BACKGROUND/AIMS: Propofol sedation for elderly patients during time-consuming endoscopic procedures is controversial. Therefore, we investigated the safety of using propofol in elderly patients during upper gastrointestinal therapeutic endoscopy. METHODS: The medical records of 160 patients who underwent therapeutic endoscopic procedures under gastroenterologist-guided propofol sedation at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into two groups: a younger group, patients <75 years old; and an elderly group, patients > or =75 years old. The two groups were compared with respect to the therapeutic regimen, circulatory dynamics, and presence/absence of discontinuation of propofol treatment. RESULTS: Although the number of patients with liver dysfunction was higher in the elderly group, there were no other significant differences in the baseline characteristics, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, between the elderly and younger groups. The average maintenance rate of continuous propofol infusion was lower in the elderly patients. No statistically significant differences were found in the occurrence of adverse events between the elderly and younger groups. None of the patients returned to a resedated state after the initial recovery from sedation. CONCLUSIONS: Gastroenterologist-guided propofol sedation in elderly patients can be safely achieved in the same manner as that in younger patients, even for time-consuming upper gastrointestinal therapeutic endoscopic procedures.
Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Conscious Sedation/adverse effects/*methods ; *Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/methods ; Female ; Humans ; *Hypnotics and Sedatives/adverse effects ; Male ; *Propofol/adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and security of different administrations of propofol on the sedation in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in snoring patients. METHODS: A total of 1,117 patients with snoring in ASA I-II level, who underwent gastroscopy and received propofol as sedation, were assigned to Group A, Group B, and Group C.These groups had different administration methods of propofol. The dose of propofol, response to endoscopic procedures, changes of oxygen saturation of arterial blood (SPO₂), incidence of severe respiratory depression and sedation quality assessed by operators were observed. RESULTS: The incidence of transient decline in SPO₂ in Group A, B, and C were 50.4%, 3.1%, and 18.5%, respectively. The doses of propofol of Group A, B, and C were (108.50±18.02) mg, (57.50±7.50) mg, and (79.80±10.02) mg, respectively, with significant difference (P<0.05). The incidence of severe respiratory depression in Group A was 1.2%, but Group B and C were 0%. Compared with Group A(100%) and C(100%), the satisfaction rate of sedation quality in Group B was 74%, with significant difference (P<0.05). CONCLUSION During the upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, snoring patients are premedicated with propofol in various uses by steps or one slow administration. Both methods are safe and effective to reduce the incidence of severe respiratory depression, and patients have no memory of the procedure.
Adult ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Snoring ; complications

BACKGROUNDThe diagnosis of small bowel diseases remains relatively inefficient using traditional imaging techniques. Capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) are two novel methods of enteroscopy for examining the entire small bowel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection rate and diagnostic accuracy of CE and DBE in patients with suspected small bowel diseases and to investigate the clinical significance of combined use of these two novel modalities.

METHODSTwo hundred and eighteen patients were evaluated for suspected small bowel disease, including 116 with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and 102 with obscure abdominal pain or chronic diarrhea. One hundred and sixty-five out of these patients underwent CE first and 53 patients underwent DBE (under anesthesia with propofol) first. DBE was recommended after negative or equivocal evaluation on CE and vise versa. Introduction of the endoscope during DBE was either orally or anally and the patients were referred for a second procedure using the opposite route several days later when no abnormalities were found on the first procedure. The detection rates, diagnostic accuracy, tolerance and frequency of adverse events of these two modalities were then analyzed.

RESULTSFailure of the procedure was seen in one patient with CE and in two patients with DBE. Sixty-four DBE procedures were carried out in 51 patients; by the oral route in 34 cases, the anal route in 4 and both routes in 13 cases. The overall detection rate of small bowel diseases using CE (72.0%, 118/164) was superior to that with DBE (41.2%, 21/51); chi(2) = 16.1218, P < 0.0001. The diagnostic rate (51.8%, 85/164) was also higher than that with the latter procedure (39.2%, 20/51), but was not significantly different (chi(2) = 2.4771, P > 0.05). Furthermore, the detection rate of small bowel diseases in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding using CE (88.0%, 88/100) was superior to that of DBE (60.0%, 9/15); chi(2) = 7.7457, P = 0.0054. Lesions were detected by DBE in 1 out of 4 patients in whom CE had a negative result. Suspected findings by CE were confirmed by DBE combined with biopsy in 12 out of 15 patients. On the other hand, small bowel lesions were identified by CE in all 3 patients after negative evaluations by DBE. There were no severe complications during or after either of the two procedures.

CONCLUSIONSThe detection rate of small bowel diseases by CE is very high. CE should be selected for the initial diagnosis in patients with suspected small bowel diseases, especially in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. DBE appears to be inferior to CE in the diagnosis of small bowel diseases. However, it was shown that abnormalities could still be identified by DBE in patients with normal images or used to confirm suspected findings from CE. DBE can also serve as a good complementary approach after an initial diagnostic imaging using CE.

Abdominal Pain ; diagnosis ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Capsule Endoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Diarrhea ; diagnosis ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases ; diagnosis ; Intestine, Small ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

National data show that in China mainland unsedated gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy has been applied in most hospitals for clinical examination, while sedated GI endoscopy is only performed in some hospitals. The purpose of this study was to compare sedated versus unsedated GI endoscopy regarding cost, safety, degree of comfort, tolerance level and overall satisfaction of patients over a 6-month period investigation. From March to September 2011, a questionnaire survey was performed on 1800 patients and 30 physicians at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command. The patients fell into two groups according to their own decisions: the unsedated group (n=1000) and the sedated group (n=800). After examination, the patients and the physicians were required to fill in a questionnaire form. All the data were analyzed statistically. The results showed that the main factors the patients took for consideration between sedated and unsedated procedures included economy, comfort and safety. The income levels between the sedated and unsedated groups showed significant difference (P<0.01). Most patients in the unsedated group had lower income and were covered by less medical insurance. The tolerance rate was 92.4% vs. 65.5% between the sedated and unsedated group, respectively. 95.5% patients in the sedated group and 72.1% patients in the unsedated group chose the same endoscopy procedure for repeat examination. The survey data from endoscopists suggested the sedated procedure was more comfortable but less safe than the unsedated procedure (P<0.01). In China, unsedated GI endoscopy is now widely accepted by the majority of patients due to low cost and safety. Compared to unsedated GI endoscopy, sedated GI endoscopy is less painful, but more expensive and less safe. With the rapid improvement of people's living standard and the reliability of sedation technology, we expect sedated GI endoscopy will be gradually accepted by more patients.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Conscious Sedation ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; economics ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Various anatomical features of the biliary tree affect ability to remove difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones. In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the endoscopic treatment of stones in stemware-shaped CBDs. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with a stone and a stemware-shaped CBD who were treated at different tertiary referral centers from January 2008 to December 2012 were studied retrospectively. When stone removal failed, percutaneous or direct peroral cholangioscopic lithotripsy, endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage, or surgery was performed as a second-line procedure. RESULTS: The overall success rate of the first-line procedure was 41.2%. Five of the 34 patients (14.7%) experienced procedure-related complications. No procedure-related mortality occurred. Mechanical lithotripsy was required to completely remove stones in 13 patients (38.2%). Conversion to a second-line procedure was required in 20 patients (58.8%). Mechanical lithotripsy was needed in 75% and 66.7% of those with a stone size of <1 cm or > or =1 cm, respectively. Stone recurrence occurred in two patients (9.1%) after 6 months and 27 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic treatment of stones in a stemware-shaped CBD is challenging. The careful assessment of difficult CBD stones is required before endoscopic procedures.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/adverse effects/methods ; Choledocholithiasis/complications/*surgery ; Common Bile Duct/*anatomy & histology/surgery ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/adverse effects/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of placement of nasojejunal feeding tube and nasojejunal nutrition feeding in children with acute pancreatitis.

METHODTwenty-two patients (of whom 13 had severe acute pancreatitis and 9 acute mild pancreatitis) who needed nutritional intervention were selected. They were from Department of Gastroenterology and Surgery during the years 2009 - 2012, and they were at high nutritional risk after STONGkid nutrition risk screening. The average age of them was 5 - 15 years (9.1 years ± 2.8 years). Assisted by endoscopy, the nasojejunal feeding tube was placed in 22 of 24 patients (in 2 cases of recurrent pancreatitis the tubes were placed again after extubation). Besides the use of regular fasting, antacids, inhibitors of trypsin secretion, and anti-infective treatment, 23 cases of all children got nasojejunal nutrition treatment as well. The outcome measures included the success rate, complications of endoscope-assisted nasojejunal tube placement. The children's tolerance and nutrition indicators (weight, blood lymphocytes count, erythrocytes count, serum albumin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) were observed before and after enteral nutrition therapy.

RESULTMalnutrition evaluation was done 24 times before treatment among 22 patients, incidence of malnutrition was 33% in 22 cases. Placement of nasojejunal tube placement was attempted for a total of 24 times and was successful on first placement in 22 cases, in two cases the placement was successful on the second placement, so the success rate of the first attempt for placement was 92%. No significant complications were observed in any of the cases. Twenty-three of 24 cases were given standardized enteral nutrition (one case was not given enteral nutrition therapy but underwent ERCP due to obstructive jaundice). Twenty-two of 23 cases could tolerate enteral nutrition well, only 1 case was unable to tolerate enteral nutrition due to the pancreas schizophrenia, paralytic ileus. The treatment of jejunal feeding success rate was 96%. The feeding duration was 2 - 74 d (27.0 d ± 18.3 d). The adverse reactions include plugging of the tube in two cases, constipation in two cases, five cases had abdominal pain, diarrhea in 2 cases, vomiting in 2 cases and 1 case of jejunum retention. No case had nasopharynx ulcers, gastrointestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, re-feeding syndrome and infection etc. Blood erythrocytes count, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen were not significantly changed. Twenty of 23 cases were cured, 2 cases were improved and 1 case was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONEndoscope-assisted nasojejunal tube placement for children with acute pancreatitis is safe and feasible. Nasojejunal nutrition therapy is effective for acute pancreatitis patients who are at severe nutritional risk, especially for the improvement of the nutritional status of children.

Abdominal Pain ; etiology ; Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Enteral Nutrition ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Jejunum ; Male ; Malnutrition ; etiology ; therapy ; Pancreatitis ; therapy ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome ; Vomiting ; etiology

Esophageal perforation after endoscopic forceful pneumatic dilatation for achalasia is a devastating complication and surgical treatment is necessary. A 65-yr-old man and a 54-yr-old woman referred for esophageal perforation two hours after pneumatic dilatation and during the procedure, respectively. Gastroplasties through thoracotomy were performed in both cases and their recoveries were uneventful. The esophagogram with gastrografin on the post-operative 8th day did not show any passage disturbance or leakage at the anastomosis site. On the follow-up endoscopy 4 to 6 months after operation revealed that reflux esophagitis of LA classification A were noted in the both patients. They did not complain any reflux symptom or dysphagia for 9 to 13 months after operation. Instead of the most widely used procedure; primary repair of perforation site, wrapping with intercostal muscle flap and esophagomyotomy, gastroplasty was performed in two cases of iatrogenic esophageal perforation in achalasia and experienced good results.
Aged ; Deglutition Disorders/complications ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/*adverse effects ; Esophageal Achalasia/*surgery ; Esophageal Perforation/*surgery ; Esophagus/*surgery ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/complications ; Gastroplasty/*methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracotomy

BACKGROUNDX-ray of the digestive tract and radionuclide examination could not accurately detect diseases of the small intestine. Double-balloon enteroscopy has been used to increase the detection rate of these diseases in addition to endoscopic biopsy and therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of double-balloon enteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the small intestine.

METHODSA total of 258 double-balloon enteroscopies via the mouth and/or anus were performed in 208 patients. If no lesion was detected on one side (mouth or anus), examination on the other side (anus or mouth) was made. If active small intestinal bleeding was detected, endoscopic hemostasis was done to treat the bleeding.

RESULTSIn the 208 patients, 50 were subjected to double-balloon enteroscopy via both mouth and anus. Lesions were detected in 151 patients, giving a rate of 72.6% (151/208). The detection rates for obscure digestive tract bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss were 90.2% (92/102), 64.9% (24/37), 48.5% (16/33) and 43.3% (13/30), respectively. Lesions of the 151 patients were confirmed by endoscopic biopsy, surgery, clinical studies, and follow-up. In the 102 patients with bleeding of the digestive tract, active bleeding was detected in 27 patients. Endoscopic hemostasis was successful in 25 of them (92.6%, 25/27). No serious complications occurred in all the patients, the average time for the procedure was 100 minutes.

CONCLUSIONSDouble-balloon enteroscopy is safe, effective in the diagnosis of diseases of the small intestine in addition to endoscopic therapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVEDouble-balloon enteroscopy is a new method that allows complete visualization of the lumen of small bowel. This study was conducted to evaluate safety, extent of observation and clinical efficacy of double-balloon push enteroscopy in diagnosis of patients with small bowel disease in children.

METHODSFourteen cases suspected of small bowel diseases with negative findings on examinations with various routine diagnostic modalities underwent double-balloon push enteroscopy from June, 2003 to May, 2005. Of the 14 cases, 13 had gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficient anemia and 1 case had chronic diarrhea, the causes of these conditions were unknown.

RESULTSThe enteroscopy reached jejunal-ileum transitional area, middle or lower portion of ileum and terminal ileum in 2, 10 and 2 cases, and the examination time was 40-50 min, 55-70 min and 78-89 min, respectively. Lesions were detected in 12 of 14 the cases. The positive diagnostic rate was 85.7%. There were no relevant technical problems or severe complications.

CONCLUSIONDouble-balloon push enteroscopy is a safe, reliable diagnostic modality of high clinical value for small bowel diseases in children.

Adolescent ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Catheterization ; instrumentation ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diarrhea ; etiology ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Intestine, Small ; pathology ; Male

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in reducing rebleeding and bleeding-related death rates after endoscopic gastric variceal obliteration (GVO) using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBC). METHODS: This study enrolled 341 patients who were consecutively diagnosed with and treated for bleeding gastric varices. The patients were divided into PPI and non-PPI groups, and their endoscopic findings, initial hemostasis outcomes, rebleeding and bleeding-related death rates, and treatment-related complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of initial hemostasis was 97.1%. rebleeding occurred in 2.2% of patients within 2 weeks, 3.9% of patients within 4 weeks, 18.9% of patients within 6 months, and 27.6% of patients within 12 months of the GVO procedure. A previous history of variceal bleeding (relative risk [RR], 1.955; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.263 to 3.028; p = 0.003) and use of PPIs (RR, 0.554; 95% CI, 0.352 to 0.873; p = 0.011) were associated with rebleeding. Child-Pugh class C (RR, 10.914; 95% CI, 4.032 to 29.541; p < 0.001), failure of initial hemostasis (RR, 13.329; 95% CI, 2.795 to 63.556; p = 0.001), and the presence of red-colored concomitant esophageal varices (RR, 4.096; 95% CI, 1.320 to 12.713; p = 0.015) were associated with bleeding-related death. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic use of PPIs reduces rebleeding after GVO using NBC in patients with gastric variceal hemorrhage. However, prophylactic use of PPIs does not reduce bleeding-related death.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Enbucrilate/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications/diagnosis/mortality/*therapy ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/diagnosis/etiology/mortality/*therapy ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic/adverse effects/*methods/mortality ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sclerosing Solutions/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Sclerotherapy/adverse effects/*methods/mortality ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult