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Background: Endoscopic therapy is considered first line for management of benign biliary strictures (BBSs). Placement of plastic stents has been effective but limited by their short-term patency and need for repeated procedures. Fully covered self-expandable metallic stents (FCSEMSs) offer longer-lasting biliary drainage without the need for frequent exchanges.Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of FCSEMS in patients with BBS.Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent ERCP and FCSEMS placement at five tertiary referral US hospitals was performed. Stricture resolution and adverse events related to ERCP and/or stenting were recorded.Results: A total of 123 patients underwent FCSEMS placement for BBS and 112 underwent a subsequent follow-up ERCP. The mean age was 62 years (±15.6), and 57% were males. Stricture resolution occurred in 81% of patients after a mean of 1.2 stenting procedures (mean stent dwell time 24.4 ± 2.3 weeks), with a mean follow-up of 18.5 months. Stricture recurrence occurred in 5 patients, and 3 patients required surgery for treatment of refractory strictures. Stent migration (9.7%) was the most common complication, followed by stent occlusion (4.9%), cholangitis (4.1%), and pancreatitis (3.3%). There was one case of stent fracture during removal, and one stent could not be removed. There was one death due to cholangitis.Conclusions: Majority of BBS can be successfully managed with 1-2 consecutive FCSEMS with stent dwell time of 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study evaluated patient satisfaction and clinical effectiveness of intracoronal bleach in traumatized anterior discolored intact teeth. Assessment of awareness and knowledge of the patient regarding treatment modalities for such cases was also performed. Material and method Forty-one patients were included in the study. Walking bleach was performed using sodium perborate (tetrahydrate) after root canal treatment and proper cervical seal. Patient was recalled after 1 week for evaluation. The bleaching procedure was repeated again till the patient agreed for it. On each recall visit, shade evaluation was performed using the Vita Classic shade guide. On completion of treatment, the patients were questioned as to their satisfaction level. Statistical analysis was carried out using anova. Results 87.8% of the subjects were highly satisfied with the results obtained; 7.32% were satisfied, while 4.9% were not satisfied. Average number of appointments needed for highly satisfied group was 2.75, and average shade change obtained was 11.97. Significantly more number of appointments were needed for the older patients ( P < 0.01) or patients with older trauma ( P < 0.05)/discoloration ( P < 0.05). Severity of discoloration did not affect the number of appointments ( P > 0.05). Most of the participants (97.6%) were not aware of bleaching procedure. The aspect of this treatment, which satisfied them the most, was improvement of the tooth coloration followed by conservation of tooth structure while the most perplexing thing was the unpredictability of final shade achieved and lack of color stability. Conclusions High level of patient satisfaction after non-vital tooth bleach treatment strongly supports this treatment modality to be a conservative treatment alternative for traumatized discolored anterior tooth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflects on the use of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) for esophageal variceal hemorrhage. They state that traditionally SEMS were used for a variety of malignant and benign esophageal disorders. The authors further claim that while endoscopic band litigation is the treatment of choice for most patients, SEMS appear to be more effective, easier to insert and have lower risks of complications.

Acute gastrointestinal perforations occur either from spontaneous or iatrogenic causes. However, particular attention should be made in acute iatrogenic perforations as timely diagnosis and endoscopic closure prevent morbidity and mortality. With the increasing use of diagnostic endoscopy and advances in therapeutic endoscopy worldwide, the endoscopist must be able to recognize and manage perforations. Depending on the size and location of the defect, a variety of endoscopic clips, stents, and suturing devices are available. This review aims to prepare and guide the endoscopist to use the right tools and techniques for optimal patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: To facilitate access for interventional EUS, flexible (nitinol) 19-G needles have been introduced to permit needle puncture even when the echoendoscope is in an angulated position, such as in the second part of the duodenum. The aims of the study were to evaluate the performance of a flexible 19-G needle during interventional EUS procedures and compare outcomes when the echoendoscope was in the straight versus angulated position.Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of 162 consecutive patients that underwent a variety of interventional EUS procedures with a flexible 19-G needle across five centers. Patients were subdivided into categories (straight or angulated) depending on the echoendoscope position used for obtaining access to the area of interest (Fig. 1). Fig. 1 Flexible 19-G needle design. a The needle is able to exit the sheath despite the rotated position. b The needle beveled needle tip RESULTS: In the entire cohort, needle-specific technical success was achieved in 93.2 %, procedural success in 85.2 %, and overall clinical success in 76.5 % of cases at a mean follow-up of 3.1 months. Needle-specific technical success was similar between the straight and angulated cohorts (94.0 vs. 91.2 %, p = 0.74). Procedural success (86.7 vs. 77.2 %, p = 0.05), and rate of clinical success was similar between the cohorts (83.3 vs. 86.4 %, p = 0.79), respectively. Overall adverse events were noted in 14.2 % of patients with no difference between the straight and angulated cohorts (p = 0.48).Conclusions: This study demonstrates equivalent technical success, clinical success and safety of using a flexible 19-G needle in straight and angulated endoscope positions for interventional EUS. Therefore, a flexible needle may be considered where an angulated echoendoscope position is encountered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EGBD) may be a safe, alternative technique to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients who fail ERCP. However, it is currently unknown how both techniques compare in terms of efficacy, safety, and cost. The aims of this study were to compare efficacy, safety, and cost of EGBD to that of PTBD. Methods: Jaundiced patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction who underwent EGBD or PTBD after failed ERCP were included. Technical success, clinical success, and adverse events between the two groups were compared. Results: A total of 73 patients with failed ERCP subsequently underwent EGBD ( n = 22) or PTBD ( n = 51). Although technical success was higher in the PTBD group (100 vs. 86.4 %, p = 0.007), clinical success was equivalent (92.2 vs. 86.4 %, p = 0.40). PTBD was associated with higher adverse event rate (index procedure: 39.2 vs. 18.2 %; all procedures including reinterventions: 80.4 vs. 15.7 %). Stent patency and survival were equivalent between both groups. Total charges were more than two times higher in the PTBD group ( p = 0.004) mainly due to significantly higher rate of reinterventions (80.4 vs. 15.7 %, p < 0.001). Conclusion: EGBD and PTBD are comparably effective techniques for treatment of distal malignant biliary obstruction after failed ERCP. However, EGBD is associated with decreased adverse events rate and is significantly less costly due to the need for fewer reinterventions. Our results suggest that EGBD should be the technique of choice for treatment of these patients at institutions with experienced interventional endosonographers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]