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This article discusses the evaluation of an endoscopy reporting system in recording quality metrics for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a complex and high-risk procedure. The study analyzed data from a single-center database of adult patients who underwent ERCP in a Greek public hospital. The results showed that the reporting system adequately measured certain quality indicators, such as successful biliary cannulation, stones removal, and adequate stent placement. However, there were limitations in capturing pre-procedural (adequate antibiotic prophylaxis) and post-procedural (post ERCP pancreatitis rate) metrics. The study suggests the need for further development of the reporting software or the use of dedicated applications to optimize quality measurement during ERCP. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents data from a large reference center on factors that affect fluoroscopy duration and radiation dose during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The study analyzed a database of 684 ERCP procedures performed in a Greek public hospital. The results showed that ERCPs performed for biliary tract neoplasms and those classified as of higher difficulty were associated with longer fluoroscopy duration and higher radiation dose. The findings suggest that these factors can be used to predict procedures with prolonged radiation exposure and may inform the adoption of radiation reduction methods. [Extracted from the article]

This article, published in the journal Endoscopy, presents a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of different stent types for managing post-liver transplant anastomotic biliary strictures. The study evaluated multiple plastic stents (MPS) and self-expandable metal stents (SEMS), including fully-covered (FC)-SEMS and intraductal (ID)-SEMS. The primary outcome of stricture resolution and secondary outcomes of stricture recurrence, stent migration, and adverse events were analyzed. The results showed that stent type did not significantly affect stricture resolution and recurrence, but ID-SEMS placement was found to be the most cost-effective approach. [Extracted from the article]

This article, published in the journal Endoscopy, presents a systematic review and meta-analysis on the safety and efficacy of cryo-ablation as a treatment for Barrett esophagus (BE). BE is a pre-malignant condition of the esophagus, and current guidelines recommend endoscopic eradication therapy (EET). Cryo-ablation is a newer ablative technique for BE, and this study aimed to summarize the existing data on its outcomes and adverse events. The analysis included ten studies with a total of 471 patients, and the results showed that cryo-ablation is a safe procedure with a potentially low rate of esophageal strictures. The rates of dysplasia and BE eradication were comparable to other ablative technologies. However, the authors emphasize the need for high-quality prospective studies that compare cryo-ablation with established ablation techniques. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the long-term outcomes of endoscopic therapy in the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The study analyzed a large cohort of PSC patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) between 1990 and 2020. The results showed that ERCP is a safe and effective treatment for PSC, but multiple procedures are often required. Additionally, the article highlights that ERCP is often considered a "bridge" treatment to liver transplantation for PSC patients. [Extracted from the article]