Simultaneous Double Balloon Dilatation for Supravalvar Pulmonary Obstruction After Arterial Switch Operation

The optimal approach for supravalvar right ventricular outflow tract obstruction(RVOTO) after arterial switch operation(ASO) is unclear. The results of percutaneous balloon dilatation have been variable. We report the results of simultaneous double balloon dilation for RVOTO after ASO. Sixteen patients (1.3(0.7-3.8) years; 9.8(8.1-15.1) kgs underwent the procedure at 14(8-44.5) months after ASO. Salient technical features included placement of balloons over stiff guide-wires positioned in both branch pulmonary arteries to enable dilation of the distal-most main pulmonary artery (MPA) with high inflation pressures (~ 12-14 atmospheres) and short inflation-deflation cycles. Effective balloon size was based on the PA annulus or MPA distal to the narrowing. The final balloon: narrowest segment diameter ratio was 2.7. Following dilation, the right ventricle to systemic systolic pressure ratio decreased from 0.9 ± 0.18 to 0.52 ± 0.16 (p  < 0.001) and mean RVOT gradient from 78 ± 18 to 34 ± 13.9 mmHg (p < 0.001). Narrowest diameter improved from 5.4 ± 2.2 to 9.2 ± 2.2 mm. There were no major complications. Two patients with inadequate relief (final RV-systemic ratios: 1.03 and 0.7) were referred for surgery. At median follow up of 9 months, IQR 7-22, range 5-73, others are free of re interventions with median RVOT gradient of 42, IQR 27-49, range 21-55 mmHg. The immediate and short-term follow up results of double balloon dilatation for supravalvar RVOTO is encouraging and may avoid the need for repeat surgery in the majority of patients. Further follow up is needed to determine the long-term durability of the results.

Facilitating endoscopic submucosal dissection: double balloon endolumenal platform significantly improves dissection time compared with conventional technique (with video)

BACKGROUND

Flexible endoscopes ability to manipulate the intestinal environment is limited. As a result, complex endolumenal procedures are often technically demanding and result in long procedure times, impacting institutional resources. Single- and double-balloon add-on endoscopic devices have been employed throughout the GI tract to facilitate tissue control e.g., small bowel enteroscopy, with recent reports suggesting a possible colonic utility for complex procedures e.g., ESD. Our objective was to objectively analyze the efficacy of a new double-balloon device in performing ESD.

METHODS

Ex vivo-12 simulated colonic lesions were created in porcine rectum using a standard 40 mm diameter template. Two categories were evaluated, standard cap technique ESD and double-balloon assisted ESD with retraction (ESD-R). Cases were performed sequentially. In vivo-Six, 40 mm lesion ESD-R's were performed in a porcine model. The primary outcomes of this study were total procedure and dissection times.

RESULTS

In ex vivo studies, the median total procedure time with the double-balloon platform was significantly shorter than the traditional ESD technique (29 ± 18 vs. 57 ± 21 min, p = 0.03). In the in vivo studies, lesions were successfully removed in a mean time of 48 min, with a dissection time of 20 min with no significant complications. Balloon-clip retraction and specimen retrieval capabilities were used in all double-balloon assisted cases. After 6 cases, times were significantly shorter (ex vivo 47 vs. 17 min; in vivo 57 vs. 27 min).

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated the development of a unique technical ESD method facilitated by a new double-balloon device. Ex and in vivo investigation demonstrated superiority of ESD-R over the conventional ex vivo method. The DB device provided increased stability, improved visualization and tissue traction, which significantly reduced dissection time. Such an approach may increase safety, improve patient outcomes, and may prevent unnecessary surgeries for benign conditions.

Current status of device-assisted enteroscopy: Technical matters, indication, limits and complications

Enteroscopy, defined as direct visualization of the small bowel with the use of a fiberoptic or capsule endoscopy, has progressed considerably over the past several years. The need for endoscopic access to improve diagnosis and treatment of small bowel disease has led to the development of novel technologies one of which is non-invasive, the video capsule, and a type of invasive technique, the device-assisted enteroscopy. In particular, the device-assisted enteroscopy consists then of three different types of instruments all able to allow, in skilled hands, to display partially or throughout its extension (if necessary) the small intestine. Newer devices, double balloon, single balloon and spiral endoscopy, are just entering clinical use. The aim of this article is to review recent advances in small bowel enteroscopy, focusing on indications, modifications to improve imaging and techniques, pitfalls, and clinical applications of the new instruments. With new technologies, the trials and tribulations of learning new endoscopic skills and determining their role in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel disease come. Identification of small bowel lesions has dramatically improved. Studies are underway to determine the best strategy to apply new enteroscopy technologies for the diagnosis and management of small bowel disease, particularly obscure bleeding. Vascular malformations such as angiectasis and small bowel neoplasms as adenocarcinoma or gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Complete enteroscopy of the small bowel is now possible. However, because of the length of the small bowel, endoscopic examination and therapeutic maneuvers require significant skill, radiological assistance, the use of deep sedation with the assistance of the anesthetist. Prospective randomized studies are needed to guide diagnostic testing and therapy with these new endoscopic techniques.