Intraoperative distensibility measurement in POEM for achalasia: impact on patient outcome and associations with other outcome variables at 1-year follow-up.

Background And Aims: The functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) can provide measurements of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) distensibility. Studies report that use of intraoperative FLIP examination during peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia is associated with treatment success, but evidence is limited and inconsistent. The main aim of the present study was to assess associations between intraoperative FLIP values and 1-year outcomes.

Quality of life in patients with achalasia: Associations with Eckardt score and objective treatment outcomes after peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Knowledge on self-reported quality of life (QoL) in achalasia and QoL improvements after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is limited. Furthermore, the clinical role of QoL in achalasia follow-up has not been evaluated. The present study aimed to examine QoL in achalasia patients before and after POEM and assess associations between QoL, Eckardt score (ES) and objective results.

One year comprehensive prospective follow-up of achalasia patients after peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Background And Aims: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an established therapy for achalasia, but outcome evaluation has often been limited to Eckardt score (ES). The present study was aimed to improve knowledge about outcome evaluation and predictive outcome factors by performing a comprehensive objective evaluation of achalasia patients treated by POEM.

Methods: This single centre prospective study reports outcome data 12 months after POEM in treatment-naive achalasia patients.

Outcome of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in treatment-naive patients. A systematic review.

Objectives: Achalasia is a primary motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by aperistalsis and failure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation. Treatment of achalasia aims at reducing LES pressure. The common treatment modalities are laparoscopic Heller myotomy and pneumatic dilatation, but during the last decade, a promising treatment, per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), has been introduced.

Long-term outcome of palliative treatment with self-expanding metal stents for malignant obstructions of the GI tract.

Background: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are commonly used in the palliative treatment of malignant gastrointestinal (GI) obstructions with favorable short-term outcome. Data on long-term outcome are scarce, however.

Aim: To evaluate long-term outcome after palliative stent treatment of malignant GI obstruction.

Stent treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction: the effect on rate of gastric emptying, symptoms, and survival.

Background: Advanced pancreatic cancer and other malignancies located proximal to the small bowel might cause gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) resulting in nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and malnutrition. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) to a large extent have replaced surgical treatment, with gastro-entero-anastomosis as palliative treatment for GOO. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of duodenal stenting on the rate of gastric emptying, symptoms, and survival.

Patient-reported outcomes in palliative gastrointestinal stenting: a Norwegian multicenter study.

Background: The clinical effect of stent treatment has been evaluated by mainly physicians; only a limited number of prospective studies have used patient-reported outcomes for this purpose. The aim of this work was to study the clinical effect of self-expanding metal stents in treatment of malignant gastrointestinal obstructions, as evaluated by patient-reported outcomes, and compare the rating of the treatment effect by patients and physicians.

Methods: Between November 2006 and April 2008, 273 patients treated with SEMS for malignant GI and biliary obstructions were recruited from nine Norwegian hospitals.

Treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction with stents: an evaluation of the reported variables for clinical outcome.

Background: Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is commonly seen in patients with advanced gastric-, pancreatic-, duodenal, hepatobiliary or metastatic malignancies. Ten to 25% of patients with pancreatic cancer will develop duodenal obstruction during the course of the disease. Duodenal stenting with self-expandable metal stents is an alternative treatment to surgical bypass procedures.

Transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of bleeding duodenal ulcers: a 5.5-year retrospective study of treatment and outcome.

Objective: The mortality rate associated with bleeding duodenal ulcer disease is about 10%. Primary endoscopic hemostasis is successful in over 90% of patients, but in 15-25%, the bleeding cannot be controlled endoscopically or the patient rebleeding, requiring alternative treatment. Percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has been proposed as an alternative to surgery and was introduced at Ullevål University Hospital in Oslo, Norway, in June 2000.