Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic, progressive, and costly medical condition affecting a substantial proportion of the world population, predominantly the Western population. The available treatment options for patients with refractory GERD symptoms are limited to either laparoscopic surgery with significant sequelae or potentially lifelong, high-dose proton pump inhibitor therapy. The restoration of the antireflux competence of the gastroesophageal junction at the anatomic and physiologic levels is critical for the effective long-term treatment of GERD. Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) surgery is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment that has yielded significant symptomatic improvement in patients with medically refractory GERD symptoms. In this review article, we have summarized case series and reports describing the role of TIF for patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The reported indications, techniques, complications, and success rates are also discussed.
Esophagogastric Junction ; Fundoplication* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mental Competency ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps

Advances in diagnostic modalities and improvement in surveillance programs for Barrett esophagus has resulted in an increase in the incidence of superficial esophageal cancers (SECs). SEC, due to their limited metastatic potential, are amenable to non-invasive treatment modalities. Endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are some of the new modalities that gastroenterologists have used over the last decade to diagnose and treat SEC. However, esophageal stricture (ES) is a very common complication and a major cause of morbidity post-ESD. In the past few years, there has been a tremendous effort to reduce the incidence of ES among patients undergoing ESD. Steroids have shown the most consistent results over time with minimal complications although the preferred mode of delivery is debatable, with both systemic and local therapy having pros and cons for specific subgroups of patients. Newer modalities such as esophageal stents, autologous cell sheet transplantation, polyglycolic acid, and tranilast have shown promising results but the depth of experience with these methods is still limited. We have summarized case reports, prospective single center studies, and randomized controlled trials describing the various methods intended to reduce the incidence of ES after ESD. Indications, techniques, outcomes, limitations, and reported complications are discussed.
Barrett Esophagus ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophageal Stenosis* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Prospective Studies ; Stents ; Steroids ; Ultrasonography

Self-expanding metal stents play a crucial role in the management of patients with biliary obstruction. Endoscopic extraction of uncovered metal stents (UCMSs) and partially covered metal stents (PCMSs) could be challenging because of tissue ingrowth. No standardized technique can guarantee universal success. We present our technique and experience of endoscopic extraction of biliary stents in two patients with a UCMS and three patients with a PCMS. Three of the five patients had a previous failed attempt of stent extraction at an outside hospital. Overall, our composite success rate was 80% (4/5). The individual success rate was 100% (3/3) for PCMSs and 50% (1/2) for UCMSs. The stent-in-stent technique, in which a fully covered metal stent is placed through an existing UCMS/PCMS, was used in 60% (3/5) of the cases, with a success rate of 66.7% (2/3). We share our algorithmic approach to each case, with detailed emphasis on the technical aspects of the procedure.

Self-expanding metal stents play a crucial role in the management of patients with biliary obstruction. Endoscopic extraction of uncovered metal stents (UCMSs) and partially covered metal stents (PCMSs) could be challenging because of tissue ingrowth. No standardized technique can guarantee universal success. We present our technique and experience of endoscopic extraction of biliary stents in two patients with a UCMS and three patients with a PCMS. Three of the five patients had a previous failed attempt of stent extraction at an outside hospital. Overall, our composite success rate was 80% (4/5). The individual success rate was 100% (3/3) for PCMSs and 50% (1/2) for UCMSs. The stent-in-stent technique, in which a fully covered metal stent is placed through an existing UCMS/PCMS, was used in 60% (3/5) of the cases, with a success rate of 66.7% (2/3). We share our algorithmic approach to each case, with detailed emphasis on the technical aspects of the procedure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is lack of consensus on the optimal time allotted for colonoscopy, which increases patient wait times. Our aim was to identify and quantify the individual pre-procedural factors that determine the total procedure time (TPT) of colonoscopy. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 4,494 subjects, undergoing outpatient colonoscopy. Effects of age, sex, body mass index, abdominal surgery history, procedure indication (screening, surveillance, or diagnostic), procedure session (morning or afternoon), and endoscopist’s experience (fellow or attending) on TPT were evaluated using multiple regression analysis. A p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 1,239 subjects satisfied the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Women, older individuals, and those with a history of abdominal surgery were found to have a shorter TPT (p>0.05) as did afternoon session colonoscopies (p=0.004). Less experienced endoscopists had longer TPTs (p>0.05). Screening (p=0.01) and surveillance (p=0.008) colonoscopies had a longer TPT than diagnostic procedures. Overall, the F-value of the regression model was 0.0009. CONCLUSIONS: The indication for colonoscopy and the time of day have statistically significant associations with TPT. These results will help in streamlining workflow, reduce wait time, and improve patient satisfaction.
Body Mass Index ; Colonoscopy* ; Consensus ; Female ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Outpatients ; Patient Satisfaction ; Quality Improvement* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity is a much-debated factor with conflicting evidence regarding its association with cecum intubation rates during colonoscopy. We aimed to identify the association between cecal intubation (CI) time and obesity by eliminating confounding factors. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of subjects undergoing outpatient colonoscopy was conducted. The population was categorized by sex and obesity (body mass index [BMI, kg/m2]: I, <24.9; II, 25 to 29.9; III, ≥30). CI time was used as a marker for a difficult colonoscopy. Mean CI times (MCT) were compared for statistical significance using analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: A total of 926 subjects were included. Overall MCT was 15.7±7.9 minutes, and it was 15.9±7.9 and 15.5±7.9 minutes for men and women, respectively. MCT among women for BMI category I, II, and III was 14.4±6.5, 15.5±8.3, and 16.2±8.1 minutes (p=0.55), whereas for men, it was 16.3±8.9, 15.9±8.0, and 15.6±7.2 minutes (p=0.95), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BMI had a positive association with CI time for women, but had a negative association with CI for men.
Cecum ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Gender Identity ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Male ; Obesity* ; Outpatients ; Retrospective Studies

Splenic hemorrhage (hematoma and rupture) is a rare complication of pancreatitis. In this article, we present a rare case of spontaneous splenic rupture as a complication of acute pancreatitis. A literature review was also completed to describe the patient characteristics, associated pancreatitis etiology, clinical presentations, risk factors, diagnostic and treatment modalities, and outcomes.

Obesity is a growing pandemic across the world. Dietary restrictions and behavior modifications alone have a limited benefit. Bariatric surgery, despite being the current gold standard, has limited acceptance by patients due to cost and associated morbidity. In our review, we have discussed nine original studies describing endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). A total of 172 subjects successfully underwent ESG. Of 65 subjects with follow up data, 95.4% (62/65) had intact gastric sleeve confirmed via esophagogastroduodenoscopy or oral contrast study at the end of study specific follow up interval (the longest being 6 months). Individual studies reported a technical success rate for intact gastric sleeve from as low as 50% to as high as 100%. A statistically significant p < 0.05) weight loss was reported in seven of the eight studies with available data. None of the patients experienced any intra-procedure complications, and approximately 2.3% (4/172) of patients experienced major post-procedure complications; however, no mortality was reported. Majority of the studies reported relatively high incidence of minor post-procedure complications, which improved with symptomatic treatment alone. Good patient tolerance with comparable clinical efficacy in achieving and sustaining desired weight loss makes ESG an attractive option to consider among other bariatric therapies.
Bariatric Surgery ; Behavior Therapy ; Body Mass Index ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroplasty* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Obesity* ; Pandemics ; Treatment Outcome ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stress echocardiography is the current standard for cardiac risk stratification of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We aim to evaluate the role of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in predicting perioperative major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in patients undergoing OLT. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study including 144 OLT patients. Of 144 patients, 118 had DSE. MACE included myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), cardiovascular and all-cause death 1 year after OLT. RESULTS: Our study cohort included 118 patients. The mean age was 57.3±8.2 years (range, 25–72 years). There were 85 men and 33 women, male to female ratio being 2.6:1. Of 118, 15 (13%) had positive DSE and 103 (87%) had negative DSE. Perioperative MACE incidence was 5.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–12.3%). In predicting MACE, DSE had sensitivity of 5.6% (95% CI, 0.2–29.4%), specificity 86% (95% CI, 77.3–91.9%), positive predictive value 6.7% (95% CI, 0.3–33.4%), and negative predictive value (NPV) 83.5% (95% CI, 74.6–89.8%). Eighteen patients had MACE in first year post OLT (15%, 95% CI, 9.5–23.3%). Adverse events included cardiogenic shock (2/18), systolic HF (2/18), non-ST-elevated MI (7/18), cardiac mortality (3/18), and all-cause mortality (7/18). The overall complication rate of DSE was 17% (20/118). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, DSE had a low sensitivity but high NPV in predicting perioperative MACE post OLT. A similar trend was noted for DSE in predicting 1-year MACE post OLT. We reiterate the need of a better screening and risk stratification tool for OLT.
Cohort Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Dobutamine ; Echocardiography, Stress ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Shock, Cardiogenic