Comparative efficacy and safety of resection techniques for treating 6 to 20mm, nonpedunculated colorectal polyps: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Various endoscopic resection techniques have been proposed for the treatment of nonpedunculated colorectal polyps sized 6-20 mm, however the optimal technique still remains unclear.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), investigating the efficacy of endoscopic treatments for the management of 6-20 mm nonpedunculated colorectal polyps. Primary outcomes were complete and en bloc resection rates and adverse event rate was the secondary. Effect size on outcomes is presented as risk ratio (RR; 95% confidence interval [CI]).

RESULTS

Fourteen RCTs (5219 polypectomies) were included. Endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) significantly outperformed cold snare polypectomy(CSP) in terms of complete [(RR 95%CI): 1.04(1.00-1.07)] and en bloc resection rate [RR:1.12(1.04-1.21)]. EMR was superior to hot snare polypectomy (HSP) [RR:1.04(1.00-1.08)] regarding complete resection, while underwater EMR (U-EMR) achieved significantly higher rate of en bloc resection compared to CSP [RR:1.15(1.01-1.30)]. EMR yielded the highest ranking for complete resection(SUCRA-score 0.81), followed by cold-snare EMR(CS-EMR,SUCRA-score 0.76). None of the modalities was different regarding adverse event rate compared to CSP, however EMR and CS-EMR resulted in fewer adverse events compared to HSP [RR:0.44(0.26-0.77) and 0.43(0.21-0.87),respectively].

CONCLUSION

EMR achieved the highest performance in resecting 6-20 mm nonpedunculated colorectal polyps, with this effect being consistent for polyps 6-9 and ≥10 mm; findings supported by very low quality of evidence.

Distal Biliary Stent Migration in Patients with Irretrievable Bile Duct Stones: Long-Term Comparison Between Straight and Double-Pigtail Stents

BACKGROUND

Prolonged biliary stenting may be considered in high-risk patients with irretrievable bile duct stones (IBDS). Distal stent migration (DSM) is a known complication, although data beyond the recommended interval of temporary stenting (3-6 months) are lacking. We compared the long-term incidence of DSM between straight and double-pigtail stents in patients with IBDS.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with IBDS undergoing plastic biliary stenting (1/2009-12/2019) were retrospectively reviewed. DSM was confirmed on follow-up examination when the stent was no longer present at the papillary orifice nor fluoroscopically visible in the bile duct. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to determine estimates and predictors of DSM.

RESULTS

Overall, 618 biliary stenting procedures (410 patients) were included: 289 with a straight stent (group A) and 329 with a double-pigtail (group B). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, the DSM rates were 8.4 and 14.6% at 6 months, 21.4 and 27.7% at 12 months, 27 and 43.5% at 18 months, and 37.2 and 60.4% at 24 months, for groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.004). Double-pigtail stents were at higher risk for DSM (HR = 7.38, p = 0.04), whereas an inverse correlation was noted with age (HR = 0.97, p = 0.0001). Considering only temporary stenting procedures (≤ 6 months; n = 297), the probability of DSM was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

In a setting of prolonged stenting for IBDS, the probability of DSM appears to be higher when a double-pigtail stent is used and in younger patients. A relative anti-migratory advantage of double-pigtail over straight stents appears negligible in this study.

Simulated performance of flexible sigmoidoscopy-based screening for advanced neoplasia detection in a Greek population

BACKGROUND

Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) is resource-conserving and may increase adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening compared to total colonoscopy. We investigated the diagnostic performance of FS-based screening for advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN), including advanced adenomatous neoplasms (AANs), advanced serrated lesions (ASLs) and CRCs.

METHODS

Data from 2005 subjects undergoing average-risk screening colonoscopy in a single center in Greece were retrospectively reviewed. Sensitivities of FS-based screening for detecting AANs, ASLs, CRCs or any ACN were simulated on a per-lesion basis, assuming: 1) FS up to the sigmoid-descending junction (FS-1) or splenic flexure (FS-2); 2) colonoscopy referral criteria according to the 4 screening FS trials conducted in UK, Italy, Norway, and USA.

RESULTS

Overall, 114 ACNs (93 AANs, 17 ASLs, 4 CRCs) were detected in 102 (5.1%) subjects. The overall sensitivities of FS-1 and FS-2 alone for the detection of any ACN were 41.2% and 54.4%, respectively. Assuming different colonoscopy referral criteria, the estimated sensitivities for any ACN ranged from 48.2-50.9% for FS-1 and 60.5-64% for FS-2. The overall sensitivities were lower for ASLs (FS-1: 35.3-41.2%, FS-2: 41.2-52.9%) compared to those observed for AANs (FS-1: 48.4-51.6%, FS-2: 62.4-66.7%). The difference was particularly pronounced in women, in whom all 4 criteria led equally to a very low sensitivity for ASLs (30%).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of FS-based screening in Greek subjects would have led to the detection of 48-64% of all ACNs. An alarmingly low detection of ASLs among women may call for gender-specific colonoscopy referral strategies.

Cold versus hot endoscopic mucosal resection for nonpedunculated colorectal polyps sized 6-10 mm: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Cold snare polypectomy is an established method for the resection of small colorectal polyps; however, significant incomplete resection rates still leave room for improvement. We aimed to assess the efficacy of cold snare endoscopic mucosal resection (CS-EMR), compared with hot snare endoscopic mucosal resection (HS-EMR), for nonpedunculated polyps sized 6 - 10 mm.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was a dual-center, randomized, noninferiority trial. Consecutive adult patients with at least one nonpedunculated polyp sized 6 - 10 mm were enrolled. Eligible polyps were randomized (1:1) to be treated with either CS-EMR or HS-EMR. Both methods involved submucosal injection of a methylene blue-tinted normal saline solution. The primary noninferiority end point was histological eradication evaluated by postpolypectomy biopsies (noninferiority margin - 10 %). Secondary outcomes included occurrence of intraprocedural bleeding, clinically significant postprocedural bleeding, and perforation.

RESULTS

Among 689 patients screened, 155 patients with 164 eligible polyps were included (CS-EMR n = 83, HS-EMR n = 81). The overall rate of histological complete resection was 92.8 % in the CS-EMR group and 96.3 % in the HS-EMR group (difference 3.5 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI] - 4.15 to 11.56), showing noninferiority of CS-EMR compared with HS-EMR. CS-EMR was shown to be noninferior both for polyps measuring 6 - 7 mm (CS-EMR 93.3 %; HS-EMR 100 %; 95 %CI - 7.95 to 21.3) and those of 8 - 10 mm (92.5 % vs. 94.7 %, respectively; 95 %CI - 7.91 to 13.16). Rates of intraprocedural bleeding were similar between the two groups (CS-EMR 3.6 %, HS-EMR 1.2 %; P  = 0.30). No clinically significant postprocedural bleeding or perforation occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

CS-EMR appears to be a valuable modification of the standard cold snare technique, obviating the need to use diathermy for nonpedunculated colorectal polyps sized 6 - 10 mm.

Seven-day genotypic resistance-guided triple Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy can be highly effective

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and applicability of molecular testing to guide the selection of antibiotics in triple Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication regimens have not been reported. We tested a 7-day, genotypic resistance-guided triple H. pylori eradication therapy in a high-resistance setting.

METHODS

Consecutive dyspeptic patients with H. pylori infection were prospectively enrolled. Genotypic resistances to clarithromycin (23SrRNA mutations) and fluoroquinolones (gyrA mutations) were determined from gastric biopsy specimens using a commercially available molecular assay (GenoTypeâ HelicoDR). A tailored genotypic resistance-guided 7-day triple therapy comprised esomeprazole, amoxicillin, and either clarithromycin (wild-type 23SrRNA), levofloxacin (23SrRNA mutated/wild-type gyrA) or rifabutin (both 23SrRNA/gyrA mutated). H. pylori eradication was confirmed by 13C-urea breath test.

RESULTS

Of 148 subjects screened, 51 patients were enrolled (male/female: 27/24, mean age: 50.7±11.4 years, treatment-naïve/-experienced: 32/19). The molecular kit was easily implemented, allowing for rapid (within 24 h) and relatively inexpensive determination of H. pylori resistance (clarithromycin: 47.1%, fluoroquinolones: 15.7%, dual clarithromycin/fluoroquinolones: 7.8%). For patients who received clarithromycin-, levofloxacin- and rifabutin-containing triple therapy, the respective eradication rates were 24/27, 20/20, and 2/4 by intention-to-treat (ITT); and 24/24, 19/19 and 2/3 by per-protocol (PP) analysis. Overall eradication rates were 90.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 77.8-96.3%) by ITT and 97.8% (95%CI 87-99.8%) by PP analysis, showing no significant difference between treatment-naïve and -experienced patients (ITT: 87.5% vs. 94.7%, P=0.64; PP: 96.4% vs. 100%, respectively, P=1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of prior treatment history, a genotypic resistance-guided 7-day triple therapy, based on a simple molecular assay, achieved a high H. pylori eradication rate.

THE IMPACT OF X-RAY UNIT TYPE USED FOR ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY PROCEDURES ON PATIENT DOSES

To investigate whether the X-ray unit type used for interventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures may affect patient radiation doses. A total of 471 ERCP procedures performed in 4 hospitals with 4 types of X-ray units were studied. Kerma-area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (T) and total number of radiographs acquired (F) were recorded. KAP, T and F values exhibited a great variation, ranging from 0.1 to 130.2 Gy cm² (mean 16 Gy cm²), 0.13 to 33.7 min (mean 5.4 min) and 0 to 26 radiographs (mean 3.5), respectively. The respective mean values for the four types of X-ray units that were investigated were as follows: KAP: 17.4, 12.5, 5.6 and 36.3 Gy cm², T: 4.7, 5.2, 3.8 and 11.5 min and F: 1.7, 7.4, 1.9 and 4.6 radiographs. The type of the X-ray unit seems to significantly affect patient radiation dose, with the C-arm delivering the lowest and the angiography unit the highest patient doses.

A delayed onset of bowel activity after the start of conventional polyethylene glycol predicts inadequate colon cleansing before colonoscopy: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of factors correlating with the quality of bowel preparation (QBP) is critical to ensure high-quality colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine whether the time interval between the start of conventional polyethylene glycol (PEG) ingestion and the onset of bowel activity is predictive of QBP.

METHODS

Consecutive adult outpatients attending colonoscopy were prospectively assessed. Data including demographics, medical history, time of starting/completion of PEG and time when bowel activity started were recorded. The QBP was assessed according to the Ottawa bowel preparation score (OBPS); inadequate QBP was OBPS ≥7.

RESULTS

A total of 171 patients (92 males, mean age: 60.5 years) complying with preparation instructions were included. The median OBPS was 5 (range: 1-13) and 57 (33.3%) had inadequate QBP. The median interval between the initiation of PEG and the onset of bowel activity was 60 min (range: 9-300 min). Patients (n = 52, 30.4%) with a delayed (>90 min) onset of bowel activity had poorer QBP (p = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR: 2.38, p = 0.03), the interval between the end of preparation and the start of colonoscopy (OR: 1.94, p = 0.02) and time to onset of bowel activity >90 min (OR: 3.38, p = 0.004) were predictive of inadequate QBP.

CONCLUSION

The time interval between the initiation of PEG ingestion and the onset of bowel activity is predictive of the QBP. Our data support "on demand" intensification of bowel preparation in patients with a delayed onset of purgative response to PEG.

Management of bleeding and perforation after colonoscopy

Bleeding is a relatively rare complication occurring mainly after snare polypectomy. The majority of cases can be managed successfully by endoscopic means leaving very few cases which will ultimately need an operation. Colonic perforation, on the other hand is a serious complication that requires intensive and careful management. Prompt recognition of the perforation during the procedure allows, in selected cases, immediate endoscopic closure with an uneventful and full recovery followed by close monitoring and surgical management in case of clinical deterioration. The criteria for the right selection of perforation cases amenable to endoscopic treatment do still need to be confirmed by prospective studies and further experience is required before a standard algorithm on the endoscopic management of perforations is developed.

Patient and endoscopist radiation doses during ERCP procedures

The aim of the study was to calculate radiation doses for patients and staff during interventional Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures. Patient age (A), kerma-area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (T) and total number of films (F) were collected for 157 interventional ERCP procedures. One endoscopist (>10 y of experience) monitored using a thermoluminescent dosemeter worn over the lead apron performed the ERCPs. Median (range) KAP was 3.1 Gy cm(-2) (0.1-106.7 Gy cm(-2)). Median (range) A, T and F were 72 y, 2.6 (0.2-26.0) min and 2 (1-4) images, respectively. No correlation was observed between KAP and A, T or F. Monthly endoscopist dose was negligible due to the use of lead apron, collar and two lead-articulated ceiling mounted shields. The endoscopist dose is minimal when using appropriate protective measures. Patient doses showed large variation that has to be further investigated.

Therapeutic strategies for the management of delayed gastric emptying after pancreatic resection

BACKGROUND

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is one of the most troublesome postoperative complications following pancreatic resection. Not only does it contribute considerably to prolonged hospitalization, but it is also associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

We performed an electronic and manual search of the international literature for studies dealing with the treatment of DGE following pancreatic resection using the Medline database. The search items used were "delayed gastric emptying," "pancreaticoduodenectomy," "Whipple procedure," "pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy," and "complications following pancreatic resection" in various combinations.

RESULTS

A number of studies were identified regarding possible therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of DGE. From the class of prokinetic regimens, most studies seem to support the use of erythromycin. However, its use has not gained wide acceptance. Regarding the operative technique, both standard Whipple and pylorus-preserving pancreatic resection carry similar rates of DGE. Billroth II type-like gastrointestinal reconstruction is the most widely accepted method and is associated with lower rates of DGE. Reoperations for managing severe DGE were very rarely reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of DGE in high-volume centers specialized in pancreatic surgery is well below 20%, thus following the improved rates that have been reported in the last decade regarding mortality and length of hospital stay after pancreatic surgery. DGE mandates a uniform definition and method of evaluation to achieve homogeneity among studies. Standardization of the operative technique, as well as "centralizing" pancreatic resections in high-volume centers, should aid to improve the occurrence of this bothersome postoperative complication.

Radiation doses to patients from endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography examinations and image quality considerations

The purpose of this investigation was to measure the dose-area product (DAP) and the other relevant dosimetric quantities in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Furthermore, the dependence of patient dose and image quality on the tube potential was investigated. A DAP meter was used for dose monitoring in seven diagnostic and 21 therapeutic ERCPs. For each ERCP the DAP meter readings, fluoroscopy time, number of radiographs and exposure data were recorded. From these data the fluoroscopy and radiography contributions to DAP, the entrance skin dose and the effective dose for each examination were estimated. For the investigation of the effect of tube potential on patient dose and image quality, a water phantom containing syringes filled with diluted contrast media was used. The average DAP was 13.7 Gy cm2 in diagnostic and 41.8 Gy cm2 in therapeutic ERCP whereas the average fluoroscopy times were 3.1 and 6.0 min respectively. DAP was strongly correlated to the fluoroscopy time. Measurements in the phantom showed that a good compromise between image quality and patient dose is obtained for tube potentials around 80 kV. Therapeutic ERCPs deliver on average higher doses to patients than diagnostic ERCPs. However, for a difficult diagnostic ERCP more patient exposure may be required than for a simple therapeutic ERCP.