The efficacy of on-demand sedation colonoscopy: a STROBE-compliant retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy has been routinely performed with sedation. Previous studies showed that on-demand sedation colonoscopy is acceptable in patients. We aim to compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing colonoscopy with and without sedation. METHODS: A prospectively collected retrospective matched cohort study was performed. 290 consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy without sedation were included into the study. Another 290 patients who underwent colonoscopy with sedation were then selected based on matched sex and age group distribution. Data were collected in a prospective database. Age, sex, race, and procedural variables were collected. Outcomes analyzed included adenoma detection rate, Boston bowel preparation scores, time spent in the recovery room, cecal intubation time, and presence of pain during colonoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 580 patients were included in the study. Of the 290 patients who underwent colonoscopy without sedation, 10 patients (3.45%) required sedation to be administered to complete the scope. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the administration of sedation was a significant predictor of prolonged recovery time (increase in 34.76 min, 95% CI 29.56-39.55, p < 0.001). Comparing the group who underwent colonoscopy without sedation to the group who underwent colonoscopy with sedation, there was no statistically significant difference in mean cecal intubation time (11.28 vs. 10.38 min, p = 0.129), adenoma detection rates (25.1 vs. 35.8%, p = 0.060), percentage of patients who experienced no pain at all during the procedure (93.5 vs. 93.5%, p = 1.000), and Boston bowel preparation scores (2.23 vs. 2.34, p = 0.370). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that on-demand sedation colonoscopy can be performed in patients, with a significant decrease in time spent in the recovery room prior to discharge. Cecal intubation time, adenoma detection rates, and percentage of patients experiencing no pain at all during the procedure were similar in both groups of patients.

Two Magnetic Sensor Based Real-Time Tracking of Magnetically Inflated Swallowable Intragastric Balloon.

This paper presents a two magnetic sensor based tracking method for a magnetically inflated intragastric balloon capsule (MIBC) which is used for obesity treatment. After the MIBC is swallowed, it is designed to be inflated inside the stomach by approaching a permanent magnet (PM) externally near the abdomen. However, if the balloon inflation is accidentally triggered while the MIBC is still in the esophagus, the esophagus will be damaged. Therefore, to safely inflate the MIBC, we aim to track the MIBC's position along the esophagus and confirm the MIBC passes through. Typically, magnetic sensor based tracking systems tend to be bulky and costly since they involve computationally intensive optimization with many magnetic sensors. To solve those problems, we develop an algorithm that estimates the position of the PM inside the MIBC by using the grid search combined with the dynamically confined search range and search threshold modulation. Our tracking method achieved an average 1D position error of 3.48 mm which is comparable to the up to 4 mm average error for the other magnetic sensor based tracking systems that require more sensors and computational power compared to our system.

EndoPil: A Magnetically Actuated Swallowable Capsule for Weight Management: Development and Trials.

Intragastric balloons (IGBs), by occupying the stomach space and prolonging satiety, is a promising method to treat obesity and consequently improves its associated comorbidities, e.g. coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, existing IGBs are often tethered with tubes for gas or liquid delivery or require endoscopic assistance for device delivery or removal, which are usually uncomfortable, costly, and may cause complications. This paper presents a novel tetherless, magnetically actuated capsule (EndoPil) which can deploy an IGB inside the stomach after being swallowed and being activated by an external magnet. The external magnet attracts a small magnet inside the EndoPil to open a valve, triggering the chemical reaction of citric acid and potassium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide gas, which inflates a biocompatible balloon (around 120 mL). A prototype, 13 mm in diameter and 35 mm in length, was developed. Simulations and bench-top tests were conducted to test the force capability of the magnetic actuation mechanism, the required force to activate the valve, and the repeatability of balloon inflation. Experiments on animal and human were successfully conducted to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of inflating a balloon inside the stomach by an external magnet.

Clinical adoption of robotics in endoscopy: Challenges and solutions.

The endoscope was traditionally used as a diagnostic instrument. In past decades, it has increasingly been adapted for therapeutic intents. Subsequently, the master-slave robotic concept was introduced into the field of endoscopy to potentially reduce the difficulty and complication rates of endoscopic therapeutic procedures. As interest in robotic endoscopy intensified, progressively more robotic endoscopic platforms were developed, tested, and introduced. Nevertheless, the future of robotic endoscopy hinges on the ability to meet specific clinical needs of procedurists. Three aspects are vital in ensuring continued success and clinical adoption of the robotic endoscope-demonstration of clinical safety and cost-efficacy of the device, widespread availability of directed training opportunities to enhance technical skills and clinical decision-making capabilities of the procedurist, and continued identification of new clinical applications beyond the current uses of the device. This review provides a brief discussion of the historical development of robotic endoscopy, current robotic endoscopic platforms, use of robotic endoscopy in conventional therapeutic endoscopic procedures, and the future of robotic endoscopy.

Endoscopic Full Thickness Resection for Gastrointestinal Tumors - Challenges and Solutions.

Standard polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are established techniques for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. However, resection of submucosal tumors via ESD often results in low rates of microscopically margin-negative (R0) resection and high rates of perforation. Endoscopic full thickness resection (EFTR) overcomes this adverse event and aids in the therapeutic management of complex tumors. Multiple techniques for EFTR have been developed, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Submucosal tunneling and nonexposed techniques are generally preferable, because the layer of overlying intact mucosa reduces the incidence of intraperitoneal contamination by the gastric fluid and dissemination of the tumor cells. However, adoption of EFTR by endoscopists in clinical practice remains low. The major challenge seems to be the technical difficulty in performing laparoscopic and/or endoscopic suturing using the currently available instruments. We developed a novel robotic endoscopic platform with suturing capabilities to overcome the technical challenges of suturing. This platform allows easy maneuvering and triangulation of the instruments, thus facilitating endoscopic suturing using robotic arms. Our studies have demonstrated that this robotic endoscopic platform with suturing capabilities is an effective and safe method for performing EFTR with endoscopic suturing.

Robot-Assisted Endoscopic Resection: Current Status and Future Directions.

Therapeutic endoscopic resection has gained favor for its ability to achieve high en bloc and histologically complete resection rates via a minimally invasive approach. The main technical difficulties faced by interventionists are first the lack of traction causing suboptimal visualization of the dissection field and second, the lack of triangulation using existing therapeutic apparatuses. These challenges can be overcome with the use of robots and the multiple degrees of freedom afforded by the robotic wrists. Nevertheless, complications such as bleeding and perforation can occur. It is hence beneficial for the robotic device to be equipped with additional abilities such as suturing. Once the robotic prototypes have been fully optimized and marketed, a structured program should be instituted to ensure proper and adequate training of the end-users. The future of robotics should then explore the possibility of developing a soft robot or a robot with more natural human-like movements. A robot with a force feedback mechanism would be superior and improve safety. Eventually, a supervised autonomous robot may perform interventions with greater precision and accuracy than an expert procedurist. This review describes the benefits of robot-assisted endoscopic resections, recent developments aimed at managing iatrogenic complications and future directions for robotic endoscopy.

Robot-Assisted Endoscopic Resection: Current Status and Future Directions

Therapeutic endoscopic resection has gained favor for its ability to achieve high en bloc and histologically complete resection rates via a minimally invasive approach. The main technical difficulties faced by interventionists are first the lack of traction causing suboptimal visualization of the dissection field and second, the lack of triangulation using existing therapeutic apparatuses. These challenges can be overcome with the use of robots and the multiple degrees of freedom afforded by the robotic wrists. Nevertheless, complications such as bleeding and perforation can occur. It is hence beneficial for the robotic device to be equipped with additional abilities such as suturing. Once the robotic prototypes have been fully optimized and marketed, a structured program should be instituted to ensure proper and adequate training of the end-users. The future of robotics should then explore the possibility of developing a soft robot or a robot with more natural human-like movements. A robot with a force feedback mechanism would be superior and improve safety. Eventually, a supervised autonomous robot may perform interventions with greater precision and accuracy than an expert procedurist. This review describes the benefits of robot-assisted endoscopic resections, recent developments aimed at managing iatrogenic complications and future directions for robotic endoscopy.

Endoscopic Full Thickness Resection for Gastrointestinal Tumors - Challenges and Solutions

Standard polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are established techniques for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. However, resection of submucosal tumors via ESD often results in low rates of microscopically margin-negative (R0) resection and high rates of perforation. Endoscopic full thickness resection (EFTR) overcomes this adverse event and aids in the therapeutic management of complex tumors.Multiple techniques for EFTR have been developed, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Submucosal tunneling and nonexposed techniques are generally preferable, because the layer of overlying intact mucosa reduces the incidence of intraperitoneal contamination by the gastric fluid and dissemination of the tumor cells. However, adoption of EFTR by endoscopists in clinical practice remains low. The major challenge seems to be the technical difficulty in performing laparoscopic and/or endoscopic suturing using the currently available instruments.We developed a novel robotic endoscopic platform with suturing capabilities to overcome the technical challenges of suturing. This platform allows easy maneuvering and triangulation of the instruments, thus facilitating endoscopic suturing using robotic arms. Our studies have demonstrated that this robotic endoscopic platform with suturing capabilities is an effective and safe method for performing EFTR with endoscopic suturing.

Endoscopic robotic suturing: The way forward.

Traditionally, suturing is performed in open surgery using a needle holder and forceps. The aim is to achieve accurate approximation of both edges of the wound and to tie a secure knot. With the development of laparoscopic surgery, traditional suturing methods have been adapted to meet the constraints of rigid laparoscopic instruments with limited degrees of freedom. The subsequent introduction of three-dimensional robotic suturing has since made intracorporeal suturing easier to learn, primarily because of its intuitiveness and the additional degree of freedom of the robotic wrists. With the increasing popularity of therapeutic endoscopic procedures for early gastrointestinal cancers, devices allowing for endoscopic suturing have since been developed. Nevertheless, these devices remain challenging to use as they require double-channel endoscopes and do not have the extra degree of freedom of robotic wrists. The introduction of robotics to the field of endoscopic suturing has proven to be promising. This review describes the development and adaptation of basic suturing techniques to various platforms, such as laparoscopic, robotic and endoscopic.

Variabilidad intra e interobservador en el diagnóstico endoscópico de estigmas de sangramiento reciente en úlcera gástrica o duodenal sangrante / Inter and intraobserver agreement on endoscopic diagnosis of stimata of recent hemorrhage in bleeding peptic ulcers

Los estigmas de sangramiento reciente son importantes factores pronósticos de resangramiento y son fundamentales para decidir terapéutica endoscópica en úlcera gástrica o duodenal sangrante. Con la intención de evaluar la variabilidad interobservador e intraobservador en nuestro Servicio en relación con estos estigmas y la posible relación de esta con la experiencia y el consenso entre observadores, realizamos un estudio prospectivo. 32 pacientes con hemorragia digestiva superior por úlcera gástrica o duodenal fueron incluidos. Se editó un video con fragmentos representativos de la endoscopia de cada paciente y se sometió a la evaluación de nueve endoscopistas, tres residentes y seis especialistas, en dos sesiones separadas y con una sesión de consenso entre ella. El cálculo de la variabilidad se realizó de acuerdo al valor Kappa, basándose en la escala de Landis y Koch (1), que considera como buen grado de acuerdo a un valor superior a 0,40. El valor Kappa total en la primera sesión fue de 0,405 y de 0,408 en la segunda. El valor Kappa para los residentes fue de 0,260 en la primera y 0,293 en la segunda. El valor Kappa para los especialistas fue de 0,460 en la primera y 0,546 en la segunda. Aunque la variabilidad interobservador en la evaluación de estigmas de sangramiento resiente es importante, el grado de acuerdo entre los observadores es bueno. Las reuniones de consenso mejoran el grado de acuerdo

Ecosonografía en lesiones metastásicas del hígado correlación con histología / Ecosonography in hepatic metastases, correlation with histology

Con la intención de correlacionar los hallazgos ecosonográficos con la histología, decidimos estudiar un grupo de pacientes con enfermedad metastásica del higado en los cuales se realizó ecosonografía y posteriormente biopsia. Se tomaron 87 pacientes, del Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital Universitario de Caracas, durante los años 1992-1996, de los cuales 78 tuvieron estudio histológico. Los tumores primarios fueron gástricos 18, colon 11, páncreas 4, pulmón 5, vesícula 13, piel 2, riñon 2, mama 5, ovario 1, esófago 3, linfoma 4, útero 4, intestino delgado 1, duodeno 1, próstata 1, recto 4 y con primario desconocido 8. Los tipos histológicos fueron: adenocarcinoma 54, epidermoide 4, leiomiosarcoma 2, melanoma 2, linfoma 4, 12 correspondieron a otras formas histológicas. En los adenocarcinomas predominó la forma hiperecogénica y mixta con 23 y 19 casos, principalmente con primarios en colon donde no se encontraron formas hipoecogénicas. En 49 de 87 pacientes las lesiones fueron múltiples. Se observó hepatomegalia en 55 (63,2 por ciento) casos. Concluimos que en este grupo de pacientes, el adenocarcinoma adopta una forma hiperecogénica o mixta en la mayoría de los casos, principalmente en primarios de colon; la hepatomegalia es un hallazgo frecuente en el hígado metastásico y hay un discreto predominio de las formas múltiples sobre las únicas