Safety and efficacy of thalidomide in treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to angioectasias: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Thalidomide has been used for angioectasia-associated refractory gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), with studies showing variable efficacy and side effects profile. We conducted a meta-analysis to reconcile the data.

Methods: Online databases were searched for studies evaluating thalidomide in patients with refractory/recurrent GIB due to angioectasias.

An international experience with single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy in patients with altered anatomy.

The utility of digital single- operator cholangiopancreatoscopy (D-SOCP) in surgically altered anatomy (SAA) is limited. We aimed to evaluate the technical success and safety of D-SOCP in patients SAA. Patients with SAA who underwent D-SOCP between February 2015 and June 2020 were retrospectively evaluated.

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.

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.

Factors associated with complete clip closure after endoscopic mucosal resection of large colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM : Delayed bleeding is a common adverse event following endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of large colorectal polyps. Prophylactic clip closure of the mucosal defect after EMR of nonpedunculated polyps larger than 20 mm reduces the incidence of severe delayed bleeding, especially in proximal polyps. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with complete prophylactic clip closure of the mucosal defect after EMR of large polyps.

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.

Impact of prior treatment on feasibility and outcomes of Zenker's peroral endoscopic myotomy (Z-POEM).

Background: Zenker's peroral endoscopic myotomy (Z-POEM) is a novel procedure for the management of symptomatic Zenker's diverticulum. This study aims to report the technical feasibility and outcomes of Z-POEM in the management of Zenker's diverticulum after prior failed interventions.

Methods: Patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms after prior endoscopic and/or surgical intervention for Zenker's diverticulum were retrospectively included.

Esophageal peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treatment of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction: results from the first prospective trial.

Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is a rare esophageal dysmotility disease that is characterized by elevated integrated relaxation pressuse (IRP) with evidence of preserved peristalsis. The role of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in management of EGJOO is currently unknown. This is a prospective trial conducted in a single US tertiary care center from June 2015 to June 2019.

Outcomes of anterior versus posterior peroral endoscopic myotomy 2 years post-procedure: prospective follow-up results from a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is considered a primary treatment modality for achalasia. It can be performed using either the anterior or posterior approach. A previous randomized clinical trial (RCT) showed that the posterior approach was noninferior to the anterior approach at 1 year post-POEM in terms of clinical success, rate of adverse event, and risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

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.

Effects of Blended (Yellow) vs Forced Coagulation (Blue) Currents on Adverse Events, Complete Resection, or Polyp Recurrence After Polypectomy in a Large Randomized Trial.

Background & Aims: There is debate over the type of electrosurgical setting that should be used for polyp resection. Some endoscopists use a type of blended current (yellow), whereas others prefer coagulation (blue). We performed a single-blinded, randomized trial to determine whether type of electrosurgical setting affects risk of adverse events or recurrence.

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.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy: anterior versus posterior approach: a randomized single-blinded clinical trial.

Background And Aims: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become the mainstay for the treatment of achalasia at many institutions around the world since its inception in 2008. POEM can be performed using either the anterior or posterior approach. The primary aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the anterior and posterior approaches at 1 year after POEM.

Safety and efficacy of the use of lumen-apposing metal stents in the management of postoperative fluid collections: a large, international, multicenter study.

Background: Multiple studies have examined the use of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) for the drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections. Data on the use of LAMSs for postoperative fluid collections (POFCs) are scarce. POFCs may lead to severe complications without appropriate treatment.

Fibromyalgia diagnostic model derived from combination of American College of Rheumatology 1990 and 2011 criteria.

Background: We aimed to explore the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 and 2011 fibromyalgia (FM) classification criteria's items and the components of Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) to identify features best discriminating FM features. Finally, we developed a combined FM diagnostic (C-FM) model using the FM's key features.

Methods: The means and frequency on tender points (TPs), ACR 2011 components and FIQ items were calculated in the FM and non-FM (osteoarthritis [OA] and non-OA) patients.

Clip Closure Prevents Bleeding After Endoscopic Resection of Large Colon Polyps in a Randomized Trial.

Background & Aims: Bleeding is the most common severe complication after endoscopic mucosal resection of large colon polyps and is associated with significant morbidity and cost. We examined whether prophylactic closure of the mucosal defect with hemoclips after polyp resection reduces the risk of bleeding.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, randomized trial of patients with a large nonpedunculated colon polyp (≥20 mm) at 18 medical centers in North America and Spain from April 2013 through October 2017.

Lumen apposing metal stents are superior to plastic stents in pancreatic walled-off necrosis: a large international multicenter study.

 The use of lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) during EUS-guided transmural drainage (EUS-TD) of pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON) has gained popularity. Data supporting their use in WON over plastic stents (PS), however, remain scarce. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of LAMS (Axios, Boston Scientific) with PS in WON.

Durability and long-term outcomes of direct EUS-guided gastroenterostomy using lumen-apposing metal stents for gastric outlet obstruction.

 EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (GE) is a novel, minimally invasive endoscopic procedure for the treatment of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). The direct-EUS-GE (D-GE) approach has recently gained traction. We aimed to report on a large cohort of patients who underwent DGE with focus on long-term outcomes.

Lumen-apposing stents versus plastic stents in the management of pancreatic pseudocysts: a large, comparative, international, multicenter study.

Background: Larger caliber lumen-apposing stents (LAMSs) have been increasingly used in the management of pancreatic fluid collections, specifically when solid debris is present; however, their advantages over smaller caliber plastic stents in the management of pancreatic pseudocysts are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of LAMS specifically in the management of pancreatic pseudocysts compared with double-pigtail plastic stents (DPPSs).

Methods: We performed a multicenter, international, retrospective study between January 2012 and August 2016.

An international study on the use of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in the management of esophageal diverticula: the first multicenter D-POEM experience.

Background: The aim of this study is to report a novel, multicenter experience with the diverticular peroral endoscopic myotomy (D-POEM) technique in the management of esophageal diverticula.

Methods: This is a multicenter, international, retrospective study involving three centers. D-POEM was performed using the principles of submucosal endoscopy.