The learning curve for transoral incisionless fundoplication.

 Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is a safe and effective minimally invasive endoscopic technique for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The learning curve for this technique has not been reported. We studied the learning curve for TIF when performed by a gastroenterologist by identifying the threshold number of procedures needed to achieve consistent technical success or proficiency (consistent creation of TIF valve ≥ 270 degrees in circumference, ≥ 2 cm long) and efficiency after didactic, hands-on and case observation experience.

Durability of per-oral endoscopic myotomy beyond 6 years.

 The aim of this study was to assess long-term clinical outcomes beyond 6 years in patients who underwent per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of achalasia.  Patients with achalasia who underwent POEM between 2010 and 2012 and had follow-up of at least 6 years were retrospectively identified at eight tertiary care centers. The primary outcome evaluated was clinical success defined by an Eckardt symptom score (ESS) ≤ 3 for the duration of the follow-up period.

Zenker's peroral endoscopic myotomy, or flexible or rigid septotomy for Zenker's diverticulum: a multicenter retrospective comparison.

Background: Treatment of Zenker's diverticulum has evolved from open surgery to endoscopic techniques, including flexible and rigid endoscopic septotomy, and more recently, peroral endoscopic myotomy (Z-POEM). This study compared the effectiveness of flexible and rigid endoscopic septotomy with that of Z-POEM.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic septotomy (flexible/rigid) or Z-POEM for Zenker's diverticulum between 1/2016 and 9/2019 were included.

Is transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) an answer to post-peroral endoscopic myotomy gastroesophageal reflux? A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: The use of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia has a high incidence of post-procedural gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) may be an ideal endoscopic treatment. We report our experience with the use of post-POEM TIF.

Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) for refractory gastroparesis: results from an international prospective trial.

Objective: Although gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) is considered a promising technique for the management of refractory gastroparesis, high-quality evidence is limited. We prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of G-POEM in unselected patients with refractory gastroparesis.

Design: In five tertiary centres, patients with symptomatic gastroparesis refractory to standard medical therapy and confirmed by impaired gastric emptying were included.

Guidelines on management of pancreatic cysts detected in high-risk individuals: An evaluation of the 2017 Fukuoka guidelines and the 2020 International Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) consortium statements.

Background: Objectives: Pancreatic cysts are frequently detected in high-risk individuals (HRI) undergoing surveillance for pancreatic cancer. The International Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) Consortium developed consensus recommendations for surgical resection of pancreatic cysts in HRI that are similar to the Fukuoka guidelines used for the management of sporadic cysts. We compared the performance characteristics of CAPS criteria for pancreatic cyst management in HRI with the Fukuoka guidelines originally designed for the management of cysts in non-HRI.

Multicenter experience with digital single-operator cholangioscopy in pregnant patients.

 The use of fluoroscopy during pregnancy should be minimized given that a clear-cut safe radiation dose in pregnancy is unknown. The role of digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC) as an alternative to standard enodoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pregnant patients has not been comprehensively studied. This study assessed 1 Technical success defined as performance of ERCP with D-SOC without the use of fluoroscopy in pregnant patients; 2 safety of D-SOC in pregnancy; and 3 maternal and neonatal outcomes after D-SOC during/after pregnancy.

Management of patients after failed peroral endoscopic myotomy: a multicenter study.

Background: Although peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is highly effective for the management of achalasia, clinical failures may occur. The optimal management of patients who fail POEM is not well known. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of different management strategies in patients who had failed POEM.

Impedance planimetry values for predicting clinical response following peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Background: There is growing interest in developing impedance planimetry as a tool to enhance the clinical outcomes for endoscopic and surgical management of achalasia. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether impedance planimetry measurements can predict clinical response and reflux following peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).

Methods: A multicenter cohort study of patients with achalasia undergoing POEM was established from prospective databases and retrospective chart reviews.

Assessment of the learning curve for EUS-guided gastroenterostomy for a single operator.

Background And Aims: EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is increasingly used as an alternative to surgery and enteral stent placement to manage gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). However, no data are available on the learning curve (LC) for EUS-GE. Defining the LC is necessary to create adequate subspecialty training programs and quality assurance.

Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE): a retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP; EDGE) is an alternative to enteroscopy- and laparoscopy-assisted ERCP in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass anatomy. Although short-term results are promising, the long-term outcomes are not known. The aims of this study were: (1) to determine the rates of long-term adverse events after EDGE, with a focus on rates of persistent gastrogastric or jejunogastric fistula; (2) to identify predictors of persistent fistula; (3) to assess the outcomes of endoscopic closure when persistent fistula is encountered.

Management of adverse events of EUS-directed transgastric ERCP procedure.

Background And Aims: Accessing the pancreatobiliary region in patients with a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) can be challenging. Traditionally, techniques such as percutaneous biliary drainage, enteroscopy-assisted ERCP, and laparoscopy-assisted ERCP have been used. However, each technique has its limitations.

Treatment experience with a novel 30-mm hydrostatic balloon in esophageal dysmotility: a multicenter retrospective analysis.

Background And Aims: The newest addition in the management of achalasia and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is a 30-mm hydrostatic balloon dilator that uses impedance planimetry technology. It allows for the measurement of the diameter and cross-sectional area to determine effective dilation. We aimed to (1) determine the clinical success (defined as a decrease in Eckardt score to ≤3) in the treatment of esophageal motility disorders and (2) report the safety (rate/severity of adverse events).

Long-term outcomes of per-oral endoscopic myotomy in achalasia patients with a minimum follow-up of 4 years: a multicenter study.

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is associated with a short-term clinical response of 82 % to 100 % in treatment of patients with achalasia. Data are limited on the long-term durability of the clinical response in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing POEM for management of achalasia.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection using a clip non-exposed method for gastrointestinal tract lesions: a meta-analysis.

 Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) allows for treatment of epithelial and sub-epithelial lesions (SELs) unsuitable to conventional resection techniques. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of clip-assisted method for non-exposed EFTR using FTRD or over-the-scope clip of gastrointestinal tumors.  A comprehensive literature search was performed.

Unilateral versus bilateral endoscopic stenting in patients with unresectable malignant hilar obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

 Endoscopic stent placement is used for palliative management of unresectable malignant hilar obstruction, which could be achieved by either unilateral or bilateral stent insertion.  A literature search was performed to identify studies that reported outcomes of metallic biliary stent placement in patients with malignant hilar obstruction. Weighted pooled rates (WPR) along with 95 % confidence intervals (95 %CI) were calculated to determine and compare outcomes including technical and functional success, early and late adverse events, post procedure cholangitis, and stent occlusion between two groups.

EUS-guided 22-gauge fine needle biopsy versus single-incision with needle knife for the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions: a randomized controlled trial.

 EUS-FNA has suboptimal accuracy in diagnosing gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors (SETs). EUS-guided 22-gauge fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) and single-incision with needle knife (SINK) were proposed to increase accuracy of diagnosis. This study aimed to prospectively compare the diagnostic accuracy and safety of EUS-FNB with SINK in patients with upper gastrointestinal SETs.

Role of endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe in predicting the outcome of gastric peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy (with video).

Background And Aims: Endoluminal functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP) is an imaging tool that measures the physiologic characteristics of GI sphincters. In this study, we used EndoFLIP to evaluate the association between the pyloric physiologic measurements and the clinical outcomes of gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) in patients with refractory gastroparesis.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients from 5 centers who underwent G-POEM for management of refractory gastroparesis and had EndoFLIP measurements were evaluated.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic walled-off necrosis using 20-mm versus 15-mm lumen-apposing metal stents: an international, multicenter, case-matched study.

Backgrounds: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided placement of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) has gained popularity for the treatment of pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON). We compared the 20-mm and 15-mm LAMSs for the treatment of symptomatic WON in terms of clinical success and adverse events.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, case-matched study of 306 adults at 22 tertiary centers from 04/2014 to 10/2018.