Huge fecaloma in a rectum ampulla resolved with conservative treatment using a carbonated soft drink.

Colonic impaction due to a fecaloma is a very frequent complication in patients with chronic constipation. Most cases respond to conservative measures such as digital disimpaction or treatment with oral laxatives and enemas. However, in some cases fecalomas could be refractory to these treatments requiring aggressive measures such as endoscopic or surgical removal.

Patients' perspective on sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Systematic use of sedation or systematic prior information?

Although sedation in endoscopy is increasingly used and contributes to the quality of procedures, its role in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) is not as well defined as in other procedures. For this reason, we conducted a prospective pilot study where the patient, once informed of the different options, decided whether or not to undergo sedation for UGE. Remarkably, almost 60% preferred not to undergo sedation, with a high degree of satisfaction and no adverse effects in any of the groups (Ferrer Rosique JA, et al.

Author´s reply: About human taeniasis and Taenia saginata diagnosis by endoscopy.

Dear editor. We have published an article about the role of the endoscopy in the Taeniosis. I will try to clarify some doubts and misinformation about it, as well Galan-Puchades MT suggests.

Endoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic alternative technique of taeniasis.

Despite a low incidence in developed countries, gastrointestinal taeniasis should be suspected in patients with abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, and/or malabsorption of unknown origin, even more so if they come from endemic regions or areas with poor hygienic and alimentary habits. Diagnosis is traditionally reached by identifying the parasite in stools, but more recently both serological and immunological approaches are also available. Based on a patient diagnosed by gastroscopy, a literature review was undertaken of patients diagnosed by endoscopy.

Transoral endoluminal approach to Zenker's diverticulum using Ligasure™. Early clinical experience.

The development of minimally invasive procedures has rekindled interest in endoluminal techniques for the management of Zenker's diverticulum. Tissue sealers as employed in laparoscopic surgery have not been previously used for Zenker's diverticulum septotomy.Supported by the established safety of linear cutters, bipolar forceps, and ultrasonic scalpels, we have started a procedure using the Ligasure 5™ tissue sealer.