Adherence to guideline recommendations for Barrett's esophagus (BE) surveillance endoscopies: Effects of dedicated BE endoscopy lists.

For non-dysplastic Barrett's Esophagus (BE) patients, guidelines recommend endoscopic surveillance every 3 to 5 years with four-quadrant random biopsies every 2 cm of BE length. Adherence to these guidelines is low in clinical practice. Pooling BE surveillance endoscopies on dedicated endoscopy lists performed by dedicated endoscopists could possibly enhance guideline adherence, detection of visible lesions, and dysplasia detection rates (DDRs).

Triage of colonoscopies: open access endoscopy versus outpatient consultation with a gastroenterologist.

Background And Study Aims: In many Dutch hospitals, open access referral for colonoscopy is authorized by a gastroenterologist after screening a standard referral letter (SRL) without face-to-face contact with the patient. We investigated the added value of a 7.5 min outpatient consultation with a gastroenterologist (OC), regarding the patient indications, priority for colonoscopy, and the frequency of correct information about patient medications and comorbidities on SRLs.

Comparison of 2 expandable stents for malignant esophageal disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) provide effective palliation in patients with malignant dysphagia. However, although life expectancy is generally limited, reintervention rates because of stent dysfunction are significant. New SEMSs are being designed to overcome this drawback.

Endoscopic removal of self-expandable metal stents from the esophagus (with video).

Background: Self-expandable metals stents (SEMSs) have increasingly been used as a temporary device to bridge chemoradiotherapy in patients with malignant esophageal disease or in patients with benign esophageal defects or stenosis.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of removal of SEMSs in a large cohort of patients with benign and malignant esophageal disease.

Design: Observational study with standardized treatment and follow-up.