Optimizing care for gastric cancer with overt bleeding:Is systemic therapy a valid option?

Gastric cancer(GC)and gastroesophageal junction cancer(GEJC)represent a significant burden globally,with complications such as overt bleeding(OB)further exacerbating patient outcomes.A recent study by Yao et al evaluated the effectiveness and safety of systematic treatment in GC/GEJC patients presenting with OB.Using propensity score matching,the study balanced the comparison groups to investigate overall survival and treatment-related adverse events.The study's findings emphasize that systematic therapy can be safe and effective and contribute to the ongoing debate about the management of advanced GC/GEJC with OB,highlighting the complexities of treatment decisions in these high-risk patients.

Aluminum phosphate gel reduces early rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with gastric variceal bleeding treated with histoacryl injection therapy

BACKGROUND Esophageal-gastro varices bleeding(EGVB)is the most widely known cause of mortality in individuals with cirrhosis,with an occurrence rate of 5%to 15%.Among them,gastric varices bleeding(GVB)is less frequent than esophageal varices bleeding(EVB),but the former is a more critical illness and has a higher mortality rate.At present,endoscopic variceal histoacryl injection therapy(EVHT)is safe and effective,and it has been recommended by relevant guidelines as the primary method for the treatment of GVB.However,gastric varices after endoscopic treatment still have a high rate of early rebleeding,which is mainly related to complications of its treatment,such as bleeding from drained ulcers,rebleeding of varices etc.Therefore,preventing early postoperative rebleeding is very important to improve the quality of patient survival and outcomes.AIM To assess the efficacy of aluminium phosphate gel(APG)combined with proton pump inhibitor(PPI)in preventing early rebleeding after EVHT in individuals with GVB.METHODS Medical history of 196 individuals with GVB was obtained who were diagnosed using endoscopy and treated with EVHT in Shenzhen People's Hospital from January 2016 to December 2021.Based on the selection criteria,101 patients were sorted into the PPI alone treatment group,and 95 patients were sorted into the PPI combined with the APG treatment group.The incidences of early rebleeding and corresponding complications within 6 wk after treatment were compared between both groups.Statistical methods were performed by two-sample t-test,Wilcoxon rank sum test andχ2 test.RESULTS No major variations were noted between the individuals of the two groups in terms of age,gender,Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score,coagulation function,serum albumin,hemoglobin,type of gastric varices,the dose of tissue glue injection and EV that needed to be treated simultaneously.The early rebleeding rate in PPI+APG group was 3.16%(3/95),which was much lower than that in the PPI group(12.87%,13/101)(P=0.013).Causes of early rebleeding:the incidence of gastric ulcer bleeding in the PPI+APG group was 2.11%(2/95),which was reduced in comparison to that in the PPI group(11.88%,12/101)(P=0.008);the incidence of venous bleeding in PPI+APG group and PPI group was 1.05%(1/95)and 0.99%(1/101),respectively,and there was no significant difference between them(0.999).The early mortality rate was 0 in both groups within 6 wk after the operation,and the low mortality rate was related to the timely hospitalization and active treatment of all patients with rebleeding.The overall incidence of complications in the PPI+APG group was 12.63%(12/95),which was not significantly different from 13.86%(14/101)in the PPI group(P=0.800).of abdominal pain in the PPI+APG group was 3.16%(3/95),which was lower than that in the PPI group(11.88%,12/101)(P=0.022).However,due to aluminum phosphate gel usage,the incidence of constipation in the PPI+APG group was 9.47%(9/95),which was higher than that in the PPI group(1.98%,2/101)(P=0.023),but the health of the patients could be improved by increasing drinking water or oral lactulose.No patients in either group developed spontaneous peritonitis after taking PPI,and none developed hepatic encephalopathy and ectopic embolism within 6 wk of EVHT treatment.CONCLUSION PPI combined with APG can significantly reduce the incidence of early rebleeding and postoperative abdominal pain in cirrhotic patients with GVB after taking EVHT.

Endoscopic polidocanol foam sclerobanding for the treatment of grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ internal hemorrhoids:A prospective,multi-center,randomized study

BACKGROUND Endoscopic rubber band ligation(ERBL)is a nonsurgical technique for the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids but is limited by recurrence and post-procedural pain.AIM To evaluate satisfaction,long-term recurrence,and post-procedural pain in managing internal hemorrhoids using a combination of polidocanol foam sclerotherapy and ERBL.METHODS This was a prospective,multicenter,randomized study.A total of 195 consecutive patients diagnosed with grade II-III internal hemorrhoids were enrolled from four tertiary hospitals and randomly divided into a cap-assisted endoscopic polidocanol foam sclerobanding(EFSB)or an ERBL group.All patients were followed-up for 12 months.Symptom-based severity and post-procedural pain were assessed using a hemorrhoid severity score(HSS)and a visual analog scale(VAS).Continuous variables were reported as medians and interquartile range.RESULTS One hundred and ninety-five patients were enrolled,with 98 in the EFSB group.HSS was lower in the EFSB group than in the ERBL group at 8 weeks[4.0(3.0-5.0)vs 5.0(4.0-6.0),P=0.003]and 12-month[2.0(1.0-3.0)vs 3.0(2.0-3.0),P<0.001]of follow-up.The prolapse recurrence rate was lower in the EFSB group at 12 months(11.2%vs 21.6%,P=0.038).Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that EFSB treatment[B=-0.915,95%confidence interval(CI):−1.301 to−0.530,P=0.001]and rubber band number(B=0.843,95%CI:0.595-1.092,P<0.001)were negatively and independently associated with the VAS score 24 hours post-procedure.The median VAS was lower in the EFSB group than in the ERBL[2.0(1.0-3.0)vs 3.0(2.0-4.0),P<0.001].CONCLUSION Cap-assisted EFSB provided long-term satisfaction and effective relief from the recurrence of prolapse and pain 24 hours post-procedure.

Clinical characteristics of acute non-varicose upper gastrointestinal bleeding and the effect of endoscopic hemostasis

BACKGROUND Acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding(ANVUGIB)constitutes a prevalent emergency within Gastroenterology,encompassing 80%-90%of all gastrointestinal hemorrhage incidents.This condition is distinguished by its abrupt onset,swift progression,and notably elevated mortality rate.AIM To gather clinical data from patients with ANVUGIB at our hospital in order to elucidate the clinical characteristics specific to our institution and analyze the therapeutic effectiveness of endoscopic hemostasis.METHODS We retrospectively retrieved the records of 532 patients diagnosed with ANVUGIB by endoscopy at our hospital between March 2021 and March 2023,utilizing our medical record system.Data pertaining to general patient information,etiological factors,disease outcomes,and other relevant variables were meticulously collected and analyzed.RESULTS Among the 532 patients diagnosed with ANVUGIB,the male-to-female ratio was 2.91:1,with a higher prevalence among males.Notably,43.6%of patients presented with black stool as their primary complaint,while 27.4%had hematemesis as their initial symptom.Upon admission,17%of patients exhibited both hematemesis and black stool,while most ANVUGIB patients primarily complained of overt gastrointestinal bleeding.Urgent routine blood examinations at admission revealed that 75.8%of patients had anemia,with 63.4%experiencing moderate to severe anemia,and 1.5%having extremely severe anemia(hemoglobin<30 g/L).With regard to etiology,53.2%of patients experienced bleeding without a definitive trigger,24.2%had a history of using gastric mucosa-irritating medications,24.2%developed bleeding after alcohol consumption,2.8%attributed it to improper diet,1.7%to emotional excitement,and 2.3%to fatigue preceding the bleeding episode.Drug-induced ANVUGIB was more prevalent in the elderly than middle-aged and young individuals,while bleeding due to alcohol consumption showed the opposite trend.Additionally,diet-related bleeding was more common among the young age group compared to the middle-aged group.Gastrointestinal endoscopy identified peptic ulcers as the most frequent cause of ANVUGIB(73.3%),followed by gastrointestinal malignancies(10.9%),acute gastric mucous lesions(9.8%),and androgenic upper gastrointestinal bleeding(1.5%)among inpatients with ANVUGIB.Of the 532 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding,68 underwent endoscopic hemostasis,resulting in an endoscopic treatment rate of 12.8%,with a high immediate hemostasis success rate of 94.1%.

Endoscopic polidocanol foam sclerobanding for the treatment of Grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ internal hemorrhoids:The focus of clinical practice

We have read the article by Qu et al with great interest,as it presents an inte-gration of endoscopic polidocanol foam sclerotherapy with rubber band ligation in patients with Grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ internal hemorrhoids.The authors conducted a prospective,multicenter,randomized study to evaluate the long-term sympto-matic and endoscopic efficacy of this combined intervention.In this discussion,we focus on the procedural steps of this combined strategy and suggest potential avenues for future research.

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heterotopic pancreas

Heterotopic pancreas,a rare congenital malformation,manifests outside the normal pancreas.Research suggests that abnormal embryonic development is linked to the presence of heterotopic pancreas.Three prevailing theories explain its mechanism:Dislocation theory,metaplasia theory,and totipotent stem cell theory.Clinical presentations of heterotopic pancreas are often nonspecific,with most patients being asymptomatic and incidentally discovered during unrelated surgeries or examinations.Endoscopic ultrasound,computed tomography,and magnetic resonance imaging are commonly employed diagnostic tools for heterotopic pancreas.However,the accuracy of diagnosis based on these methods is not consistently high,necessitating histopathological confirmation in many cases.Treatment options for heterotopic pancreas typically involve endoscopic resection,surgical resection,or observation through follow-up.

Acute gastric volvulus combined with pneumatosis coli rupture misdiagnosed as gastric volvulus with perforation:A case report

BACKGROUND Acute gastric volvulus represents a rare form of surgical acute abdomen,which makes it difficult to establish an early diagnosis.As the disease progresses,it can lead to gastric ischemia,necrosis,and other serious complications.CASE SUMMARY This paper reports a 67-year-old female patient with a history of abdominal distension and retching for 1 day.After admission,a prompt and thorough exami-nation was performed to confirm the diagnosis of acute gastric volvulus.Notably,the patient had free air in the abdominal cavity.The first consideration was gastric volvulus with gastric perforation,but the patient had no complaints,such as abdominal pain or signs of peritoneal irritation in the abdomen,and imaging examination revealed no abdominal pelvic effusion.Following endoscopic reduc-tion,the abdominal organs,such as the stomach and spleen,returned to their normal anatomical positions,and the free intraperitoneal air disappeared,su-ggesting a rare case of acute gastric torsion.The source of free air within the abdominal cavity warrants careful consideration and discussion.Combined with the findings from computed tomography,these findings are hypothesized to be associated with the rupture of colonic air cysts.CONCLUSION Patients with gastric torsion combined with free gas in the abdominal cavity should consider nongastrointestinal perforation factors to avoid misdiagnosis.

Is appendoscope a new option for the treatment of acute appendicitis?

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.It is commonly caused by obstruction of the appendiceal lumen due to fecaliths,tumors,or lymphoid hyperplasia.For over a century,appendectomy has been the primary treatment for acute appendicitis.Abraham Groves performed the first open appendectomy in 1883.In 1983,Kurt Semm completed the first laparoscopic appendectomy,heralding a new era in appendectomy.However,appendectomy is associated with certain complications and a rate of negative appendectomies.Studies have suggested controversy over the impact of appendectomy on the development of inflammatory bowel disease and Parkinson’s disease,but an increasing number of studies indicate a possible positive correlation between appendectomy and colorectal cancer,gallstones,and cardiovascular disease.With the recognition that the appendix is not a vestigial organ and the advancement of endoscopic technology,Liu proposed the endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy.It is an effective minimally invasive alternative for treating uncomplicated acute appendicitis.Our team has developed an appendoscope with a disposable digital imaging system operated through the biopsy channel of a colonoscope and successfully applied it in the treatment of appendicitis.This article provides an overview of the progress in endoscopic treatment for acute appendicitis and offers a new perspective on the future direction of appendiceal disease treatment.

Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis treatment for periappendiceal abscess: A case report

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency.At present,the main treatments for periappendiceal abscess include antibiotics and surgery.However,the complications and mortality of emergency surgery are high.The preferred therapy is conservative treatment with antibiotics first,ultrasound-guided puncture drainage or surgical treatment is followed when necessary.Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy(ERAT)for acute uncomplicated appendicitis have been proved clinically effective,but it is rarely used in periap-pendiceal abscess.CASE SUMMARY We report a patient admitted to hospital because of“right lower abdominal pain for six days”.The computerized tomography(CT)of patient showed that appendicitis with fecaliths and abscess in the pelvis.The patient was treated by CT-guided puncture and drainage of abdominal abscess combined with ERAT to remove appendiceal fecaliths,irrigation and stent placement.CONCLUSION The patient did not receive surgery because of impoverished family.Abdominal pain did not recur during the follow-up period.This case confirms the value of ERAT in the treatment of periappendiceal abscess.

How to preserve the native or reconstructed esophagus after perforations or postoperative leaks: A multidisciplinary 15-year experience

BACKGROUND Esophageal perforation or postoperative leak after esophageal surgery remain a life-threatening condition.The optimal management strategy is still unclear.AIM To determine clinical outcomes and complications of our 15-year experience in the multidisciplinary management of esophageal perforations and anastomotic leaks.METHODS A retrospective single-center observational study was performed on 60 patients admitted at our department for esophageal perforations or treated for an anastomotic leak developed after esophageal surgery from January 2008 to December 2023.Clinical outcomes were analyzed,and complications were evaluated to investigate the efficacy and safety of our multidisciplinary management based on the preservation of the native or reconstructed esophagus,when feasible.RESULTS Among the whole series of 60 patients,an urgent surgery was required in 8 cases due to a septic state.Fifty-six patients were managed by endoscopic or hybrid treatments,obtaining the resolution of the esophageal leak/perforation without removal of the native or reconstructed esophagus.The mean time to resolution was 54.95±52.64 days,with a median of 35.5 days.No severe complications were recorded.Ten patients out of 56(17.9%)developed pneumonia that was treated by specific antibiotic therapy,and in 6 cases(10.7%)an atrial fibrillation was recorded.Seven patients(12.5%)developed a stricture within 12 months,requiring one or two endoscopic pneumatic dilations to solve the problem.Mortality was 1.7%.CONCLUSION A proper multidisciplinary approach with the choice of the most appropriate treatment can be the key for success in managing esophageal leaks or perforations and preserving the esophagus.

How to establish an endoscopic bariatric practice

Obesity is a chronic,progressive,and relapsing disease of excess adiposity that contributes to more than two hundred medical conditions and is projected to affect more than half the adult population of the United States by the year 2030.Given the limited penetrance of traditional bariatric surgery,as well as the cost and adherence barriers to anti-obesity medications,there is growing interest in the rapidly evolving field of endoscopic bariatric therapies(EBTs).EBTs are minimally invasive,same-day,per-oral endoscopic procedures and include endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty,intragastric balloons,and endoscopic bariatric revisional procedures.This field represents an exciting and innovative subspe-cialty within gastroenterology.However,building a successful endoscopic bariatric practice requires intentional,coordinated,and sustained efforts to overcome the numerous obstacles to entry.Common barriers include acquisition of the technical and cognitive skillset,practice limitations including the availability of nutrition counseling,facility capabilities,direct-to-consumer marketing,and financial pressures such as facility and anesthesia fees.As the highest-volume center for metabolic and bariatric endoscopy in the United States,we provide insights into successfully establishing an endoscopic bariatric program.

Novel treatment options for perforations of the upper gastrointestinal tract:Endoscopic vacuum therapy and over-the-scope clips

Endoscopic management of leakages and perforations of the upper gastrointestinal tract has gained great importance as it avoids the morbidity and mortality of surgical intervention.In the past years,covered selfexpanding metal stents were the mainstay of endoscopic therapy.However,two new techniques are now available that enlarge the possibilities of defect closure:endoscopic vacuum therapy(EVT),and over-the-scope clip(OTSC).EVT is performed by mounting a polyurethane sponge on a gastric tube and placing it into the leakage.Continuous suction is applied via the tube resulting in effective drainage of the cavity and the induction of wound healing,comparable to the application of vacuum therapy in cutaneous wounds.The system is changed every 3-5 d.The overall success rate of EVT in the literature ranges from 84%to 100%,with a mean of 90%;only few complications have been reported.OTSCs are loaded on a transparent cap which is mounted on the tip of a standard endoscope.By bringing the edges of the perforation into the cap,by suction or by dedicated devices,such as anchor or twin grasper,the OTSC can be placed to close the perforation.For acute endoscopy associated perforations,the mean success rate is 90%(range:70%-100%).For other types of perforations(postoperative,other chronic leaks and fistulas)success rates are somewhat lower(68%,and59%,respectively).Only few complications have been reported.Although first reports are promising,further studies are needed to define the exact role of EVT and OTSC in treatment algorithms of upper gastrointestinal perforations.

Expanded endoscopic therapy criteria should be cautiously used in intramucosal gastric cancer

Objective： Accurate estimation of lymph node metastasis （LNM） in intramucosal gastric cancer is essential to select less invasive treatment options and even avoid surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate combined clinicopathological features to predict the presence of LNM. Methods： A retrospective review of data from 386 intramucosaL gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy from 2003 to 2010 was conducted. The mutual relation between clinicopathological characteristics and LNM was analyzed. Results： LNM was detected in 40 （10.4%） of the 386 patients. Histological typeand vascular or lymphatic invasion presence showed a positive correlation with LNM occurrence by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that histological type was the only factor associated with LNM. Combined clinicopathologic characteristics would be more predictable for LNM. We found no LNM when we used combined clinicopathological characteristics conforming to Japanese absolute indications for endoscopic therapy. The LNM rate was as high as 8.7% when Japanese expanded criteria were used. Univariate analysis in cancer conformity to expand endoscopic submucosal dissection （ESD） indication also revealed that the undifferential type was the only significant factor for LNM. Conclusions： It was possible to predict intramucosal gastric cancer cases without LNM using combined clinicopathological characteristic analysis. Extended indication for ESD should be cautiously used for intramucosal gastric cancer patients.

Role of endoscopic vacuum therapy in the management of gastrointestinal transmural defects

A gastrointestinal(GI) transmural defect is defined as total rupture of the GI wall,and these defects can be divided into three categories: perforations,leaks,and fistulas. Surgical management of these defects is usually challenging and may be associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Recently,several novel endoscopic techniques have been developed,and endoscopy has become a firstline approach for therapy of these conditions. The use of endoscopic vacuum therapy(EVT) is increasing with favorable results. This technique involves endoscopic placement of a sponge connected to a nasogastric tube into the defect cavity or lumen. This promotes healing via five mechanisms,including macrodeformation,microdeformation,changes in perfusion,exudate control,and bacterial clearance,which is similar to the mechanisms in which skin wounds are treated with commonly employed wound vacuums. EVT can be used in the upper GI tract,small bowel,biliopancreatic regions,and lower GI tract,with variable success rates and a satisfactory safety profile. In this article,we review and discuss the mechanism of action,materials,techniques,efficacy,and safety of EVT in the management of patients with GI transmural defects.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and splenectomy are more effective than endoscopic therapy for recurrent variceal bleeding in patients with idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS),splenectomy plus esophagogastric devascularization(SED)and endoscopic therapy+non-selectiveβ-blockers(ET+NSBB)are widely applied in secondary prevention of recurrent gastroesophageal variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.These different treatments,however,have not been compared in patients with idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension(INCPH).AIM To compare the outcomes of TIPS,SED and ET+NSBB in the control of variceal rebleeding in patients with INCPH.METHODS This retrospective study recruited patients from six centers across China.Demographic characteristics,baseline profiles and follow-up clinical outcomes were collected.Post-procedural clinical outcomes,including incidence of rebleeding,hepatic encephalopathy(HE),portal vein thrombosis(PVT)and mortality rates,were compared in the different groups.RESULTS In total,81 patients were recruited,with 28 receiving TIPS,26 SED,and 27 ET+NSBB.No significant differences in demographic and baseline characteristics were found among these three groups before the procedures.After treatment,blood ammonia was significantly higher in the TIPS group;hemoglobin level and platelet count were significantly higher in the SED group(P<0.01).Rebleeding rate was significantly higher in the ET+NSBB group(P<0.01).Mortality was 3.6%,3.8%and 14.8%in the TIPS,SED and ET+NSBB groups,respectively,with no significant differences(P=0.082).Logistic regression analysis showed that mortality was significantly correlated with rebleeding,HE,portal thrombosis and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis(P<0.05).CONCLUSION In patients with INCPH,TIPS and SED were more effective in controlling rebleeding than ET+NSBB,but survival rates were not significantly different among the three groups.Mortality was significantly correlated with rebleeding,HE and PVT.

Efficacy of endoscopic therapy for gastrointestinal bleeding from Dieulafoy’s lesion

AIM： To investigate the endoscopic hemostasis for gastrointestinal bleeding due to Dieulafoy＇s lesion. METHODS： One hundred and seven patients with gastrointestinal bleeding due to Dieulafoy＇s lesion were treated with three endoscopic hemostasis methods： aethoxysklerol injection （46 cases）, endoscopic hemoclip hemostasis （31 cases）, and a combination of hemoclip hemostasis with aethoxysklerol injection （30 cases）. RESULTS： The rates of successful hemostasis using the three methods were 71.7% （33/46）, 77.4% （24/31） and 96.7% （29/30）, respectively, with significant differences between the methods （P 〈 0.05）. Among those who had unsuccessful treatment with aethoxysklerol injection, 13 were treated with hemoclip hemostasis and 4 underwent surgical operation; 9 cases were successful in the injection therapy. Among the cases with unsuccessful treatment with hemoclip hemostasis,7 were treated with injection of aethoxysklerol and 3 cases underwent surgical operation; 4 cases were successful in the treatment with hemoclip hemostasis. Only 1 case had unsuccessful treatment with a combined therapy of hemoclip hemostasis and aeth- oxysklerol injection, and surgery was then performed. No serious complications of perforation occurred in the patients whose bleeding was treated with the endoscopic hemostasis, and no releeding was found during a 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION： The combined therapy of hemoclip hemostasis with aethoxysklerol injection is the most effective method for gastrointestinal bleeding due to Dieulafoy＇s lesion.

Is endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy a better modality for acute uncomplicated appendicitis? A systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Previous studies had shown endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy(ERAT)is an effective treatment for acute appendicitis.However,different studies reported conflicting outcomes regarding the effectiveness of ERAT in comparison with laparoscopic appendectomy(LA).AIM To compare the effectiveness of ERAT with LA.METHODS Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and retrospective studies of ERAT for acute uncomplicated appendicitis were searched in PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Embase database,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),the WanFang Database,and Chinese Scientific Journals Database(VIP)from the establishment date to March 12021.Heterogeneity was assessed using the Isquared statistic.Pooled odds ratios(OR),weighted mean difference(WMD),and standard mean difference(SMD),with 95%confidence intervals(CI)were calculated through either fixed-effects or random-effects model.Sensitivity analysis was also performed.Publication bias was tested by Egger's test,and Begg’s test.The quality of included RCT were evaluated by the Jadad scale,while Newcastle-Ottawa scale is adopted for assessing the methodological quality of case-control studies.All statistical analysis was performed using Stata 15.1 statistical software.All statistical analysis was performed using Stata 15.1 statistical software.This study is registered with PROSPERO,CRD42021243955.RESULTS After screening,10 RCTs and 2 case-control studies were included in the current systematic review.Firstly,the length of hospitalizations[WMD=-1.15,95%CI:-1.99,-0.31;P=0.007]was shorter than LA group.Secondly,the level of postoperative CRP[WMD=-10.06,95%CI:(-17.39,-2.73);P=0.007],TNF-α[WMD=-7.70,95%CI:(-8.47,-6.93);P<0.001],and IL-6 Levels[WMD=-9.78,95%CI:(-10.69,-8.88);P<0.001;P<0.001]in ERAT group was significantly lower than LA group.Thirdly,ERAT group had a lower incidence of intestinal obstruction than LA group.[OR=0.19,95%CI:(0.05,0.79);P=0.020].Moreover,the quality of 10 RCTs were low with 0-3 Jadad scores,while the methodological quality of two case-control studies were fair with a score of 2(each).CONCLUSION Compared with LA,ERAT reduces operation time,the level of postoperative inflammation,and results in fewer complications and shorter recovery time,with preserving the appendix and its immune and biological functions.

TIPS versus Endoscopic Therapy for Variceal Rebleeding in Cirrhosis:A Meta-analysis Update

Endoscopic therapy（ET） is most common method for preventing variceal bleeding in cirrhosis, but the outcomes are not perfect. Recently, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt（TIPS） is introduced into clinical practice. However, the beneficial effects of TIPS compared to ET on cirrhotic patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of TIPS with those of the most frequently used ET for prevention of variceal rebleeding（VRB） in liver cirrhosis. The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to February 2017. The primary study outcomes included the incidence of VRB, all-cause mortality, bleeding-related death, and the incidence of post-treatment hepatic encephalopathy（PTE）. The odds ratios（ORs） with 95% confidence intervals（CI） were pooled for dichotomous variables. Subgroup analyses were performed. Twenty-four studies were eligible and they included 1120 subjects treated with TIPS and 1065 subjects treated with ET. Although there was no significant difference in survival and PTE, TIPS was superior to ET in decreasing the incidence of VRB（OR=0.27; 95% CI, 0.19–0.39, P〈0.00001）, and decreasing the incidence of bleeding-related death（OR=0.21; 95% CI, 0.13–0.32, P〈0.00001）. Subgroup analysis found a lower mortality（OR=0.48; 95% CI, 0.23–0.97; P=0.04） without any increased incidence of PTE（OR=1.37; 95% CI, 0.75–2.50; P=0.31） in the studies of a greater proportion（≥40%） of patients with Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis receiving TIPS, and TIPS with covered stent did not increase the risk of PTE compared to ET（OR=1.52, 95% CI =0.82–2.80, P=0.18）. It was concluded that TIPS with covered stent might be considered the preferred choice of therapy in patients with severe liver disease for secondary prophylaxis.

Advances in the therapy of Barrett’s Esophagus

The rising incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma（EAC） in the world has led to continued interest in its precursor lesion, Barrett＇ s esophagus（BE）. This review endeavors to summarize the recent advances in the therapy of BE with an emphasis on novel endoscopic therapies.

Management of acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding:Current policies and future perspectives

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB) is a gastroenterological emergency with a mortality of 6%-13%.The vast majority of these bleeds are due to peptic ulcers.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Helicobacter pylori are the main risk factors for peptic ulcer disease.Endoscopy has become the mainstay for diagnosis and treatment of acute UGIB,and is recommended within 24 h of presentation.Proton pump inhibitor(PPI) administration before endoscopy can downstage the bleeding lesion and reduce the need for endoscopic therapy,but has no effect on rebleeding,mortality and need for surgery.Endoscopic therapy should be undertaken for ulcers with high-risk stigmata,to reduce the risk of rebleeding.This can be done with a variety of modalities.High-dose PPI administration after endoscopy can prevent rebleeding and reduce the need for further intervention and mortality,particularly in patients with high-risk stigmata.