Feasibility of using an led-probe in third-space endoscopy: a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Third-space endoscopy is a novel, safe, and effective method for treating different gastrointestinal conditions. However, several failed endoscopic procedures are attributed to incomplete myotomy. Lighting devices are used to prevent organic injuries. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of using a hand-made LED-probe (LP) in third-space procedures. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary-care center in Mexico between December 2016 and January 2019. We included peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy(G-POEM) procedures. Pseudoachalasia, peptic ulcer, normal gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) and prepyloric tumors were excluded. LP was used to guide or confirm procedures. Clinical and procedural characteristics were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy third-space procedures were included (42POEM,28G-POEM), with an average patient age of 46.7 ± 14.3 and 43.7 ± 10.1 years, respectively. For the POEM and G-POEM groups, respectively, 18/42(42.9%) and 13/28(46.7%) patients were males; median procedure times were 50 (interquartile range [IQR]: 38-71) and 60(IQR: 48-77) min, median LP placement times were 5(IQR: 4-6) and 6(IQR: 5-7) min, mild adverse events occurred in 4(9.4%) and 4(14.2%) of cases, and clinical success at 6 months occurred in 100 and 85.7% of cases. Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) improved from 27.3 ± 10.8 to 9.5 ± 4.1 mmHg (p < 0.001); retention percentage at 4 h also improved. LP was successfully placed and adequate myotomy confirmed including 14.2 and 17.8% of POEM and G-POEM difficult patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using an LP is promising and allows guiding during third-space procedures either for submucosal tunnel creation or myotomy confirmation, with excellent safety and efficacy in clinical practice.

Clinical feasibility of a new antireflux ablation therapy on gastroesophageal reflux disease (with video).

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: New mucosal resective and ablative endoscopic procedures based on gastric cardiac remodeling to prevent reflux have appeared. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a new ablative technique named antireflux ablation therapy (ARAT) for control of GERD in patients without hiatal hernia. METHODS: Patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory GERD without hiatal hernia underwent ARAT between January 2016 and October 2019. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL), upper endoscopy, 24-hour pH monitoring, and PPI use were documented at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after ARAT. RESULTS: One hundred eight patients were included (61 men [56.5%]; median age, 36.5 years; range, 18-78 years). ARAT was performed on all patients. At the 36-month evaluation, 84 patients had completed the protocol. Median ARAT time was 35.5 minutes (range, 22-51 minutes), and median circumference ablation was 300° (range, 270°-320°). No major adverse events occurred, and 14 of 108 patients (12.9%) presented with stenosis that was responsive to balloon dilation (<5 sessions). At the 3-month evaluation, the acid exposure time (AET), DeMeester score, and GERD-HRQL score had decreased from 18.8% to 2.8% (P = .001), 42.5 to 9.1 (P = .001), and 36.5 to 10 (P = .02), respectively, and these values were maintained up to 36 months. Success (AET <4%) was achieved in 89% and 72.2% at 3 and 36 months, respectively. Related factors at 36 months were as follows: pre-ARAT Hill type II (odds ratio [OR], 3.212; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.431-5.951; P = .033), post-ARAT 3-month Hill type I (OR, 4.101; 95% CI, 1.812-9.121; P = .042), and AET <4% at 3 months (OR, 5.512; 95% CI, 1.451-7.621; P = .021). CONCLUSIONS: ARAT is a feasible, safe, and effective therapy for early and mid-term treatment of GERD in patients without a sliding hiatal hernia. However, longer follow-up evaluations and randomized comparative studies are needed to clarify its real role. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03548298.).