Objective:To assess the safety of a novel domestically developed direct visualization system of peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy for the exploration of biliary tract.Methods:Clinical data from 384 patients with biliary tract diseases who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at the Endoscopy Center of Shanghai Xuhui District Central Hospital from November 2017 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the type of cholangioscope: the novel cholangiopancreatoscopy system group ( n=159) and the SpyGlass group ( n=225). In the novel cholangiopancreatoscopy system group, the new direct visualization system of China-made peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy was used for bile duct exploration, while the SpyGlass group utilized the SpyGlass system for bile duct inspection. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used as a nearest-neighbor method with a caliper of 0.01 to minimize confounding factors, resulting in a balanced sample of 122 patients in each group after matching. The primary outcome was the incidence of short-term complications, with secondary outcomes including technical success rates and post-treatment outcomes. Results:After PSM, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups ( P>0.05). Regarding short-term postoperative complications, pancreatitis occurred in 1.6% (2/122) of patients in the novel cholangiopancreatoscopy system group and 7.4% (9/122) in the SpyGlass group. The new system significantly reduced the incidence of post-procedure pancreatitis ( χ2=4.665, P=0.031). The cholecystitis was absent in the novel cholangiopancreatoscopy system group, while it occurred in 0.8% (1/122) cases in the SpyGlass group, with no significant difference between the two groups after the procedure ( P=1.000). Regarding technical success rate, the novel system group achieved a rate of 99.2% (121/122), while the SpyGlass group achieved 97.5% (119/122) ( P=0.622). A slightly higher success rate was observed in the novel system group.There were 81 cases of postoperative biliary drainage in the novel cholangiopancreatoscopy system group and 74 cases in the SpyGlass group. Conclusion:The novel direct visualization system of peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy is safer than SpyGlass in the exploration of biliary system diseases. Endoscopists are encouraged to choose the appropriate cholangioscopy system based on individual patient characteristics for the direct visualization, diagnosis, and treatment of biliary diseases.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) of esophageal varices combined with endoscopic variceal intensive ligation (EVIL) of gastric varices for gastroesophageal variceal bleeding with liver cirrhosis under non-emergency settings.Methods:Data of 643 consecutive patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to March 2023 were included in the retrospective study. A total of 192 patients were included after excluding 451 patients. One hundred and forty-nine patients who underwent EVL of esophageal varices combined with EVIL of gastric varices were enrolled into the EVIL group, while 43 patients who underwent EVL of esophageal varices combined with endoscopic tissue adhesive injection (ETAI) of gastric varices were enrolled into the ETAI group. The endoscopic treatment success rate, esophageal variceal ligations number, operation time of endoscopic treatment, hospitalization time, rebleeding rate, mortality and the incidence of adverse events were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the ETAI group, the EVIL group exhibited significantly higher endoscopic treatment success rate [100.0% (149/149) VS 95.3% (41/43), P=0.049], slightly greater esophageal variceal ligations number [8 (6, 11) rings VS 7 (6, 9) rings, Z=-1.29, P=0.196], shorter operation time of endoscopic treatment [27.0 (20.5, 34.0) min VS 36.0 (21.0, 51.0) min, Z=-2.30, P=0.021], and significantly shorter hospitalization time [10 (7, 13) d VS 13 (9, 15) d, Z=-3.02, P=0.003]. The rebleeding rate within 24, 72, 120 hours after the operation, early, delayed and total rebleeding in the EVIL group were 0.0% (0/149), 0.0% (0/149), 0.7% (1/149), 2.0% (3/149), 12.8% (19/149) and 14.8% (22/149) respectively, and 4.7% (2/43) ( P=0.049), 9.3% (4/43) ( P=0.002), 9.3% (4/43) ( χ2=6.69, P=0.010), 4.7% (2/43) ( χ2=0.17, P=0.679), 30.2% (13/43) ( χ2=7.34, P=0.007) and 44.2% (19/43) ( χ2=17.20, P<0.001) in the ETAI group, respectively. No death related to rebleeding occurred within 6 weeks after the operation in 2 groups. The mortality related to rebleeding within 1 year after the operation and during the follow-up period in the EVIL group were 1.3% (2/149) and 3.4% (5/149) respectively, and 0.0% (0/43) ( P=1.000) and 2.3% (1/43) ( χ2=0.02, P=0.876) in the ETAI group, respectively. The incidences of fever, chest pain, nausea or vomiting in the EVIL group were 12.1% (18/149), 14.1% (21/149) and 13.4% (20/149) respectively, and 11.6% (5/43) ( χ2=0.01, P=0.936), 16.3% (7/43) ( χ2=0.13, P=0.721) and 18.6% (8/43) ( χ2=0.72, P=0.396) in the ETAI group, respectively. Two patients (1.3%) in the EVIL group had gastric variceal ring loss. Ectopic embolism occurred in 1 patient (2.3%) in the ETAI group. Conclusion:For patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis who are suitable for non-emergency endoscopic treatment, EVL of esophageal varices combined with EVIL of gastric varices is also safe, and more effective than EVL of esophageal varices combined with ETAI of gastric varices. This approach offers improved treatment success rate, reduced operation and hospitalization time, lower rebleeding rates, and decreased rebleeding-related mortality.

Objective:To explore the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a novel suture instrument for closure of full thickness defects of the gastric wall under gastroscopy.Methods:Ten pigs were used as experimental animals. Perforation model (30 mm in long diameter) was created in the stomach of each pig. The perforations were then closed by the novel suture instrument under gastroscopy. The completion time and efficacy of each perforation repair were recorded. The pigs were euthanized 14 days after the procedure. The healing condition was observed under gastroscopy. A postmortem examination was performed to observe the abdominal infection and healing condition of perforation. Ascites sample was taken for bacterial culture.The stomach biopsy were taken for histopathologic examination.Results:All gastric perforation models in the 10 pigs were established successfully. Endoscopic closure for the stomach perforation was technically successful in all 10 pigs. The procedure time was 34.10±10.32 minutes. All animals survived. Gastroscopy and necropsy showed that the perforation healed well with local adhesion. One pig developed abdominal infection. Ascites culture were negative in 9 cases, 1 bacterial infection was caused by Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Escherichiacoli. The pathology results showed that the muscular layer of the gastric wall defect in the entire group was well repaired. Conclusion:The novel suture instrument is safe and effective in repairing full-thickness gastric wall defects under ordinary single clamp gastroscopy, providing an experimental basis for further clinical research.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and enhanced computed tomography (CT) image features and pathological risk of gastric stromal tumors (GSTs).Methods:Data of primary GSTs patients treated at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2018 to November 2022, confirmed by endoscopy or surgical pathology and immunohistochemistry were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 286 cases (288 lesions) underwent EUS before surgery, of which 70 cases (71 lesions) had complete preoperative enhanced CT examination data. Patients who underwent EUS were divided into relatively benign group (including very low-risk and low-risk, 245 cases of 247 lesions) and relatively malignant group (including intermediate-risk and high-risk, 41 cases of 41 lesions) based on the pathological risk of GSTs. Patients who underwent enhanced CT examination were also divided into relatively benign group (38 cases of 39 lesions) and relatively malignant group (32 cases of 32 lesions) based on the pathological risk of GSTs. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the independent risk factors associated with the malignant potential of GSTs based on EUS and enhanced CT imaging features.Results:(1) Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences among groups in terms of ulceration presence on lesion surface, long diameter, boundary regularity, internal echo uniformity and cystic change under EUS ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ulcers on the lesion surface ( P=0.010, OR=4.519, 95% CI:1.432-14.257) and lesion long diameter ( P<0.001, OR=2.398, 95% CI:1.688-3.406) under EUS were independent risk factors for GSTs relative to malignancy. The result of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of GSTs long diameter predicting pathological risk relative to malignancy under EUS showed the area under curve (AUC) was 0.891 (95% CI: 0.839-0.943), the maximum Youden index was 0.667, and the corresponding long diameter of lesion was 1.55 cm. In this case, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting the pathological risk of GSTs were 90.2% and 76.5%, respectively. (2) Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in lesion long diameter, shape (round or quasi-round/irregular), boundary clarity, enhancement pattern, and necrosis under enhanced CT among groups ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that lesion long diameter under enhanced CT ( P=0.010, OR=2.533, 95% CI:1.245-5.154) was an independent risk factor for GSTs relative to malignancy. The ROC curve analysis of GSTs long diameter predicting pathological risk relative to malignancy under enhanced CT showed that AUC was 0.824 (95% CI: 0.724-0.924), the maximum Youden index was 0.560, and the corresponding long diameter of the lesion was 3.65 cm. The sensitivity and specificity of predicting the pathological risk of GSTs were 68.8% and 87.2%, respectively. Conclusion:The long diameter of GSTs under EUS and enhanced CT exhibits a significant association with the pathological risk of GSTs, which can be used to predict the relative malignancy of GSTs (medium to high risk).

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for biopsy-negative esophageal strictures suspected for malignancy.Methods:Patients who underwent EUS-FNA for esophageal strictures with negative endoscopic biopsies in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2014 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The final diagnosis was based on the pathological outcomes of EUS-FNA or surgery, complemented by follow-up data. Diagnostic efficacy and complication rates of EUS-FNA were analyzed.Results:A total of 64 patients were included in this study,with 54 ultimately diagnosed with malignant lesions and 10 with benign lesions. Malignant lesions were diagnosed by EUS-FNA in 50 cases, suspected malignant lesions in 3 cases, and no clear basis for malignancy was observed in 11 cases. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA was 98.4% (63/64), with the malignant tumor detection rate of 98.1% (53/54). No post-procedure complications such as bleeding, perforation, or infection were observed in any patient.Conclusion:EUS-FNA is safe and effective for the diagnosis of biopsy-negative suspected malignant esophageal stricture with a high malignant lesion detection rate.

To investigate the therapeutic effects and safety of carotid sinus massage for the relief of hiccups during painless gastroscopy, patients with hiccups during elective painless gastroscopy in Beijing Friendship Hospital from May to June, 2024 were enrolled. According to the random number method, the patients were divided into 2 groups, including the experimental group and the control group. The patients with hiccups in the experimental group were treated with carotid sinus massage, and those in the control group were treated with abdominal compression. The improvement rate of hiccups, the gastroscopy success rate, the gastroscopy time, the image quality scores, the incidence of adverse reactions during and after gastroscopy, patient satisfaction, and endoscopist satisfaction of the two groups were mainly observed. Finally, 64 patients were included with 32 cases in the experimental group and 32 cases in the control group. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups ( P>0.05). The results showed that the improvement rate of hiccups in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group [81.25% (26/32) VS 68.75% (22/32), χ2=5.741, P=0.017]. The gastroscopy time in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (11.63±1.66 min VS 15.25±1.68 min, t=-8.668, P<0.001). The gastroscopy success rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group [90.62% (29/32) VS 68.75% (22/32), χ2=4.730, P=0.030]. The image quality score in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (37.97±1.15 scores VS 36.59±1.54 scores, t=4.044, P<0.001). The endoscopist satisfaction in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group [93.75% (30/32) VS 62.50% (20/32), χ2=9.143, P=0.002]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions during and after gastroscopy or patient satisfaction between the two groups ( P>0.05).The primary outcomes indicate that carotid sinus massage is an effective and safe treatment for relief of hiccups during painless endoscopy. At the same time, this treatment helps endoscopists to perform endoscopy continuously, which increases the gastroscopy success rate and shortens the examination time.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of linaclotide combined with compound polyethylene glycol (PEG) on bowel preparation, and compare it with traditional PEG 3 L and oral sulfate solution (OSS) 3 L methods.Methods:Patients aged 18-70 years who underwent colonoscopy at the Digestive Diseases Hospital, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital from January to June 2023 were continuously enrolled in the randomized controlled trial and randomly divided into 3 groups using the random number table. Intestinal preparation was conducted according to the protocols of each group, Group A: 3 L PEG; Group B: 3 L OSS; Group C: 290 μg of linaclotide + 2 L PEG. The effects of bowel preparation, adverse reactions, satisfaction, and willingness for repeated bowel preparation were compared.Results:A total of 360 patients were included in the analysis, with 120 patients in each group. There were no statistically significant differences in the median Boston bowel preparation score for each intestinal segment or the total score among the 3 groups (left colon: 3 VS 2 VS 3, H=0.371, P=0.831; transverse colon: 3 VS 3 VS 3, H=0.487, P=0.784; right colon: 2 VS 2 VS 2, H=1.088, P=0.580; total score: 8 VS 8 VS 8, H=0.017, P=0.991). Among the adverse reactions, the incidence of nausea and vomiting in Group B [3.33% (4/120)] was lower than that in Group A [12.50% (15/120), χ2=8.042, P=0.018], and there were no statistically significant differences in other adverse reactions among the 3 groups ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the satisfaction level among the 3 groups ( χ2=11.840, P=0.158). The willingness to undergo bowel preparation again in Group C [95.83% (115/120)] and Group B [96.67% (116/120)] was higher than that in Group A [85.00% (102/120)] (Group C VS Group A: χ2=8.127, P=0.004; Group B VS Group A: χ2=9.808, P=0.002), and there was no significant difference between Group C and B ( χ2=0.000, P=1.000). Conclusion:Linaclotide combined with 2 L PEG offers comparable bowel preparation efficacy and safety to 3 L PEG or 3 L OSS, with improved patient compliance due to reduced water intake, suggesting its potential as an enhanced bowel preparation regimen.

Objective:To investigate the endoscopic and pathological features and the independent risk factors for early esophageal cancer combined with multiple primary cancer.Methods:Endoscopic and pathological features of 324 patients diagnosed as having early esophageal cancer from January 2013 to January 2022 in Beijing Friendship Hospital were retrospectively collected. Independent risk factors for early esophageal cancer combined with multiple primary cancer were selected by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:Among the 324 patients with early esophageal cancer, 47 (14.51%) patients (29 metachronous and 18 synchronous) had multiple primary cancer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcohol drinking ≥5 standard drinks/day ( OR=6.23, 95% CI: 2.49-15.57, P<0.001), submucosal layer invasion ( OR=2.80, 95% CI:1.07-7.30, P=0.036), lesion location at lower esophagus ( OR=4.18, 95% CI: 1.98-8.97, P<0.001) and multiple lesions in esophagus ( OR=3.30, 95% CI:1.57-6.92, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for early esophageal cancer combined with multiple primary cancer. Conclusion:Alcohol drinking ≥5 standard drinks/day, submucosal layer invasion, lower lesions location, and multiple lesions in the esophagus are independent risk factors that are more likely to develop multiple primary cancer in patients with early esophageal cancer. It is recommended to prioritize monitoring patients with these factors, and enhance endoscopic follow-up and assessment.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of scissor-type knife for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with sessile elevated colorectal epithelium-derived tumors.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 127 patients who underwent ESD for sessile elevated colorectal epithelium-derived tumor at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2015 to June 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the electric knife type: scissor-type knife ESD group ( n=62) and needle-type knife ESD group ( n=65). Parameters evaluated included en bloc resection rate, complete resection rate, operation time, and associated complications. Results:There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of the median age of patients, gender, cases with a history of previous abdominal surgery, median long diameter of lesions, poor submucosal injection lifting sign, submucosal fibrosis, lesions crossing folds, depth of invasion≥1 000 μm or adenocarcinoma cases ( P>0.05). However, there were statistical differences in lesion distribution ( χ2=19.288, P<0.001) and proportion of cases crossing tortuous areas ( χ2=5.148, P=0.023). The proportion of colon cases [82.3% (51/62) VS 44.6% (29/65)] and proportion of cases crossing tortuous areas [24.2% (15/62) VS 9.2% (6/65)] were higher in the scissor knife group. In terms of surgical outcomes, the en bloc resection rate, complete resection rate and operation time in the scissor knife group were 95.2% (59/62), 91.9% (57/62), and 38.5 (24.0, 73.0) min respectively. The corresponding outcomes in the needle knife group were 89.2% (58/65) ( χ2=1.539, P=0.325), 87.7% (57/65) ( χ2=0.622, P=0.430), and 28.0 (25.0, 82.0) min ( Z=-0.912, P=0.362) respectively. Regarding surgical complications, the incidence of intraoperative refractory bleeding was significantly lower in the scissor knife group [12.9% (8/62) VS 29.2% (19/65), χ2=5.053, P=0.025], while there were no statistical differences in the incidence of intraoperative perforation, delayed bleeding, delayed perforation, electrocoagulation syndrome, or postoperative fever between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In performing ESD for sessile elevated colorectal epithelium tumors, the use of a scissor-type knife demonstrates comparable therapeutic efficacy to the needle knife, even in cases with challenging factors like a higher proportion of colon cases and those crossing tortuous areas. Additionally, the scissor knife approach shows a lower incidence of intraoperative refractory bleeding, indicating enhanced safety during the procedure.

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of dilation treatment under the guidance of precise puncture assisted with double endoscopes for anastomotic atresia after colorectal cancer surgery, 3 cases with anastomotic atresia after colorectal cancer surgery were treated precisely under endoscopy. The first colonoscopy was introduced through the terminal ileum stoma to anastomotic site, another endoscope was inserted through the anus to the anastomosis. Precise puncture of the contralateral intestinal cavity was done through light source positioning. The puncture needle was seen under the direct vision of endoscope, and then the guide wire was inserted. Anastomosis was dilated by the balloon through the guide wire. Endoscopic recanalization of anastomotic atresia was successfully completed in 3 patients. No complication occurred during the treatment with the mean operation time of 44.3 minutes. The ileal terminal stoma reduction surgery was performed 1-3 months after endoscopic treatment. Dilation treatment under the guidance of precise puncture assisted with double endoscopes for anastomotic atresia after colorectal cancer surgery is reliable with the advantages of short operation time, safety and convenience, and no need for X-ray assistance.