Influence of referral type and sociodemographic factors on completion of bariatric surgery.

Background: The impact of referral type and socioeconomic status on completion of the bariatric surgery process is not well understood.

Objectives: This study aims to 1) describe how sociodemographic characteristics influence referral type and 2) identify predictors of completion of surgery.

Setting: Large multihospital health care system, including a large academic medical center.

Surgeon variability in repair of hiatal hernia at the time of bariatric surgery.

Background: Hiatal hernia (HH) is estimated to affect between 20 and 50% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. However, there is no consensus regarding the preoperative assessment and intraoperative repair of HH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation in surgeon assessment and repair of HH during bariatric surgery across a multi-hospital healthcare system.

Increased bleeding risk with enoxaparin venothromboembolism prophylaxis compared with heparin in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Background: Perioperative venothromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis is an established tenant of bariatric surgery; however, there is little comparative data to guide medication choice. The objective of this study was to determine if a change in VTE prophylaxis from heparin to enoxaparin was associated with differing rates of postoperative bleeding and VTE occurrence after bariatric surgery.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients 18 years or older who underwent primary bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)) at a single institution between March 2012 and December 2021.

Identifying hiatal hernia with impedance planimetry during esophageal distension testing.

Introduction: Functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) Panometry evaluates the esophageal response to distension involving biomechanics and motility. We have observed that hiatus hernia (HH) is evident during FLIP studies as a separation between the crural diaphragm (CD) and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) like what is seen with high-resolution manometry (HRM). The aim of this study was to compare FLIP findings to endoscopy and HRM in the detection of HH.

Myotomy technique and esophageal contractility impact blown-out myotomy formation in achalasia: an in silico investigation.

We used in silico models to investigate the impact of the dimensions of myotomy, contraction pattern, the tone of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), and musculature at the myotomy site on esophageal wall stresses potentially leading to the formation of a blown-out myotomy (BOM). We performed three sets of simulations with an in silico esophagus model, wherein the myotomy-influenced region was modeled as an elliptical section devoid of muscle fibers. These sets investigated the effects of the dimensions of myotomy, differing esophageal contraction types, and differing esophagogastric junction (EGJ) tone and wall stiffness at the myotomy affected region on esophageal wall stresses potentially leading to BOM.

Effectiveness of a simulation-based mastery learning to train clinicians on a novel cricothyrotomy procedure at an academic medical centre during a pandemic: a quasi-experimental cohort study.

Objectives: To develop and evaluate a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum for cricothyrotomy using wet towels to suppress aerosolisation during a pandemic.

Design: Quasi-experimental, pre-post study.

Setting: Tertiary care, academic medical centre in Chicago.

Emergency cricothyrotomy during the COVID-19 pandemic: how to suppress aerosolization.

Background: Cricothyrotomy is associated with significant aerosolization that increases the potential risk of infection among healthcare providers. It is important to identify simple yet effective methods to suppress aerosolization and improve the safety of healthcare providers.

Methods: 5 ear, nose and throat and general surgeons used a locally developed hybrid cricothyrotomy simulator with a porcine trachea to test three draping methods to suppress aerosolization during the procedure: an X-ray cassette drape, dry operating room (OR) towels and wet OR towels.

Improving trauma tertiary survey performance and missed injury identification using an education-based quality improvement initiative.

Background: Performance of a trauma tertiary survey (TTS) reduces rates of missed injuries, but performance has been inconsistent at trauma centers. The objectives of this study were to assess whether quality improvement (QI) efforts would increase the frequency of TTS documentation and determine if TTS documentation would increase identification of traumatic injuries. Our hypothesis was that QI efforts would improve documentation of the TTS.

Outcomes of 100 Patients More Than 4 Years After POEM for Achalasia.

Objective: We aim to describe the long-term follow-up data from our institution's POEM experience.

Summary Background Data: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a well-established endoscopic therapy for achalasia with excellent short-term efficacy, but long-term outcomes data are limited.

Methods: Patients older than 4 years removed from POEM for treatment of achalasia were studied.

Comparison of preoperative, intraoperative, and follow-up functional luminal imaging probe measurements in patients undergoing myotomy for achalasia.

Background And Aims: The functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) is a novel catheter-based device that measures esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility index (DI) in real time. Previous studies have demonstrated DI to be a predictor of post-treatment clinical outcomes in patients with achalasia. We sought to evaluate EGJ DI in patients with achalasia before, during, and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and to assess the correlation of DI with postoperative outcomes.

Addressing the gap in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration training for rural surgeons: imparting procedural ability is not enough.

Background: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is an underutilized therapy for choledocholithiasis. The driving factors of this practice gap are poorly defined. We sought to evaluate the attitudes and practice patterns of surgeons who underwent training courses using an LCBDE simulator.

Complications and Readmissions Associated with First Assistant Training Level Following Elective Bariatric Surgery.

Background: Little is known regarding the variation in training level and potential clinical impact of the first assistant in bariatric surgery. We describe the postoperative 30-day complications and readmissions following elective bariatric procedures by training level of the first assistant.

Methods: The ACS-MBSAQIP database was queried to identify patients who underwent elective sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch, band placement, and revision from 2015 to 2016.

Blown-out myotomy: an adverse event of laparoscopic Heller myotomy and peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia.

Background And Aims: Although laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) or peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is highly effective, 10% to 20% of patients with achalasia remain symptomatic after treatment. In evaluating such patients, we have observed a pattern of failure associated with a pseudodiverticulum, or blown-out myotomy (BOM), in the distal esophagus. We aimed to assess risk factors and patient-reported outcomes associated with a BOM.

Intraoperative use of FLIP is associated with clinical success following POEM for achalasia.

Background: Esophagogastric junction distensibility index (DI), measured using the functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP), correlates with symptomatic outcomes after interventions for achalasia. The objective of this study was to determine if the intraoperative measurement of DI using FLIP was associated with improved clinical outcomes following per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia when compared with procedures in which FLIP was not utilized.

Methods: Patients undergoing POEM from 2012 to 2017 at a single institution by a single surgeon were studied.

Achalasia subtypes can be identified with functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) panometry using a supervised machine learning process.

Background: Achalasia subtypes on high-resolution manometry (HRM) prognosticate treatment response and help direct management plan. We aimed to utilize parameters of distension-induced contractility and pressurization on functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) panometry and machine learning to predict HRM achalasia subtypes.

Methods: One hundred eighty adult patients with treatment-naïve achalasia defined by HRM per Chicago Classification (40 type I, 99 type II, 41 type III achalasia) who underwent FLIP panometry were included: 140 patients were used as the training cohort and 40 patients as the test cohort.

Intraoperative FLIP distensibility during POEM varies according to achalasia subtype.

Background: The functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) can be used to measure the esophagogastric junction distensibility index (DI) during myotomy for achalasia and increased DI has been shown to predict superior clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine if the intraoperative DI and the changes produced by per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) differed between achalasia subtypes.

Methods: FLIP measurements were performed during POEM for achalasia at a single institution.

POEM for Esophageal Achalasia.

Over the past decade, per-oral endoscopic myotomy has been shown to be a durable minimally invasive approach to the treatment of esophageal achalasia. Patients with suspected achalasia should undergo upper endoscopy, timed barium esophagram, and high-resolution manometry to confirm the diagnosis. The procedure includes several key steps including mucosotomy, submucosal tunneling, selective myotomy of the circular muscle layer, and mucosotomy closure.

Post-Operative Complications and Readmissions Associated with Smoking Following Bariatric Surgery.

Background: The link between smoking and poor postoperative outcomes is well established. Despite this, current smokers are still offered bariatric surgery. We describe the risk of postoperative 30-day complications and readmission following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass in smokers.

Intraoperative assessment of esophageal motility using FLIP during myotomy for achalasia.

Background: The functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) can evaluate esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility and esophageal peristalsis in real time. FLIP measurements performed during diagnostic endoscopy can accurately discriminate between healthy controls and patients with achalasia based on EGJ-distensibility and distinct motility patterns termed repetitive antegrade contractions (RACs) and repetitive retrograde contractions (RRCs). We sought to evaluate real-time motility changes in patients undergoing surgical myotomy for achalasia.

Treatment of Idiopathic Achalasia with Per-Oral Esophageal Myotomy.

Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder that necessitates the disruption of the lower esophageal sphincter. Patients with achalasia should be evaluated in a systematic, multidisciplinary fashion. Workup should include upper endoscopy, esophagography, and high-resolution manometry.

Esophagogastric Junction Distensibility on Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Topography Predicts Treatment Response in Achalasia-Anatomy Matters!

Introduction: To compare the utility of the distensibility index (DI) on functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) topography to other esophagogastric junction (EGJ) metrics in assessing treatment response in achalasia in the context of esophageal anatomy.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 79 patients (at ages 17-81 years; 47% female patients) with achalasia during follow-up after pneumatic dilation, Heller myotomy, or per-oral endoscopic myotomy with timed barium esophagram, high-resolution impedance manometry, and FLIP. Anatomic deformities were identified based on consensus expert opinion.

The 2018 ISDE achalasia guidelines.

Achalasia is a relatively rare primary motor esophageal disorder, characterized by absence of relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter and of peristalsis along the esophageal body. As a result, patients typically present with dysphagia, regurgitation and occasionally chest pain, pulmonary complication and malnutrition. New diagnostic methodologies and therapeutic techniques have been recently added to the armamentarium for treating achalasia.

Complications of Antireflux Surgery.

Antireflux surgery anatomically restores the antireflux barrier and is a therapeutic option for proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease or PPI intolerance. Laparoscopic fundoplication is the standard antireflux surgery, though its popularity has declined due to concerns regarding wrap durability and adverse events. As the esophagogastric junction is an anatomically complex and dynamic area subject to mechanical stress, wraps are susceptible to disruption, herniation or slippage.