Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Pancreato-Biliary Diseases Requiring Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

BACKGROUND: Viral infections are known to impact the pancreato-biliary system; however, there are limited data showing that the same is true of COVID-19. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can safely be performed in patients with COVID-19 infection, but outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infections and concomitant pancreatic and biliary disease requiring endoscopic intervention are unknown. AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the severity of pancreaticobiliary diseases and post-ERCP outcomes in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Patients with pancreato-biliary disease that required inpatient ERCP from five centers in the United States and South America between January 1, 2020, and October 31, 2020 were included. A representative cohort of patients from each month were randomly selected from each site. Disease severity and post-ERCP outcomes were compared between COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients were included: 95 COVID positive and 80 COVID negative. Mean CTSI score for the patients who had pancreatitis was higher in COVID-positive cohort by 3.2 points (p < .00001). The COVID-positive group had more cases with severe disease (n = 41) versus the COVID-negative group (n = 2) (p < .00001). Mortality was higher in the COVID-19 positive group (19%) compared to COVID-negative group (7.5%) even though the COVID-19-negative group had higher incidence of malignancy (n = 17, 21% vs n = 7, 7.3%) (p = 0.0455). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that patients with COVID infection have more severe pancreato-biliary disease and worse post-ERCP outcomes, including longer length of stay and higher mortality rate. These are important considerations when planning for endoscopic intervention. CLINICALTRIALS: gov: (NCT05051358).

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: A Single-center Experience from a Tertiary Center in India.

Objectives: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an emerging option for recurrent or refractory Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). We describe a single-center experience of FMT in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with CDAD in India. Methods: A prospective observational study of HSCT recipients with CDAD who received FMT in our center. Results: A total of 13 patients were included. All the patients were allogenic HSCT recipients; FMT was performed in seven patients due to refractory CDAD, in five patients due to the presence of both CDAD and graft vs host disease (GVHD), and in 1 patient due to recurrent CDAD. The approach to FMT was colonoscopic in 10 (77%) patients. Only one patient reported bacteremia and one patient had candidemia, both of which were unrelated to FMT. Of the 10 patients who had complete resolution of CDAD, only one patient presented with a recurrence of CDAD within 8 weeks post-FMT. Conclusion: This is the first study from India using FMT as a therapeutic modality for CDAD in the setting of HSCT. Here we demonstrate that FMT in India is an effective option, especially when patients have refractory CDAD, recurrent CDAD, or both GVHD and CDAD. Further studies should explore the efficacy and feasibility of FMT in India. How to cite this article: Prayag PS, Patwardhan SA, Ajapuje PS, Melinkeri S, Gadhikar H, Palnitkar S, et al. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: A Single-center Experience from a Tertiary Center in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(2):106-110.

Single-session endoscopic fundoplication after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM+F) for prevention of post gastroesophageal reflux - 1-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an established treatment for achalasia cardia; however, post-POEM gastroesophageal reflux (GER) remains a significant problem. Concomitant endoscopic fundoplication following POEM (POEM + F) was recently described to reduce post-POEM GER. This single-center study reports short-term outcomes of POEM + F. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing POEM + F. Abstracted data included demographics, achalasia type, pre-POEM Eckardt score, prior therapy, follow-up. Follow-up assessment was 3-monthly for 1 year and included post-POEM Eckardt score, GerdQ score, wrap integrity and esophagitis on esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and pH studies. GER was defined according to Lyon Consensus. RESULTS: 25 patients underwent POEM + F (mean age 40.1 years [standard deviation (SD) 13.7]; 12 females). POEM + F was technically successful in 23/25 (92.0 %). Significant dysphagia improvement was seen in all 25 patients (mean pre- and post-POEM Eckardt scores 8.21 [SD 1.08] and 0.1 [SD 0.3], respectively; P = 0.001). Mean total procedure and fundoplication times were 115.6 (SD 27.2) minutes and 46.7 (SD 12.4) minutes, respectively; times reduced significantly after the initial five cases. Median follow-up was 12 months (interquartile range [IQR] 9-13). Intact wrap was seen in 19/23 (82.6 %). GER (abnormal esophageal acid exposure time [EAET]) was seen in 2/18 (11.1 %) and there was one reported GerdQ > 8. Borderline GER (asymptomatic grade A esophagitis, normal EAET) was identified in 4/22 (18.2 %). Three (12.0 %) minor delayed adverse events occurred but required no intervention. CONCLUSIONS : POEM + F was safe and reproducible. At 12 months' follow-up, incidence of post-POEM + F GER was low and acceptable.

Use of a novel lumen apposing metallic stent for drainage of the bile duct and gallbladder: Long term outcomes of a prospective international trial.

BACKGROUND: Long-term placement of lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) with high lumen apposing force may result in adverse events. The aim of the current study was to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of a self-approximating LAMS with lower lumen apposing force for endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) and -gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD). METHODS: Five Asian institutions participated in this study. Consecutive patients suffering from obstructive jaundice with failed ERCP or acute cholecystitis that were at high risk for cholecystectomy were recruited. We evaluated the technical and clinical success rates, adverse events rates, types of interventions through the stent and the patency profile. RESULTS: From June 2017 to Oct 2018, a total of 53 patients received EUS-CDS (26) and EUS-GBD (27). The technical and clinical success rates were similar between the two groups (88.5% vs 88.9%, P = 1 and 88.5% vs 88.9%, P = 1 respectively). The differences in 30-day mortality rates [2 (7.7%) vs 2 (7.7%), P = 1] and adverse events [3 (11.5%) vs 3 (11.5%), P = 1] did not reach significance. Regarding long-term outcomes, two patients in each group suffered from adverse events (P = 1). One patient in the EUS-GBD group who was on direct oral anticoagulant suffered from stent induced bleeding. CONCLUSION: The self-approximating LAMS with lower lumen apposing force was effective and safe with a low risk of buried stent syndrome and bleeding in the longer term. The ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier was NCT03002051.

Prospective multicenter international study on the outcomes of a newly developed self-approximating lumen-apposing metallic stent for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections and endoscopic necrosectomy.

BACKGROUND: A novel self-approximating lumen-apposing metallic stent (LAMS; Niti-S Spaxus, Taewoong Medical, Gyeonggi-do, Korea) has recently become available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFC). METHODS: This was a prospective international multicentered study conducted in six high-volume institutions across Asia. Consecutive patients suffering from pancreatic pseudocyst or walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) requiring endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage were recruited. Outcomes included technical and clinical success, adverse events, procedural events, interventions through the stent and recurrence rates. RESULTS: Between August 2016 and November 2017, 59 patients were recruited to this study. Thirty-nine patients (66.1%) had WOPN and mean (SD) size of PFC was 11.5 (5.1) cm. Technical and clinical success rates were 100%. Mean (SD) procedural time was 35.0 (17.2) minutes. Sixteen-millimeter stents were used in 66.1% of the patients. Fifty-four sessions of necrosectomy were carried out with the stent in situ in 17 patients. Stent-related adverse event (AE) rate was 6.8%. Three patients (5.1%) suffered from bleeding after stenting and one required angiographic embolization. Two patients (3.4%) suffered from recurrence during a mean (SD) follow-up time of 325.6 (355.5) days. There were no differences in outcomes between those with pseudocysts or WOPN except for the duration of hospital stay (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Use of a self-approximating LAMS for drainage of PFC was safe and effective. Endoscopic necrosectomy could be carried out through the stent with ease. The device was associated with a low rate of stent-related AE.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided transmural drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis: Comparison between a specially designed fully covered bi-flanged metal stent and multiple plastic stents.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage of walled-off necrosis (WON) may be carried out by placement of multiple plastic stents (MPS) or specially designed fully covered bi-flanged metal stents (BFMS). Comparative data on efficacy of these two stent types for WON drainage are limited. This retrospective study compares outcomes of WON drainage using BFMS and MPS. METHODS: During a 10-year period, 133 patients underwent EUS-guided WON drainage. MPS or BFMS were placed in a WON cavity through a single puncture, and direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) was carried out whenever clinically necessary. Data in the two cohorts were retrospectively compared for primary outcomes - clinical success, adverse events and mortality; and secondary outcomes - DEN requirement, mean DEN sessions, need for salvage surgery and hospital stay. RESULTS: MPS were placed in 61 and BFMS in 72 patients. Patients undergoing BFMS drainage required fewer DEN sessions (mean 1.46 vs 2.74, P < 0.05), had fewer adverse events (5.6% vs 36.1%, P < 0.05), needed salvage surgery less often (2.7% vs 26.2%, P < 0.05), and had significantly shorter hospital stay (4.1 vs 8 days, P < 0.05) compared to those undergoing MPS drainage. There was no difference in DEN requirement (P = 0.217) and mortality (P = 0.5) in both groups. Overall clinical success with BFMS was superior to MPS (94% vs 73.7%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: BFMS appear to be superior to MPS for EUS-guided WON drainage in terms of clinical success, number of DEN sessions, adverse events, need for salvage surgery and hospital stay.