Novel through-the-scope suture closure of colonic EMR defects (with video).

Background And Aims: Large colon polyps removed by EMR can be complicated by delayed bleeding. Prophylactic defect clip closure can reduce post-EMR bleeding. Larger defects can be challenging to close using through-the-scope clips (TTSCs), and proximal defects are difficult to reach using over-the-scope techniques.

Metagenomic and bile acid metabolomic analysis of fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent Clostridiodes difficile and/or inflammatory bowel diseases.

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment of recurrent infections (rCDI), but has more limited efficacy in treating either ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD), two major forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We hypothesize that FMT recipients with rCDI and/or IBD have baseline fecal bile acid (BA) compositions that differ significantly from that of their healthy donors and that FMT will normalize the BA compositions.

Aim: To study the effect of single colonoscopic FMT on microbial composition and function in four recipient groups: 1.

A novel through-the-scope helix tack-and-suture device for mucosal defect closure following colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a multicenter study.

Background: Complete closure of large mucosal defects following colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with through-the-scope (TTS) clips is oftentimes not possible. We aimed to report our early experience of using a novel TTS suturing system for the closure of large mucosal defects after colorectal ESD.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent attempted prophylactic defect closure using the TTS suturing system after colorectal ESD.

Inverted Meckel's Diverticulum Masquerading as a Subepithelial Tumor of the Ileum.

We describe a case of an inverted Meckel's diverticulum presenting as an intraluminal subepithelial lesion on intraoperative enteroscopy. A 53-year-old woman presented with chronic iron deficiency anemia unresponsive to escalating iron supplementation. After equivocal upper and lower endoscopy and negative cross-sectional imaging, capsule endoscopy suggested a submucosal mass lesion in the proximal ileum.

Analysis of Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients With Varying Degrees of Hyperlipasemia.

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may have varying degrees of hyperlipasemia. The aim was to compare outcomes among different levels of hyperlipasemia in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This is a retrospective study examining outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with a lipase <3× upper limit of normal (ULN), asymptomatic hyperlipasemia (>3× ULN), secondary pancreatitis (typical respiratory COVID-19 symptoms and found to have pancreatitis), and primary pancreatitis (presenting with pancreatitis).

Higher Author Fees in Gastroenterology Journals Are Not Associated with Faster Processing Times or Higher Impact.

Background: Publications are an important component of academic careers.

Aims: We investigated the financial costs to authors for submitting and publishing manuscripts in gastroenterology (GI) journals in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and elsewhere.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out from 11/1/2020 to 12/31/2020.

Keratin 17 testing in pancreatic cancer needle aspiration biopsies predicts survival.

Background: Although pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the lowest 5-year survival rates of all cancers, differences in survival exist between patients with clinically identical characteristics. The authors previously demonstrated that keratin 17 (K17) expression in PDAC, measured by RNA sequencing or immunohistochemistry (IHC), is an independent negative prognostic biomarker. Only 20% of cases are candidates for surgical resection, but most patients are diagnosed by needle aspiration biopsy (NAB).

Impact of type 2 diabetes on adenoma detection in screening colonoscopies performed in disparate populations.

Background: The Black/African Ancestry (AA) population has a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a higher incidence and mortality rate for colorectal cancer (CRC) than all other races in the United States. T2DM has been shown to increase adenoma risk in predominantly white/European ancestry (EA) populations, but the effect of T2DM on adenoma risk in Black/AA individuals is less clear. We hypothesize that T2DM has a significant effect on adenoma risk in a predominantly Black/AA population.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy during the coronavirus pandemic in the New York area: results from a multi-institutional survey.

 The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and measures taken to mitigate its impact, have profoundly affected the clinical care of gastroenterology patients and the work of endoscopy units. We aimed to describe the clinical care delivered by gastroenterologists and the type of procedures performed during the early to peak period of the pandemic.  Endoscopy leaders in the New York region were invited to participate in an electronic survey describing operations and clinical service.

A newly designed uncovered biliary stent for palliation of malignant obstruction: results of a prospective study.

Background: Biliary decompression can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Endoscopically placed stents have become the standard of care for biliary drainage with the aim of improving hepatic function, relieving jaundice, and reducing adverse effects of obstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of a newly-designed, uncovered metal biliary stent for the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction.

An Unsuccessful Randomized Trial of Percutaneous vs Endoscopic Drainage of Suspected Malignant Hilar Obstruction.

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are widely accepted but competing approaches for the management of malignant obstruction at the hilum of the liver. ERCP is favored in the United States on the basis of high success rates for non-hilar indications, the perceived safety and superior tissue sampling capability of ERCP relative to PTBD, and the avoidance of external drains that are undesirable to patients. A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the 2 modalities in patients with resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma was terminated prematurely because of higher mortality in the PTBD group.

Type 2 diabetes impacts colorectal adenoma detection in screening colonoscopy.

Background: Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We conducted a retrospective analysis of adenoma detection rates (ADR) in initial screening colonoscopies to further investigate the role of diabetes in adenoma detection.

Methods: A chart review was performed on initial average risk screening colonoscopies (ages 45-75) during 2012-2015.

Single-Pass vs 2-Pass Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Biopsy Sample Collection for Creation of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Organoids.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the poorest prognoses of all malignancies, with a 5-year survival rate <8%. Suspicious lesions are typically diagnosed via endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB). Fewer needle passes decreases the risk of postprocedure complications, including pancreatitis and hemorrhage, while allowing additional needle passes to be used for adjuvant tissue testing, such as organoid creation and DNA sequencing.

Fully covered self-expanding metal stents for refractory pancreatic duct strictures in symptomatic chronic pancreatitis, US experience.

 Fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) have been used to treat refractory pancreatic duct strictures. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of FCSEMS in chronic pancreatitis with refractory pancreatic duct strictures.  This was a retrospective multicenter cases series of patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with FCSEMS placement in the main pancreatic duct (MPD) at five tertiary care centers between February 2010 and June 2016.

Radiopaque Short Pancreatic Stents Reliably Migrate in Nearly All Patients When Inserted for Prevention of Pancreatitis.

Placement of a pancreatic duct (PD) stent for prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) often necessitates a second procedure for stent removal, generally within 2-4 weeks to avoid stent occlusion or injury to the duct. These procedures are associated with increased costs and may result in procedure-related complications. Stents without internal anchoring flaps were developed to allow spontaneous migration into the duodenum, thus obviating the need for a repeat procedure.

The Use of Endoscopic Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Unexplained Biliary Dilation.

Isolated biliary dilation, as an incidental diagnosis, is increasing owing to an increase in the use of noninvasive abdominal imaging and poses a diagnostic challenge to physicians especially when further noninvasive diagnostic testing fails to reveal an etiology. This article reviews available data describing the natural history of this clinical scenario and the impact of endoscopic ultrasound examination in the evaluation of unexplained dilation of the common bile duct.

Setting minimum standards for training in EUS and ERCP: results from a prospective multicenter study evaluating learning curves and competence among advanced endoscopy trainees.

Background And Aims: Minimum EUS and ERCP volumes that should be offered per trainee in "high quality" advanced endoscopy training programs (AETPs) are not established. We aimed to define the number of procedures required by an "average" advanced endoscopy trainee (AET) to achieve competence in technical and cognitive EUS and ERCP tasks to help structure AETPs.

Methods: American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)-recognized AETPs were invited to participate; AETs were graded on every fifth EUS and ERCP examination using a validated tool.

A multicenter randomized trial comparing a 25-gauge EUS fine-needle aspiration device with a 20-gauge EUS fine-needle biopsy device.

Background And Aims: Several studies have compared EUS-guided FNA with fine-needle biopsy (FNB), but none have proven superiority. We performed a multicenter randomized controlled trial to compare the performance of a commonly used 25-gauge FNA needle with a newly designed 20-gauge FNB needle.

Methods: Consecutive patients with a solid lesion were randomized in this international multicenter study between a 25-gauge FNA (EchoTip Ultra) or a 20-gauge FNB needle (ProCore).

Safety and rate of delayed adverse events with lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) for pancreatic fluid collections: a multicenter study.

Endoscopic drainage with dedicated lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) is routinely performed for symptomatic pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs), walled-off necrosis (WON) and pseudocyst (PP). There has been increasing concern regarding delayed adverse events associated with the indwelling LAMS.  Multicenter retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided LAMS placement for PFC from January 2010 to May 2017.

Competence in Endoscopic Ultrasound and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, From Training Through Independent Practice.

Background & Aims: It is unclear whether participation in competency-based fellowship programs for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) results in high-quality care in independent practice. We measured quality indicator (QI) adherence during the first year of independent practice among physicians who completed endoscopic training with a systematic assessment of competence.

Methods: We performed a prospective multicenter cohort study of invited participants from 62 training programs.