Publications by authors named "Aabakken L"

Article Synopsis
  • This study evaluated the use of motorized spiral enteroscopy (MSE) for performing biliary endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with altered surgical anatomy at five centers in Europe.
  • Out of 89 enrolled patients, MSE-assisted ERCP had a technical success rate of 54%, while adverse events occurred in 14% of cases, including one serious incident of esophageal perforation.
  • The study was halted in July 2023 due to safety concerns after the MSE device was withdrawn by the manufacturer, indicating potential risks associated with the procedure.
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Background: International guidelines currently recommend the use of molecular testing in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The rate of actionable molecular alterations is low. The utility of molecular testing in patients with borderline resectable (BRPC) or locally advanced (LAPC) pancreatic cancer in real world clinical practice is unclear.

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As management of upper gastrointestinal malignancies improves, and with popularization of bariatric surgery, endoscopists are likely to meet patients with altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy. Short-term, the surgery can cause complications like bleeding, leaks, and fistulas, and longer-term problems such as intestinal or biliary anastomotic strictures or biliary stones can arise, all necessitating endoscopy. In addition, the usual upper gastrointestinal pathologies can also still occur.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study compares two methods of inserting a gastrostomy tube in children: Push-PEG with T-fastener (PEG-T) and pull-PEG, to assess complications and parent-reported outcomes over a 3-month period.
  • - Results showed similar overall complication rates (54% early complications, 63% late complications) between both methods, but pull-PEG patients experienced more discomfort and limitations in activities reported by their parents (49% reported restrictions vs. 24% in PEG-T).
  • - The findings suggest that while both methods are effective, PEG-T may be the better option considering the reported quality of life and comfort for the patients.
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The global incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) continues to steadily increase whereas its prognosis remains poor. Previous studies have suggested worse outcomes among individuals of African descent. The characteristics of patients with PC in Kenya, and their contemporary management and survival outcomes remain largely unknown.

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Reprocessing reusable endoscopes is challenging due to their non-sterilizable nature. Disinfection has been shown to have a significant risk of failure with serious consequences. Single-use endoscopes can eliminate contamination risk and reduce workflow delays caused by reprocessing.

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Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have a 9% to 20% lifetime incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Per-oral cholangioscopy (POCS) added to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) could potentially improve detection of CCA occurrence. We prospectively assessed POCS identification of 12-month CCA incidence in PSC patients undergoing ERC.

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Background: Systemic chemotherapy is the initial treatment strategy for borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer to facilitate curative resection. The aim of this study was to investigate the resection rates and overall survival in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Consecutive patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer/locally advanced pancreatic cancer discussed by Oslo University Hospital multidisciplinary team between 2018 and 2020, serving a population of 3.

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Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS FNA/FNB) and potential endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for biliary decompression are indicated in patients with pancreatic cancer before initation of primary chemotherapy. This study aims to investigate the performance and safety of these two procedures in patients with borderline resectable (BRPC) or locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Endoscopy and pathology reports, and hospital records of consecutive patients with a radiological diagnosis of BRPC/LAPC included in a population based, protocol-driven study (NORPACT-2) were reviewed.

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Aims: To evaluate outcomes of ERCP as first-line management in patients with malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) of all causes and stages, reflecting a real-life setting.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of patients with ERCP as the first-line management of MBO at Oslo University Hospital between 2015 and 2021. Primary outcome measure was  ≥ 50% decrease from the pre-procedural bilirubin within 30 days after ERCP.

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Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a severe liver disease and a leading cause of liver transplantation in Scandinavia. This clinical review article examines recently revised recommendations on diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of patients with this disease. Treatment of symptoms, assessment of fibrosis and monitoring for the development of cancer in the liver and bowel are central.

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Introduction: Fatigue is a frequent complaint in patients with celiac disease. A gluten-free diet is the only established treatment for celiac disease, but how this diet influences fatigue is uncertain. We aimed to investigate fatigue prevalence, severity, and associated factors in patients with celiac disease, at diagnosis and at 1 year after commencing a gluten-free diet.

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Background And Aim: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity but is invasive and associated with serious complications. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a less invasive weight loss procedure to reduce the stomach volume by full-thickness sutures. ESG has been adopted in many countries, but implementation at Scandinavian centres has not yet been documented.

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Objectives: In SSc, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement is a major concern, with no disease-modifying and limited symptomatic therapies available. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) represents a new therapeutic option for GIT-affliction in SSc, showing clinical promise in a recent controlled pilot trial. Here, we aim to investigate effects of FMT on duodenal biopsies collected from SSc patients by immunohistochemistry and transcriptome profiling.

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Background: Endoscopic and histological activity scores in ulcerative colitis (UC) are associated with clinical outcomes and have become important targets of clinical trials. However, these endpoints have been scarcely investigated in patients receiving only conventional treatment.

Objective: We aimed to assess the deep and complete remission rates after 3 months of conventional treatment in patients with newly diagnosed UC with moderate to severe endoscopic activity.

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Introduction: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs frequently in patients operated for esophageal atresia (EA). Longstanding esophagitis may lead to dysphagia, strictures, columnar metaplasia, and dysplasia with an increased risk of adenocarcinoma. Are clinical factors and non-invasive assessments reliable indicators for follow-up with endoscopy?

Material And Method: A follow-up study with inclusion of EA adolescents in Norway born between 1996 and 2002 was conducted.

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Background And Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), in surgically altered anatomy (SAA), can be challenging and the optimal technique selection remains debatable. Most common foregut interventions resulting to this burden consist of Billroth II gastrectomy, Whipple surgery and Roux-en-Y anastomoses, including gastric by-pass. This systematic review, with meta-analysis, aimed to compare the rates of successful enteroscope-assisted (EA)-, endosonography-directed transgastric- (EDGE), and laparoscopy-assisted (LA)-ERCP.

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Introduction: Optimal management of chronic pancreatitis involves several specialties. Selection of patients for surgery may benefit from evaluation by a multidisciplinary team (MDT), similar to cancer care. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes in patients selected for surgery after MDT decision.

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EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has recently gained widespread acceptance as a minimally invasive alternative method for biliary drainage. Even in experienced endoscopy centers, ERCP may fail due to inaccessibility of the papillary region, altered anatomy (particularly postsurgical alterations), papillary obstruction, or neoplastic gastric outlet obstruction. Biliary cannulation fails at first attempt in 5%-10% of cases even in the absence of these factors.

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Background: Low-grade immune activation in the gut is a potential treatment target in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Aims: To determine improvement in IBS symptoms after mesalazine treatment, and the utility of measures of immune activity in the rectal mucosa METHODS: This was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, multicentre trial in subjects with IBS (Rome III criteria), with an eight-week treatment period of mesalazine 2400 mg or plcebo once-daily. The primary endpoint was the global assessment of satisfactory relief of IBS symptoms in ≥50% of weeks during intervention.

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Objectives: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has revolutionized the treatment of many pancreaticobiliary conditions. However, little is known about the global practices, training programs, and credentialing of the procedure. The aim of the current study is to address the above questions.

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