A.C.W. Chan

Through-the-scope balloon dilation for pyloric stenosis: long-term results

BACKGROUND Through-the-scope balloon dilation has been used for treatment of benign pyloric stenosis; however, long-term results are lacking in the literature. METHOD A retrospective analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS Between November 1986 and December 1993, 54 patients underwent through-the-scope balloon dilations for pyloric stenosis. The mean age was 57.5 years. There were 5 (9.3%) initial treatment failures due to tight stenoses and perforations from dilation occurred in 4(7.4%) patients. Forty-five (83.3%) patients underwent successful dilation. Four patients developed rapid restenoses and were found to have malignant obstructions. Forty-one patients entered our study. Time at risk commenced on the date of initial dilation. The end point was defined at the time at which patients presented with recurrent obstruction or other ulcer complications. The median follow-up period was 39 months. The ulcer complication-free probability at 3 months, and at 1, 2, and 3 years was 79.1%, 73.4%, 69.3%, and 54.7%, respectively. In all, 21 (51.2%) patients required subsequent surgery: 18 for recurrent obstructions, 2 for interval perforations, and 1 for bleeding. CONCLUSION While through-the-scope balloon dilation may palliate symptoms of obstruction, recurrent obstruction and other ulcer complications are common. It should be reserved only for patients at high risk for operative surgery.

Patient-controlled sedation versus intravenous sedation for colonoscopy in elderly patients: A prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND A prospective randomized trial was conducted to compare the safety, effectiveness, and patient acceptance of patient-controlled sedation and intravenous sedation for colonoscopy in a group of elderly patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy. METHODS One hundred patients over 65 years of age were recruited and randomized to patient-controlled sedation (n = 50) or intravenous sedation (n = 50) groups by means of computer-generated numbers. In the patient-controlled sedation group, a mixture of propofol and alfentanil was delivered by means of a patient-controlled pump; each bolus delivered 4.8 mg propofol and 12 microg alfentanil. No loading dose was used and the lockout time was set at zero. In the intravenous sedation group, fixed doses of diazemuls (0.1 mg/kg) and meperidine (0.5 mg/kg) were given with further increases in dosages administered at the discretion of the endoscopist. Outcome measures assessed included cardiopulmonary complications, recovery time, pain score, and satisfaction score. RESULTS The mean (SD) age of patients in the patient-controlled sedation and intravenous sedation groups were, respectively, 72.4 years (5.3) and 73.5 years (6.1). The mean dose of propofol consumed in the patient-controlled sedation group was 0.79 (0.46) mg/kg. The mean doses of diazemuls and meperidine consumed in intravenous sedation group were, respectively, 5.8 (1.3) mg and 30.1 (6.8) mg. Hypotension occurred in 2 (4%) patients in the patient-controlled sedation group and 14 (28%) in the intravenous sedation group (p < 0.01). Oxygen desaturation was recorded for 4 patients (8%) in the intravenous sedation group. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) recovery time was significantly shorter in the patient-controlled sedation group compared with the intravenous sedation group (respectively, 0 minutes [IQR 0-5] vs. 5 minutes [IQR 5-10]; p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for pain and satisfaction scores. CONCLUSIONS Patient-controlled sedation appears to be safer than intravenous sedation, with comparable effectiveness and acceptance, in elderly patients undergoing elective outpatient colonoscopy.

Combined endo‐laparoscopic approach in managing patients with gallstones and common bile duct stones: An early experience

Gallstones with common bile duct stones is a common condition in Hong Kong. Management still remains a challenge nowadays. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a single‐stage approach which improves patient comfort and is associated with less post‐ERCP pancreatitis. With the new endo‐laparoscopic operating theatre in service, the combined endo‐laparoscopic approach becomes simple and practical. We report here our two early experiences using this approach.

Bleeding duodenal choriocarcinoma: An unusual cause of positive urine pregnancy test

Primary choriocarcinoma of the duodenum is exceedingly rare. Only a few cases have been reported previously. A case of extragenital choriocarcinoma of the duodenum in a 43‐year‐old Chinese woman is described. Her presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, anaemia and melaena. Her urine pregnancy test was positive, which made ectopic pregnancy one of the differential diagnoses. An urgent ultrasound scan and computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed no evidence of an ectopic pregnancy. Upper endoscopy found a bleeding ulcer at the second part of the duodenum. A duodenal ulcer biopsy showed choriocarcinoma. The positive urine pregnancy test represents a useful marker in early diagnosis.