Chandrasekhara, Vinay

Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy has witnessed a Cambrian explosion of techniques, indications, and expanding target populations. GI endoscopy encompasses traditional domains that include preventive measures, palliation, as alternative therapies in patients with prohibitive risks of more invasive procedures, and indicated primary treatments. But, it has expanded to include therapeutic and diagnostic interventional endosonography, luminal endoscopic resection, third space endotherapy, endohepatology, and endobariatrics. The lines between surgery and endoscopy are blurred on many occasions within this paradigm. Moreover, patients with high degrees of co-morbidity and complex physiology require more nuanced peri-endoscopic management. The rising demand for endoscopy services has resulted in the development of endoscopy referral centers that offer these invasive procedures as directly booked referrals for regional and rural patients. This further necessitates specialized programs to ensure appropriate evaluation, risk stratification, and optimization for safe sedation and general anesthesia if needed. This landscape is conducive to the organic evolution of endo-anesthesia to meet the needs of these focused and evolving practices. In this primer, we delineate important aspects of endo-anesthesia care and provide relevant clinical and logistical considerations pertaining to the breadth of procedures.

Abstract Background and study aims Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is traditionally managed with surgical gastroenterostomy (surgical-GE) and enteral stenting (ES). Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is now a third option. Large studies assessing their relative risks and benefits with adequate follow-up are lacking. We conducted a comparative analysis of patients who underwent EUS-GE, ES, or surgical-GE for GOO. Patients and methods In this retrospective comparative cohort study, consecutive patients presenting with GOO who underwent EUS-GE, ES, or surgical-GE at two academic institutions were reviewed and independently cross-edited to ensure accurate reporting. The primary outcome was need for reintervention. Secondary outcomes were technical and clinical success, length of hospital stay (LOS), and adverse events (AEs). Results A total of 436 patients (232 EUS-GE, 131 ES, 73 surgical-GE) were included. The median duration of follow-up of the entire cohort was 185.5 days (interquartile range 55.25–454.25 days). The rate of reintervention in the EUS-GE group was lower than in the ES and surgical-GE groups (0.9 %, 12.2 %, and 13.7 %, P < 0.0001). Technical success was achieved in 98.3 %, 99.2 %, and 100 % (P = 0.58), and clinical success was achieved in 98.3 %, 91.6 %, and 90.4 % (P < 0.0001) in the EUS-GE, ES, and surgical-GE groups, respectively. The EUS-GE group had a shorter LOS (2 days vs. 3 days vs. 5 days, P < 0.0001) and a lower AE rate than the ES and surgical-GE groups (8.6 % vs. 38.9 % vs. 27.4 %, P < 0.0001). Conclusion This large cohort study demonstrates the safety and palliation durability of EUS-GE as an alternative strategy for GOO palliation in select patients.

Abstract Background and study aims Obtaining quality tissue during ERCP biliary stricture sampling is of paramount importance for a timely diagnosis. While single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC)-guided biopsies have been suggested to be the superior biliary tissue acquisition modality given direct tissue visualization, less is known about the specimen histological quality. We aimed to analyze the specimen quality of SOC biopsies and compare the new generation forceps with prior “legacy” forceps. Patients and methods Patients who underwent SOC from January 2017-August 2021 for biliary sampling were reviewed. In February 2020, the SOC-guided biopsy forceps were changed from legacy SpyBite to the SpyBite Max forceps (max). Specimens were assessed by blinded pathologists for crush artifact (none, mild, or severe) and gross size (greatest dimension in mm). Crush artifact and gross size were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic performance characteristics for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), were assessed in an exploratory fashion. Results Eighty-one patients (max = 27, legacy = 54) with similar baseline characteristics were included in this study. On blinded pathological assessment, 58 % had crush artifact, without significant differences between the two groups (Max 63 % vs. Legacy 56 %; P = 0.64). A similar mean specimen size was found (max 3 mm vs. legacy 3.2 mm; P = 0.24). The overall prevalence of CCA was 40 %. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the entire cohort using a combination of cytology, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and SOC-guided biopsies were 78.1 %, 91.8 %, 86.2 %, and 86.5 %, respectively. No difference between legacy or max groups was found. Conclusions A high rate of crush artifact was found in SOC-guided biopsy specimens. Further investigation regarding proper biopsy technique and handling is necessary to increase the diagnostic yield with SOC-guided biopsies.

AbstractObesity has been escalating as one of the worst public health epidemics. Conservative therapies including lifestyle modifications and weight loss medications have limited efficacy and long-term sustainability. Bariatric surgeries, although effective, remain underutilized due to their cost, safety concerns, and patient acceptance. In the past two decades, endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) have emerged as safe, effective, and less invasive options for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities, with recent studies reporting favorable outcomes in terms of weight loss and metabolic parameters. This article reviews the major and newly developed EBMTs, with emphasis on their metabolic effects and potential use in the management of metabolic conditions.

Abstract Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrojejunostomy (EUS-GJ) is an endoscopic procedure for treating gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Limited data exist regarding the safety and efficacy of EUS-GJ in patients with malignant GOO with ascites. Thus, we aimed to study the outcomes and safety of EUS-GJ in GOO patients with vs. without ascites. Patients and methods This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with malignant GOO who underwent successful EUS-GJ at a tertiary care academic center. Primary outcomes included the efficacy and safety of EUS-GJ. Secondary outcomes included 30-day readmission, reintervention, and survival utilizing Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results A total of 55 patients (mean age of 67.0 ± 11.3 years, 40.0 % female) who underwent EUS-GJ, of whom 24 had ascites (small in 22, large in 2) were included. Clinical success was achieved in 91.7 % and 93.5 % (P = 1.00) of patients with and without ascites, respectively. A higher rate of adverse events (AEs) was noted in patients with ascites but this was not statistically significant (37.5 % vs. 19.4 %, P = 0.13). Four patients in the ascites group (16.6 %) developed clinical evidence of peritonitis or sepsis post-EUS-GJ. Eight patients with ascites developed worsening ascites within a month of EUS-GJ. In contrast, only one patient without ascites developed evidence of new ascites. The median survival of patients was not significantly different between the two groups (patients with ascites: 129 days vs. patients without ascites: 180 days, (P = 0.12). Conclusions The efficacy EUS-GJ in the presence of ascites is promising; however, the safety profile remains concerning given the high rate of AEs, specifically peritonitis and sepsis.

Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a major risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We investigated biliary and fecal microbiota to determine whether specific microbes in the bile or stool are associated with PSC or CCA. Methods: Bile was obtained from 32 patients with PSC, 23 with CCA with PSC, 26 with CCA without PSC, and 17 controls. Over 90% of bile samples were from patients with perihilar CCA. Stool was obtained from 31 patients with PSC (11 were matched to bile), 16 with CCA with PSC (10 matched to bile), and 11 with CCA without PSC (6 matched to bile). Microbiota composition was assessed using 16SrRNA-marker-based sequencing and was compared between groups. Results: Bile has a unique microbiota distinguished from negative DNA controls and stool. Increased species richness and abundance of Fusobacteria correlated with duration of PSC and characterized the biliary microbiota in CCA. Stool microbiota composition showed no significant differences between groups. Conclusions: We identified a unique microbial signature in the bile of patients with increased duration of PSC or with CCA, suggesting a role for microbiota-driven inflammation in the pathogenesis and or progression to perihilar CCA. Further studies are needed to test this hypothesis.