Achalasia Treatment. Robotic Approach or Laparoscopy?

Nowadays the question persists whether to choose the endoscopic or surgical method as the first treatment of choice for achalasia. Another debate topic is about the differences between the outcomes of the two approaches of minimally invasive surgical treatment and their feasibility. Material and This retrospective observational study included 193 patients with achalasia treated between 2008 and 2021.

Romanian Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of GERD-induced Respiratory Manifestations.

Background And Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition present in daily practice with a wide range of clinical phenotypes. In this line, respiratory conditions may be associated with GERD. The Romanian Societies of Gastroenterology and Neurogastroenterology, in association with the Romanian Society of Pneumology, aimed to create a guideline regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions associated with GERD.

Romanian Guidelines for Nonpharmacological Therapy of IBS.

Background And Aims: The nonpharmacological therapy in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is expanding rapidly. Practitioners and medical educators need to be aware of progress and changes in knowledge of this topic. The Romanian Society of Neurogastroenterology aimed to create guidelines based on best evidence on the use of nonpharmacological therapy in IBS.

How the Internet influences the relationship between outpatients and gastroenterologists: A multicenter study.

Background/aims: The Internet offers a lot of non-filtered medical information which may interfere with the patient-doctor relationship. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of the Internet on the classical doctor-patient relationship in gastroenterological outpatient settings.

Materials And Methods: A multicenter study was conducted, including a representative sample selected from five major regional medical centers throughout Romania.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy with Jejunal Extension Tube for the Delivery of Levodopa Carbidopa Intestinal Gel: Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Romanian Society of Digestive Endoscopy.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal extension (PEG/J) was first described in 1998 and has become the standard technique for fixing the tube in place for levodopa carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) infusion. The Romanian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (RSDE) decided to create a consensus paper to meet the needs in medical training and practice. After reviewing the available published data and existing recommendations, a consensus process was carried out involving the leaders of opinion in this field.

Iron deficiency in a tertiary gastroenterology center in Romania: prevalence and significancy.

Iron deficiency has been known to cause significant functional impairment, lower quality of life and higher morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and significance of iron deficiency in our patients and medical staff. We performed a prospective cross-sectional study: In July 2016, 383 persons were screened for the presence of iron deficiency (ID): 325 patients and 58 people from the medical staff.

The Orientation of Gastric Biopsy Samples Improves the Inter-observer Agreement of the OLGA Staging System.

Background And Aims: Evaluation of severity and extension of gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia is recommended to identify subjects with a high risk for gastric cancer. The inter-observer agreement for the assessment of gastric atrophy is reported to be low. The aim of the study was to evaluate the inter-observer agreement for the assessment of severity and extension of gastric atrophy using oriented and unoriented gastric biopsy samples.

Mucosal Protective Compounds in the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. A Position Paper Based on Evidence of the Romanian Society of Neurogastroenterology.

Background And Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) therapy is challenging and suppression of acid secretion or prokinetics do not cure all cases. Some drugs with protective action on the esophageal mucosa have been used alternatively or in association with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and/or prokinetics. The Romanian Society of Neurogastroenterology undertook an Evidence-Based analysis, from which this position paper evolved.

Predictors of short term treatment outcome in patients with achalasia following endoscopic or surgical therapy.

Background/aims: Pneumatic balloon dilation and surgical myotomy are the most effective treatments for achalasia. While there is controversy which method is best, the aim of the current study was to identify predictors of symptom recurrence after endoscopic or surgical therapy.

Methodology: Patients undergoing pneumatic balloon dilatation (30mm) or laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication were included in the study.

Projected dynamics of colonoscopic screening and surveillance for colorectal cancer.

Background/aims: We used a simulation model of statistical analysis to estimate the cost and procedural burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and surveillance using colonoscopy.

Methodology: The estimated financial resources have been evaluated by multiplying half of the scheduled colonoscopies with the cost of one surveillance colonoscopy, dividing the result to the median time in which the procedures are performed, according to the Kaplan-Meier curve of scheduled procedures.

Results: Three hundred and thirty-eight patients (72.

Olympus capsule endoscopy for small bowel examination.

The video capsule endoscope has been developed to allow for direct examination of the small bowel in a safe, noninvasive and well-tolerated manner. The Olympus capsule endoscope, recently developed, with technology based on a charge-coupled device (CCD) and with electronic enhancement of image quality, differs from the Given capsule by a high-resolution CCD and an external real-time image viewer (External Viewer) monitor. The most frequent indications for video capsule endoscopy of the small bowel are the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, angiodysplasia, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, hereditary polyposis syndromes, small bowel tumors.

Preoperative noninvasive EUS evaluation in patients with esophageal cancer considered for esophagectomy.

Background: Worldwide, esophageal cancer ranks fifth in the mortality rate regarding tumor locations. EUS is an essential tool in the evaluation of these patients allowing accurate staging and permitting stratified treatment options. AIM.

Effectiveness and tolerability of pegylated Interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin combination therapy in Romanian patients with chronic hepatitis C: from clinical trials to clinical practice.

Background And Aim: Pegylated interferon alpha in combination with ribavirin represents nowadays the gold standard therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to assess early (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR), tolerability and baseline predictive factors for SVR in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin combination therapy in day-to-day clinical practice.

Methods: The analysis included 174 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C (naive, relapsers and non-responders after standard therapy) managed in two expertise gastroenterology centers in Romania, mainly on an outpatient basis.

Regression of gastric malt-lymphoma under specific therapy may be predict by endoscopic ultrasound.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas represent a relatively new described class of rare lymphomas, characterized by an indolent course and favourable outcome with specific therapy. Gastric MALT lymphomas are associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. We report the case of a 67 year old man admitted for an 8-month history of epigastric pain, anorexia and progressive weight loss.

Antro-duodenal tuberculosis causing gastric outlet obstruction--a rare presentation of a protean disease.

Gastroduodenal tuberculosis is a rare location of abdominal tuberculosis. It usually occurs secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. We report a case of a 63-year-old woman admitted to the referral center for symptoms of upper gastrointestinal obstruction caused by ulcerohypertrophic antroduodenal tuberculosis.