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Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected healthcare systems and patients. There is a need to comprehend the collateral effects of the pandemic on non-communicable diseases. We examined the impact of the pandemic on short-term survival for common solid tumours, including breast, colorectal, head and neck, liver, lung, oesophageal, pancreatic, prostate, and stomach cancer in the UK. Methods: This was a population-based cohort study of electronic health records from the UK primary care Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database. In sum, 12,259,744 eligible patients aged ≥ 18 years with ≥ 1 year's history identified from January 2000 to December 2022 were included. We estimated age-standardised incidence and short-term (one- and two-year) survival for several common cancers from 2000 to 2019 (in five-year strata) and compared these to 2020– 2022 using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Incidence decreased for most cancers in 2020 and recovered to different extents in 2021– 2022. Short-term survival improved for most cancers between 2000 and 2019, but then declined, albeit minimally, for those diagnosed in 2020– 2022. This was most pronounced for colorectal cancer, with one-year survival falling from 78.8% (95% CI 78%– 79.6%) in 2015– 2019 to 77% (95% CI 75.6– 78.3%) for those diagnosed in 2020– 2022. Conclusion: Short-term survival for many cancers was impacted, albeit minimally, by the pandemic in the UK, with reductions in survivorship from colorectal cancer equivalent to returning to the mortality seen in the first decade of the 2000s. While data on longer-term survival are needed to fully comprehend the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care, our findings illustrate the need for an urgent and substantial commitment from the UK National Health Service to address the existing backlog in cancer screening and diagnostic procedures to improve cancer care and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) have displaced double-pigtail plastic stents (DPS) as the standard treatment for walled-off necrosis (WON),β but evidence for exclusively using LAMS is limited. We aimed to assess whether the theoretical benefit of LAMS was superior to DPS. Methods: This multicenter, open-label, randomized trial was carried out in 9 tertiary hospitals. Between June 2017, and Oct 2020, we screened 99 patients with symptomatic WON, of whom 64 were enrolled and randomly assigned to the DPS group (n = 31) or the LAMS group (n = 33). The primary outcome was short-term (4-weeks) clinical success determined by the reduction of collection. Secondary endpoints included long-term clinical success, hospitalization, procedure duration, recurrence, safety, and costs. Analyses were by intention-to-treat. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03100578. Results: A similar clinical success rate in the short term (RR, 1.41; 95% CI 0.88–2.25; p = 0.218) and in the long term (RR, 1.2; 95% CI 0.92–1.58; p = 0.291) was observed between both groups. Procedure duration was significantly shorter in the LAMS group (35 vs. 45-min, p = 0.003). The hospital admission after the index procedure (median difference, − 10 [95% CI − 17.5, − 1]; p = 0.077) and global hospitalization (median difference − 4 [95% CI − 33, 25.51]; p = 0.82) were similar between both groups. Reported stent-related adverse events were similar for the two groups (36 vs.45% in LAMS vs. DPS), except for de novo fever, which was significantly 26% lower in LAMS (RR, 0.26 [0.08–0.83], p = 0.015). Conclusions: The clinical superiority of LAMS over DPS for WON therapy was not proved, with similar clinical success, hospital stay and similar safety profile between both groups, yet a significant reduction in procedure time was observed. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03100578. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: This study aimed to determine safety and risk factors for adverse events (AEs) of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gallbladder drainage (EUS‐GBD) with long‐term indwell of lumen‐apposing metal stents (LAMS). Methods: This study is a multicenter prospective observational study on consecutive high surgical‐risk patients requiring gallbladder drainage who underwent EUS‐GBD with LAMS over 12 months. Centralized telephone follow‐up interviews were conducted every 3 months for 1 year. Patients were censored at LAMS removal, cholecystectomy, or death. AE‐free survival was determined using log–rank tests. Cumulative risks were estimated using life‐table analysis. Results: Eighty‐two patients were included (53.7% male, median [interquartile range] age of 84.6 [76.5–89.8] years, and 85.4% with acute cholecystitis). Technical success was achieved in 79 (96.3%), and clinical success in 73 (89%). No patient was lost to follow‐up; 45 patients (54.9%) completed 1‐year follow‐up with in situ LAMS. Median (interquartile range) LAMS indwell time was 364 (47–367) days. Overall, 12 (14.6%) patients presented 14 AEs, including 5 (6.1%) recurrent biliary events (3 acute cholangitis, 1 mild acute pancreatitis, and 1 acute cholecystitis). Patients with pancreatobiliary malignancy had an increased risk of recurrent biliary events (33% vs 1.5%, P = 0.001). The overall 1‐year cumulative risk of recurrent biliary events was 9.7% (4.1–21.8%). The 1‐year risk of AEs and of severe AEs was 18.8% (11–31.2%) and 7.9% (3.3–18.2%), respectively. Pancreatobiliary malignancy was the single risk factor for recurrent biliary events; LAMS misdeployment was the strongest risk factor for AEs. Conclusions: Long‐term LAMS indwell does not increase the risk of delayed AEs following EUS‐GBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Endoscopic necrosectomy through lumen apposition metal stents (LAMS) is increasingly being used for complicated walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN), but the need for necrosectomy after stent placement is not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic predictors of the need for necrosectomy in patients treated with LAMS. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with WOPN treated with LAMS from 2014 to 2017. Necrosectomy was performed only in patients who had recurrent fever or hemodynamic instability during follow-up. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: We included 15 patients, 67% men and median age was 75 (54–76) years. Two (13%) presented adverse events, one immediate and one delayed. In the first case, the stent migrated to the gastric cavity during deployment but was relocated in the same procedure. In the second case, the patient presented bleeding on day 36 due to a pseudoaneurysm that was successfully treated with embolization. Clinical success was 100%, but five patients (33%) required endoscopic necrosectomy (4 mechanical and 1 irrigation) and one (7%) required surgical necrosectomy of distant collections. The percentage of necrosis in the collection detected in a previous CT scan (45 [35–66]% vs 10 [5–17]%) was the only factor to predict the need for necrosectomy in the multivariate analysis (OR 1.18 [1.01–1.39]). Conclusion: LAMS is efficient to treat WOPN but more than a third will need necrosectomy. The percentage of necrosis in the collection detected in the CT scan seems to predict the need for necrosectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are uncertainties concerning the possible benefits derived from the insertion of double-pigtail plastic stents (DPS) within lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) in EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (CDS). The aim of this study was to determine whether a DPS within a biliary LAMS offers a potential benefit in EUS-guided CDS for the palliative management of malignant biliary obstruction. Methods: This was a multicentre retrospective study at three tertiary institutions. Period: May 2015 to August 2020. Two interventional strategies (LAMS alone and LAMS plus DPS) were compared. The choice was the endoscopist's discretion. Inclusion: unresectable/inoperable biliopancreatic tumours with previous failed ERCP. Clinical success: bilirubin decrease > 30% at 4 weeks. Results: Forty-one consecutive cases of EUS-CDS using biliary LAMS were treated (22 women; mean age, 72.3 years) during the study period. The procedure was technically successful in 39 (95.1%), who were managed using the two strategies (22 LAMS alone; 17 LAMS plus DPS). No differences between the groups, in terms of clinical success (77.3 vs 87.5%, p = 0.67), adverse events (AEs, 13.6 vs 11.8%, p = 0.99), recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO, 13.6 vs 23.5%, p = 0.67), or survival rate (p = 0.67) were encountered. The LAMS alone group had a shorter length of procedure (50 min vs 66 min, p = 0.102). No risk factors related to clinical success, AEs, RBO, or survival were detected. Conclusions: The technical variant of adding a coaxial DPS within LAMS in EUS-CDS seems not to be enough to prevent biliary morbidities, and it is a time-consuming strategy. Although prospective studies are needed, these results do not support its routine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It seems that lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) are displacing plastic stents in the therapy of pancreatic-fluid collection in walled-off necrosis (WON). To date, there is no quality of evidence to recommend LAMS as the standard treatment in the management of WON. The theoretical benefit of LAMS over plastic stents needs to be proven.Methods/design: This is a randomized controlled, multicenter, prospective clinical trial with two parallel groups, without masking. One-hundred and fourteen patients with WON will undergo endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transmural draining in nine tertiary hospitals in Spain and will be randomized to the LAMS or plastic-stent group. The primary endpoint is the short-term (4 weeks) clinical success determined by the reduction of the collection (to < 50% or < 5 cm in size), along with clinical improvement. Secondary endpoints: long-term (4 months) clinical success (total resolution or 5 cm), procedure duration, level of difficulty, safety, and recurrences.Discussion: The PROMETHEUS trial has been designed to determine whether LAMS are superior to plastic stents in EUS-guided transmural drainage of WON.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03100578. Registered on 4 April 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with achalasia develop a well‐defined obstructive pattern of pressure in response to a rapid drink challenge test (RDC). Our aim was to determine if successful treatment of achalasia can revert the obstructive pattern of pressure in response to the RDC, and if this simple test could be useful in the follow‐up of patients with achalasia. Methods: In 26 healthy controls and 103 patients with achalasia, pressure responses to a RDC were prospectively analysed using high resolution esophageal manometry in two consecutive protocols: (a) Development study: one RDC was performed in 20 healthy controls, 63 patients with nontreated achalasia, and 21 patients with previously treated achalasia; (b) Validation study: two RDC were performed before, and 8‐12 weeks after treatment, in 19 patients with nontreated, newly diagnosed achalasia. Key Results: In the development study no healthy control, 19% of patients with previously treated achalasia and 96% of patients with nontreated achalasia developed an obstructive pressure pattern during the RDC (P < 0.001). In the validation study, 100% of patients had an obstructive pressure pattern before treatment, that reverted to a nonobstructive pattern in 89% of patients after treatment (P < 0.001). The obstructive pressure pattern during the RDC correlated with clinical symptoms (Eckardt score > 3; P < 0.001), and with the height of the water column retained after the RDC, as assessed by impedance (P = 0.015). Conclusions & Inferences: The RDC may objectively assess treatment outcome in patients with achalasia, and can be recommended in the evaluation of achalasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Study Aims: Precut sphincterotomy increases the success of deep biliary cannulation, but the method fails at the initial ERCP in 5-12% of cases. Although other invasive strategies are often used to access the bile duct, a second ERCP may be effective and safe. We evaluated the efficacy, safety, and factors related to a second ERCP after failed cannulation using a precut sphincterotomy.Patients and Methods: We reviewed all patients that underwent an ERCP with native papilla from 2006 to 2014 at two tertiary institutions. Efficacy was based on the cannulation rate of the second ERCP, and safety was assessed in terms of adverse events.Results: We identified 112 patients with failed cannulation after precut, and a second ERCP was performed in 72 (64.3%). Median time between procedures was 7 days (IQR 5-11). Deep cannulation was achieved in 54 cases (75%). The only factor associated with cannulation failure was an ERCP within 4 days after the initial precut (cannulation success 44.4 vs. 79.4% after 4 days, p = 0.026). Adverse events were recorded after the first ERCP in 13 of 112 patients (11.8%): delayed bleeding in four, pancreatitis in five, and perforation in four. After the second ERCP, three of 72 patients (4.2%) presented adverse events: two delayed bleeding and one pancreatitis.Conclusions: A second ERCP after failure of initial biliary cannulation following precut appears to be safe and effective. A second ERCP should be delayed at least 4 days if feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and study aims: Meta-analyses suggest that an intravenous bolus or a high dose continuous infusion of somatostatin reduces the incidence of acute pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Clinical guidelines, however, do not recommend this prophylaxis. The aim of this randomized, double-blind clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of somatostatin on the incidence of post- ERCP pancreatitis. Patients and methods: Patients undergoing ERCP at a single center were randomized to either intravenous bolus of somatostatin followed by a short (4-hour) continuous infusion, or to a similar placebo regimen. The primary outcome was post- ERCP pancreatitis, defined as abdominal pain with an amylase level at least three times higher than the upper limit of normality 24 hours after the ERCP and requiring admission for at least 2 days. Results: A total of 510 patientswere enrolled (255 patients per group) and all completed follow-up. The main indications for ERCP were choledocholithiasis (62 %), and biliary malignant stricture (31 %). Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 19 patients (7.5 %) in the somatostatin group and 17 patients (6.7 %) in the placebo group (relative risk [RR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.59-2.1; P=0.73). The number of cases of moderate or severe acute pancreatitis was similar in the somatostatin (2.4 %) and the placebo (3.5 %) groups (RR 0.67, 95%CI 0.24-1.85, P=0.43). No side effects were observed related to the use of somatostatin. Conclusions: Administration of an intravenous bolus of somatostatin followed by a short continuous infusion does not reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory changes of different NOTES approaches remain unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory effects of NOTES and laparoscopy. Methods: Forty female pigs were assigned to transgastric, transrectal, and transvaginal NOTES and laparoscopic peritoneoscopy groups. Antiseptic technique was utilized for NOTES whereas laparoscopy was performed sterile. Intraperitoneal pressures were monitored and maintained below 15 mmHO. Pneumoperitoneum was maintained with CO in all groups. Pre- and postoperative blood samples of IL-6, Il-1β, and TNFα, and peritoneal fluid collected at surgery were analyzed. Animals were followed daily for 14 days. At necropsy, peritoneal fluid was collected for cytokine analysis. Results: Thirty-nine peritoneoscopies were successfully completed. The median procedure time was longer in the NOTES groups (57 min, range = 33-109) than in the laparoscopy group (33 min, range 32-36; P < 0.001); this was related to longer incision time and closure time. All 39 completed follow-up. Severe bleeding in the post-transrectal approach required early sacrifice of the remaining animal. Besides this, complications were similar among groups. At necropsy, adhesions were seen in four animals in the gastric group, five in the rectal group, two in the vaginal group, and two in the laparoscopic group ( P = ns). There were no statistical differences in serum levels of TNFα among the groups. When serum TNFα values were expressed as the difference from the baseline, in the transvaginal group they were significantly lower than in the transrectal at 2 h [0.5 pg/ml (range = −14 to 59) vs. 60 pg/ml (range = −8 to 303); P = 0.041] and at 8 h [−5.5 pg/ml (range = −86 to 55] vs. 37 pg/ml (range = −30 to 62); P = 0.031]. The limitations of this study were that the analyses of IL-6 and Il-1β were not possible because most of the samples were below detectable levels, it was an animal model, and the sample size was small. Conclusion: Inflammatory parameters are similar between NOTES and laparoscopic peritoneoscopy despite longer surgery time in the NOTES group. The vaginal route seems to reduce the inflammatory stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic biliary stenting is a well-established palliative treatment in patients with unresectable malignant biliary strictures. Obstruction of uncovered self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) due to tumor ingrowth is the most frequent complication. Partially covered SEMS might increase stent patency but could favor complications related to stent covering, such as pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and migration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of partially covered SEMS in patients with an unresectable malignant biliary stricture. Methods: Patients with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction treated endoscopically with partially covered SEMS were included in this multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized study. Results: One hundred ninety-nine patients were endoscopically treated with partially covered SEMS in 32 Spanish hospitals. Clinical success after deep cannulation was 96%. Early complications occurred in 4% (3 pancreatitis, 2 cholangitis, 1 hemorrhage, 1 perforation, and 1 cholecystitis). Late complications occurred in 19.5% (18 obstructions, 10 migrations, 6 cholangitis without obstruction, 3 acute cholecystitis, and 2 pancreatitis), with no tumor ingrowth in any case. Median stent patency was 138.9 ± 112.6 days. One-year actuarial probability of stent patency was 70% and that of nonmigration was 86%. Multivariate analysis showed adjuvant radio- or chemotherapy as the only independent predictive factor of stent patency and previous insertion of a biliary stent was the only predictive factor of migration. Conclusions: The partially covered SEMS was easily inserted, had a high clinical success rate, and prevented tumor ingrowth. The incidence of possible complications related to stent coverage, namely, migration, pancreatitis, and cholecystitis, was lower than in previously published series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the feasibility of lumen-apposing metal stent removal and replacement in the middle of necrosectomy sessions. Topics included are the possibility of stent displacement while extracting or fragmentating necrotic material, the presentation of a video of the stent removal and replacement maneuver performed during gastroscopic surgery on an alcoholic acute pancreatitis patient, and the justification for reusing the metal piece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]