Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: a narrative review on historical evolution, physiology, outcomes, and future standpoints

Abstract. Since its first description in 2013, robust evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) has been on the rise. A large case series and meta-analysis report supported results up to 24 months, while some other studies already described 5-year data. If associated with pharmacotherapy, the ESG may help one to achieve weight loss similar to that of surgical sleeve gastrectomy. Though the results of the ongoing randomized trials on ESG are awaited, currently available data support the clinical use of the ESG, especially for patients who are refusing or unfit for bariatric surgery

Palliative therapy for malignant gastric outlet obstruction: how does the endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy compare with surgery and endoscopic stenting? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The gold-standard procedure to address malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO) is surgical gastrojejunostomy (SGJJ). Two endoscopic alternatives have also been proposed: the endoscopic stenting (ES) and the endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-G). This study aimed to perform a thorough and strict meta-analysis to compare EUS-G with the SGJJ and ES in treating patients with MGOO. Materials and Methods: Studies comparing EUS-G to endoscopic stenting or SGJJ for patients with MGOO were considered eligible. We conducted online searches in primary databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Lilacs, and Central Cochrane) from inception through October 2021. The outcomes were technical and clinical success rates, serious adverse events (SAEs), reintervention due to obstruction, length of hospital stay (LOS), and time to oral intake. Results: We found similar technical success rates between ES and EUS-G but clinical success rates favored the latter. The comparison between EUS-G and SGJJ demonstrated better technical success rates in favor of the surgical approach but similar clinical success rates. EUS-G shortens the LOS by 2.8 days compared with ES and 5.8 days compared with SGJJ. Concerning reintervention due to obstruction, we found similar rates for EUS-G and SGJJ but considerably higher rates for ES compared with EUS-G. As to AEs, we demonstrated equivalent rates comparing EUS-G and SGJJ but significantly higher ones compared with ES. Conclusion: Despite being novel and still under refinement, the EUS-G has good safety and efficacy profiles compared with SGJJ and ES

BEST POLYPECTOMY TECHNIQUE FOR SMALL AND DIMINUTIVE COLORECTAL POLYPS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Polypectomy of colorectal polyps is the mainstay of colorectal cancer prevention. Identification of the best polypectomy technique is imperative. OBJECTIVE: This review aims at comparing efficacy of nine different resection methods for small colorectal polyps (0.05). Regarding cold polypectomy techniques, cold snare was found superior to cold forceps on complete and en-bloc resection rates and less time consuming. When comparing endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with hot-snare and cold-snare, the latter showed no-inferiority on histological eradication, adverse events or retrieval tissue failure rates. CONCLUSION: Cold polypectomy is the best technique for resection of small colorectal polyps. Among cold methods, dedicated cold snare was found superior on histological eradication. Cold snare endoscopic mucosal resection might be considered an option for polyps from 5 to 9 mm

LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP AFTER TRANSORAL OUTLET REDUCTION FOR WEIGHT REGAIN AFTER ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS: BACK TO STAGE 0?

Background and study aim: Significant weight regain affects up to a third of patients after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and demands treatment. The transoral outlet reduction (TORe) with Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) alone or APC plus full-thickness suturing TORe (APC-FTS) is effective in the short. However, no study has investigated the course of the gastrojejunostomy (GJ) or quality of life (QOL) data after the first post-procedural year. Patients and methods: Patients eligible for a 36-month follow-up visit after TORe underwent upper GI endoscopy with measurement of the GJ and answered QOL questionnaires (RAND-36). The primary aim was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of TORe, including weight loss, QOL, and GJA size. Comparisons between APC and APC-FTS TORe were a secondary aim. Results: Among 39 eligible patients, 29 returned for the 3-year follow-up visit. There were no significant differences in demographics between APC and APC-FTS TORe groups. At 3 years, patients from both groups regained all the weight lost at 12 months, and the GJ diameter was similar to the pre-procedure assessment. As to QOL, most improvements seen at 12 months were lost at 3 years, returning to preprocedural levels. Only the energy/fatigue domain improvement was kept between the one and 3-year visits. Conclusions: Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease. Most effects of TORe are lost at 3 years, and redilation of the GJA occurs. Therefore, TORe should be considered an iterant rather than a one-off procedure