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With the increasing adoption of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) as a first-line therapy for achalasia as well as a growing list of other indications, it is apparent that there is a need for effective training methods for both endoscopists in training and those already in practice. We present a hands-on-focused with pre- and post-testing methodology to teach these skills. Six POEM courses were taught by 11 experienced POEM endoscopists at two independent simulation laboratories. The training curriculum included a pre-training test, lectures and discussion, mentored hands-on instruction using live porcine and ex-plant models, and a post-training test. The scoring sheet for the pre- and post-tests assessed the POEM performance with a Likert-like scale measuring equipment setup, mucosotomy creation, endoscope navigation, visualization, myotomy, and closure. Participants were stratified by their experience with upper-GI endoscopy (Novices

Despite the popularity of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, rates of common bile duct injury remain higher than previously observed in open cholecystectomy. This retrospective chart review sought to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, biliary injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy within a high-volume healthcare system. 800 of approximately 3000 cases between 2009 and 2015 were randomly selected and retrospectively reviewed. A single reviewer examined all operative notes, thereby including all cases of BDI regardless of ICD code or need for a second procedure. Biliary injuries were classified per Strasberg et al. (J Am Coll Surg 180:101–125, 1995). Logistic regression models were utilized to identify univariable and multivariable predictors of biliary injuries. 31.0% of charts stated that the Critical View of Safety was obtained, and 12.4% of charts correctly described the critical view in detail. Three patients (0.4%) had a cystic duct leak, and 4 (0.5%) had a common bile duct injury. Of the four CBDI, three patients had a partial transection of the CBD and one had a partial stricture. Patients who suffered BDI were more likely to have had lower hemoglobin, urgent surgery, choledocholithiasis, or acutely inflamed gallbladder. Multivariable analysis of BDI risk factors showed higher preoperative hemoglobin to be independently protective against CBDI. Acutely inflamed gallbladder and choledocholithiasis were independently predictive of CBDI. The rate of CBDI in this study was 0.5%. Acutely inflamed conditions were risk factors for biliary injury. Multivariable analysis suggests a protective effect of higher preoperative hemoglobin. There was no correlation of CVS with prevention of biliary injury, although only 12.4% of charts could be verified as following the technique correctly. Better implementation of CVS, and increased caution in patients with perioperative inflammatory signs, may be important for preventing bile duct injury. Additionally, counseling patients with acute inflammation on increased risk is important.

When considering an asymptomatic inguinal hernia, surgeons must weigh the risks of watchful waiting against the risk of operative complications. Laparoscopy offers the benefit of reduced postoperative pain, which, for appropriate surgical candidates, may strengthen the case for repair. This study compares general and disease-specific quality of life following totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) of asymptomatic and symptomatic hernias. We summarize prospective data from 387 patients who underwent TEP LIHR between 2009 and 2015 by four surgeons at a single institution. Asymptomatic individuals were identified by pain scores of zero at preoperative clinic visits. Validated quality of life (QOL) measurements were administered preoperatively and at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1-year postop. Comparisons were made using Chi-square test, t test, or Mann–Whitney U test. Changes over time were assessed using longitudinal mixed effects models. A cohort of 79 asymptomatic cases were compared to 308 symptomatic individuals. The asymptomatic cohort had larger median hernia defects (2.5 vs 2 cm, p

Obesity has been considered a relative contraindication to peritoneal dialysis (PD). Surprisingly, PD catheter dysfunction rates and longevity have not been studied in the growing obese ESRD population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of patient weight on PD catheter survival in the three insertion technique categories of advanced laparoscopy (AL), basic laparoscopy (BL), and open. We examine retrospectively collected data on 231 consecutive PD catheter insertions at the NorthShore University HealthSystem between 2004 and 2014. Three cohorts were created based on the catheter insertion technique: open, BL using selective adhesiolysis, and AL using rectus sheath tunnel, selective omentopexy, and adhesiolysis. Primary outcomes included catheter dysfunction and catheter dysfunction-free survival for each cohort by BMI: normal weight (18.5–24.9), overweight (25–29.9), obese (≥30). Nominal variables were compared using Chi-square test, continuous variables using ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests, and catheter survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank test. Statistical significance was established at 0.05. For the three BMI categories, there were no statistically significant differences in patient demographics. There were no statistically significant differences in catheter dysfunction or peri-operative complications by BMI category among all patients. This was also true in the AL cohort. Among all patients, similar 2-year dysfunction-free catheter survival was noted for normal weight, overweight, and obese patients (log-rank p = 0.79). This was also true across all insertion techniques: open (log-rank p = 0.87), BL (log-rank p = 0.41), AL (log-rank p = 0.43). In the obese cohort, the 2-year dysfunction-free catheter survival was 91.1% in AL, 83.5% in BL, and 65.7% in open (log-rank p = 0.58). Obesity does not increase complications or shorten dysfunction-free PD catheter survival regardless of the operative technique used. Obesity should not be considered as a relative contraindication to PD catheter placement as it confers similar technique success to normal- and overweight individuals.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the most predictive risk factor for development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a malignancy with the fastest increasing incidence in the US. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in exposures, demographics, and comorbidities between regressing and non-regressing patients.We retrospectively collected and analyzed data from a cohort of BE patients participating in a single-center study comprised of all patients diagnosed with BE over a 10-year period. We collected information from the patient's electronic medical records regarding demographic data, endoscopic findings, histological findings, exposures, and history of antireflux surgery.This study included 1,342 BE patients, 505 (37.6%) of which experienced regression. The regressed group was 52.3% male, while the non-regressing group was 68.3% male (p0.001). Mean age was 65.2 ± 12.8 and 62.0 ± 13.1 years for non-regressing and regressing patients, respectively (p0.001). No difference was seen in BMI between regressing and non-regressing groups (27.5 ± 5.7 vs. 27.7 ± 5.4, p = 0.52). No difference was seen between groups with respect to PPI use (93.5% non-regressing vs. 94.1% regressed patients, p = 0.70), but regressed patients were more likely to take vitamin D than non-regressing patients (34.1 vs. 42.1%, p = 0.003). Regressed patients had an average segment length of 1.48 cm (±1.58 cm), in contrast to those not regressing (3.58 ± 3.09 cm (p0.001)). Interestingly, one patient in the regression group progressed to dysplasia, while 101 of the non-regressing patients progressed to dysplasia/EAC, a result found to be independent of segment length on multivariate analysis (p0.001).Currently, several studies have shown risk factors that can predict progression of non-dysplastic BE, but few investigate predictors for regression. Our study reports several factors that can be used to predict patients who will regress from BE and those who likely will not, tools that will be useful in tailoring therapeutic and surveillance strategies.

Approximately 20–30 % of morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) will experience significant weight regain in the years following surgery. Endoscopic gastrojejunal revision (EGJR) has been shown to be a safe, effective and less invasive alternative to revisional surgery, with promising weight loss outcomes. However, minimal data exist regarding how to perform the procedure most effectively and what factors may predict good outcomes. We compared weight loss outcomes between patients undergoing endoscopic stoma revision by one of two full-thickness suturing techniques. A retrospective review of patients undergoing EGJR between 06/2012 and 09/2015 was performed. Included patients were adults 18–74 years of age who had experienced weight regain ≥2 years after initial RYGB with stoma dilation ≥15 mm in diameter. Revision was done with either an interrupted (IRT) or purse-string (PST) suture technique. A linear mixed effects model was constructed to predict postoperative weight loss. Fifty revisions (IRT = 36, PST = 14) were performed in 47 patients (92 % female, mean age of 50.9 ± 10.9 years and body mass index of 41.4 ± 7.1 kg/m2). Technical success (stoma diameter ≤10 mm) was achieved in all cases. Final diameter was significantly smaller in the PST group, 6.6 ± 2.2 mm versus 4.8 ± 1.8 mm (p

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has been shown to offer patients the benefit of less postoperative pain as compared to traditional open techniques. However, the risk of experiencing significant postoperative pain may affect patient’s decision making. We aimed to elucidate potential patterns of pain and the predictors of such, up to 2 years postoperatively, using both generic and specific quality of life tools. Patients undergoing laparoscopic totally extra-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Short form-36, Surgical Outcomes Measurement System (SOMS) and Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS) surveys were administered pre- and postoperatively at 3 weeks, 6 months, 1 and 2 years. Patients with concomitant procedures were excluded. Significant pain was considered mild but bothersome or worse on either specific tool (SOMS scores ≥3/4, CCS scores ≥2). Predictors of significant pain were determined by logistic regression. From 2009 to 2015, 482 patients enrolled in our database underwent elective TEP repair of 626 hernias and completed an assessment tool. Mean age was 57 (±15) years, with 93 % male. Reported pain on all three tools improved significantly from baseline over time (p

It is unknown whether acid/reflux control prevents progression in Barrett's esophagus. In this study, we investigate whether medical or surgical control of reflux is associated with a decreased risk of progression to dysplasia/esophageal adenocarcinoma.We retrospectively collected and analyzed data from a cohort of Barrett's esophagus patients participating in this single-center study comprised of all patients diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus at NorthShore University Health System hospitals and clinics over a 10-year period. Patients were followed in order to identify those progressing from Barrett's esophagus to low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. We collected information from the patient's electronic medical records regarding demographic, endoscopic findings, histological findings, smoking/alcohol history, medication use including proton-pump inhibitors, and history of bariatric and antireflux surgery. Risk-adjusted modeling was performed using multivariable logistic regression.This study included 1,830 total Barrett's esophagus patients, 102 of which had their Barrett's esophagus progress to low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, or esophageal adenocarcinoma (confirmed by biopsy) with an annual incidence rate of 1.1%. Mean follow-up period was 5.51 years (10,083 patient-years). Compared to the group that did not progress, the group that progressed was older (69.3 ± 13.7 vs. 63.9 ± 13.4 years. p0.001) and likely to be male (75 vs. 61%, p0.01). In the multivariable analysis, patients who had a history of antireflux surgery (n = 44) or proton-pump inhibitor use without surgery (n = 1,641) were found to progress at significantly lower rates than patients who did not have antireflux surgery or were not taking PPI's (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.09-0.36).Reflux control was associated with decreased risk of progression to low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, or esophageal adenocarcinoma. These results support the use of reflux control strategies such as proton-pump inhibitor therapy or surgery in patients with non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus for the prevention of progression to dysplasia/adenocarcinoma.

Inguinal hernia repair is the most common surgery in the world. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes are arguably the most important elements of successful repair. This study is aimed to describe short- and long-term quality of life outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.We prospectively followed patients who underwent totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TEP) as part of an Institutional Review Board-approved study. HRQOL was measured preoperatively, or 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively using Short Form 36 Health Survey Version 2 (SF-36v2) and Carolinas Comfort Scale. Postoperative HRQOL scores were compared to baseline using paired t tests.Between June 2009 and February 2014, 1,175 patients underwent TEP by four surgeons. Of those, 301 patients with 388 hernias were registered in the database and followed by a research coordinator. Mean age was 56.4 ± 15.2 years and 93% were male. Mean body mass index was 26.1 ± 3.7 kg/m(2). Seventy-eight percent presented with pain, the majority of which were described as mild. Hernias were unilateral right-sided in 43%, left-sided in 28%, and bilateral in 29 %. Eighty-five percent were primary hernias. Average operative time was 43.5 ± 17.9 min and there were no intraoperative complications. Urinary retention occurred in 6%. Visual analog scale at discharge was 1.9 ± 1.7. Analgesics were used an average of 2.5 ± 3.4 days and return to activities of daily living and work occurred on postoperative 5.5 ± 4.4 and 5.6 ± 3.9 days. Recurrence occurred in 2.1%. Significant improvements between baseline and 1 year were found in role limitations due to physical health (81.5 ± 25.6 vs. 91.8 ± 19.4, p = 0.02), social functioning (87.4 ± 21.3 vs. 92.9 ± 15.3, p = 0.02), and pain (78.2 ± 19.7 vs. 86.6 ± 15.9, p = 0.007).TEP results in significant improvement in HRQOL including physical health, social functioning, and pain at 1 year. On average, patients are able to return to activities of daily living and work within a week.