Design, Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of Gemcitabine-eluting Nanoyarn-integrated Heparinized Self Expanding Metallic Stents for Long-Term Management of Malignant Biliary Obstruction.

Malignant biliary obstruction presents a significant therapeutic challenge and has serious consequences including cholangitis and death. Clinically, biliary stenting using self-expanding metallic- stent(SEMS) relieves this obstruction. However, stent occlusion occurs with time due to tumor/epithelial in-growth and bacterial colonization.

The role of artificial intelligence based systems for cost optimization in colorectal cancer prevention programs.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) has seen a dramatic increase in incidence globally. In 2019, colorectal cancer accounted for 1.15 million deaths and 24.

Endoscopic management of high-grade biliary strictures complicating living donor liver transplantation using soehendra stent retrievers.

Background: Biliary strictures following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are usually managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) with stricture dilation and stent placement. While current endoscopic techniques are successful in most cases, high-grade biliary strictures (HGBS) pose a challenge using currently employed techniques which have a low rate of technical success.

Aims: In this study, we have explored the safety and efficacy of Soehendra stent retrievers (SSR) for the dilation of HGBS complicating LDLT.

Low Absolute Eosinophil Count Predicts In-Hospital Mortality in Cirrhosis With Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

Introduction Chronic liver disease (CLD) or Cirrhosis is one of the most common causes of morbidity as well as mortality. Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) are useful to assess the long-term prognosis of a patient with CLD. When a patient with CLD is admitted with an acute illness leading to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), these scores may not be reliable to predict the short-term prognosis and survival.

Sterilization of N95 respirators: The time for action is upon us!

Re-processing of primary protective equipment is the need of the hour with healthcare systems all over the world strained due to the shortage precipitated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The common methods of re-sterilization do not hold well for filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) as they affect their structure and function. We propose the validation and eventual use of gamma irradiation, an already existing method of re-sterilization, to disinfect FFRs in bulk.

Paradigm shift in the management of bile duct strictures complicating living donor liver transplantation.

Aim: Validation of new metrics to identify functionally significant obstruction (FSO), to better define biliary strictures complicating living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Methods: All LDLT recipients who presented with cholestasis were studied. Novel metrics for FSO are as follows: (1) magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) ductal ratio (MDR): The ratio between hepatic duct and recipient duct diameter on the MRCP taken at presentation; (2) endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) ductal ratio (EDR): The ratio between hepatic duct and recipient duct diameter on the first ERC done for suspected biliary strictures; (3) delayed contrast drainage (DCD): > 50% contrast retained above the anastomotic site, in more than three consecutive fluoroscopic images taken at least 15 min after contrast instillation.

Impact of calcifications on diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) is a major risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and is common in southern India. Endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is useful for tissue acquisition in patients with solid pancreatic lesions. Multiple factors may affect the diagnostic yield of FNA samples.

Biliary strictures complicating living donor liver transplantation: Problems, novel insights and solutions.

Biliary stricture complicating living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a relatively common complication, occurring in most transplant centres across the world. Cases of biliary strictures are more common in LDLT than in deceased donor liver transplantation. Endoscopic management is the mainstay for biliary strictures complicating LDLT and includes endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, sphincterotomy and stent placement (with or without balloon dilatation).

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy site infections-Incidence and risk factors.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement is the modality of choice for long-term enteral nutrition in view of technical ease and cost-effectiveness. Peristomal infection (PI) remains the most common complication following PEG tube placement. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors for PI and outline a microbiological profile that can aid in prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.

Endoscopic therapy for biliary strictures complicating living donor liver transplantation: Factors predicting better outcome.

Aim: To identify factors predicting outcome of endoscopic therapy in bile duct strictures (BDS) post living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Methods: Patients referred with BDS post LDLT, were retrospectively studied. Patient demographics, symptoms (Pruritus, Jaundice, cholangitis), intra-op variables (cold ischemia time, blood transfusions, number of ducts used, .