Endoscopic transmural necrosectomy for walled-off pancreatic necrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND:

Endoscopic transmural necrosectomy (ETN) is emerging as a viable treatment option for walled-off pancreatic necrosis. This NOTES-type procedure is significantly less invasive than an extensive surgical debridement; however, published data regarding the success of ETN in treating pancreatic necrosis have varied.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the published medical literature to determine the success of treating walled-off pancreatic necrosis with ETN.

METHODS:

Studies using ETN as a primary mode of therapy to treat organized pancreatic necrosis were selected. Success was defined as resolution of the necrotic cavity proven by radiology. Articles were searched in Medline, PubMed, Ovid journals, CINAH, old Medline, Medline nonindexed citations and the Cochrane controlled trials registry. The summary estimates were expressed as pooled proportions. First, the individual study proportions were transformed into a quantity using Freeman-Tukey variant of the arcsine square root transformed proportion. The pooled proportion was calculated as the back-transform of the weighted mean of the transformed proportions, using inverse arcsine variance weights for the fixed-effects model and DerSimonian-Laird weights for the random-effects model. Publication bias was calculated using the Begg-Mazumdar and Harbord bias estimators.

RESULTS:

The initial search identified 920 reference articles, of which 129 relevant articles were selected and reviewed. Data were extracted from eight studies (n=233) that met the inclusion criteria. Organization of pancreatic necrosis was determined by computed tomography scan in all of the studies. The mean time of ETN after onset of acute pancreatitis/abdominal pain was seven weeks. The weighted mean size of the necrotic cavity was 12.87 cm (95% CI 10.54 cm to 15.20 cm). The weighted mean number of endoscopic procedures needed to resolve the necrotic cavity was 4.09 (95% CI 2.31 to 5.87). Pooled proportion of successful resolution of pancreatic necrosis using ETN was 81.84% (95% CI 76.73% to 86.44%). The pooled proportion of recurrence in the form of necrotic cavity or pseudocyst after ETN was 10.88% (95% CI 7.27% to 15.11%). Complications were noted in 21.33% (95% CI 16.40% to 26.72%) of patients and included bleeding, sepsis and perforation. The weighted mean number of days in hospital after ETN was 32.85 days (95% CI 10.50 to 55.20 days). For pancreatic necrosis that did not resolve, surgery had to be performed in 12.98% (95% CI 9.05% to 17.51%) of patients. The fixed-effect model was used to report all of the pooled proportions. Estimates calculated using fixedand random-effects models were similar. Test of heterogeneity yielded P>0.10, indicating that the studies could be combined. The publication bias calculated using Begg-Mazumdar bias indicator yielded a Kendall’s tau b value of −0.07 (P=0.72) and the same using Harbord bias indicator gave a value of 0.33 (95% CI −1.35 to 2.01; P=0.60). Both of these indicators show that there was no publication bias.

CONCLUSION:

The present meta-analysis showed that ETN is safe and effective at treating patients with symptomatic walled-off necrosis. ETN offers the advantage of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment without transabdominal surgery; however, better techniques and equipment are still needed to improve procedural efficiency. Decisions to perform ETN should be made by advanced endoscopists in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team with the facilities and personnel to manage these complex patients.     

Conocimiento sobre la infección por SARS-CoV-2 de Gastroenterólogos y Endoscopistas de Latino América

IntroductionAfter the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, the number of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has increased exponentially, and gastroenterologists and other specialists most likely will be involved in the care of those patients.AimTo evaluate the knowledge Latin American gastroenterologists and endoscopists (staff physicians and residents) have about the characteristics of COVID-19, as well as the prevention measures to be taken during endoscopic procedures.Materials and methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study that included gastroenterologists and endoscopists from 9 Latin American countries. An electronic questionnaire was applied that was designed to evaluate the knowledge of symptoms, risk groups for severe disease, prevention measures, and the reprocessing of endoscopes utilized in patients with COVID-19.ResultsInformation was obtained from 133 physicians. Ninety-five percent of them correctly identified the most frequent symptoms of the virus, and 60% identified the 3 risk groups for severe disease. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed did not consider it necessary to use standard precautions during endoscopic procedures, and 30% did not consider contact precautions necessary. Forty-eight percent of the participants surveyed were not familiar with the protocol for reprocessing the endoscopes utilized in patients with COVID-19.ConclusionThe majority of the gastroenterologists and endoscopists surveyed were familiar with the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and the populations at risk for complications. There was a lack of knowledge about prevention measures (during clinical care and endoscopic procedures) and the reprocessing of endoscopic equipment by 70% and 48%, respectively, of those surveyed. Dissemination and teaching strategies that increase the knowledge of specific biosafety measures must be carried out.     

Overview of guidance for endoscopy during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

From its beginning in December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has spread globally from Wuhan and is now declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The sheer scale and severity of this pandemic is unprecedented in the modern era. Although primarily a respiratory tract infection transmitted by direct contact and droplets, during aerosol-generating procedures, there is a possibility of airborne transmission. In addition, emerging evidence suggests possible fecal–oral spread of the virus. Clinical departments that perform endoscopy are faced with daunting challenges during this pandemic. To date, multiple position statements and guidelines have been issued by various professional organizations to recommend practices in endoscopic procedures. This article aims to summarize and discuss available evidence for these practices, to provide guidance for endoscopy to enhance patient safety, avoid nosocomial outbreaks, protect healthcare personnel, and ensure rational use of personal protective equipment. Responses adapted to national recommendations and local infection control guidelines and tailored to the availability of medical resources are imminently needed to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.     

内镜室护士医院感染的危险因素分析及防护措施

目的分析内镜室护士医院感染的危险因素,提出针对性的防护措施。方法对本市3家三级医院内镜室护士11名,发放自行设计的医院感染调查问卷、自我防护调查问卷进行调查,统计医院感染的危险因素,包括体液污染、排泄物污染、血液污染、锐器损伤发生频次,自我防护情况,包括自我防护等级和个人防护意义等。结果本市3家医院内镜室2013年1月共进行胃镜、结肠镜、十二指肠镜和支气管镜1 110例次,随机抽查436例,不同级别防护职业暴露发生率比较差异具有统计学意义（F=5.2614、4.2615、4.6251、4.0123,P均〈0.05）。6名主管护师职称体液污染、排泄物污染、血液污染和锐器损伤分别为0.92、0.69、0.00和0.23例次,显著低于护师及护士,不同职称职业暴露例次比较差异具有统计学意义（P均〈0.05）。11名护士防护不当后果知晓率为90.90%,职业暴露处理方法知晓率为63.63%,高危操作防护知晓率为72.73%,标准预防内容知晓率为54.55%,主管护师职称各项知晓率显著高于护师及护士,两组比较差异具有统计学意义（χ^2=6.2053、21.5647、12.4851、15.0314,P均〈0.05）。结论内镜室护士职业暴露发生率较高,部分护师和护士防护意识较差,因此,提高认识、强化内镜室护士防护管理,对降低医院感染具有重要意义。     

A case of a bleeding benign gastrocolic fistula in 2014

INTRODUCTION

In the era of proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, the incidence of a gastrocolic fistula arising from unoperated gastric ulcers is extremely low.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We present the case of a 68-year old farmer who presented with melaena and was found to have a benign gastrocolic fistula in the setting of untreated peptic ulcer disease, chronic NSAID ingestion and heavy alcohol intake. The diagnosis was made by gastroscopy. En bloc surgery was undertaken due to the size of the fistula and concomitant significant bleeding of the ulcer which would not have made it amenable to medical management.

DISCUSSION

The symptoms of a gastrocolic fistula are undifferentiated and the diagnosis can easily be missed in the setting of other complications such as bleeding or perforation of a hollow viscus. Barium enamas are the most accurate for the diagnosis but gastroscopy with biopsy is usually performed to rule out malignancy. The mainstay of treatment is usually surgical, though patients can be medically managed if he/she is not a surgical candidate.

CONCLUSION

Benign gastrocolic fistulas are rare and its diagnosis is easily missed.     

经横突间入路显微内窥镜下髓核摘除术治疗极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症

目的：探讨经横突间入路显微内窥镜下髓核摘除（MED）治疗极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症的临床效果。方法：对2005年2月至2010年2月经横突间入路显微内窥镜下髓核摘除治疗的极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症73例患者进行回顾性分析,其中男41例,女32例;年龄19-80岁,平均56.5岁;病程1-25个月,平均4.5个月。突出间隙：L3,49例,L4,549例,L5S115例。记录术前、术后2周及末次随访时疼痛强度视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scale,VAS）,评估患者疼痛缓解情况。采用Oswestry功能障碍指数（Oswestry Disability Index,ODI）评价患者术前和末次随访时躯体功能、行走能力等总体生活质量。结果：所有患者手术顺利完成,手术时间40-115 min,平均50 min;出血量50-150 ml,平均110 ml;切口感染1例,神经根不完全损伤1例。73例均获随访,时间3-8年,平均4.5年。术后VAS及ODI分值均较术前有明显改善（P〈0.01）。结论：经横突间入路显微内窥镜下髓核摘除术是治疗极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症有效可行的方法。     

Sialendoscopy-assisted transfacial surgical removal of parotid stones

Minimally invasive surgical approaches to parotid stones (such as extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy and sialendoscopy) have proved to be effective in a high percentage of cases, although success depends on factors such as the localisation of the stone, its size and its mobility. The failure rate of 10% is largely due to large and impacted stones and, in such cases, a combined external and sialendoscopic approach can be used to avoid morbidity and the risks of more invasive superficial parotidectomy. We treated eight patients with large parotid stones (>7 mm) using a sialendoscopy-assisted transfacial surgical approach that was effective in all but one case, which was successfully solved by combining this procedure with extra-corporeal lithotripsy and operative sialendoscopy. Our results confirm that the combined approach is a valid alternative to parotidectomy for large parotid stones and should be added to other minimally invasive techniques aimed at restoring the function of the affected parotid gland.     

Focal intrahepatic strictures: A proposal classification based on diagnosis-treatment experience and systemic review

BACKGROUNDFocal intrahepatic strictures (FIHS) refer to local strictures of the small and medium intrahepatic bile ducts. FIHS are easily misdiagnosed due to their rare incidence, and few studies have focused on the diagnosis and treatment approaches.AIMTo propose a new classification for FIHS in order to guide its diagnosis and treatment.METHODSThe symptoms, biochemistry results, imaging results, endoscopic examination results and initial and final diagnoses of 6 patients with FIHS admitted between January 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTSThe 6 patients were diagnosed with intratubular growth-type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IG-ICC), recurrent multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (rmHCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT), adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), hepatolithiasis, small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis (SD-PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The initial and final diagnoses were not consistent in 4 patients. Hepatectomy was performed in patients with IG-ICC, ASC and hepatolithiasis according to the locations of their FIHS. Patients with rmHCC with BDTT received lenvatinib/sintilimab, while patients with SD-PSC and AIH received UDCA. We proposed the following classification system for FIHS: type I: FIHS located within one segment of the liver; type II: FIHS located at the confluence of the bile ducts of one segment or two adjacent segments; type III: FIHS connected to the left or right hepatic duct; and type IV: Multiple FIHS located in both lobes of the liver.CONCLUSIONOur proposed classification system might help to guide the diagnosis and treatment of FIHS. Hepatectomy should be performed not only for malignant FIHS but also for benign strictures with severe secondary damage that cannot be improved by nonsurgical methods.