Randomized clinical trial of sacral nerve stimulation for refractory constipation.

Background: Open studies have reported favourable results for sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of refractory constipation. Here, its efficacy was assessed in a double-blind crossover RCT.

Methods: Patients with at least two of the following criteria were included: fewer than three bowel movements per week; straining to evacuate on more than 25 per cent of attempts; or sensation of incomplete evacuation on more than 25 per cent of occasions.

A local structured training program with live pigs allows performing ESD along the gastrointestinal tract with results close to those of Japanese experts.

Background And Aims: The high specific skill needed by ESD limit its widespread use in Europe and animal training is recommended in Europe to improve the results of ESD that are far from Japanese at present. We create a local training program using live pigs as models, along with our human cases, to provide continuous exposure to the technique.

Methods: Between February 2013 and December 2015, two young operators performed 55 pig gastric ESDs in parallel with 62 human cases for large superficial cancerous lesions.

Antireflux versus conventional self-expanding metallic Stents (SEMS) for distal esophageal cancer: results of a multicenter randomized trial.

Introduction: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are commonly used in the palliation of dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. However, they predispose to gastroesophageal reflux when deployed across the gastroesophageal junction. The aims of this study were to: 1) assess the influence of the antireflux valve on trans-prosthetic reflux (primary outcome); and 2) compare the results of SEMS with and without antireflux valve in terms of reflux symptoms, quality of life (QOL), improvement of dysphagia and adverse events (secondary outcomes).

Adherence to online monitoring of patient-reported outcomes by patients with chronic inflammatory diseases: a feasibility study.

Objectives: The objective of this report is to investigate the feasibility of collecting patient-reported outcomes (PROs) via e-questionnaires delivered to patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs).

Methods: Consecutive outpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren's syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease were followed at two medical departments. Patients received monthly e-mails containing the SF36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and an analogue symptom scale over a six-month period.

High-pressure injection of glycerol with HybridKnife for ESD is feasible and increases the ease and speed of the procedure: an in vivo study in pigs and first use in human.

Background And Aims: The HybridKnife water-jet system (ERBE, Tubingen, Germany) has been shown to increase dissection speed and decreased the risk of perforation during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Glycerol mixture is a viscous, long-lasting solution preferentially used by Japanese ESD experts. The combination of the HybridKnife system with a glycerol solution has not been evaluated to date.