EUS-guided gallbladder drainage as second option of biliary decompression after failed ERCP for the management of malignant distal biliary obstruction.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) is recommended as a rescue treatment of malignant distal biliary obstruction (MBDO) after failed ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD). A 64-year-old male was admitted for painless obstructive jaundice and anemia. For religious reasons, he refused any blood transfusions.

Preoperative intragastric balloon in morbid obesity is unable to decrease early postoperative morbidity of bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass): a clinical assay.

Introduction: There are few studies that investigate the usefulness of the preoperative intragastric balloon (IGB). This study will evaluate if pre-surgical weight loss with IGB reduces morbidity and mortality after surgery.

Method: Prospective randomised study of patients with morbid obesity treated with gastric bypass or vertical gastrectomy, with two arms: the balloon arm (B-arm), where an IGB was inserted within the 6 months before surgery, and the control arm (C-arm).

Prevalence of the need for sodium intake restriction and the use of laxatives in palliative patients.

Background: palliative patients usually have diseases that require a restriction of dietary sodium, although the prevalence of this requirement is unknown. Such conditions, combined with constipation, may mean that the use of laxatives with electrolytes should be avoided.

Objectives: to ascertain the prevalence of the need to restrict sodium intake in palliative patients and to analyze the prevalence of constipation and the use of laxatives, including those containing sodium.