Moritz Sold

Selective Fluid Cushion in the Submucosal Layer by Water Jet: Advantage for Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Background/Aim: Numerous new techniques have recently been reported and described for the endoscopic mucosal resection of large superficial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. We present here for the first time the application of a water jet dissector for mucosa elevation. Materials and Methods: In an ex vivo study, the effectiveness of a water jet dissector (Helix Hydro-Jet®) placed directly on the stomach walls of 8 pigs was examined to create a mucosal elevation. After having determined optimal pressures, angle of application, and application times, 13 submucosal fluid cushions were produced in different areas of the stomach walls of 8 pigs in vivo, and the sizes of the resulting submucosal cushions were measured. Results: Using pressures between 30 and 70 bar, it was routinely possible to create submucosal fluid cushions in the stomach wall ex vivo as well as in vivo. Histological examination showed a selective edema in the submucosa without damage to the deeper mucosal layers of the gastric wall. Conclusions: The capacity of a targeted high-pressure water jet to penetrate the mucosa and selectively create a fluid cushion in the submucosa facilitates endoscopic resection of the mucosa. This new method could contribute to ameliorate the endoscopic treatment of mucosal tumors which previously could not be resected endoscopically due to their size, extent, or location.

Submucosal cushioning with water jet before endoscopic mucosal resection : Which fluids are effective?

BackgroundSeveral new techniques have recently been described that allow the endoscopic mucosal resection even of broad-based flat lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. The technique recently described by us of using a water jet dissector (Helix HydroJet®) for a selective deposition of liquid in the submucosal lamina has now been combined with different substances, and their effects have been compared.Material and MethodsGastroscopies were carried out in 8 pigs under intubation anesthesia, and 2 submucosal cushions each were created in the stomach using one out of 4 test substances (gelatin, glucose 50, hydroxyethyl starch [HES] 10%, dextran 40), as well as one cushion of isotonic saline solution placed in each area via the Helix HydroJet®. The height of the submucosal cushions was intermittently measured over a period of 40 or 20 min, respectively, by miniprobe endosonography. In 7 of the animals the stomach was subsequently subjected to mucosal resection. The specimens and the gastric wall were histologically assessed to evaluate the localization of the liquid cushion and the effect on adjacent layers of the gastric wall.ResultsAll test substances produced strictly selective liquid cushions in the submucosa. With HES 10% and dextran the maximum height of the cushions initially increased and then decreased during the further course to an average of 90% of the initial height within 40 min. Isotonic saline solution showed the most rapid decrease in height (72% after 20 min). The histological assessment confirmed the selective nature of the liquid deposit in the submucosa.DiscussionPlasma expanders produced cushions that initially increased in height but then remained constant for a longer period than cushions produced using glucose 50, gelatin, or isotonic saline solution. The combination of transmucosal jet application for elevation of the mucosa with plasma expanders is therefore an interesting approach to optimize endoscopic mucosal resections.

Use of covered self-expandable stents for benign colorectal disorders in children

PURPOSE There is a lack of experience with covered self-expandable stents for benign colorectal disorders in children. METHODS Five children (4M, 1F) with a median age of 5years (range, 6months-9years) who underwent treatment with covered self-expandable plastic (SEPSs) or self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) for a benign colorectal condition between April 2005 and November 2013 were recruited to this retrospective study. Etiologies included: anastomotic stricture with (n=1) or without (n=3) simultaneous enterocutaneous fistula, as well as an anastomotic leak associated with enterocutaneous fistula (n=1). All children suffered from either Hirschsprungs disease (n=3) or total colonic aganglionosis (Zuelzer-Wilson syndrome) (n=2). RESULTS Median duration of individual stent placement was 23days (range, 1-87days). In all cases up to five different stents were placed over time. At follow-up two patients were successfully treated without further intervention. In another patient the anastomotic stricture resolved fully, but a coexisting enterocutaneous fistula persisted. Overall, three patients did not improve completely following stenting and required definite surgery. Stent-related problems were noted in all cases. There was one perforation of the colon at stent insertion. Further complications consisted of stent dislocation (n=4), obstruction (n=1), formation of granulation tissue (n=1), ulceration (n=1) and discomfort (n=3). CONCLUSIONS Covered self-expandable stents enrich the armamentarium of interventions for benign colorectal disorders in children including anastomotic strictures and intestinal leaks. A stent can be applied either as an emergency procedure (bridge to surgery) or as an adjuvant treatment further to endoscopy and dilatation. Postinterventional problems are frequent but there is a potential for temporary or definite improvement following stent insertion.

False teeth in an apple core: Unusual presentation of a colorectal carcinoma

Introduction Ingestion of foreign bodies is common amongst the elderly. Although most foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract without consequence some cause complications including bowel perforation. Presentation of case We present a case of denture ingestion that lead to the diagnosis of an unsuspected colorectal cancer. The patient underwent radical surgery to remove the tumor and the ingested denture. The operation and recovery were uneventful. Discussion Complications from ingested foreign bodies mostly occur at points of anatomical intestinal tapering. However, tumors of the gastro-intestinal tract can also lead to obstructions and other complications. As the incidence of tumors increases with age, this possibility should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unusual situation. Conclusion Although impaction of a foreign body in a gastro-intestinal tumor is very rare, our case suggests close follow-up is prudent in the elderly should a foreign body be ingested.

Improved Techniques for Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) in Colorectal Adenoma

Background: Endoscopic therapy of colorectal adenomas and early cancers is a standard method. Besides oncological criteria, the method is limited by polyp location, size, and texture. Method: Based on the current literature, technical modifications and developments in endoscopic mucosal resection are described. Results: Numerous approaches exist to improve the conditions of resection, including optimisation of mucosal elevation and modification of techniques, tools, and devices. Conclusion: Endoscopic therapy of sessile and flat colorectal polyps remains a challenge. Some of the presented modifications can help to address this challenge.

Experience with fully covered self-expandable metal stents for anastomotic stricture following esophageal atresia repair

There is a lack of experience with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) for the treatment of benign esophageal conditions in the pediatric population. This is the evaluation of our institutional experience of placing SEMSs for anastomotic stricture (AS) formation following esophageal atresia (EA) repair. Patients were jointly managed from the Department of Pediatric Surgery and Central Interdisciplinary Endoscopy at our institution. Thirteen children (8 male, 5 female) with a median age of 4 months (range: 1-32 months) who underwent treatment with SEMSs for a postoperative AS following EA repair between February 2006 and April 2016 were recruited into this retrospective study. SEMSs that are originally designed for other organs such as trachea, bronchus, biliary tract, or colon were inserted under general anesthesia via endoscopic guidance. Simultaneous fluoroscopy was not required in any case. In five infants, the stents were inserted primarily without previous therapy. Seven patients underwent stenting following dilatation with or without adjuncts (e.g. Mitomycin C, Triamcinolone). In one case with an AS and a simultaneous persistent tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), multiple SEMSs were applied after failure to close the fistula with fibrin glue.The median duration of individual stent placement was 30 days (range: 5-91 days). In five children up to four different biliary, bronchial or colonic SEMSs were placed successively over time. There were no problems noted at stent insertion or removal. Eight children (62%) developed complications associated with stenting. At follow-up, in eight patients (62%) AS was resolved, including all of those five cases, who had their stents inserted without previous therapy. Five children (38%), who underwent dilatation prior to stenting did not improve their AS and required further intervention. Overall, the cohort exhibited a slight, but not significant weight gain between stent insertion and (final) stent removal.Insertion of SEMSs for AS following EA repair is safe and often successful with only one single application. It can be used as a primary procedure (without previous therapy) or after failed dilatations.There was one death in this study that was unrelated to stenting and occurred 12 months after stent removal. Because of the absence of manufactured, age-related devices, SEMSs that are originally designed for other organs can be applied. Establishment of a standardized management including stent placement for the treatment of AS following EA repair in the pediatric population is required.

Submucosal injection with waterjet improves endoscopic mucosal resection of colorectal adenoma – a randomised controlled clinical trial

Abstract Purpose: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of colorectal adenomas leads to a reduced incidence of, and mortality from, colorectal carcinoma. Large adenomas are especially difficult to resect. Submucosal injection is a key part of EMR, as it allows for complete resection and decreased complications. We previously demonstrated in both animal models and a clinical trial that a focussed fluid beam applied to the mucosa creates selective fluid cushions in the submucosa selective tissue elevation by pressure (STEP). In this study, we examined the potential of this new technique compared to the standard inject and cut technique. Methods: This was a monocentric prospective two armed randomised controlled clinical trial comparing the STEP technique to the standard needle injection. We included patients with Yamada I and II adenomas ≥12 mm. Results: One hundred fifty-five patients were treated in the trial. With the STEP technique there was a significantly higher rate of en-bloc resection, whereas piecemeal resection was more common in the standard arm. The odds ratio of piecemeal resection was 2.422 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.163–5.045 (p value .0195). There was no significant difference in resection time between the two techniques, while there was a significant difference in resections speed for the STEP technique. There was also no difference in complication rates. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the new STEP technique leads to a higher rate of en-bloc resections than the standard injection technique in endoscopic mucosa resection of colorectal adenomas. The STEP technique can play an important role in the future of EMR.