Efficacy and Safety of Repeat Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy After Failed POEM for Achalasia: A Systematic Review and meta-analysis.

Background: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an effective option for treating achalasia. Despite its high efficacy, a fraction of patients remain symptomatic after POEM, and the data on the optimal management of these patients is limited. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of repeat POEM after a failed POEM.

Evaluating Disparities in COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Cirrhosis in North America and Europe-An International Registry Study.

Background: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis have a higher risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death from COVID-19. The impact of demographics on these outcomes remains uncertain.

Methods: The SECURE-Liver and COVID-Hep databases were utilized to evaluate disparities in COVID-19 outcomes.

Disparities in the Prevalence of Hospitalizations and In-Hospital Mortality Due to Acute Myocardial Infarction Among Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Nationwide Retrospective Study.

Non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) may be associated with cardiovascular diseases; however, only a few studies have analyzed this relationship. We aimed to assess the epidemiologic data and the association between NAFLD and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the United States. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2016-2019 was queried using ICD10-CM diagnostic codes to identify hospitalizations of AMI + NAFLD.

Risk score to predict inpatient mortality of acute pancreatitis patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

Background/objectives: Predicting inpatient mortality for acute pancreatitis (AP) patients in the ICU is crucial for optimal treatment planning. This study aims to develop a concise risk score model for this purpose, enhancing the predictability and management of AP in ICU settings.

Methods: We included 380 patients in our training set.

EUS-guided Drainage of Pancreatic Fluid Collections Using Lumen Apposing Metal Stents With or Without Coaxial Plastic Stents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Co-axial plastic double pigtail stents (DPSs) are commonly placed through lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) in patients with pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) to decrease the risk of adverse events. In this meta-analysis, we have compared the outcomes of LAMS plus co-axial DPS versus LAMS alone in patients with PFCs.

Methods: We reviewed several databases to identify the studies that compared outcomes of LAMS with DPS to LAMS without DPS in the treatment of PFCs.

Comparing Endoscopic Treatment Modalities for Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: Efficacy, Safety, and Outcomes in a Network Meta-analysis.

Objective: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is characterized by vascular ectasias accounting for 4% of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeds, which can range from occult bleeds to severe acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In turn, GAVE can lead to severe morbidity and recurrent hospitalization. Current endoscopic treatments for GAVE include argon plasma coagulation (APC), endoscopic band ligation (EBL), and radiofrequency ablation.

Advancements in Early Detection and Screening Strategies for Pancreatic Cancer: From Genetic Susceptibility to Novel Biomarkers.

Pancreatic cancer is a rare but lethal cancer due to its biologically aggressive nature, advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, and poor response to oncologic therapies. The risk of pancreatic cancer is significantly higher to 5% in certain high-risk individuals with inherited genetic susceptibility. Screening for pancreatic cancer in these individuals from high-risk groups can help with the early detection of pancreatic cancer as well as the detection of precursor lesions leading to early surgical resection and improved overall outcomes.

Feasibility and safety of peroral endoscopic myotomy with fundoplication in patients with achalasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Achalasia can cause disabling symptoms that may substantially impair the quality of life. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has shown promising results in the management of achalasia. In this meta-analysis we have evaluated the feasibility and safety of single-session POEM with fundoplication (POEM+F) in patients with achalasia.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade treatment versus balloon enteroscopy endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for choledocholithiasis in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The safety and technical success of endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade treatment (EUS-AG) compared to balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (BE-ERCP) for choledocholithiasis in Roux-en-Y gastrectomy has not been well documented. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of the 2 procedures.

Methods: A systematic search of multiple databases was undertaken through January 25, 2024, to identify relevant studies comparing the 2 procedures.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Different Stent Types for Pancreatic Fluid Collections: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background And Aims: Drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) is required in select cases including infected or symptomatic collections. In this network meta-analysis, we have compared lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS), fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS), and double-pigtail stents (DPS) to identify the most useful stent type in the management of PFCs.

Methods: We reviewed several databases to identify studies that compared DPS or FCSEMS with LAMS and the ones which compared DPS with FCSEMS for the treatment of PFCs.

Basic Principles and Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Diagnosis and Differentiation of Pancreatic Cancer from Other Pancreatic Lesions: A Comprehensive Review of Endoscopic Ultrasound for Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Pancreatic lesions consist of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions and often pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to similar clinical and radiological features. In recent years, pancreatic lesions have been discovered more frequently as incidental findings due to the increased utilization and widespread availability of abdominal cross-sectional imaging.

Rates of Recurrent Intestinal Metaplasia and Dysplasia After Successful Endoscopic Therapy of Barrett's Neoplasia by Endoscopic Mucosal Resection vs Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Ablation: A Large North American Multicenter Cohort.

Introduction: Endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) combining endoscopic resection (ER) with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) followed by ablation is the standard of care for the treatment of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE). We have previously shown comparable rates of complete remission of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) with both approaches. However, data comparing recurrence after CRIM are lacking.

Comparing EUS-directed Transgastric ERCP (EDGE) Versus Laparoscopic-Assisted ERCP Versus Enteroscopic ERCP: A Network Meta-analysis.

Background: Management of choledocholithiasis in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is challenging. This study aims to compare technical success rates, adverse events, and procedural time between 3 current approaches: endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (EDGE), enteroscopy-assisted ERCP (E-ERCP), and laparoscopic-assisted ERCP (LA-ERCP).

Methods: A systematic search of 5 databases was conducted.

Safety and adverse events of EUS-guided gallbladder drainage using lumen-apposing metal stents and percutaneous cholecystostomy tubes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: EUS-guided gallbladder drainage using lumen-apposing metal stents (EUS-GBD-LAMSs) and percutaneous cholecystostomy for gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) are the alternative treatment modalities in high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis (AC). The aim of this study was to compare the safety of these procedures for AC in surgically suboptimal candidates.

Methods: Six studies compared the 2 groups' early, delayed, and overall adverse events; they also compared length of hospital stay, re-interventions, and re-admissions rate.

Transesophageal echocardiography-associated gastrointestinal injuries: systematic review and pooled rates of gastrointestinal injuries.

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) injuries are associated with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) complications. We reviewed rates and various types of complications with GI injuries. A comprehensive literature search using five databases was conducted.

Adjuvant Radiofrequency Ablation Along With Stenting Versus Stenting Alone for Biliary Tree Drainage in Patients With Malignant Biliary Strictures: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: This metanalysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of biliary stenting along with radiofrequency ablation compared with stents alone to treat malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) due to extrahepatic biliary strictures secondary to cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and metastatic cancer.

Methods: A systemic search of major databases through April 2022 was done. All original studies were included comparing radiofrequency ablation with stenting versus stenting alone for treating malignant biliary strictures.

Application of Rikkli and Regazzoni three-column theory in distal radius intraarticular fractures and its functional and radiological assessment.

Objectives: To determent the effectiveness of Rikli and Regazzoni three-column theory in treating intra-articular fractures of the distal radius with T-plate and K-wire in terms of functional outcome and fracture union.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, King Edward University, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from June 2013 to March 2017, and comprised patients aged 15-60 years having closed intraarticular fracture of the distal radius <1 month older. The subjects were divided into two group A, managed by percutaneous K-wire fixation, and group B, managed with open reduction and internal fixation using T-plates.

H63D Homozygous Mutation: An Unusual Cause of Deranged Liver Function Test in an Elderly Patient.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by dysregulated iron homeostasis resulting in body iron overload. Hemochromatosis leads to excessive iron deposition in the parenchymal cells of different body organs, resulting in the compromise of their normal functioning in genetically predisposed patients. It presents in genetically predisposed male patients aged between 40 and 70 years.