Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Reflux Mucosectomy versus Radiofrequency Ablation of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects 10-30% of the population. Endoscopic anti-reflux therapies have been proposed for carefully selected patients. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes between endoscopic anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) and endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of the lower esophageal sphincter (Stretta procedure) for the treatment of GERD.

Disparities in Bariatric Surgery Outcomes: A Regional Analysis.

Purpose: The success of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is impacted by significant pre-surgical attrition rates and poor postoperative follow-up. This study focused on geographic variations in attrition rates and surgical outcomes for MBS practice for which the patient population is drawn from nine Chicago neighborhoods, to examine whether suboptimal weight loss or reduced adherence to the program varied across neighborhoods.

Methods: Patients who presented for their initial MBS consultation at the University of Illinois (UI) Health's program between January 2019 and December 2020 were identified from electronic medical records.

Outcomes after open posterior component separation via transversus abdominis release (TAR) for incisional hernia repair. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Given its potential advantages, open Transversus Abdominis Release (oTAR) has been proposed as a durable solution for complex AWR. However, its applicability in different scenarios remains uncertain. We aimed to analyze the current available evidence and determine surgical outcomes after oTAR.

The Role of CT-guided Core Needle Biopsy in Pancreatic Tumors: An Initial Evaluation in Modern Oncology.

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has recently become the standard of care for borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and there have even been numerous reports evaluating its potential benefits in resectable PDAC. However, neoadjuvant therapy first requires a histological or cytological diagnosis. This study aimed to analyze the safety and diagnostic yield of CT-guided core needle biopsy (CNB).

Outcomes of Endoscopic Antireflux Mucosectomy for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in western countries. Endoscopic procedures have recently emerged as an alternative therapy to surgery for patients with GERD. The aim of this study was to determine outcomes after endoscopic antireflux mucosectomy (ARMS).

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: A major challenge for the west.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the 5 most common cancer and the 3 most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Two main endoscopic resective techniques exist for early GC (EGC): Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). ESD has been widely embraced in the last decade because it allows radical resections and is associated with better outcomes, as compared to EMR.

Outcomes for potentially Resectable patients undergoing primary chemoradiation treatment for T1-T2 HPV Negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Transoral surgical resectability (TOS) is a prognostic factor for patients with HPV+ T1-2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) disease undergoing radiotherapy (RT), but it is unclear whether this holds for HPV-negative (HPV-) patients. We aimed to compare outcomes of potential TOS-candidates vs. non-TOS candidates, among patients who underwent RT/CRT for early T-stage HPV- OPSCC.

Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease after Sleeve Gastrectomy: Effectiveness of Medical, Endoscopic, and Surgical Therapies.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most frequently performed bariatric operation in the United States. One of the main disadvantages of this procedure is the risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after the operation. We aimed to analyze different approaches for the treatment of GERD after SG.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the parapharyngeal space: report of 2 cases and a literature review.

The solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is usually described as a lesion arising from the pleura. Rarely, it has been described in the parapharyngeal space (PS). This study aims to report two cases of SFT in the PS and to perform a literature review on this topic.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Pathophysiology and Management.

Patients with obesity are often affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the ideal operation for patients with severe obesity and GERD. Although the majority of patients improve their reflux with the operation, some might persist symptomatic and others can even develop GERD.

Stent Syndrome: Does the Diameter Matter? Results of a Randomized Trial.

Double-J (DJ) ureteral stents are used for multiple purposes in urology. Even though they temporize the subsequent treatment of lithiasis, they may cause different symptoms that impact quality of life (QoL). In this randomized trial, we assessed whether the diameter of ureteral stents has an impact on catheter-associated symptoms, and their impact on QoL.

Strengths and weaknesses of telemedicine: Survey analysis in a single center bariatric surgery program.

Background: Despite Telemedicine being considered by most patients as the preferred follow-up method, bariatric surgery programs that include virtual consults still exhibit high attrition rates. This study analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of telemedicine in a single-center bariatric surgery program.

Methods: We developed a 5-minute, 10-question online survey via Qualtrics and examined the results between 108 patients under telehealth visits by the bariatric team at the University of Illinois at Chicago from August to November 2022.

Management of Long-Segment Barrett's Esophagus.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder with one of its most feared complications being Barrett's esophagus (BE). Currently, most of the recommendations of BE management are driven by the level of dysplasia. However, the length of BE might also be related to the risk of dysplasia/malignant transformation.

Impact of an Educational Mobile App on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Colonoscopy Report Quality.

Background: Inadequate endoscopic assessment of disease activity might lead to suboptimal treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aims: We aimed to determine if the implementation of an educational mobile app could help improving the quality of colonoscopy reports in patients with IBD.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive series of colonoscopy reports in patients with IBD during the period 2016-2023.