2-36.9) treated with IB were included in a prospective non-randomized multicenter study. Results: Nineteen (16%) subjects had repeat IB therapy at their own request, either to prolong first treatment (n = 8) or after a IB-free interval (n = 11). Higher weight loss 3months after first IB insertion independently predicted repeat therapy (P = 0.008). Median weight loss in subjects who had repeat therapy was lower with second vs first IB (9.0 vs 14.6kg; 30.4% vs 49.3% excess weight [EW]; P = 0.003). Compared to subjects with single treatment (n = 99), those with repeat treatment (n = 19) had greater weight loss at first IB extraction (14.6 vs 11.0kg; 49.3% vs 30.7% EW; P = 0.026) and 1year later (12.0 vs 6.0kg; 40.9% vs 20.8% EW; P = 0.008) but the difference became less than 2kg starting at 3years. At final follow-up (4.9years; IQR, 3.4-6.7), the whole subject population had lost a median of 2.0kg (IQR, −3.0 to 10.3) or 6.2% EW (IQR, −8.1 to 31.6) and identical proportions of subjects with single/repeat treatment had ≥10% baseline weight loss (26%) or bariatric surgery (32%). Conclusion: Higher weight loss at 3months independently predicted repeat IB therapy; weight loss with the second IB was lower compared to first IB. Repeat treatment had no effect on proportions of subjects with ≥10% baseline weight loss or bariatric surgery at final follow-u

International multicenter expert survey on endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks

Background and study aims: A variety of endoscopic techniques are currently available for treatment of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) anastomotic leaks; however, no definite consensus exists on the most appropriate therapeutic approach. Our aim was to explore current management of UGI anastomotic leaks. Methods: A survey questionnaire was distributed among international expert therapeutic endoscopists regarding management of UGI anastomotic leaks. Results: A total of 44 % of 163 surveys were returned; 69 % were from gastroenterologists and 56 % had > 10 years of experience. A third of respondents treat between 10 and 19 patients annually. Fifty-six percent use fully-covered self-expandable metal stents as their usual first option; 80% use techniques to minimize migration; 4 weeks was the most common reported stent dwell time. Sixty percent perform epithelial ablation prior to over-the-scope-clip placement or suturing. Regarding endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT), 56 % perform balloon dilation and intracavitary EVT in patients with large cavities but small leak defects. Regarding endoscopic septotomy, 56 % consider a minimal interval of 4 weeks from surgery and 90 % consider the need to perform further sessions. Regarding endoscopic internal drainage (EID), placement of two stents and shorter stents is preferred. Persistent inflammation with clinical sepsis was the definition most commonly reported for endoscopic failure. EVT/stent placement and EVT/EID were the therapeutic options most often chosen in patients with previous oncologic surgery and previous bariatric surgery, respectively. Conclusions: There is a wide variation in the management of patients with UGI anastomotic leaks. Future prospective studies are needed to move from an expert- to evidence- and personalization-based care

Second-generation colon capsule endoscopy compared with colonoscopy

Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) represents a noninvasive technology that allows visualization of the colon without requiring sedation and air insufflation. A second-generation colon capsule endoscopy system (PillCam Colon 2) (CCE-2) was developed to increase sensitivity for colorectal polyp detection compared with the first-generation system. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of CCE-2 in a head-to-head comparison with colonoscopy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, multicenter trial including 8 European sites. PATIENTS: This study involved 117 patients (mean age 60 years). Data from 109 patients were analyzed. INTERVENTION: CCE-2 was prospectively compared with conventional colonoscopy as the criterion standard for the detection of colorectal polyps that are >/=6 mm or masses in a cohort of patients at average or increased risk of colorectal neoplasia. Colonoscopy was independently performed within 10 hours after capsule ingestion or on the next day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: CCE-2 sensitivity and specificity for detecting patients with polyps >/=6 mm and >/=10 mm were assessed. Capsule-positive but colonoscopy-negative cases were counted as false positive. Capsule excretion rate, level of bowel preparation, and rate of adverse events also were assessed. RESULTS: Per-patient CCE-2 sensitivity for polyps >/=6 mm and >/=10 mm was 84% and 88%, with specificities of 64% and 95%, respectively. All 3 invasive carcinomas were detected by CCE-2. The capsule excretion rate was 88% within 10 hours. Overall colon cleanliness for CCE-2 was adequate in 81% of patients. LIMITATIONS: Not unblinding the CCE-2 results at colonoscopy; heterogenous patient population; nonconsecutive patients. CONCLUSION: In this European, multicenter study, CCE-2 appeared to have a high sensitivity for the detection of clinically relevant polypoid lesions, and it might be considered an adequate tool for colorectal imaging

Evaluation of Fujinon intelligent chromo endoscopy-assisted capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastroenterology bleeding

AIM: To investigate the potential benefit of Fujinon intelligent chromo endoscopy (FICE)-assisted small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) for detection and characterization of small bowel lesions in patients with obscure gastroenterology bleeding (OGIB)

Carbon dioxide for gut distension during digestive endoscopy: Technique and practice survey

AIM: To assess the adoption of Carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation by endoscopists from various European countries, and its determinants