Feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic purse-string suture-assisted closure for mucosal defects induced by endoscopic manipulations

BACKGROUND Large or transmural defects induced by gastrointestinal endoscopic manipulations are difficult to close,although complete closure is recommended for better recovery.Endoscopic purse-string assisted suturing(EPSS)has been used in clinical practice and has proven to be an effective and safe technique for the closure of large mucosal defects.However,details regarding the efficacy of endoscopic pre-purse-string suture(P-EPSS)are unknown,especially that it offers several advantages over conventional EPSS(C-EPSS).AIM To elucidate the outcomes of EPSS-assisted closure in different clinical situations,and evaluate the efficacy of P-EPSS.METHODS This retrospective observational study included a total of 180 patients who underwent closure assisted by P-EPSS(n=63)or C-EPSS(n=117)between July 2014 and June 2020.The P-EPSS and C-EPSS groups were compared and the intergroup differences in aspects such as the lesion size,location,and morphology,incidence of complete closure,intraoperative perforation,and delayed adverse events were evaluated.Data on the features and clinical course of cases with adverse events were collected for further analysis.RESULTS Patients with lesion size larger than 3 cm,lesions located at the fundus of stomach,or submucosal tumors originating from the deep mucosa were more likely to undergo P-EPSS-assisted closure.The P-EPSS group showed a significantly higher proportion of intraoperative perforation(56%vs 17%)and a much shorter procedure time(9.06±6.14 min vs 14.84±7.25 min).Among adverse events,the incidence of delayed perforation(5%vs 4%;P=0.82)and delayed bleeding(3%vs 4%;P=0.96)did not differ significantly between the groups.Multivariate analysis revealed that lesions with incomplete closure[odds ratio(OR)=21.33;95%confidence interval(CI):5.45-83.45;P<0.01]or size greater than 3 cm(OR=3.14;95%CI:1.08-9.18;P=0.039)showed a statistical tendency to result in an increase in delayed adverse events.CONCLUSION The present study revealed that EPSS could achieve secure complete closure of mucosal defect.PEPSS could shorten the procedure and yield complete closure of mucosal defects.Rather than closure-type selection,incomplete closure or lesion size larger than 3 cm were associated with worse outcomes.

Rewiring host–microbe interactions and barrier function during gastrointestinal inflammation

Organismal survival depends on a well-balanced immune system and maintenance of host–microbe mutualism.The finetuned relationship between the gut microbiota and host immunity is constantly challenged by opportunistic bacteria testing the integrity of gastrointestinal(GI)barrier defenses.Barrier dysfunction reduces immunological tolerance towards otherwise innocuous microbes;it is a process that may instigate chronic inflammation.Paradoxically,sustained inflammation further diminishes barrier function,enabling bacterial translocation to extra-intestinal tissues.Once translocated,these bacteria stimulate systemic inflammation,thereby compromising organ function.While genetic risk alleles associate with barrier dysfunction,environmental stressors are key triggers of GI inflammation and associated breakdown in immune tolerance towards resident gut microbes.As dietary components dictate substrate availability,they also orchestrate microbiota composition and function,including migratory and pro-inflammatory potential,thus holding the capacity to fuel both GI and extra-intestinal inflammation.Additionally,Western diet consumption may weaken barrier defenses via curbed Paneth cell function and diminished host-defense peptide secretion.This review focuses on intervenable niches of host–microbe interactions and mucosal immunity with the ambition to provide a framework of plausible strategies to improve barrier function and regain tolerance in the inflamed mucosa via nutritional intervention.