Placement of a new fully covered self-expanding metal stent for postoperative biliary strictures and leaks not responding to plastic stenting.

Fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMSs) are now being used to treat postoperative biliary strictures (BSs) and biliary leaks (BLs). The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of a new FCSEMS (Wallflex) in patients with postoperative BSs and BLs after failure of traditional endoscopic treatment. Between January 2010 and December 2011, 16 patients (10 patients with postcholecystectomy BSs, 4 with postcholecystectomy BLs, and 2 with postorthotopic liver transplantation BSs) were enrolled.

Covered removable self-expandable metal [corrected] stents for the treatment of refractory benign biliary disease.

Objective: The aim of the study was to verify the use of covered removable self-expandable metal stents (CRSEMS) in benign biliary disease after a failure of traditional endoscopic treatment.

Methods: A total of 23 patients who failed traditional endoscopic therapy were enrolled in the study and treated with CRSEMS.

Results: Among all the patients, 11 had a bile leak and 12 suffered benign biliary stenosis.

Colorectal stenting as a bridge to surgery reduces morbidity and mortality in left-sided malignant obstruction: a predictive risk score-based comparative study.

Background: The Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity model, and its Portsmouth and colorectal modifications are used to predict postoperative mortality and morbidity after colorectal surgery.

Aims: To compare stent placement as a bridge to surgery vs. emergency surgical resection in patients with acute left-sided colorectal cancer obstruction using P-POSSUM and CR-POSSUM.

A comparison of uncovered metal stents for the palliation of patients with malignant biliary obstruction: nitinol vs. stainless steel.

Background: Various types of self-expandable metal stents have been introduced for the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction.

Aims: To compare the outcomes of WallFlex™ and Wallstent™ uncovered biliary self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) for the palliation of patients with malignant biliary obstruction.

Methods: Between October 2008 and December 2009, all SEMSs placed for malignant biliary obstruction were WallFlex™: all patients palliated were included in the study.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration with 22- and 25-gauge needles in solid pancreatic masses: a prospective comparative study with randomisation of needle sequence.

Background: The difference in the diagnostic accuracy of 22- versus 25-gauge needles in EUS-FNA is not clear.

Aims: To compare the rates of technical success, diagnostic accuracy and complications of EUS-FNA performed with 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles on the same solid pancreatic mass.

Methods: All patients with solid pancreatic masses evaluated from September 2007 to December 2008 were enrolled and underwent EUS-FNA with both 22- and 25-gauge needles with randomisation of needle sequence.

Through-the-scope large diameter self-expanding metal stent placement as a safe and effective technique for palliation of malignant colorectal obstruction: a single center experience with a long-term follow-up.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of through-the-scope (TTS) large diameter self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement for palliation of malignant colorectal obstruction.

Material And Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2009, all patients who underwent endoscopic SEMS placement for palliation of malignant colorectal obstruction were prospectively enrolled.

Results: Thirty-nine patients (17M and 22F; mean age 75.

Interobserver agreement in describing video capsule endoscopy findings: a multicentre prospective study.

Background And Aim: Few studies have specifically addressed interobserver agreement in describing lesions identified during capsule endoscopy. The aim of our study is to evaluate interobserver agreement in the description of capsule endoscopy findings.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive short segments of capsule endoscopy were prospectively observed by 8 investigators.

Efficacy, safety and outcomes of 'inject and cut' endoscopic mucosal resection for large sessile and flat colorectal polyps.

Background And Study Aims: The study examines the outcomes of the 'inject and cut' endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), for large sessile and flat colorectal polyps.

Patients And Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2008 all patients referred to our institution for EMR of large polyps were prospectively evaluated. The accuracy of lifting sign and the rate of en bloc and piecemeal resection, complications and recurrence were analyzed.

Endoclip-assisted resection of large pedunculated colorectal polyps: technical aspects and outcome.

Background: The most common complication of polypectomy is hemorrhage, and various techniques have been used to prevent this complication.

Aim: This study evaluates the outcomes of endoclip-assisted polypectomy in patients with large pedunculated colorectal polyps, in comparison with a historical control group of patients treated with endoloop-assisted polypectomy.

Methods: Between January and December 2007, 32 patients with 32 large pedunculated polyps (>or=15 mm) were treated with endoclip-assisted polypectomy (group A).

Single session versus separate session endoscopic ultrasonography plus endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in patients with low to moderate risk for choledocholithiasis.

Background And Aim: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for common bile duct stones (CBDS) and may be used to select patients for therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). The aim of this trial is to compare, in patients with non-high-risk for CDBS, the clinical and economic impact of EUS plus ERC performed in a single endoscopic session versus EUS plus ERC in two separate sessions.

Methods: During an 11-month period, all adult patients admitted to the emergency department with suspicion of CBDS were categorized into either high-risk or non-high-risk groups, on the basis of clinical, biochemical, or transabdominal ultrasound findings.

Timing of precut procedure does not influence success rate and complications of ERCP procedure: a prospective randomized comparative study.

Background: There is scarce information on whether performing the precut procedure early rather than after several cannulation attempts is associated with different success and complication rates.

Objective: To compare the success and complication rates of precutting implemented either early or after prolonged attempts by the standard approach.

Design: Single-center prospective randomized study.

WallFlex colonic stent placement for management of malignant colonic obstruction: a prospective study at two centers.

Background: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) can alleviate malignant colonic obstruction and avoid emergency decompressive surgery. The use of colonic larger-diameter SEMSs may improve bowel function and reduce migration risk.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a novel large-diameter SEMS (WallFlex) designed for delivery through the endoscope in treating malignant colonic obstruction.

Anesthesiological risk and endoscopic sphincterotomy in acute biliary pancreatitis.

Introduction: The rate of complications after endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is about 10%, and early complications have been reported in 20% of patients considered unfit for surgery.

Aim: To evaluate the early and long-term results of endoscopic intervention in relation to the anesthesiological risk for 87 patients with acute biliary pancreatitis.

Methodology: All patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and were evaluated according to the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) criteria immediately before the operative procedure.