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Background: Achalasia is a rare neurodegenerative disease of the esophagus that causes impaired esophageal peristalsis and the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax. This results in symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss. Among the treatment options, Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy (LHM), Endoscopic Balloon Dilation (EBD), and Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) are commonly used methods. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and clinical long-term results of LHM and EBD in treating achalasia., Methods: Patient records from Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital were reviewed, and 36 patients diagnosed with achalasia who underwent LHM and EBD were included in the study. Patients were evaluated using the Pre-operative Eckardt Score (Pre-ES) for preoperative evaluation, the Post-operative Eckardt Score (Post-ES) for postoperative evaluation, the Achalasia Specific Quality of Life (ASQL) questionnaire, and the Patient Satisfaction Scoring (PSS)., Results: The mean age of the 19 patients who underwent LHM was 49.37±10.48 years. The mean age of the 17 patients who underwent EBD was 59.24±14.39 years. Perioperative complications included esophageal mucosal perforation in one patient in the LHM group, bleeding in three patients (17.64%), and esophageal perforation in one patient (5.88%) in the EBD group. At a mean follow-up of 90 months, gastroesophageal reflux developed in two patients (10.53%) in the LHM group and eight patients (47%) in the EBD group. The Pre-ES was similar in both groups. The Post-ES significantly decreased in the LHM group compared to the EBD group. When ASQL and PSS results were analyzed between the LHM and EBD groups, it was concluded that LHM was more effective than EBD in improving the quality of life and providing patient satisfaction (p-value: 0.001)., Conclusion: In light of these findings, it was concluded that LHM is a safer intervention compared to EBD and should be prioritized, considering the low risk of complications, improved quality of life, and high level of satisfaction.

Background: Dysphagia is a potential complication following anti-gastroesophageal reflux surgery (ARS), with challenging management. Endoscopic balloon dilation is recommended for patients with significant dysphagia from tight wraps or strictures. We aim to evaluate factors associated with the need for post-ARS dilation and the outcomes of balloon dilation. Additionally, we assessed the predictors of sustained clinical failure after dilation., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent robotic or laparoscopic ARS between January 2012 and April 2023. Patients were divided based on whether they received balloon dilation using a through-the-scope wire-guided dilator. Excluded were those with pre-existing achalasia, other dilation devices, or inadequate follow-up., Results: Of 1002 patients, 69 underwent 94 postoperative dilations, and the remainder were controls. The dilation cohort was older (63.78 vs. 56.14 years, P = 0.032) and had more magnetic sphincter augmentations (MSA) (P = 0.004), a prior history of ARS (P = 0.039), and a higher rate of laparoscopic surgery (P = 0.009) compared to controls. Of all dilations, 54 (57.5%) patients reported immediate dysphagia improvement, and 39 (41.5%) had sustained improvement. Sixteen (23.2%) patients required reoperation, primarily for hiatal hernia recurrence or slipped wrap. Multivariable logistic regression showed that MSA (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.46, P = 0.031) and requiring multiple dilations (OR 0.16, CI 0.03-0.68) predicted sustained dilation failure., Conclusions: Factors including older age, history of prior ARS, and MSA are correlated with higher post-ARS dilation rates. Although dilation improves symptoms in approximately half of patients initially, one-fourth may eventually require reoperation, mostly due to a slipped wrap or hernia recurrence. Thus, in cases of persistent dysphagia, consideration for surgical failure is important, and further imaging and workup are warranted. Patients who undergo MSA and those who have more than one dilation are more likely to experience dilation failure., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: Balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty (BDET) has been proven to be a safe treatment option for children with eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). This study aims to analyze the long-term outcomes of children who underwent concurrent BDET and tympanostomy tube (TT) placement. We hypothesize that patients who underwent simultaneous therapy have experienced a low overall rate of middle ear pathology and have consistent hearing quality at subsequent office visits., Methods: Retrospective chart review of 19 pediatric patients (36 ears) who previously underwent concurrent BDET and TT placement. Patient charts within the extended postoperative period were reviewed. Specific data points included need for reoperation, rates of middle ear pathology, audiological outcomes, and number of previous TT placements., Results: Pediatric patients who underwent concurrent BDET and TT placement had long-term success in 34/36 ears (94.4%). All postoperative tympanograms and audiograms (100%) were normal when performed within 12 months after the procedure. Notably, 34/36 ears (94.4%) had history of tube placement in the past. Patients had an average of three sets of tympanostomy tubes prior to undergoing concurrent BDET and TT., Conclusion: Concurrent BDET and TT placement may be an effective treatment option for pediatric patients with persistent eustachian tube dysfunction. Specifically, BDET may be a useful adjunct tool in pediatric patients with refractory ETD despite having multiple sets of tympanostomy tubes. This study aims to strengthen the argument of performing multimodal therapy in pediatric patients with recurrent middle ear disease., Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:4799-4802, 2024., (© 2024 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Background and Aims: Endoscopic interventions for bile duct stones (BDSs) with benign choledochojejunal anastomotic stenosis (bCJS) are challenging. Therefore, we investigated endoscopic interventions for BDSs with bCJS., Methods: Seventeen patients with BDSs with bCJS were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, technical success, adverse events (AEs), and recurrence were evaluated., Results: In 17 patients, the median diameters of the bile duct and BDSs were both 8 mm. The median number of BDSs was 3. The technical success rate was 94% (16/17). Ten patients underwent balloon dilation at the choledochojejunal anastomotic site (CAS), the median diameter of balloon dilation was 10.5 mm, and waist disappearance was achieved in 2. Six patients had fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) with a diameter of 10 mm placed at the CAS. BDSs were removed after balloon dilation or FCSEMS removal, and 6 of 16 patients were treated with a combination of lithotripsy and 5 with peroral direct cholangioscopy (PDCS). Regarding AEs, perforation at the CAS by balloon dilation occurred in 1 patient. The median follow-up was 3701 days. Nine of 16 patients (56%) had recurrence. The patients treated with a combination of PDCS at BDS removal (P = .022) and waist disappearance at the CAS by balloon dilation (P = .035) had significantly fewer recurrences., Conclusions: Endoscopic interventions for BDSs with bCJS are useful and relatively safe; however, long-term follow-up showed frequent recurrences. Recurrence was common in patients not treated with the combination of PDCS at BDS removal and those without waist disappearance at the CAS by balloon dilation., Competing Interests: Disclosure All authors disclosed no financial relationships., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest I don't have any COI.

Introduction: Anastomotic strictures following esophagectomy occur frequently and impact on nutrition and quality of life. Although strictures are often attributed to ischemia and anastomotic leaks, the role of anastomosis size and pyloroplasty is not well evaluated. Our study aims to assess the rate of and risk factors for anastomotic stricture following esophagectomy, and the impact of treatment with regular endoscopic balloon dilatations., Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 207) undergoing Ivor Lewis esophagectomy performed by two surgeons at our institution were included. Data on patient demographics, surgical outcomes and anastomotic strictures were recorded. Relationship of anastomotic strictures with circular stapler size, pyloroplasty and anastomotic leak was analyzed. Treatment of strictures with endoscopic balloon dilatation was reviewed and percentage weight loss at 1 year was evaluated., Results: Anastomotic strictures occurred in 17.4% of patients. Patient demographics between those with and without stricture were similar. Stricture rate was similar in patients with or without pyloroplasty (13.9% vs 21.7%, respectively, p = 0.14) and in those with or without an anastomotic leak (25.0% vs 16.6%, respectively, p = 0.345). Stricture risk increased with smaller sized stapler (25 mm = 33.3%, 28 mm = 15.3%, 31 mm = 4.8%; p = 0.027). The median number of dilatations required to fully treat strictures was 2 (IQR: 1-3). The median length of time from surgery to first dilatation was 2.9 months (IQR: 2.0-4.7) and to last dilatation was 6.1 months (IQR: 4.8-10.0). Median maximum dilatation diameter was 20 mm (IQR: 18.0-20.0). There were no complications from dilatations. Percentage weight loss at 1 year in patients with strictures was similar to those without strictures (8.7% vs 11.1%, respectively, p = 0.090)., Conclusions: Post-esophagectomy anastomotic strictures are common and not necessarily related to anastomotic leaks or absence of pyloroplasty. Smaller anastomosis size was strongly linked with stricture formation. A driven approach with regular endoscopic balloon dilation is safe and effective in treating these strictures with no excess weight loss at 1 year once treated., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is commonly performed by a broad spectrum of practitioners. Aside from relative contraindications such as morbid obesity, coagulopathy, and complex airway anatomy, it is preferred over surgical tracheostomy in the critically ill. Rigid bronchoscopy-guided (RBG) PDT provides a secure airway, allows for unobstructed ventilation, protects the posterior membrane from puncture, and increases suction capacity., Methods: This is a retrospective case series of patients who underwent RBG-PDT from 2008 to 2023 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Electronic medical records were reviewed for preprocedural demographic data, procedural events, and postprocedural outcomes., Results: A total of 104 patients underwent RBG-PDT over a 15-year period. Median patient age was 61.95 (95% CI: 59.00-64.90), median BMI was 30.25 kg/m2 (IQR, 23.6 to 37.2) with 41.9% (32.5% to 51.3%) of patients included having a BMI over 30 kg/m2. PDT placement occurred in a mean of 13.7 days after intubation, with 70% due to prolonged mechanical ventilation resulting from ongoing respiratory failure. In all, 51.0% of patients had at least one increased bleeding risk factor, with an increased aPTT >36 seconds being the most common (36.5%). In all, 26.9% of patients underwent tracheostomy with ongoing therapeutic anticoagulation with heparin. In total, 60.6% of patients received concomitant percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement. No cases of pneumothorax or loss of the airway at the time of exchange of the endotracheal tube for rigid tracheoscopy were reported., Conclusion: RBG-PDT is a safe and effective procedure extending the patient population appropriate for PDT when performed by an experienced Interventional Pulmonology team., Competing Interests: Disclosures: M.P.: Educational consultant for Intuitive Surgical. A.M.: Educational consultant for Cook Medical. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest or other disclosures., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: To mitigate gastroparesis as well as other post-operative complications, we undertook a prospective multicenter study to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy in the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic whole stomach esophagectomy with preoperative pyloric balloon dilatation., Methods: A prospective descriptive study on 37 patients with laparoscopic and thoracoscopic whole stomach esophagectomy with preoperative pyloric balloon dilatation from January 2019 to March 2023. The perioperative indications, clinical data, intra-operative index, pathological postoperative specimens, postoperative complications, and follow-up results were retrospectively evaluated., Results: In our study, all patients were male, with dysphagia as the predominant symptom (45.9%). Esophageal cancer incidence was similar between middle and lower thirds. Nodules were the primary finding on esophagoscopy (48.6%). Preoperative pyloric dilation averaged 31.2 min without complications. Surgical duration ranged from 225 to 400 min (mean 305). Gastric tube fluid volume averaged 148.9 ± 110.66 ml per day. Among 34 post-operative cases underwent gastric transit scans, most had non-dilated stomachs with efficient pyloric drug circulation. Three cases required prolonged ventilation, precluding pyloric circulation scans. Four patients developed chylous fistula, one requiring chest tube embolization. Recurrent laryngeal nerve damage occurred in 10.8% of cases., Conclusion: After evaluating esophageal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic whole-stomach esophagectomy with preoperative pyloric balloon dilatation, it was found that this procedure is safe, effective, and significantly reduces postoperative gastroparesis and related complications., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Anal fissure (AF) poses a common challenge in clinical practice, prompting various treatment approaches. This multicenter study, conducted by the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery, aimed to assess treatment trends in AF over a 10 year period., Methods: A survey of proctologists and retrospective analysis of patient records were conducted to evaluate treatment modalities and outcomes across six different clinical scenarios based on AF presentation (acute/chronic) stratified by sphincter function (normal/hypertonic/hypotonic)., Results: Analysis of data from 17 principal investigators and 22,016 patients revealed significant variability in treatment approaches, influenced by factors such as symptom duration, anal tone, and surgeon preference. Conservative treatments were commonly utilized, while surgical interventions were reserved for refractory cases. Specifically, pharmaceutical treatment was administered to 66-75% of patients in cases of acute AF and 63-67% for chronic AF, while 10-15% underwent anal dilation, and < 2% received botulinum toxin injection. Among medical treatments, nifedipine with lidocaine and glycerin film-forming ointments were the most utilized. The most performed surgical techniques were fissurectomy and anoplasty, except for patients with chronic AF and hypertonic sphincter where sphincterotomy prevailed. Trends in treatment utilization varied depending on the clinical scenario, with notable shifts observed over time., Conclusions: This study provides insights into the evolving landscape of AF management, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate optimal treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation (PTPBD) combined with flexible ureteroscopy-guided dual-frequency double-pulse ND:YAG (FREDDY) laser lithotripsy (PTPBD-FREDDY) for the treatment of giant (>1.5 cm diameter) common bile duct stones. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 26 patients with large-diameter difficult choledocholithiasis admitted to two medical centers from December 2017 to October 2021. Among these patients, four could not tolerate surgery or endoscopic treatment, six experienced failure of endoscopic treatment, and 16 refused to undergo endoscopic or surgical treatment. All patients underwent the PTPBD-FREDDY procedure. The FREDDY laser lithotripsy was performed under ureteroscopic guidance, followed by a balloon to push the stones into the duodenum. The primary endpoint was the technical success rate, and the secondary endpoints included the rate of stone recurrence and related complications. Results: All 26 patients successfully completed the operation, achieving a technical success rate of 100%. The average lithotripsy frequency and operation time for bilirubin stones were significantly higher than those of mixed stones and cholesterol stones ( P <0.01). The main postoperative complications included mild fever ( n =3), abdominal pain ( n =3), nausea ( n =2) and vomiting ( n =1). One patient experienced biliary tract bleeding, which improved after conservative treatment. No serious complications such as pancreatitis, sepsis, or biliary perforation were observed. After 2 years of follow-up, no cases of stone recurrence were observed. Conclusions: PTPBD-FREDDY is a safe and effective treatment for patients with giant common bile duct stones. It provides a new therapeutic option for patients with giant choledocholithiasis who can not tolerate surgery or have failed endoscopic treatment, demonstrating promising prospects.

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a collection of rare, inherited disorders that require treatment in specialised centres by multidisciplinary teams knowledgeable about the unique features and challenges of EB manifestations and complications.A major gastrointestinal complication in patients with EB is oesophageal strictures. Effective management of oesophageal strictures can significantly improve patients' quality of life. This study systematically reviews the current literature on treatment options for oesophageal strictures in paediatric patients with EB., Methods: In September 2023, we conducted a systematic search for articles on the treatment of oesophageal stricture in patients with EB. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Ovid database without language or publication date restrictions. We screened 1042 articles, 15 of them were included in the current review. We extracted the following data from these studies: patient demographics, stricture characteristics, procedural details, clinical outcomes, complications and recurrences., Results: Overall, in the reviewed papers, strictures were located mostly in cervical oesophagus followed by thoracic lesions. Moreover, in most of the cases only a single stricture was reported, but multiple strictures were not uncommon. Stricture treatment approaches included medical management, bougienage, as well as fluoroscopic and endoscopic balloon dilation or a combination of these methods. In most studies, fluoroscopic dilation was used as the primary treatment method in 756 procedures. They commonly used general anaesthesia for the procedure, only one study used sedation. Hospital stays were usually brief, with an average duration of 1 day, and in one study patients were discharged after just 4 hours. Most patients experienced symptom relief, could resume oral intake and gained weight soon after the procedure. However, recurrence rates had large variations from 12% to 83%. Studies reported median recurrence intervals ranging from 7 to 18 months. This review showed that complications such as perforation, fever and odynophagia were relatively uncommon, and were controlled by conservative treatment., Conclusions: Both fluoroscopic and endoscopic balloon dilation are widely used methods for the management of oesophageal strictures in patients with EB. Each technique presents its own set of advantages and potential complications. Although the current evidence is notably limited, practical clinical decision-making may favour the fluoroscopic technique over endoscopic balloon dilation due to a comparatively reduced risk of procedural trauma. To ascertain the most effective approach, high-quality randomised controlled trials are imperative to delineate the superiority of one technique over the other., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) angioplasty is safe and effective for coronary artery disease. However, DCBs dilatation for the treatment of benign esophageal strictures is rarely reported., Purpose: We aimed to report the clinical outcomes of DCBs dilatation for patients with benign esophageal strictures., Methods: From May 2020 to August 2023, 18 patients underwent DCBs dilatation for benign esophageal strictures. Baseline demographics were recorded and evaluated, including gender, age, comorbidities, stricture diameter and length, dilatation session, complications., Results: A total of 24 dilatation sessions of DCBs were performed, with a mean of 1.3 ± 0.6 sessions per patients (range 1.0-5.0). Dysphagia score decreased significantly after DCBs dilatation (2.6 ± 1.1 vs. 0.9 ± 1.3, p = 0.0002). Both stricture diameter and stricture index decreased significantly after DCBs dilatation (p < 0.0001). No procedure-related death, massive bleeding or esophageal perforation was observed during or after DCBs dilatation. Minor complications were found in only 3 patients (16.7%). All 18 patients were successfully followed up for a median period of 12.0 months. By the end of follow up, 10 patients showed no dysphagia, 6 patients showed mild dysphagia and 2 patients showed no improvement in dysphagia. The clinical success rate of DCBs dilatation is 88.9%., Conclusion: DCBs dilatation may be a safe, effective and feasible treatment for benign esophageal strictures, and can be utilized as an alternative option after standard dilatation has failed. Prospective studies with large samples are needed to further validate its clinical efficacy., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: To prospectively evaluate the technical efficacy and safety of the double-lumen eustachian tube (ET) balloon catheter in patients with ET dysfunction., Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with ET dysfunction and needed balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) were prospectively enrolled. A double-lumen ET balloon catheter was used to dilate the ET and inject medicine. Efficacy results were assessed by the injection channel patency (ICP) rate, the injection reached the expected site (IRES) rate, and the improvement in eustachian tube function was evaluated by the seven-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) score. Safety results were assessed in terms of adverse events and device defects., Results: BET was successfully attempted in 87 patients from April 2022 to August 2022 at two academic medical centers in China (01, 02). The ICP rate was 100%, and the IRES rate was 88.51%. The overall ETDQ-7 score was significantly reduced ( p < 0.001) postsurgically at both centers. There were no major complications or device defects., Conclusion: The double-lumen ET balloon catheter is technically effective and safe for the treatment of ET dysfunction., Competing Interests: The authors disclose no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of Otology & Neurotology, Inc.)

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ballon dilation of the eustachian tube (BDET) in adult population suffering from Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD)., Methods: Following PRISMA criteria, a systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases from January 2015 to March 2024. The primary outcomes included Eustachian Tube Score (ETS), tympanometry, and Valsalva maneuver. The quality of studies was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) instrument., Results: Overall, 11 studies were incorporated into the systematic review: two RCTs, three prospective investigations, and six retrospective studies. The balloon dilation in all investigations was performed using either Spiggle & Theis or Acclarent catheters for balloon dilation. There was heterogeneity across studies examining the effect of BDET on persistent ETD in terms of patient selection, period of follow-up, administration of conservative or surgical therapies, and use of assessment methods. Overall, the treatment yielded alleviation of symptoms, which either exhibited stability over time or demonstrated further improvement after an average duration of follow-up. Moreover, the incidence of complications was categorized as low and resolving spontaneously. The majority of the studies exhibited a high risk of bias related to confounding variables, and consequently, the overall risk of bias across most studies was considered high., Conclusion: The findings suggest BDET holds promise for ETD treatment, reducing symptom severity with minimal complications. Nonetheless, there is a need for improved studies that adhere to established indications, methodologies, and outcomes to establish a more robust body of evidence., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) may result in a distended distal esophagus, referred to as a blown-out myotomy (BOM), the relevance of which is uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and associated symptoms of BOM after achalasia treatment., Methods: A data set of the locally treated patients in a randomized controlled trial comparing POEM with pneumatic dilation (PD) was analyzed. A BOM is defined as a >50% increase in esophageal diameter at its widest point in the distal esophagus between the lower esophageal sphincter and 5 cm above., Results: Seventy-four patients were treated in our center, and 5-year follow-up data were available in 55 patients (32 patients [58%] randomized to POEM, 23 [42%] PD). In the group initially treated with POEM, the incidence of BOM increased from 11.5% (4/38) at 3 months, to 21.1% (8/38) at 1 year, 27.8% (10/36) at 2 years, and 31.3% (10/32) at 5 years. None of the patients treated with PD alone developed a BOM. Patients who developed a BOM had a higher total Eckardt score and Eckardt regurgitation component compared with patients who underwent POEM without BOM development (3 [2.75-3.25] vs 2 [1.75-3], P = 0.032, and 1 [0.75-1] vs 0 [0-1], P = 0.041). POEM patients with a BOM more often report reflux symptoms (85% [11/13] vs 46% [2/16], P = 0.023) and had a higher acid exposure time (24.5% [8-47] vs 6% [1.2-18.7], P = 0.027)., Discussion: Thirty percent of the patients treated with POEM develop a BOM, which is associated with a higher acid exposure, more reflux symptoms, and symptoms of regurgitation., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American College of Gastroenterology.)

Purpose of Review: Balloon dilation of the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube has increasingly gained acceptance among otolaryngologists in the treatment of obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction. There is however little data on the procedure performed in children. The purpose of this study is to review the recent developments regarding balloon dilation in pediatric patients., Recent Findings: Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube is safe in pediatric patients. The effects of the procedure are durable during long term follow-up. Diagnosing obstructive dysfunction remains challenging. There is no single test or questionnaire for diagnosing the condition; instead a series of appropriate tests should be used. The pediatric Eustachian tube is very responsive to the effects of balloon dilation. While the treatment is effective, overtreatment can have unwanted results such as patulous symptoms. Reducing the time of dilation should therefore be considered., Summary: Otolaryngologists performing the procedure should be familiar with the effects of balloon dilation on the pediatric Eustachian tube and consider altering the duration of dilation accordingly. Further studies are needed especially regarding patient selection, optimal age for dilation and balloon parameters for pediatrics (e.g. dimensions, inflation duration, inflation pressure)., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Acquired choanal atresia is a rare complication of pharyngeal surgical interventions. Here, we report the case of a 72-year-old woman who was treated in our institution for acquired choanal atresia after failed previous treatments. We have excised the obstructing fibrotic scar tissue and then reconstructed the area using a mucosal local flap and free radial forearm flap transfer. Choanal stenosis caused by abnormal granulation was identified in the months after surgery; however, this was treated with endoscopic dilatation and steroid injections in the outpatient setting. No restenosis was identified 1 year after the operation. Postoperative evaluation of speech was satisfactory. Free flap transfer could be an option for refractory choanal atresia, and endoscopic dilatation with local steroid injections may be an effective method to treat postoperative restenosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) is an autoimmune condition causing inflammation of small blood vessels. It is a rare disorder that may affect various parts of the body. The diagnosis is often based on clinical examination, laboratory investigations and tissue biopsy. In about 10-20% of patients, the anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) can be negative, and histology maybe inconclusive, which can lead to diagnostic uncertainty. Failure to treat vasculitis can lead to morbidity and even mortality. We present a case report of a gentleman who was presented with an airway emergency with inflammation of the nasal cavity and subglottic involvement amounting to airway stenosis. His ANCA was negative and tissue biopsy from the subglottis was inconclusive. He underwent urgent dilatation of his airway, local therapies to the nose and was commenced on 10 cycles of cyclophosphamide. A follow-up of over 4 years has not shown any relapse of his disease clinically or biochemically. We discuss the clinical findings, diagnostic dilemma and multidisciplinary management of this life-threatening condition., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

This study aims to clarify the pathogenic mechanism of interstitial cystitis (IC), which has led to uncertainty in its diagnosis and treatment. We examined data from 18 interstitial cystitis with Hunner lesions (HIC) and 18 interstitial cystitis without Hunner lesions (NHIC) patients, including their clinical information, urodynamic test results, and maximum bladder capacity. A 1-year follow-up tracked disease progression. Postoperative recovery showed that HIC patients experienced significantly greater improvements in Visual Analog Scale pain scores compared to NHIC patients (P = .0049). This trend continued at the 6-month mark (P = .0056). Over the 1-year follow-up, NHIC patients exhibited a statistically significant improvement in Pain and Urgency/Frequency scores, while HIC patients had a gradual overall score increase from preoperative to postoperative stages. However, no significant differences were observed in either group at 1 year postoperatively compared to preoperative scores. This study revealed distinct differences between HIC and NHIC patients, including reduced bladder volumes and more severe nociceptive pain in HIC patients. Early analgesic interventions effectively alleviated discomfort in HIC patients. The combination of cystoscopic hydrodistention and water dilatation was highly effective in relieving pain symptoms in HIC patients but increased the risk of recurrence, necessitating recurrent bladder infusion and timely therapeutic adjustments. In contradiction to prior paradigms, the surgical intervention of cystoscopic water hydrodistention also yielded favorable outcomes among NHIC patients., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: To investigate the effect of dilating small blood vessels using a balloon dilation (BD) technique on the occurrence of radio-cephalic autogenous arteriovenous fistulas in terms of patency, blood flow, and vein diameter (VD)., Methods: The subjects included in this study were all patients with chronic renal failure and required radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula surgery for the first time and had not received dialysis before. Patients with VDs <2 mm were included as study subjects. They were either assigned treatment using a BD group or a control group that received hydrostatic dilation. The differences between the 2 groups were analyzed in terms of patency, blood flow, and VD., Results: A total of 22 patients were enrolled in the balloon dilatation group and 20 patients in the control group. The diameters of cephalic veins (mm) of the experimental and control group were compared at various time points: immediately postoperation, 2.89 ± 0.42 versus 1.99 ± 0.28 (P < .001); 1 week later, 3.16 ± 0.59 versus 2.66 ± 0.60 (P = .022); 1 month later, 3.76 ± 0.91 versus 3.18 ± 0.83 (P = .087); and 2 months later, 4.08 ± 1.15 versus 3.38 ± 1.13 (P = .169). Brachial artery flows (mL/min) of the 2 groups at various time points were given as follows: immediately postoperation, 413.49 ± 145.09 versus 235.61 ± 87.77 (P < .001); 1 week later, 563.26 ± 206.83 versus 331.30 ± 126.78 (P < .001); 1 month later, 679.34 ± 218.56 versus 376.79 ± 156.25 (P < .001); and 2 months later, 736.31 ± 202.61 versus 394.60 ± 161.96 (P < .001). The primary patency at 1 year for the experimental group was 61.9% compared to 11.1% for the control group (P = .045). Similarly, the secondary patency rates at 1 year were 90.5% for the experimental group and 55.6% for the control group (P = .030). The results showed that the functional primary patency rate within 1 year was 57.1% versus 16.7% (P = .032), and the functional secondary patency rate within 1 year was 85.7% versus 50.0% (P = .038)., Conclusion Subsections: BD has obvious advantages over hydrostatic dilation for chronic renal failure patients with small veins in establishing arteriovenous fistula in terms of patency and blood flow., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: In the last 3 decades, laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has represented the treatment of choice for esophageal achalasia, solving symptoms in most patients. Little is known about the fate of patients relapsing after LHM or their treatment. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the results of complementary pneumatic dilations (CPDs) after ineffective LHM., Methods: We evaluated the patients who underwent LHM with Dor fundoplication (LHD) from 1992 to 2022 and were submitted to CPD for persistent or recurrent symptoms. The patients were followed clinically and with manometry, barium swallow, and endoscopy when necessary. An Eckardt score (ES) of > 3 was used as threshold for failure., Results: Of 1420 patients undergoing LHD, 120 (8.4%) were considered failures and were offered CPD. Ten patients refused further treatment; in 5 CPD was not indicated for severe esophagitis; 1 patient had surgery for a misshaped fundoplication and 1 patient developed cancer 2 years after LHD; that leaves 103 patients who underwent a median 2 CPDs (IQR, 1-3), at a median of 15 (IQR, 8-36) months after surgery, with 3.0- to 4.0-cm Rigiflex dilator (Boston Scientific, Massachusetts, USA). No perforations were recorded. Only 6 patients were lost to follow-up. Thus, 97 were followed for a median of 37 months (IQR, 6-112) after the last CPD: 70 (72%) were asymptomatic, whereas 27 (28%) had significant persistent dysphagia (ES > 3). The only differences between the 2 groups were the ES after surgery (P < .01) and the number of required CPD. Overall, the combination of LHD + CPD provided a satisfactory outcome in 96.5% of the patients., Conclusion: CPDs represent an effective and safe option to treat patients after a failed LHD: when the postsurgery ES consistently remains high and the number of CPDs required to control symptoms exceeds 2, this may suggest the need for further invasive treatments., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Benign choledochojejunal anastomotic stricture (CJS) is a complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy and choledochojejunostomy. Typically managed with endoscopic balloon dilatation, CJS has a high recurrence rate. Covered metallic stent (CMS) placement is a potential alternative; however, a comprehensive evaluation is lacking., Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of CMS placement in patients with CJS., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent balloon dilation via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using a double-balloon endoscope for CJS between October 2010 and October 2023. The study outcomes included technical and clinical success rates, adverse event rates, choledochojejunal anastomotic stricture recurrence rates, and time to recurrence for balloon dilation and CMS treatment for CJS., Results: There were 43 patients, 55 procedures (40 balloon dilation and 15 CMS placement). The technical and clinical success rates were 100% for both treatments. Recurrence of CJS was observed in 35% (14/40) of the patients in the balloon dilation group. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in the balloon dilation group than in the CMS group (35% vs. 0%, p = 0.006). The time to CJS recurrence was significantly shorter in the balloon dilation group than in the covered metallic stent group (NR vs. NR, p = 0.03)., Conclusion: Placement of CMS for treating patients with CJS was demonstrated to be an effective and safe method with a lower recurrence rate than balloon dilation., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Individual implementation rate of bronchoscopy-guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) varies among intensivists. Simulation training (ST) can increase the safety of medical procedures by reducing stress levels of the performing team. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of ST in PDT regarding procedural time, quality of performance, and percepted feelings of safety of the proceduralist and to compare conventional simulators (CSIM) with simulators generated from 3D printers (3DSIM). Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center, randomized, blinded cross-over study comparing the benefit of CSIM versus 3DSIM for ST of PDT. Participants underwent a standardized theoretical training and were randomized to ST with CSIM (group A) or 3DSIM (group B). After ST, participants' performance was assessed by two blinded examiners on a porcine trachea regarding time required for successful completion of PDT and correct performance (assessed by a performance score). Percepted feelings of safety were assessed before and after ST. This was followed by a second training and second assessment of the same aspects with crossed groups. Results: 44 participants were included: 24 initially trained with CSIM (group A) and 20 with 3DSIM (group B). Correctness of the PDT performance increased significantly in group B (p < .01) and not significantly in group A (p = .14). Mean procedural time required for performing a PDT after their second ST compared to the first assessment (p < .01) was lower with no difference between group A and group B and irrespective of the participants' previous experience regarding PDT, age, and sex. Moreover, percepted feelings of safety increased after the first ST in both groups (p < .001). Conclusions: ST can improve procedural skills, procedural time, and percepted feelings of safety of the proceduralist in simulated PDT., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Introduction and Hypothesis: The objective was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an intrapartum electromechanical pelvic floor dilator designed to reduce the risk of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion during vaginal delivery., Methods: A multicenter, randomized controlled trial enrolled nulliparous participants planning vaginal delivery. During the first stage of labor, participants were randomized to receive the intravaginal device or standard-of-care labor management. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the presence of full LAM avulsion on transperineal pelvic-floor ultrasound at 3 months. Three urogynecologists performed blinded interpretation of ultrasound images. The primary safety endpoint was adverse events (AEs) through 3 months., Results: A total of 214 women were randomized to Device (n = 113) or Control (n = 101) arms. Of 113 Device assignees, 82 had a device placed, of whom 68 delivered vaginally. Of 101 Control participants, 85 delivered vaginally. At 3 months, 110 participants, 46 Device subjects who received full device treatment, and 64 Controls underwent ultrasound for the per-protocol analysis. No full LAM avulsions (0.0%) occurred in the Device group versus 7 out of 64 (10.9%) in the Control group (p = 0.040; two-tailed Fisher's test). A single maternal serious AE (laceration) was device related; no neonate serious AEs were device related., Conclusions: The pelvic floor dilator device significantly reduced the incidence of complete LAM avulsion in nulliparous individuals undergoing first vaginal childbirth. The dilator demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and was well received by recipients. Use of the intrapartum electromechanical pelvic floor dilator in laboring nulliparous individuals may reduce the rate of LAM avulsion, an injury associated with serious sequelae including pelvic organ prolapse., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the recommended treatment for renal calculi. The tract dilatation method has a significant effect on the surgical outcome. One- Shot Dilatation (OSD) involves dilatation using the dilator and Amplatz of desired size, while Serial Dilatation (SD) involves increasing the dilator size progressively upto the desired size. Aim: To compare the success and complication rates of SD techniques and OSD technique using Amplatz dilators. Materials and Methods: This was a randomised control study, conducted in a tertiary care centre of Bharati Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India, from March 2020 to December 2021. A non probability sampling technique was followed and hundred consecutive patients of renal calculus were included in the study. The patients were then randomly allocated using random number table to undergo PCNL via a One shot Dilatation (OSD- group I) or Serial Dilatation (SD-group II) of access tract. After the initial work-up, the patients underwent PCNL, tract dilated as per the group enrolled. The two groups were then compared for patient demographics, stone characteristics (size, number, location), dilatation type, access time, tract size, access quality, bleeding at entry, operative time, radiation time, postoperative analgesic requirement, tube or tubeless procedure, time for removal of the nephrostomy tube and double ‘J’ stent placement. The statistical inference was obtained by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Kruskall-Wallis t-test, Fisher’s-exact test or Chi-square test. Significance was said when p-value

Objective: To explore how women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome experience dilation or surgical vaginal lengthening treatment, and their current sexual well-being., Design: A qualitative interview study., Setting: Denmark., Population: Women aged ≥25 years diagnosed with MRKH syndrome., Methods: Semi-structured video interviews were conducted with 18 women. Interviews lasted a median of 92 min and were digitally recorded, transcribed and anonymised. Data were analysed using thematic analysis., Main Outcome Measures: A qualitative analysis of women's experiences., Results: The analysis identified three themes. Firstly, Experiences with dilation treatment revealed dilation as an awkward routine, especially for adolescents living with parents and yet to sexually debut. While some experienced successful vaginal lengthening, others faced treatment failure leading to frustration and self-blame. Secondly, Experiences with neovaginal surgery described the procedure as extremely painful but resulting in a 'normal size' vagina. Some women felt that the procedure had negatively impacted their self-confidence, and all underscored the importance of maturity before opting for surgery. Lastly, Current sex life and sexual well-being indicated a well-functioning sex life for many women, but with reported low sexual confidence and genital self-image due to the perceived 'deviance' of their genitalia., Conclusions: For women with MRKH syndrome, vaginal lengthening treatment, whether through dilation or surgery, may result in a 'normal size' vagina. However, according to the women's experiences, vaginal lengthening treatment does not adequately foster positive sexual esteem and genital self-image., (© 2024 The Author(s). BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disease in ear, nose, and throat clinics characterized by aural fullness and hearing loss and mainly caused by eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Tympanostomy tube insertion (TTI) is a conventional surgical treatment option that can alleviate symptoms but does not provide a definitive cure, and it is prone to recurrence. Balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty (BDET) has become a novel procedure for the treatment of ETD, demonstrating significant potential in addressing the aforementioned limitations. However, it is not widely available in the clinic and few high-quality randomized clinical trials was conducted to investigate its long-term efficacy and security in OME. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to verify the efficacy of BDET combined with TTI for patients with OME and its prospects for providing a definitive cure., Methods and Analysis: This is a prospective, parallel-group, single-blind, randomized controlled prospective trial. Totally 124 patients with OME will be randomized into either group A or B. Group A will receive conventional therapy (TTI) while group B will use BDET therapy in addition to TTI. Outcome assessments will take place at baseline and at the 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 24th months after surgery. The primary outcome is eustachian tube function, which will be measured by the eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire (ETDQ-7) and eustachian tube score (ETS). The secondary outcomes include middle ear function, hearing situation, and quality of life, which will be measured by acoustic impedance measurement, pure-tone audiometry, and Chinese-version Chronic Ear Survey (CCES). The main analysis of change in the outcomes will use mixed-model with repeated measures (MMRM) analyses of variance (ANOVAs)., Discussion: This is the first prospective trial in Chinese populations that aims to validate the long-term efficacy and safety of BDET-combined TTI therapy in patients with OME. This parallel-group, single-blind, randomized controlled trial may provide an opportunity to decrease the recurrence rate of OME and explore a definitive cure for patients with OME. This trial's rigorous design enhances the reliability of the findings, ensuring a robust answer to the research question. In the future, the research team will further expand upon the clinical evidence and applications of the BDET combined therapy., Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400079632. Registered on 8 January 2024, https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=214452 ., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: This study aimed to investigate the utility of intensive triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections after extensive esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)., Methods: This retrospective study included 27 lesions in 27 consecutive patients who underwent ESD (ulcers encompassing ≥3/4 of the esophageal circumference) and received TA injections without oral steroid administration. Groups A and B included patients undergoing ESD with and without complete circumferential resection, respectively. All patients received TA injections (100 mg/session) immediately after ESD. In Group A, weekly based TA injections were performed until near-complete ulcer epithelialization. In Group B, patients did not receive additional injections or received weekly or biweekly TA injections. The primary outcome was stricture rate, and the secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients requiring endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) and the number of TA injections., Results: Group A included 7 lesions, and Group B included 20 lesions. The median (range) tumor lengths were 40 (30-90) and 45 (30-110) mm in Groups A and B, respectively. In Group A, the median circumferential resection diameter was 40 (20-80) mm. The stricture rate and the proportion of patients requiring EBD were 0 (0%) in Group A and 1 (5.0%) in Group B. The number of TA injection sessions was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (8 [5-25] vs 1.5 [1-3]; p  < 0.001)., Conclusions: Intensive weekly or biweekly based TA injections might aid in preventing post-ESD stricture and the need for EBD in patients undergoing extensive resection involving the entire esophageal circumference.

Background: Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is a safe and effective treatment for Crohn's disease (CD)-associated strictures. However, serial EBDs have rarely been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of serial EBDs for treating CD-associated duodenal strictures compared with intermittent EBDs., Methods: Patients with CD-associated duodenal strictures who underwent EBD were recruited. The clinical data, stricture characteristics, number of EBDs, dilation diameter, complications, surgical interventions, and follow-up periods were recorded. Patients were divided into a serial dilation group and an intermittent dilation group to analyze the differences in safety and efficacy., Results: Forty-five patients with duodenal CD-associated strictures underwent a total of 139 dilations. A total of 23 patients in the serial dilation group underwent 72 dilations, for a median of 3 (range 3 ~ 4) dilations per patient, and 22 patients in the intermittent dilation group underwent 67 dilations, for a median of 3 (range 1 ~ 6) dilations per patient. Technical success was achieved in 97.84% (136/139) of the patients. During the follow-up period, three patients in the intermittent dilation group underwent surgery, and the total clinical efficacy was 93.33% (42/45). No difference in safety or short-term efficacy was noted between the two groups, but serial EBDs exhibited significantly greater clinical efficacy between 6 months and 2 years. No significant difference in recurrence-free survival was observed, but the median longest recurrence-free survival and recurrence-free survival after the last EBD in the serial dilation group were 693 days (range 298 ~ 1381) and 815 days (range 502 ~ 1235), respectively, which were significantly longer than the 415 days (range 35 ~ 1493) and 291 days (range 34 ~ 1493) in the intermittent dilation group (p = 0.013 and p = 0.000, respectively). At the last follow-up, the mean diameter of the duodenal lumen was 1.17 ± 0.07 cm in the serial dilation group, which was greater than the 1.11 ± 0.10 cm in the intermittent dilation group (p = 0.018). We also found that the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease was associated with an increased risk of surgical intervention (HR 2.377, 95% CI 1.125-5.020; p = 0.023) and recurrence at 6 months after the last EBD (HR 0.698, 95% CI 0.511-0.953; p = 0.024), as assessed by univariate analysis., Conclusions: Compared to the intermittent EBDs, serial EBDs for duodenal CD-associated strictures exhibit greater clinical efficacy within two years and could delay stricture recurrence. We suggest that serial EBDs can be a novel option for endoscopic treatment of duodenal CD-associated strictures., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

A 6-year-old girl previously diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis was admitted to our hospital with gallstones and cholangitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed, and fluoroscopy revealed a dilated common bile duct (CBD) without evident stones, possibly due to spontaneous excretion through the papilla of Vater. A 7-French plastic stent was inserted into the CBD. After the procedure, a marked increase in pancreatic enzyme levels was observed, and she was diagnosed with post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Stent placement could have been a cause of pancreatitis; therefore, we removed the stent. Subsequently, recovery from pancreatitis was confirmed, although she suddenly complained of abdominal pain and was diagnosed with choledocholithiasis recurrence. ERCP was repeated, and fluoroscopy revealed a dilated CBD with a stone. A minimal endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) was performed to reduce the risk of PEP, and a biliary dilation balloon placed across the papilla was gradually inflated until the waist of the balloon disappeared. Stones were extracted using a retrieval balloon catheter. The abdominal pain resolved immediately, and the patient recovered without developing PEP. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a pediatric patient treated with minimal EST followed by papillary balloon dilation for choledocholithiasis., (© 2024. Japanese Society of Gastroenterology.)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Achalasia has several treatment modalities. We aim to compare the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) with those of pneumatic dilatation (PD) in adult patients suffering from achalasia., Methods: We searched Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Embase for related clinical trials about patients suffering from achalasia. The quality appraisal and assessment of risk of bias were conducted with GRADE and Cochrane's risk of bias tool, respectively. Homogeneous and heterogeneous data was analyzed under fixed and random-effects models, respectively., Results: The pooled analysis of 10 studies showed that PD was associated with a higher rate of remission at three months, one year, three years and five years (RR = 1.25 [1.09, 1.42] (p = 0.001); RR = 1.13 [1.05, 1.20] (p = 0.0004); RR = 1.48 [1.19, 1.82] (p = 0.0003); RR = 1.49 [1.18, 1.89] (p = 0.001)), respectively. LHM was associated with lower number of cases suffering from adverse events, dysphagia and relapses (RR = 0.50 [0.25, 0.98] (p = 0.04); RR = 0.33 [0.16, 0.71] (p = 0.004); RR = 0.38 [0.15, 0.97] (p = 0.04)), respectively. There is no significant difference between both groups regarding the lower esophageal pressure, perforations, remission rate at two years, Eckardt score after one year and reflux., Conclusion: PD had higher remission rates than LHM at three months, one year and three years, but not at two years or five years. More research is needed to determine whether PD has a significant advantage over LHM in terms of long-term remission rates., (© 2024. Indian Society of Gastroenterology.)

Purpose: High-pressure balloon dilatation (HPBD) of the ureterovesical junction with double-J stenting is a minimally invasive alternative to ureteral reimplantation or cutaneous ureterostomy for first-line surgical treatment of primary obstructive megaureter (POM). The aim of our study was to identify the risk factors associated with the need for secondary procedures due to HPBD failure., Methods: Prospective data were collected from patients who underwent HPBD for POM between 2007 and 2021 at a single institution. The collected data included patient demographics, diagnostic modalities, surgical details, results, and follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed., Results: Fifty-five ureters underwent HPBD for POM in 50 children, with a median age of 6.4 months (IQR: 4.5-13.8). Nineteen patients (37.25%) underwent secondary ureteric reimplantation, with a median of 9.8 months after primary HBPD (95% CI 6.2-9.9). The median follow-up was 29.4 months (IQR: 17.4-71). Independent risk factors for redo-surgery in a multivariate logistic regression model were: progressive ureterohydronephrosis (OR = 7.8; 95% CI 0.77-78.6) and early removal of the double-J stent. A risk reduction of 7% (95% CI 2.2%-11.4%) was observed per extra-day of catheter maintenance. The optimal cut-off point is 55 days, ROC curve area: 0.77 (95% CI 0.62-0.92). Gender, distal ureteral diameter, pelvis diameter, dilatation balloon diameter and preoperative differential renal function did not affect the need for reimplantation., Conclusions: The use of a double-J stent for at least 55 days seems to avoid the need for a secondary procedure. Therefore, we recommend removing the double-J catheter at least 2 months after the HBPD., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated patients with severe stroke can be performed surgically or dilationally. Prospective data comparing both methods in patients with stroke are scarce. The randomized Stroke-Related Early Tracheostomy vs Prolonged Orotracheal Intubation in Neurocritical Care Trial2 (SETPOINT2) assigned 382 mechanically ventilated patients with stroke to early tracheostomy versus extubation or standard tracheostomy. Surgical tracheostomy (ST) was performed in 41 of 307 SETPOINT2 patients, and the majority received dilational tracheostomy (DT). We aimed to compare ST and DT in these patients with patients., Methods: All SETPOINT2 patients with ST were compared with a control group of patients with stroke undergoing DT (1:2), selected by propensity score matching that included the factors stroke type, SETPOINT2 randomization group, Stroke Early Tracheostomy score, patient age, and premorbid functional status. Successful decannulation was the primary outcome, and secondary outcome parameters included functional outcome at 6 months and adverse events attributable to tracheostomy. Potential predictors of decannulation were evaluated by regression analysis., Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable in the two groups of patients with stroke undergoing ST (n = 41) and matched patients with stroke undergoing DT (n = 82). Tracheostomy was performed significantly later in the ST group than in the DT group (median 9 [interquartile range {IQR} 5-12] vs. 9 [IQR 4-11] days after intubation, p = 0.025). Patients with ST were mechanically ventilated longer (median 19 [IQR 17-24] vs.14 [IQR 11-19] days, p = 0.008) and stayed in the intensive care unit longer (median 23 [IQR 16-27] vs. 17 [IQR 13-24] days, p = 0.047), compared with patients with DT. The intrahospital infection rate was significantly higher in the ST group compared to the DT group (14.6% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.002). At 6 months, decannulation rates (56% vs. 61%), functional outcomes, and mortality were not different. However, decannulation was performed later in the ST group compared to the DT group (median 81 [IQR 66-149] vs. 58 [IQR 32-77] days, p = 0.004). Higher baseline Stroke Early Tracheostomy score negatively predicted decannulation., Conclusions: In ventilated patients with severe stroke in need of tracheostomy, surgical and dilational methods are associated with comparable decannulation rate and functional outcome at 6 months. However, ST was associated with longer time to decannulation and higher rates of early infections, supporting the dilational approach to tracheostomy in ventilated patients with stroke., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Congenital anorectal stenosis is managed by dilations or operative repair. Recent studies now propose use of dilations as the primary treatment modality to potentially defer or eliminate the need for surgical repair. We aim to characterize the management and outcomes of these patients via a multi-institutional review using the Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium (PCPLC) registry., Methods: A retrospective database review was performed using the PCPLC registry. The patients were evaluated for demographics, co-morbidities, diagnostic work-up, surgical intervention, current bowel management, and complications., Results: 64 patients with anal or rectal stenosis were identified (57 anal, 7 rectal) from a total of 14 hospital centers. 59.6% (anal) and 42.9% (rectal) were male. The median age was 3.2 (anal) and 1.9 years (rectal). 11 patients with anal stenosis also had Currarino Syndrome with 10 of the 11 patients diagnosed with a presacral mass compared to only one rectal stenosis with Currarino Syndrome and a presacral mass. 13 patients (22.8%, anal) and one (14.3%, rectal) underwent surgical correction. Nine patients (8 anal, 1 rectal) underwent PSARP. Other procedures performed were cutback anoplasty and anterior anorectoplasty. The median age at repair was 8.4 months (anal) and 10 days old (rectal). One patient had a wound complication in the anal stenosis group. Bowel management at last visit showed little differences between groups or treatment approach., Conclusion: The PCPLC registry demonstrated that these patients can often be managed successfully with dilations alone. PSARP is the most common surgical repair chosen for those who undergo surgical repair., Level of Evidence: III., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest Many authors are members of this consortium but have no financial or further competing interests in the outcomes of the study. All other authors have nothing to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to systematically identify all relevant published articles on the use of primary endoscopic balloon dilation for the management of pediatric patients with subglottic stenosis, critically assess the technique's success, and determine which patients are the best candidates for the procedure., Methodology: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis that aimed to investigate the use and success rate of EBD for treating pediatric SGS. An electronic systematic literature search of three major databases, PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science&MEDLINE through Clarivate, was conducted to include the eligible articles., Results: A total of 14 unique studies were included in the final analysis, with 473 cases of pediatric SGS. The pooled success rate of EBD in treatment of pediatric SGS was 76% (k = 14 studies, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.65-0.86, P < 0.001, Q test for heterogeneity = 0.03, P < .001, I 2  = 91%)., Conclusions: We reported a high success rate of EBD in treating pediatric SGS. The reported complications were uncommon, although they can be serious and life threatening. The intensity of SGS may be related to the likelihood of therapy failure., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of PTPBD for CBD stones in the elderly population., Methods: Patients aged 60 years or older, who underwent PTPBD or ERCP for CBD stones between January 2021 and December 2023, were included in this study and divided into either the PTPBD group or the ERCP group based on the procedure they underwent. Baseline characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS 25.0., Results: A total of 145 cases were enrolled in the study. In terms of intraoperative complications, one patient in the ERCP group experienced hemorrhaging, while one patient in the PTPBD group experienced acute pain. However, neither of these patients were in a serious condition and only required observation. Stone removal procedures were successfully conducted in approximately 95% of cases in both the PTPBD and ERCP groups (95.8 and 94.8%, respectively; P > 0.999). ERCP failures were observed in one patient with a previous Billroth II anastomosis and two patients with unconventional anatomy of the esophagus and stomach. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative complications between the PTPBD group and the ERCP group (P > 0.05). The length of hospital stays did not differ between the PTPBD group and the ERCP group (P = 0.537 > 0.05)., Conclusion: PTPBD can be used in patients who have complicated anatomical issues that make the ERCP procedure difficult. In comparison, PTPBD is a similarly safe, effective, and minimally invasive technique for extracting CBD stones in elderly patients., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background and Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has shown good efficacy and safety in eradicating flat-type early esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN). However, post-RFA stricture is still a major concern, especially when treating ultralong-segment ESCNs. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral prednisolone to prevent post-RFA stricture., Methods: We prospectively enrolled 48 patients treated with balloon-type RFA who had Lugol-unstained or mosaic-like flat-type ESCNs with an expected treatment area of >10 cm. Oral prednisolone was started at a dose of 30 mg/day on the third day after RFA and continued for 4 weeks. The results were compared with an historical control group of 25 patients who received RFA without oral steroids. The primary endpoint was the frequency of post-RFA stricture. Secondary endpoints were the number of balloon dilation sessions and adverse event rate., Results: No significant differences were found in the worst pathology grade at baseline and length of unstained lesions between the 2 groups. The complete response rates after 1 session of RFA were 73% and 72%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the oral prednisolone group had a significantly lower stricture rate (4% [2/48 patients] vs 44% [11/25 patients]; P < .0001) and a lower number of balloon dilation sessions (median, 0 [range, 0-4] vs 6 [range, 0-10]). Two cases of asymptomatic candida esophagitis occurred in the study group, but no severe adverse effects., Conclusions: Oral prednisolone may offer a useful and safe preventive option for post-RFA stricture in ultralong ESCNs. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT05768282.)., Competing Interests: Disclosure All authors disclosed no financial relationships. Research support for this study was provided to Wen-Lun Wang, Ching-Tai Lee, Ying-Nan Tsai, and Ming-Hung Hsu by grants from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW111-TDU-B-221-114006), the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST-110-2314-B-650-003), and E-Da Hospital (EDAHP110008, EDPJ105060, EDPJ106069, EDAHS111016, EDAHS111018, and EDAHS111019)., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients with benign esophageal strictures may not maintain a response to endoscopic dilation, stenting, incisional or injectional therapies. For patients with these refractory esophageal strictures, esophageal self-dilation therapy (ESDT), performed to maintain luminal patency, may provide persistent symptomatic benefit while reducing patients' reliance on healthcare services and the risk associated with repeated endoscopic procedures., Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EDST in a randomized controlled trial and prospective observational study., Methods: Twenty-five patients with refractory benign esophageal strictures were recruited at two esophageal clinics between November 2018 and June 2021. Twelve patients participated in the randomized trial and 13 in the prospective observational study. The number of endoscopic dilations, impact of therapy on dysphagia, adverse events, and complications were recorded., Results: In the randomized study, 50% of patients performing ESDT and 100% of controls required endoscopic dilation during follow-up (P = 0.02). In the observational study, the median (IQR) number of endoscopic dilations fell from 7 [7-10] in the 6 months prior to commencing ESDT to 1 [0-2] in the 6 months after (P < 0.0001). Most patients (22/25) were able to learn self-dilation. Few serious adverse events were noted. Dysphagia severity remained unchanged or improved., Conclusions: ESDT appears to be a safe effective therapy for benign esophageal strictures refractory to endoscopic treatment., Clinical Trial Number: NCT03738566., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Esophageal manometry is utilized for the evaluation and classification of esophageal motility disorders. EndoFlip has been introduced as an adjunctive test to evaluate esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility. Treatment options for achalasia and EGJ outflow obstruction (EGJOO) include pneumatic dilation, myotomy, and botulinum toxin. Recently, a therapeutic 30 mm hydrostatic balloon dilator (EsoFLIP, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) has been introduced, which uses impedance planimetry technology like EndoFlip. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EsoFLIP in the management of esophageal motility disorders. A systematic literature search was performed with Medline, Embase, Web of science, and Cochrane library databases from inception to November 2022 to identify studies utilizing EsoFLIP for management of esophageal motility disorders. Our primary outcome was clinical success, and secondary outcomes were adverse events. Eight observational studies including 222 patients met inclusion criteria. Diagnoses included achalasia (158), EGJOO (48), post-reflux surgery dysphagia (8), and achalasia-like disorder (8). All studies used 30 mm maximum balloon dilation except one which used 25 mm. The clinical success rate was 68.7%. Follow-up duration ranged from 1 week to a mean of 5.7 months. Perforation or tear occurred in four patients. EsoFLIP is a new therapeutic option for the management of achalasia and EGJOO and appears to be effective and safe. Future comparative studies with other therapeutic modalities are needed to understand its role in the management of esophageal motility disorders., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objectives: To report the sexual functional outcomes of vaginal dilation therapy in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome patients. Methods: From March 2020 to February 2023, 97 MRKH syndrome patients performed vaginal dilation therapy with guidance from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and 45 of them engaged in penetrative intercourse and were included in this prospective cohort study. The Chinese version of female sexual function index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function. Functional success was defined as FSFI>23.45. Forty age-matched healthy women were selected as controls. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the median time to success. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between neovagina length and sexual function. Complications were collected using follow-up questionnaires. Results: The functional success rate of vaginal dilation therapy was 89% (40/45) with a median time to success of 4.3 months (95% CI : 3.0-6.1 months). Compared to controls, MRKH syndrome patients had significantly lower scores in the orgasm domain (4.72±1.01 vs 4.09±1.20; P =0.013) and pain domain (5.03±0.96 vs 4.26±0.83; P <0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the FSFI total score (26.77±2.70 vs 26.70±2.33; P =0.912), arousal domain (4.43±0.77 vs 4.56±0.63; P =0.422) and satisfaction domain (4.88±0.98 vs 4.65±0.86; P =0.269) between MRKH syndrome patients and controls. MRKH syndrome patients had significantly higher scores in the desire domain (3.33±0.85 vs 3.95±0.73; P <0.001) and lubrication domain (4.37±0.56 vs 5.20±0.67; P <0.001). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in MRKH patients was non-inferior to controls: low desire [3% (1/40) vs 23% (9/40); P =0.007], arousal disorder [3% (1/40) vs 3% (1/40); P >0.999], lubrication disorder [5% (2/40) vs 25% (10/40); P =0.012], orgasm disorder [40% (16/40) vs 20% (8/40); P =0.051], sexual pain [30% (12/40) vs 15% (6/40); P =0.108]. Conclusions: MRKH syndrome patients undergoing non-invasive vaginal dilation therapy could achieve satisfactory sexual life. Given its high functional success rate and slight complication, vaginal dilation therapy should be recommended as the first-line option, reducing the need for unnecessary surgeries.

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of intralesional steroid treatment in refractory caustic esophageal stricture., Materials and Methods: An analytical, retrospective study of patients receiving intralesional steroid treatment with triamcinolone acetonide as a result of refractory caustic esophageal stricture was carried out. Demographic variables, stricture characteristics, number of dilations, steroid injections, and dilation score (no. of dilations/follow-up period in months) pre- and post-treatment were collected. Stricture characteristics (diameter and length) and dilation score pre- and post-treatment were compared using the T-Test or Wilcoxon test., Results: N= 5. Median age: 5 years (17 months-7 years). Follow-up: 6.60 ± 2.70 years. Swallowed products included NaOH, KOH, and ClH. Zargar classification at follow-up initiation was IIb (n= 2), IIIa (n= 1), and two chronic strictures. 6.6 ± 9.23 esophageal dilations were carried out before steroid treatment initiation. The mean number of intralesional therapy sessions was 11.20 ± 6.14. Stricture length decreased by 3.60 ± 2.63 cm (t= 3.06; p= 0.019). No differences were found in terms of diameter increase: -1.60 ± 3.58 mm (t= -1.00; p= 0.187). The dilation score diminished from 1.47 ± 0.86 to 0.47 ± 0.18 dilations per month of follow-up (Z= -2.02; p= 0.043)., Conclusions: Even though there is limited evidence available in the pediatric population, intralesional triamcinolone treatment is seemingly useful in the treatment of refractory caustic esophageal stricture, since it reduces length and dilation score.

Background: Lower gastrointestinal tract stenosis is commonly diagnosed and is typically treated with surgery or endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD). Radial incision and cutting (RIC) is a novel treatment approach that has several benefits compared with EBD and surgery. Although RIC has demonstrated a high technical success rate and has been shown to improve subjective symptoms, previous studies revealed that restenosis after RIC remain unsolved. Herein, we report the design of a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, interventional, phase II trial to evaluate the safety of local triamcinolone acetonide (TA) administration and its feasibility in preventing restenosis after RIC for lower gastrointestinal tract stenosis., Methods: The major inclusion criteria are age 20-80 years and the presence of benign stenosis in the lower gastrointestinal tract accessible by colonoscope. We will perform RIC followed by local administration of TA to 20 participants. The primary outcome is the safety of local TA administration, which will be assessed by determining the frequency of adverse events of special interest. The secondary outcomes are the technical success rate of RIC, duration of procedure, improvement in subjective symptoms, and duration of hospitalization. The outcomes, improvement in subjective symptoms, and long-term results will be evaluated using descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, and Kaplan-Meier curve, respectively., Discussion: This explorative study will provide useful information regarding the safety of TA administration after RIC, which may contribute to further investigations.

Perclose ProGlide were created as preferred for puncture site closure of femoral artery. Femoral artery occlusion is one of the serious device-related complications. This report presents a continuous endovascular technique combined with peripheral cutting balloon (PCB) treatment for a case of a 32s woman diagnosed with lower extremity ischaemia caused by right superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusion following the use of the Perclose ProGlide system in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. During the primary operation, limb ischaemia symptoms were relieved with vessel perfusion and reconstruction after regular balloon dilatation. A secondary operation was conducted 6 weeks later, and the obstructive lesions were recanalised without residual stenosis after PCB dilatation. No vessel-related adverse events such as dissection, rupture or distal embolisation occurred during the perioperative period. The patient recovered uneventfully after the operation, with complete alleviation of symptoms. Follow-up computed tomography angiography 3 month post-operatively revealed an undeformed shape and excellent patency of the right SFA., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: To compare the effects of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and transurethral columnar balloon dilatation of the prostate (TUCBDP) in the treatment of BPH., Methods: This study included 218 BPH patients treated in Qinhuangdao Workers' Hospital from July 2021 to November 2022, 109 by TURP and the other 109 by TUCBDP. We followed up the patients for 12 months, observed their postoperative recovery, complications, serum pain, inflammatory index, cytokine level, urodynamic index, symptom improvement and quality of life (QOL) and compared the data obtained between the two groups of patients., Results: At 12 months after surgery, the total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the TUCBDP than in the TURP group (93.58% vs 84.40%, P< 0.05), and the postoperative recovery was better in the former than in the latter (P< 0.05). Compared with the baseline, the levels of serum prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), substance P, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were remarkably increased in both of the groups on the first day after surgery (P< 0.05), more significantly in the TURP than in the TUCBDP group (P< 0.05), while the levels of serum PSA and E2 decreased and the T level elevated in all the patients at 3 months postoperatively (P< 0.05), more significantly in the TUCBDP than in the TURP group (P< 0.05). Before and at 3 and 12 months after operation, the postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) and NIH-CPSI, IPSS and QOL scores showed a decreasing trend, while the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) and maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) exhibited an increasing trend in both of the two groups, even more significantly in the TUCBDP than in the TURP group (P< 0.05)., Conclusion: TUCBDP is advantageous over TURP in promoting postoperative recovery, improving QOL, reducing postoperative pain, inflammation and complications, regulating the levels of serum cytokines, and improving urodynamics and clinical symptoms in BPH patients. However, with the extension of postoperative time, the two strategies are basically comparable in improving the urodynamics, symptoms and QOL of the patients.

Objectives: A small number of Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) patients are treated at institutions across the country. Divergence in operative techniques for endoscopic dilation (ED) of iSGS has been anecdotally recognized but not formally characterized. Additionally, the relationship between procedural variation and clinical outcome has not been studied., Methods: Secondary analysis of the NoAAC iSGS 1000 cohort investigated variation in procedural techniques and treatment outcomes in patients treated with ED across high-enrolling treatment centers (enrolled >10 patients in PR-02 trial)., Results: Thirteen NoAAC centers each enrolled >10 patients treated with ED for a total of 281 subjects. There was significant variation in procedural details and rate of recurrence among institutions. Hierarchal cluster analysis revealed significant heterogeneity among institutions and clusters in all procedural variables. However, analysis demonstrated a transient delay in disease recurrence in cluster 2 which disappeared with longer longitudinal follow-up. Patient-reported outcome and peak expiratory flow data supported the potential benefit of the technical variation in Cluster 2. Distinct to cluster 2, however, was routine use of adjuvant triple medical therapy (proton pump inhibitor (PPI), antibacterial agent, and steroid inhaler)., Conclusions: Both outcome and procedural technique vary among centers employing ED to treat iSGS. A transient delay in recurrence was observed among centers that routinely prescribed adjuvant medical therapy (antibiotic, inhaled corticosteroid, and PPI) to iSGS patients after endoscopic dilation, which was further supported by patient-reported data and peak expiratory flow data. Prospective studies are needed to understand the effects of adjuvant medical therapy on recurrence after endoscopic dilation., Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:3260-3266, 2024., (© 2024 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)