A survey on mortality from non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Is the emergency referral system adequate?

Background: Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Little information is available on the clinical management of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Italy in relation to the current organization of the Italian Emergency Health Services into Level-I and Level-II Emergency Departments (ED), the latter being more complex structures with greater resources.

Methods: A retrospective survey on clinical, endoscopic, and survival data was conducted by the regional sections of the 3 main Italian gastroenterological societies, AIGO, SIED and SIGE, recording all consecutive episodes of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding referred to 7 centres (4 of which were Level-II Emergency Departments) in Rome, Italy, during a one-year period.

Ultraflex precision colonic stent placement for palliation of malignant colonic obstruction: a prospective multicenter study.

Background: Many patients who develop obstructive colonic symptoms secondary to inoperable colorectal cancer will require palliative treatment. A minimally invasive and potentially long-lasting approach is placement of nitinol self-expanding metal stents (SEMS).

Objective: To determine the effectiveness and safety of a nitinol SEMS designed for colorectal use in the palliative treatment of malignant colonic obstruction.