Local triamcinolone injection and selective add-on oral steroids to prevent post-ESD esophageal stricture: retrospective analysis of a prospective protocol in a Western center.

Background and study aim Extensive esophageal ESDs without preventive measures are at high risk of stricture. Oral steroids and local injection of triamcinolone acetonide have proven to be effective for prevention of esophageal stricture. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a systematic steroid administration protocol for stricture prevention. Patients and methods A retrospective review of all esophageal ESDs at H.U.B Erasme Hospital (Brussels) between 2016 and 2022 was conducted. Injection of triamcinolone was performed for mucosal defects between 50% and 90% circumference. We added oral corticosteroids for patients with resections of ≥90% circumference . The primary outcome was the incidence of symptomatic stenosis at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were the cumulative stricture rate assessed by endoscopy within 6 months of ESD. Potential risk factors of stricture were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis. Results A total of 111 patients underwent 130 esophageal ESDs. Fifty-nine patients received triamcinolone acetonide local injection and 8 patients received local and oral corticosteroids. The primary outcome demonstrated a stricture incidence of 8.4%. The cumulative stricture rate assessed by endoscopy within 6 months of ESD was 10.4%.A mucosal defect of ≥ 6 0 4 0 mm was associated with 15-fold increased risk of stricture. Degree of circumference was also identified as an independent prognostic factor of stricture. Conclusions Our protocol led to a low stricture rate even after extensive resection. As a single session treatment without systemic side effects, triamcinolone injection could provide benefits as a preventive method after large esophageal resection.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for rectal neuroendocrine tumours: A multicentric retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) has been reported as a feasible and effective treatment for Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumours (R-NETs). However, most of the experience on the topic comes from retrospective tertiary centre from Eastern Asia. Data on ESD for R-NETs in Western centres are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study, including patients who underwent endoscopic resection of R-NETS by ESD between 2015 and 2020 in Western Centres. Important clinical variables such as demographic, size of R-NETs, histological type, presence of lymphovascular invasion or distant metastasis, completeness of the endoscopic resection, recurrence, and procedure related complications were recorded. RESULTS: 40 ESD procedure on R-NETs from 39 patients from 8 centres were included. Mean R-NETs size was 10.3 mm (SD 4.01). Endoscopic en-bloc resection was achieved in 39/40 ESD (97.5 %), R0 margin resection was obtained in 87.5 % (35/40) of the procedures, one patient was referred to surgery for lymphovascular invasion, two procedures (5 %) reported significant episodes of bleeding, whereas a perforation occurred in one case (1/40, 2.5 %) managed endoscopically. Recurrence occurred in 1 patient (2.5 %). CONCLUSION: ESD is an effective and safe treatment for R-NETs in western centres.

Safety and efficacy of salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's neoplasia recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for Barrett's neoplasia recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). METHODS: Data from patients at 16 centers were collected for a multicenter retrospective study. Patients who underwent at least one RFA treatment for Barrett's esophagus and thereafter underwent further esophageal ESD for neoplasia recurrence were included. RESULTS: Data from 56 patients who underwent salvage ESD between April 2014 and November 2022 were collected. Immediate complications included one muscular tear (1.8%) treated with stent (Agree classification: grade IIIa). Two transmural perforations (3.6%; treated with clips) and five muscular tears (8.9%; two treated with clips) had no clinical impact and were not considered as adverse events. Seven patients (12.5%) developed strictures (grade IIIa), which were treated with balloon dilation. Histological analysis showed 36 adenocarcinoma, 17 high grade dysplasia, and 3 low grade dysplasia. En bloc and R0 resection rates were 89.3% and 66.1%, respectively. Resections were curative in 33 patients (58.9%), and noncurative in 22 patients (39.3%), including 11 "local risk" (19.6%) and 11 "high risk" (19.6%) resections. At the end of follow-up with a median time of 14 (0-75) months after salvage ESD, and with further endoscopic treatment if necessary (RFA, argon plasma coagulation, endoscopic mucosal resection, ESD), neoplasia remission ratio was 37/53 (69.8%) and the median remission time was 13 (1-75) months. CONCLUSION: In expert hands, salvage ESD was a safe and effective treatment for recurrence of Barrett's neoplasia after RFA treatment.

Digestive neo-epithelialization after endoscopic stenting for upper digestive tract complete disunion.

BACKGROUND: Complete digestive disunion due to anastomotic necrosis is considered a contraindication to endoscopic repair. However, recent publications have suggested that endoscopic treatment by insertion of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) is possible. The report of this patient series aims to demonstrate the use of endoscopic management in selected cases with complete digestive disunion. METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with complete and circumferential upper gastrointestinal anastomotic disunion were treated at two European tertiary care centers between 2009 and 2021 by endoscopic insertion of an SEMS. Treatment was performed with a therapeutic gastroscope under general anesthesia, carbon dioxide insufflation, and fluoroscopic guidance, after surgical or percutaneous drainage. RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated by endoscopic insertion of fully or partially covered SEMS left in place for a median of 8 weeks, with a median of 3 endoscopic sessions. Digestive neo-epithelialization was associated with a restored circumferential gut lumen in all cases. The rate of stent migration was 23% and three patients (43%) experienced symptomatic strictures, which were successfully treated by endoscopic dilation. CONCLUSION: Complete digestive rupture could be successfully treated by endoscopy in selected cases, adding proof-of-concept data regarding guided tissue regeneration alongside SEMS placement.

Intravenous Hemin, a potential heme oxygenase-1 activator, does not protect from post-ERCP acute pancreatitis in humans: Results of a randomized multicentric multinational placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Hemin, a heme oxygenase 1 activator has shown efficacy in the prevention and treatment of acute pancreatitis in mouse models. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the protective effect of Hemin administration to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) in patients at risk. METHODS: In this multicenter, multinational, placebo-controlled, double-blind RCT, we assigned patients at risk for PEP to receive a single intravenous dose of Hemin (4 mg/kg) or placebo immediately after ERCP. Patients were considered to be at risk on the basis of validated patient- and/or procedure-related risk factors. Neither rectal NSAIDs nor pancreatic stent insertion were allowed in randomized patients. The primary outcome was the incidence of PEP. Secondary outcomes included lipase elevation, mortality, safety, and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 282 of the 294 randomized patients had complete follow-up. Groups were similar in terms of clinical, laboratory, and technical risk factors for PEP. PEP occurred in 16 of 142 patients (11.3%) in the Hemin group and in 20 of 140 patients (14.3%) in the placebo group (p = 0.48). Incidence of severe PEP reached 0.7% and 4.3% in the Hemin and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.07). Significant lipase elevation after ERCP did not differ between groups. Length of hospital stay, mortality and severe adverse events rates were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: We failed to detect large improvements in PEP rate among participants at risk for PEP who received IV hemin immediately after the procedure compared to placebo. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01855841).

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Is Safe and Effective for Lesions Located at the Anorectal Junction: Analysis from Two Referral European Centers.

Introduction: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a well-established resection technique for colorectal superficial tumors, but its role in the treatment of anorectal junction (ARJ) lesions still remains to be determined. With this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of ESD for the resection of ARJ lesions, in comparison to more proximal rectal lesions. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data concerning all consecutive rectal ESD procedures performed in two European centers, from 2015 to 2021. Results: A total of two hundred and fifty-two rectal lesions were included. Sixty (24%) were ARJ lesions, and the remaining 192 (76%) were located proximally. Technical success was achieved in 248 procedures (98%), and its rate was similar in both locations (p = 0.246). Most of the lesions presented high-grade dysplasia/Tis adenocarcinoma (54%); 36 (15%) had submucosal adenocarcinoma, including 20 superficial (sm1) and 16 deeply invasive (>SM1) T1 cancers. We found no differences between ARJ and rectal lesions in regard to en bloc resection rate (100% vs. 96%, p = 0.204), R0 resection rate (76% vs. 75%, p = 0.531), curative resection rate (70% vs. 70%, p = 0.920), procedures' median duration (120 min vs. 90 min, p = 0.072), ESD velocity (14 vs. 12 mm2/min, p = 0.415), histopathology result (p = 0.053), and the need for surgery due to a non-curative ESD (5% vs. 3%, p = 0.739). Also, there was no statistically significant difference that concerns delayed bleeding (7% vs. 8%, p = 0.709), perforation (0% vs. 5%, p = 0.075), or the need for readmission (2% vs. 2%, p = 0.939). Nevertheless, anorectal stenosis (5% vs. 0%, p = 0.003) and anorectal pain (9% vs. 1%, p = 0.002) were significantly more frequent in ARJ lesions. Conclusion: ESD is a safe and efficient resection technique for the treatment of rectal lesions located in the ARJ.

Introdução: A dissecção endoscópica da submucosa (ESD) é uma técnica endoscópica com demonstrada eficácia nas lesões neoplásicas superficiais colorectais. No entanto, a evidência da sua eficácia nas lesões localizadas na junção ano-rectal é escassa. O nosso objectivo foi avaliar a segurança e eficácia da ESD nas lesões da junção anorectal (menos de 2 cm da linha pectínea), em comparação com as lesões mais proximais do recto. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de registos colhidos prospectivamente de dois centros europeus de referência, entre 2015 e 2021. Resultados: Foram incluídas 252 lesões. Sessenta (24%) localizavam-se na junção ano-rectal, e as restantes 192 noutro local do recto. O sucesso técnico foi de 98% (n = 248) e foi semelhante nas 2 localizações (p = 0.246). A maioria das lesões eram displasias de alto grau/Tis (54%); 36 (15%) tinham adenocarcinoma submucoso, tendo 20 invasão submucosa superficial (sm1) e 16 invasão profunda (>SM1). Não foram encontradas diferenças entre as duas localizações relativamente às taxas de ressecção em bloco (100% vs. 96%, p = 0.204), R0 (76% vs. 75%, p = 0.531), ou curativa (70% vs. 70%, p = 0.920), duração da ESD (mediana 120 min vs. 90 min, p = 0.072), velocidade da ESD (14 vs. 12 mm2/min, p = 0.415) ou resultado histológico (p = 0.053), assim como na necessidade de cirurgia por ESD não curativa (5% vs. 3%, p = 0.739). Além disso, as taxas de hemorragia tardia (7% vs. 8%, p = 0.709), perfuração (0% vs. 5%, p = 0.075) e necessidade de internamento por complicações (2% vs. 2%, p = 0.939) não revelaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas. A estenose ano-rectal (5% vs. 0%, p = 0.003) e a dor ano-rectal (9% vs. 1%, p = 0.002) foram mais frequentes nas lesões da junção ano-rectal. Conclusão: A ESD é uma técnica segura e eficaz no tratamento das lesões do recto localizadas na junção ano-rectal.

Systematic Resection of the Visible Scar After Incomplete Endoscopic Resection of Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors.

INTRODUCTION: When initial resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (r-NETs) is not R0, persistence of local residue could lead to disease recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the interest of systematic resection of non-R0 r-NET scars. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all the consecutive endoscopic revisions and resections of the scar after non-R0 resections of r-NETs. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included. Salvage endoscopic procedure using endoscopic submucosal dissection or endoscopic full-thickness resection showed an R0 rate of near 100%. Residual r-NET was found in 43% of cases. DISCUSSION: In case of non-R0 resected r-NET, systematic scar resection by endoscopic full-thickness resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection seems necessary.

Western outcomes of circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection (cESD) in the esophagus has been reported to be feasible in small Eastern case series. We assessed the outcomes of cESD in the treatment of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Western countries. METHODS: We conducted an international study at 25 referral centers in Europe and Australia using prospective databases. We included all patients with ESCC treated with cESD before November 2022. Our main outcomes were curative resection according to European guidelines and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 171 cESDs were performed on 165 patients. En bloc and R0 resections rates were 98.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95.0-99.4) and 69.6% (95% CI, 62.3-76.0), respectively. Curative resection was achieved in 49.1% (95% CI, 41.7-56.6) of the lesions. The most common reason for noncurative resection was deep submucosal invasion (21.6%). The risk of stricture requiring 6 or more dilations or additional techniques (incisional therapy/stent) was high (71%), despite the use of prophylactic measures in 93% of the procedures. The rates of intraprocedural perforation, delayed bleeding, and adverse cardiorespiratory events were 4.1%, 0.6%, and 4.7%, respectively. Two patients died (1.2%) of a cESD-related adverse event. Overall and disease-free survival rates at 2 years were 91% and 79%. CONCLUSIONS: In Western referral centers, cESD for ESCC is curative in approximately half of the lesions. It can be considered a feasible treatment in selected patients. Our results suggest the need to improve patient selection and to develop more effective therapies to prevent esophageal strictures.

Correction: Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors: Short-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection performed in the Western setting.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/a-2181-0320.].

Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors: Short-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection performed in the Western setting.

Background and study aims Endoscopic resection (ER) is recommended for the management of duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (D-NETs) confined to the submucosal layer, without lymph node or distant metastasis. While this is accepted practice for lesions < 10 mm, consensus for larger lesions remains unclear. Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been proposed as the preferred ER technique for DNETs ≥10 mm, there are limited data on efficacy and safety, particularly in the Western setting. Patients and methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with D-NETs who underwent ESD between 2012 and 2022 in three tertiary referral centers in Australia, France, and Belgium. Results Fourteen patients with 15 D-NETs were evaluated. Median patient age was 64 years (interquartile range [IQR] 58-70 years). All D-NETs were confined to the duodenal bulb. Median D-NET size was 10 mm (IQR 7-12 mm) and specimen size was 15 mm (IQR 15-20 mm). Median procedure time was 60 minutes (IQR 25-90 minutes). The rate of en bloc resection was 100%. Intra-procedural perforation occurred in four patients (26.7%), with all closed endoscopically without long-term sequelae. There were no episodes of clinically significant bleeding. No local recurrence, lymph node or distant metastasis was observed at a median follow-up of 19.9 months (IQR 10.3-49.3 months). Conclusions In experienced hands, ESD for D-NETs can achieve a 100% en bloc resection rate. There were no cases of local recurrence or distant metastatic spread, indicating that ESD may be a viable option for patients with D-NETs 10 to 15 mm that are not surgical candidates.

Predicting residual neoplasia after a non-curative gastric ESD: validation and modification of the eCura system in the Western setting: the W-eCura score.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) after a non-curative (NC) gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and to validate and eventually refine the eCura scoring system in the Western setting. Also, to assess the rate and risk factors for parietal residual disease. DESIGN: Retrospective multicentre multinational study of prospectively collected registries from 19 Western centres. Patients who had been submitted to surgery or had at least one follow-up endoscopy were included. The eCura system was applied to assess its accuracy in the Western setting, and a modified version was created according to the results (W-eCura score). The discriminative capacities of the eCura and W-eCura scores to predict LNM were assessed and compared. RESULTS: A total of 314 NC gastric ESDs were analysed (72% high-risk resection (HRR); 28% local-risk resection). Among HRR patients submitted to surgery, 25% had parietal disease and 15% had LNM in the surgical specimen. The risk of LNM was significantly different across the eCura groups (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.900 (95% CI 0.852 to 0.949)). The AUC-ROC of the W-eCura for LNM (0.916, 95% CI 0.870 to 0.961; p=0.012) was significantly higher compared with the original eCura. Positive vertical margin, lymphatic invasion and younger age were associated with a higher risk of parietal residual lesion in the surgical specimen. CONCLUSION: The eCura scoring system may be applied in Western countries to stratify the risk of LNM after a gastric HRR. A new score is proposed that may further decrease the number of unnecessary surgeries.

Performance of endoscopic submucosal dissection for undifferentiated early gastric cancer: a multicenter retrospective cohort.

Background and study aims Undifferentiated early gastric cancer (UD-EGC) represents an extended indication for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) based on the existing guidelines. This study evaluated the prevalence of UD-EGC recurrence after ESD, and potentially implicated risk factors. Patients and methods Data from 17 centers were collected retrospectively including demographics, endoscopic and pathological findings, and follow-up data from UD-EGC cases treated by ESD. Patients with incomplete resection or advanced disease were excluded. Descriptive statistics quantified variables and calculated the incidence of recurrence. Chi-square test was applied to assess any link between independent variables and relapse; significantly associated variables were inserted to a multivariable regression model. Results Seventy-one patients were eligible, with 2:1 female to male ratio and age of 65.8 ± 11.8 years. Mean lesion size was 33.5 ± 18.8 mm and the most frequent histological subtype was signet ring-cells UGC (2:1). Patients were followed-up every 5.6 ± 3.7 months with a mean surveillance period of 29.3 ± 15.3 months until data collection. Four patients (5.6%) developed local recurrence 8.8 ± 6.5 months post-ESD, with no lymph node or distal metastases been reported. Lesion size was not associated with recurrence ( P = 0.32), in contrast to lymphovascular and perineural invasion which were independently associated with local recurrence ( P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions ESD could be considered as the initial step to manage UD-EGC, providing at least an "entire-lesion" biopsy to guide therapeutic strategy. When histology confirms absence of lymphovascular and perineural invasion, this modality could be therapeutic, providing low recurrence rates.

The impact of a multidisciplinary team approach on the management of focal pancreatic lesions: a single tertiary center experience.

Background: Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings aim to optimize patient management. We evaluated the impact of MDT discussions on the management and diagnosis of focal pancreatic lesions in a single tertiary center. Methods: All patients with an initial diagnosis of solid or cystic pancreatic lesion discussed in our institution's MDT meeting on pancreatic diseases between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, were included. The impact of MDT discussion on patient management, defined as a modification of the initially proposed therapeutic plan after MDT discussion, as well as the criteria leading to this modification, were the primary outcomes. Impact on diagnosis was the secondary outcome. Results: A total of 522 patients were included. Of these, 185 (35.4%) and 337 (64.6%) had an initial diagnosis of cystic or solid lesion, respectively. The most common referral query was regarding the management plan (349/522; 66.9%). Endoscopy was the procedure most often proposed before MDT discussion (109/522; 20.9%). Overall, the MDT discussion led to modification of the management plan in 377/522 patients (72.2%), with a statistically significant difference between cystic and solid lesions (63.2% vs. 77.2%; P<0.001). Management modifications were mainly driven by revision of cross-sectional radiological images. MDT discussion led to modification of the diagnosis in 92/522 patients (17.6%), with a significant difference regarding cystic lesions (35.7% vs. 7.7%; P<0.001). Conclusion: MDT discussion impacts the management of patients with cystic and solid pancreatic lesions, leading to a modification of the initially proposed management in two-thirds of them, mainly through revision of cross-sectional imaging.

Risk of Residual Neoplasia after a Local-Risk Resection of Colorectal Lesions by Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Multinational Study.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in colorectal lesions is demanding, and a significant rate of non-curative procedures is expected. We aimed to assess the rate of residual lesion after a piecemeal ESD resection, or after an en bloc resection but with positive horizontal margins (local-risk resection-LocRR), for colorectal benign neoplasia. A retrospective multicenter analysis of consecutive colorectal ESDs was performed. Patients with LocRR ESDs for the treatment of benign colorectal lesions with at least one follow-up endoscopy were included. A cohort of en bloc resected lesions, with negative margins, was used as the control. A total of 2255 colorectal ESDs were reviewed; 352 of the ESDs were "non-curative". Among them, 209 were LocRR: 133 high-grade dysplasia and 76 low-grade dysplasia. Ten cases were excluded due to missing data. A total of 146 consecutive curative resections were retrieved for comparison. Compared to the "curative group", LocRRs were observed in lengthier procedures, with larger lesions, and in non-granular LSTs. Recurrence was higher in the LocRR group (16/199, 8% vs. 1/146, 0.7%; p = 0.002). However, statistical significance was lost when considering only en bloc resections with positive horizontal margins (p = 0.068). In conclusion, a higher rate of residual lesion was found after a piecemeal ESD resection, but not after an en bloc resection with positive horizontal margins.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection techniques and technology: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Technical Review.

ESGE suggests conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD; marking and mucosal incision followed by circumferential incision and stepwise submucosal dissection) for most esophageal and gastric lesions. ESGE suggests tunneling ESD for esophageal lesions involving more than two-thirds of the esophageal circumference. ESGE recommends the pocket-creation method for colorectal ESD, at least if traction devices are not used. The use of dedicated ESD knives with size adequate to the location/thickness of the gastrointestinal wall is recommended. It is suggested that isotonic saline or viscous solutions can be used for submucosal injection. ESGE recommends traction methods in esophageal and colorectal ESD and in selected gastric lesions. After gastric ESD, coagulation of visible vessels is recommended, and post-procedural high dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) (or vonoprazan). ESGE recommends against routine closure of the ESD defect, except in duodenal ESD. ESGE recommends corticosteroids after resection of  > 50 % of the esophageal circumference. The use of carbon dioxide when performing ESD is recommended. ESGE recommends against the performance of second-look endoscopy after ESD. ESGE recommends endoscopy/colonoscopy in the case of significant bleeding (hemodynamic instability, drop in hemoglobin > 2 g/dL, severe ongoing bleeding) to perform endoscopic hemostasis with thermal methods or clipping; hemostatic powders represent rescue therapies. ESGE recommends closure of immediate perforations with clips (through-the-scope or cap-mounted, depending on the size and shape of the perforation), as soon as possible but ideally after securing a good plane for further dissection.

Portal cavernography during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: from bilhemia to hemobilia.

Portobiliary fistulas are rare but may lead to life-threatening complications. Biliary plastic stent-induced portobiliary fistulas during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography have been described. Herein, we present a case of portal cavernography and recurrent hemobilia after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in which a portobiliary fistula was detected in a patient with portal biliopathy. This likely indicates a change in clinical presentation (from bilhemia to hemobilia) after biliary drainage that was successfully treated by placement of a fully covered, self-expandable metallic stent.

Endoscopic Treatment of Large Bile Duct Stones: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Several endoscopic methods have been proposed for the treatment of large biliary stones. We assessed the comparative efficacy of these treatments through a network meta-analysis. METHODS: Nineteen randomized controlled trials (2752 patients) comparing different treatments for management of large bile stones (>10 mm) (endoscopic sphincterotomy, balloon sphincteroplasty, sphincterotomy followed by endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation [S+EPLBD], mechanical lithotripsy, single-operator cholangioscopy [SOC]) with each other were identified. Study outcomes were the success rate of stone removal and the incidence of adverse events. We performed pairwise and network meta-analysis for all treatments, and used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria to appraise the quality of evidence. RESULTS: All treatments except mechanical lithotripsy significantly outperformed sphincterotomy in terms of stone removal rate (risk ratio [RR], 1.03-1.29). SOC was superior to other adjunctive interventions (vs balloon sphincteroplasty [RR, 1.24; 95% CIs, 1.07-1.45], vs S+EPLBD [RR, 1.23; range, 1.06-1.42] and vs mechanical lithotripsy [RR, 1.34; range, 1.14-1.58]). Cholangioscopy ranked the highest in increasing the success rate of stone removal (surface under the cumulative ranking [SUCRA] score, 0.99) followed by S+EPLBD (SUCRA score, 0.68). SOC and S+EPLBD outperformed the other modalities when only studies reporting on stones greater than 15 mm were taken into consideration (SUCRA scores, 0.97 and 0.71, respectively). None of the assessed interventions was significantly different in terms of adverse event rate compared with endoscopic sphincterotomy or with other treatments. Post-ERCP pancreatitis and bleeding were the most frequent adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with large bile stones, cholangioscopy represents the most effective method, in particular in patients with larger (>15 mm) stones, whereas S+EPLBD could represent a less expensive and more widely available alternative.

Risk of residual neoplasia after a noncurative colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection for malignant lesions: a multinational study.

BACKGROUND : Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in colorectal lesions is technically demanding and a significant rate of noncurative procedures is expected. We aimed to assess the rate of residual lesions after a noncurative ESD for colorectal cancer (CRC) and to establish predictive scores to be applied in the clinical setting. METHODS : Retrospective multicenter analysis of consecutive colorectal ESDs. Patients with noncurative ESDs performed for the treatment of CRC lesions submitted to complementary surgery or with at least one follow-up endoscopy were included. RESULTS : From 2255 colorectal ESDs, 381 (17 %) were noncurative, and 135 of these were performed in CRC lesions. A residual lesion was observed in 24 patients (18 %). Surgery was performed in 96 patients and 76 (79 %) had no residual lesion in the colorectal wall or in the lymph nodes. The residual lesion rate for sm1 cancers was 0 %, and for > sm1 cancers was also 0 % if no other risk factors were present. Independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis were poor differentiation and lymphatic permeation (NC-Lymph score). Risk factors for the presence of a residual lesion in the wall were piecemeal resection, poor differentiation, and positive/indeterminate vertical margin (NC-Wall score). CONCLUSIONS : Lymphatic permeation or poor differentiation warrant surgery owing to their high risk of lymph node metastasis, mainly in > sm1 cancers. In the remaining cases, en bloc and R0 resections resulted in a low risk of residual lesions in the wall. Our scores can be a useful tool for the management of patients who undergo noncurative colorectal ESDs.