Repeat peroral endoscopic myotomy with simultaneous submucosal and muscle dissection as a salvage option for recurrent achalasia

BACKGROUND For recurrent achalasia after initial peroral endoscopic myotomy(POEM)failure,repeat POEM(Re-POEM)has been reported as a treatment option.However,severe esophageal interlayer adhesions caused by previous procedures impede the successful establishment of a submucosal tunnel and lead to aborted Re-POEM procedures.Our team previously described POEM with simultaneous submucosal and muscle dissection(POEM-SSMD)as a feasible solution for achalasia with severe interlayer adhesions.AIM To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Re-POEM with simultaneous submucosal and muscle dissection(Re-POEM-SSMD).METHODS A total of 1049 patients with achalasia who underwent successful endoscopic myotomy at the Digestive Endoscopic Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2014 to May 2022 were reviewed.Patients with recurrent achalasia who experienced initial POEM clinical failure were retrospectively included in this study.The primary endpoint was retreatment clinical success,defined as an Eckardt score≤3 during the postretreatment follow-up and no need for additional treatment.Procedure-related adverse events,changes in manometric lower esophageal sphincter(LES)pressure and reflux complications,as well as procedure-related parameters,were recorded.RESULTS Sixteen patients underwent Re-POEM(9 patients)or Re-POEM-SSMD(7 patients)successfully at a median of 45.5 mo(range,4-95 mo)after initial POEM.During a median followup period of 31 mo(range,7-96 mo),clinical success(Eckardt score≤3)was achieved in 8(88.9%)and 6(85.7%)patients after Re-POEM and Re-POEM-SSMD,respectively(P=0.849).The median Eckardt score dropped from 4(range,3-8)at preretreatment to 1(range,0-5)at postretreatment in the Re-POEM group(P=0.025)and from 5(range,2-8)to 2(range,0-4)in the Re-POEM-SSMD group(P<0.001).The mean manometric LES pressure decreased from 23.78±9.04 mmHg to 11.45±5.37 mmHg after Re-POEM(P<0.001)and from 26.80±7.48 mmHg to 11.05±4.38 mmHg after Re-POEM-SSMD(P<0.001).No serious adverse events were recorded in both groups.CONCLUSION In conclusion,Re-POEM-SSMD appears to be a safe and effective salvage therapy for recurrent achalasia with severe interlayer adhesions.

Linked color imaging vs Lugol chromoendoscopy for esophageal squamous cell cancer and precancerous lesion screening: A noninferiority study

BACKGROUND Lugol chromoendoscopy(LCE)has served as a standard screening technique in high-risk patients with esophageal cancer.Nevertheless,LCE is not suitable for general population screening given its side effects.Linked color imaging(LCI)is a novel image-enhanced endoscopic technique that can distinguish subtle differences in mucosal color.AIM To compare the diagnostic performance of LCI with LCE in detecting esophageal squamous cell cancer and precancerous lesions and to evaluate whether LCE can be replaced by LCI in detecting esophageal neoplastic lesions.METHODS In this prospective study,we enrolled 543 patients who underwent white light imaging(WLI),LCI and LCE successively.We compared the sensitivity and specificity of LCI and LCE in the detection of esophageal neoplastic lesions.Clinicopathological features and color analysis of lesions were assessed.RESULTS In total,43 patients(45 neoplastic lesions)were analyzed.Among them,36 patients(38 neoplastic lesions)were diagnosed with LCI,and 39 patients(41 neoplastic lesions)were diagnosed with LCE.The sensitivity of LCI was similar to that of LCE(83.7%vs 90.7%,P=0.520),whereas the specificity of LCI was greater than that of LCE(92.4%vs 87.0%,P=0.007).The LCI procedure time in the esophageal examination was significantly shorter than that of LCE[42(34,50)s vs 160(130,189)s,P<0.001].The color difference between the lesion and surrounding mucosa in LCI was significantly greater than that observed with WLI.However,the color difference in LCI was similar in different pathological types of esophageal squamous cell cancer.CONCLUSION LCI offers greater specificity than LCE in the detection of esophageal squamous cell cancer and precancerous lesions,and LCI represents a promising screening strategy for general populations.

Effect of polyglycolic acid sheet plus esophageal stent placement in preventing esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with earlystage esophageal cancer: A randomized, controlled trial

AIM To assess the effect of polyglycolic acid(PGA) plus stent placement compared with stent placement alone in the prevention of post-endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) esophageal stricture in early-stage esophageal cancer(EC) patients. METHODS Seventy EC patients undergoing ESD were enrolled in this randomized, controlled study. Patients were allocated randomly at a 1:1 ratio into two groups as follows:(1) PGA plus stent group(PGA sheet-coated stent placement was performed); and(2) Stent group(only stent placement was performed). This study was registered on http://www.chictr.org.cn(No. chictrinr-16008709). RESULTS The occurrence rate of esophageal stricture in the PGA plus stent group was 20.5%(n = 7), which was lower than that in the stent group(46.9%, n = 15)(P = 0.024). The mean value of esophageal stricture time was 59.6 ± 16.1 d and 70.7 ± 28.6 d in the PGA plus stent group and stent group(P = 0.174), respectively. Times of balloon dilatation in the PGA plus stent group were less than those in the stent group [4(2-5) vs 6(1-14), P = 0.007]. The length(P = 0.080) and diameter(P = 0.061) of esophageal strictures were numerically decreased in the PGA plus stent group, whereas no difference in location(P = 0.232) between the two groups was found. Multivariate logistic analysis suggested that PGA plus stent placement(P = 0.026) was an independent predictive factor for a lower risk of esophageal stricture, while location in the middle third(P = 0.034) and circumferential range = 1/1(P = 0.028) could independently predict a higher risk of esophageal stricture in EC patients after ESD. CONCLUSION PGA plus stent placement is more effective in preventing post-ESD esophageal stricture compared with stent placement alone in EC patients with earlystage disease.

Prospective single-center feasible study of innovative autorelease bile duct supporter to delay adverse events after endoscopic papillectomy

BACKGROUND Conventional endoscopic papillectomy(EP)is safe and effective for the treatment of small papilla adenoma to even large laterally spreading tumors of duodenum lesions.As reported by some existing studies,temporarily placing a prophylactic stent in the pancreatic and bile duct can lower the risk of this perioperative complication.AIM To evaluate the usefulness,convenience,safety,and short-term results of a novel autorelease bile duct supporter after EP procedure,especially the effectiveness in preventing EP.METHODS A single-center comparison study was conducted to verify the feasibility of the novel method.After EP,a metallic endoclip and human fibrin sealant kit were applied for protection.The autorelease bile duct supporter fell into the duct segment and the intestinal segment.Specifically,the intestinal segment was extended by nearly 5 cm as a bent coil.The bile was isolated from the pancreatic juice using an autorelease bile duct supporter,which protected the wound surface.The autorelease bile duct supporter fell off naturally and arrived in colon nearly 10 d after the operation.RESULTS En bloc endoscopic resection was performed in 6/8 patients(75%),and piecemeal resection was performed in 2/8 of patients(25%).None of the above patients were positive for neoplastic lymph nodes or distant metastasis.No cases of mortality,hemorrhage,delayed perforation,pancreatitis,cholangitis or duct stenosis with the conventional medical treatment were reported.The autorelease bile duct supporter in 7 of 8 patients fell off naturally and arrived in colon 10 d after the operation.One autorelease bile duct supporter was successfully removed using forceps or snare under endoscopy.No recurrence was identified during the 8-mo(ranging from 6-9 mo)follow-up period.CONCLUSION In brief,it was found that the autorelease bile duct supporter could decrease the frequency of procedure-associated complications without second endoscopic retraction.Secure closure of the resection wound with clips and fibrin glue were indicated to be promising and important for the use of autorelease bile duct supporters.Well-designed larger-scale comparative studies are required to confirm the findings of this study.