Chul-Hyun Lim

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic resection of gastric tumors: a meta-analysis.

Although endoscopic resection is widely accepted as the curative treatment modality for early gastric cancer, secondary metachronous cancer may subsequently develop in the residual gastric mucosa. The preventive effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the development of metachronous gastric cancer in such cases remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of H. pylori eradication on the development of metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic resection of gastric neoplasm by a meta‐analysis of all relevant studies.

Long-term outcome of palliative therapy for gastric outlet obstruction caused by unresectable gastric cancer in patients with good performance status: endoscopic stenting versus surgery

BACKGROUND In patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) caused by gastric cancer, choosing between self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement and gastrojejunostomy (GJJ) is of concern, especially in those with good performance status. OBJECTIVE To compare SEMS placement and GJJ. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Single tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2 who had GOO caused by unresectable gastric cancer. INTERVENTIONS SEMS placement and GJJ. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Success rate, adverse events, patency, and survival duration. RESULTS Of the 113 patients in this study, 72 underwent SEMS placement and 41 underwent GJJ. The 2 groups did not differ in the technical and clinical success and incidence of early adverse events. However, the rate of late adverse events was significantly higher in the SEMS group (44.4% vs 12.2%; P < .001). The median patency duration was shorter after SEMS placement than after GJJ (125 days vs 282 days; P = .001), even after additional SEMS placement (210 days vs 282 days; P = .044). The median survival was also significantly shorter after SEMS placement than after GJJ (189 days vs 293 days; P = .003). Survival differed between treatments in patients with ECOG 0-1 (P = .006) but not in those with an ECOG performance status of 2 (P = .208). LIMITATIONS Retrospective and single-center study. CONCLUSIONS GJJ is preferable to SEMS placement for the palliation of GOO caused by unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer in patients with a good performance status, especially ECOG 0-1.

The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in postgastrectomy patients.

Background  Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is expected in postgastrectomy patients; however, its role has not been clarified. This study was to estimate the prevalence of SIBO and investigate the clinical role of SIBO in postgastrectomy patients.

Anemia after gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: long-term follow-up observational study.

AIM To identify the incidence and etiology of anemia after gastrectomy in patients with long-term follow-up after gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. METHODS The medical records of those patients with early gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2006 and October 2007 were reviewed. Patients with anemia in the preoperative workup, cancer recurrence, undergoing systemic chemotherapy, with other medical conditions that can cause anemia, or treated during follow up with red cell transfusions or supplements for anemia were excluded. Anemia was defined by World Health Organization criteria (Hb < 12 g/dL in women and < 13 g/dL in men). Iron deficiency was defined as serum ferritin < 20 μg/dL. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency was defined as serum vitamin B₁₂ < 200 pg/mL. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as anemia with concomitant iron deficiency. Anemia from vitamin B₁₂ deficiency was defined as megaloblastic anemia (mean cell volume > 100 fL) with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. The profile of anemia over 48 mo of follow-up was analyzed. RESULTS One hundred sixty-one patients with gastrectomy for early gastric cancer were analyzed. The incidence of anemia was 24.5% at 3 mo after surgery and increased up to 37.1% at 48 mo after surgery. The incidence of iron deficiency anemia increased during the follow up and became the major cause of anemia at 48 mo after surgery. Anemia of chronic disease and megaloblastic anemia were uncommon. The incidence of anemia in female patients was significantly higher than in male patients at 12 (40.0% vs 22.0%, P = 0.033), 24 (45.0% vs 25.0%, P = 0.023), 36 (55.0% vs 28.0%, P = 0.004), and 48 mo (52.0% vs 31.0%, P = 0.022) after surgery. Patients with total gastrectomy showed significantly higher incidence of anemia than patients with subtotal gastrectomy at 48 mo after surgery (60.7% vs 31.3%, P = 0.008). The incidence of iron deficiency was significantly higher in female patients than in male patients at 6 (35.4% vs 13.3%, P = 0.002), 12 (45.8% vs 16.8%, P < 0.001), 18 (52.1% vs 22.3%, P < 0.001), 24 (60.4% vs 20.9%, P < 0.001), 36 (62.5% vs 29.2%, P < 0.001), and 48 mo (66.7% vs 34.7%, P = 0.001) after surgery. CONCLUSION Anemia was frequent after gastrectomy for early gastric cancer, with iron deficiency being the major cause. Evaluation for anemia including iron status should be performed after gastrectomy and appropriate iron replacement should be considered.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Using Upper Gastrointestinal Tract for the Treatment of Refractory or Severe Complicated Clostridium difficile Infection in Elderly Patients in Poor Medical Condition: The First Study in an Asian Country

Background and Aims. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective treatment option for refractory Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). FMT may be challenging in patients with a low performance status, because of their poor medical condition. The aims of this study were to describe our experience treating patients in poor medical condition with refractory or severe complicated CDI using FMT via the upper GI tract route. Methods. This study was a retrospective review of seven elderly patients with refractory or severe complicated CDI and a poor medical condition who were treated with FMT through the upper GI tract route from May 2012 through August 2013. The outcomes studied included the cure rate of CDI and adverse events. Results. Of these seven patients who received FMT via the upper GI tract route, all patients were cured. During the 11-month follow-up period, CDI recurrence was observed in two patients; rescue FMT was performed in these patients, which led to a full cure. Vomiting was observed in two patients. Conclusions. FMT via the upper gastrointestinal tract route may be effective for the treatment of refractory or severe complicated CDI in patients with a low performance status. Physicians should be aware of adverse events, especially vomiting.

Successful palliation of a gastrocolic fistula secondary to gastric cancer by insertion of a covered colonic stent

Gastrocolic fistula is an abnormal communication between a segment of the colon and the stomach. It can be caused by both benign and malignant conditions. 1-4 The patient is usually seen with weight loss, feculent vomiting, and diarrhea. Surgical treatment is often required for definitive management of this condition, although several endoscopic techniques have been reported. 5,6 Gastrocolic fistula is very rarely caused by gastric cancer because it is usually diagnosed earlier. We present a case of successful palliation of gastrocolic fistula secondary to gastric cancer by insertion of a covered colonic stent.

Performance and Cost of Disposable Biopsy Forceps in Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Comparison with Reusable Biopsy Forceps

Background/Aims It is believed that disposable biopsy forceps are more costly than reusable biopsy forceps. In this study, we evaluated performance and cost of disposable forceps versus reusable forceps in esophagogastroduodenoscopic biopsy. Methods Between October 2009 and July 2010, we enrolled 200 patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopic biopsy at Seoul St. Marys Hospital. Biopsies were performed with 100 disposable or 5 reusable forceps by random assignment. Seventy-five additional patients were studied to estimate durability of reusable forceps. The assisting nurses estimated the performance of the forceps. The evaluation of costs included purchase prices and reprocessing costs. The adequacy of the sample was estimated according to the diameter of the obtained tissue. Results Performance of disposable forceps was estimated as excellent in 97.0%, good in 2.0% and adequate in 1.0%. Reusable forceps were estimated as excellent in 36.0%, good in 36.0%, adequate in 25.1% and inadequate in 2.9%. The performance of reusable forceps declined with the number of uses. The reprocessing cost of reusable forceps for one biopsy session was calculated as ₩8,021. The adequacy of the sample was excellent for both forceps. Conclusions Disposable forceps showed excellent performance. Considering the reprocessing costs of reusable forceps, usage of disposable forceps with a low price should be considered.

Prospective, randomized comparison of same-day dose of 2 different bowel cleanser for afternoon colonoscopy: picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid versus polyethylene glycol.

AbstractFor afternoon colonoscopy, same-day administration of sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid (PM/Ca) is recommended. However, few studies have evaluated the bowel-cleansing efficacy and safety of this regimen. The aim of this study was to compare the bowel-cleansing efficacy, side effects, and patients tolerability of a same-day split administration of PM/Ca with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for afternoon colonoscopy.Patients were randomly assigned to a PM/Ca group or a PEG group. The PM/Ca group consumed 1 sachet of PM/Ca at 06:00 and 1 sachet of PM/Ca 4 hours before the colonoscopy. They also took 2 tablets of bisacodyl before sleep on the night before. The PEG group consumed 2 L of PEG at 06:00 and 2 L of PEG 4 hours before the colonoscopy. All subjects were instructed to finish the bowel cleanser or fluid at least 2 hours before colonoscopy. All colonoscopic examinations were performed in the afternoon on the same day. The bowel-cleansing efficacy was scored using 2 scales: the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS) and the Aronchick scale. Ease of using the bowel cleanser was rated from 1 (very easy) to 5 (very difficult).Two hundred nine patients underwent colonoscopy. The bowel-cleansing scores by OBPS did not differ between groups (5.0 vs 4.9, P = 0.63). Ease of using the bowel cleanser was superior in the PM/Ca group (P < 0.01).The cleansing efficacy of PM/Ca administered on the day of colonoscopy is comparable to that of PEG. Patients prefer PM/Ca.

C-reactive protein as a prognostic indicator for rebleeding in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND In patients with acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, rebleeding after an initial treatment is observed in 10-20% and is associated with mortality. AIM To investigate whether the initial serum C-reactive protein level could predict the risk of rebleeding in patients with acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS This was a retrospective study using prospectively collected data for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Initial clinical characteristics, endoscopic features, and C-reactive protein levels were compared between those with and without 30-day rebleeding. RESULTS A total of 453 patients were included (mean age, 62 years; male, 70.9%). The incidence of 30-day rebleeding was 15.9%. The mean serum C-reactive protein level was significantly higher in these patients than in those without rebleeding (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve with a cutoff value of 0.5mg/dL was 0.689 (P<0.001). High serum C-reactive protein level (odds ratio, 2.98; confidence interval, 1.65-5.40) was independently associated with the 30-day rebleeding risk after adjustment for the main confounding risk factors, including age, blood pressure, and initial haemoglobin level. CONCLUSIONS The serum C-reactive protein was an independent risk factor for 30-day rebleeding in patients with acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, indicating a possible role as a useful screening indicator for predicting the risk of rebleeding.

Long-term pretreatment with proton pump inhibitor and Helicobacter pylori eradication rates

AIM To investigate whether proton pump inhibitor (PPI) pretreatment influences Helicobacter pylori eradication rate. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed H. pylori-infected patients who were treated with a standard triple regimen (PPI, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg, all twice daily for 7 d). The diagnosis of H. pylori infection and its eradication was assessed with the rapid urease test, histological examination by silver staining, or the ¹³C-urea breath test. We divided the patients into two groups: one received the standard eradication regimen without PPI pretreatment (Group A), and the other received PPI pretreatment (Group B). The patients in Group B were reclassified into three groups based on the duration of PPI pretreatment: Group B-I (3-14 d), Group B-II (15-55 d), and Group B-III (≥ 56 d). RESULTS A total of 1090 patients were analyzed and the overall eradication rate was 80.9%. The cure rate in Group B (81.2%, 420/517) was not significantly different from that in Group A (79.2%, 454/573). The eradication rates in Group B-I, B-II and B-III were 80.1% (117/146), 81.8% (224/274) and 81.4% (79/97), respectively. CONCLUSION PPI pretreatment did not affect H. pylori eradication rate, regardless of the medication period.