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The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) has developed performance measures and established a framework for quality assessment for gastrointestinal endoscopy in Europe. Most national societies actively undertake initiatives to implement and explicitly endorse these quality indicators. Given this, the ESGE proposes that, at a national level, strong leadership should exist to disseminate and implement quality parameters. Thus, understanding the potential barriers that may vary locally is of paramount importance. The ESGE suggests that each national society should prioritise quality and standards of care in gastrointestinal endoscopy in their activities and should survey/understand which measures area local priority to their members and make measuring quality intrinsic to daily endoscopy practice., (This article is published simultaneously in the journals Endoscopy and the United European Gastroenterology Journal. Copyright 2020 © European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and © by the United European Gastroenterology.)

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) has developed performance measures and established a framework for quality assessment for gastrointestinal endoscopy in Europe. Most national societies actively undertake initiatives to implement and explicitly endorse these quality indicators. Given this, ESGE proposes that, at a national level, strong leadership should exist to disseminate and implement quality parameters. Thus, understanding the potential barriers that may vary locally is of paramount importance. ESGE suggests that each national society should prioritize quality and standards of care in gastrointestinal endoscopy in their activities and should survey/understand which measures are a local priority to their members and make measuring quality intrinsic to daily endoscopy practice., Competing Interests: R. Bisschops is supported by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and has provided consultancy and received speakerʼs fees and research support from Norgine, Pentax Europe, and Fujifilm (2017 to present). M. Dinis-Ribeiro received research grants from Olympus and Fujifilm (2018 to present). M.F. Kaminski has provided speaking, teaching, and consultancy services to Olympus (2017 to present), and speaking and teaching services to Fujifilm, from whom he also has equipment on loan (2019 to present). C. Spada provided consultancy to Medtronic (2017 – 2020). M. Areia, A. Dignass D. Domagk, P. Fockens, I.M. Gralnek, C. Hassan, W. Khanoussi, H. Messmann, T. Ponchon, M.D. Rutter and A. Veitch declare that they have no conflict of interest., (European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved.)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in infants (younger than 1 year of age) is a highly specialized procedure. Since 2014 opportunities to maintain or purchase duodenoscopes for ERCP in infants have disappeared. In a survey among European hepatology centers (including Israel) we evaluated the availability, need, indications, and practice of ERCP procedures in infants. It shows that infant ERCP is a low-volume procedure (median 5 procedures/year) in the 14 centers that perform this procedure. Since 2014 several centers no longer have an infant ERCP duodenoscope due to breakdown. In addition, substantial differences exist between centers in indications, types of interventions performed, and practical execution of ERCP procedures in infants. We conclude that a concerted effort by the pediatric hepatology community is needed to secure the future availability of infant ERCP. In addition, consensus on the indications and optimal use of infant ERCP could improve the quality of ERCP care for infants.

Background and Aims: High rates of technical and clinical success were reported for lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) placement for peripancreatic fluid collection (PFC) drainage. However, data on the adverse event (AE) rates are heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, severity, management, and risk factors of AEs related to the use of LAMSs for drainage of PFCs in a large cohort of patients., Methods: This is a multicenter, international, retrospective review from 15 centers of all patients who underwent placement of LAMSs for the management of PFCs. A nested case-control study was conducted in patients with (case) or without (control) AEs., Results: Three hundred thirty-three procedures in 328 patients were performed (5 patients treated with 2 LAMSs). Technical success was achieved in 321 patients (97.9%). Three hundred four patients were finally included in the study (7 excluded for lost to follow-up information; 10 excluded for deaths unrelated to LAMSs). The rate of clinical success was 89.5%. Seventy-nine LAMS-related AEs occurred in 74 of 304 patients (24.3%), after a mean time of 25.3 days (median, 18 days; interquartile range, 6-30) classified as 20 (25.3%) mild, 54 (68.4%) moderate, or 5 (6.3%) severe. On multivariable analysis compared with control subjects, cases were more likely to have walled-off necrosis (WON) versus pancreatic pseudocysts (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-4.46; P = .028), whereas cases were less likely to have undergone tract (balloon) dilation (yes vs no; odds ratio, .47; 95% confidence interval, .22-.93; P = .034)., Conclusions: Data from this large international retrospective study confirm that the use of LAMSs for management of PFCs has excellent technical and good clinical success rates. The rate of AEs, however, is not negligible and should be carefully considered before using these stents for drainage of PFCs and in particular for WON. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03544008.)., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Achalasia is a primary motor disorder of the oesophagus characterised by absence of peristalsis and insufficient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation. With new advances and developments in achalasia management, there is an increasing demand for comprehensive evidence-based guidelines to assist clinicians in achalasia patient care., Methods: Guidelines were established by a working group of representatives from United European Gastroenterology, European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology and the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery in accordance with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument. A systematic review of the literature was performed, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Recommendations were voted upon using a nominal group technique., Results: These guidelines focus on the definition of achalasia, treatment aims, diagnostic tests, medical, endoscopic and surgical therapy, management of treatment failure, follow-up and oesophageal cancer risk., Conclusion: These multidisciplinary guidelines provide a comprehensive evidence-based framework with recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of adult achalasia patients.

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and United European Gastroenterology (UEG) have a vision to create a thriving community of endoscopy services across Europe, collaborating with each other to provide high quality, safe, accurate, patient-centered and accessible endoscopic care. Whilst the boundaries of what can be achieved by advanced endoscopy are continually expanding, we believe that one of the most fundamental steps to achieving our goal is to raise the quality of everyday endoscopy. The development of robust, consensus- and evidence-based key performance measures is the first step in this vision.ESGE and UEG have identified quality of endoscopy as a major priority. This paper explains the rationale behind the ESGE Quality Improvement Initiative and describes the processes that were followed. We recommend that all units develop mechanisms for audit and feedback of endoscopist and service performance using the ESGE performance measures that will be published in future issues of this journal over the next year. We urge all endoscopists and endoscopy services to prioritize quality and to ensure that these performance measures are implemented and monitored at a local level, so that we can provide the highest possible care for our patients., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) is dedicated to improving the quality of gastrointestinal endoscopy through educational activities such as live endoscopy events (LEEs). The primary utility of LEEs is the educational value for the audience, and patients should not expect additional benefit from being treated during a LEE compared to a routine setting. Although there is no evidence that LEEs entail additional risks for patients, neither can possible unknown risks be excluded as the evidence available is limited. Therefore, necessary measures should be taken to assure patient safety. Patients must be adequately informed that the standard of care will be assured and that their identity will not be revealed. ESGE recommends that an endoscopist not belonging to the hosting unit is named as patient advocate. Clinical indications for the LEE procedures and the educational outputs must be clear and agreed between host and demonstrator teams. ESGE will ensure that in all ESGE-organized LEEs the indications, procedural descriptions, and adverse events will be registered, and that organizers requesting ESGE endorsement can demonstrate such a registry., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background and Aims: Clarification of the position of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) regarding the interventional options available for treating patients with chronic pancreatitis., Methods: Systematic literature search to answer explicit key questions with levels of evidence serving to determine recommendation grades. The ESGE funded development of the Guideline., Summary of Selected Recommendations: For treating painful uncomplicated chronic pancreatitis, the ESGE recommends extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy/endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as the first-line interventional option. The clinical response should be evaluated at 6 - 8 weeks; if it appears unsatisfactory, the patient's case should be discussed again in a multidisciplinary team. Surgical options should be considered, in particular in patients with a predicted poor outcome following endoscopic therapy (Recommendation grade B). For treating chronic pancreatitis associated with radiopaque stones ≥ 5 mm that obstruct the main pancreatic duct, the ESGE recommends extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy as a first step, combined or not with endoscopic extraction of stone fragments depending on the expertise of the center (Recommendation grade B). For treating chronic pancreatitis associated with a dominant stricture of the main pancreatic duct, the ESGE recommends inserting a single 10-Fr plastic stent, with stent exchange planned within 1 year (Recommendation grade C). In patients with ductal strictures persisting after 12 months of single plastic stenting, the ESGE recommends that available options (e. g., endoscopic placement of multiple pancreatic stents, surgery) be discussed in a multidisciplinary team (Recommendation grade D).For treating uncomplicated chronic pancreatic pseudocysts that are within endoscopic reach, the ESGE recommends endoscopic drainage as a first-line therapy (Recommendation grade A).For treating chronic pancreatitis-related biliary strictures, the choice between endoscopic and surgical therapy should rely on local expertise, patient co-morbidities and expected patient compliance with repeat endoscopic procedures (Recommendation grade D). If endoscopy is elected, the ESGE recommends temporary placement of multiple, side-by-side, plastic biliary stents (Recommendation grade A)., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background and Study Aims: Gastric outlet obstruction can occur as a late complication of a variety of cancers. Palliation of the obstructive symptoms is the primary aim of treatment in these patients. Self-expandable metal stents have emerged as a promising treatment option. The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term (30-day) clinical success and complication rates of a new enteral stent made of nitinol (Boston Scientific WallFlex stent)., Patients and Methods: Between December 2004 and 1 May 2005, 62 patients (35 men, 27 women; mean age 69.9 years) presenting with documented malignancy and symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction underwent endoscopic stenting with the new WallFlex enteral stent at one of the 15 European centers who were the first to have access to this new stent. Data were collected from charts, endoscopy procedure reports, and follow-up clinical visits. The gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) was used to grade the patients' ability to eat., Results: All 62 patients suffered from nausea, vomiting, or inability to eat. A total of 66 enteral stents were placed. The median length of the stenosis was 4 cm. The clinical success rate was 85% on an intention-to-treat basis. An improvement in the GOOSS score of 1 point was considered to be significant (P < 0.001). Oral intake was possible, on average, 1 day after stent placement. The median hospital stay was 6 days. Thirty days' follow-up data were available for 60 patients, 10 of whom developed complications during this period (17%)., Conclusions: In this first European series in which duodenal stenting was performed with the WallFlex enteral stent, the new stent appears to be effective and relatively safe for the palliative treatment of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

The main limitation in the endoscopic palliation of malignant biliary obstruction is due to stent blockage. One of the factors thought to be of importance is the diameter of the endoprosthesis. In this paper, we report the results of a multicenter European study with a one cm diameter self-expanding metal stent (Wallstent) in 103 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Insertion of the stent following guidewire positioning was successful in 97.1% of the patients without any cases of de novo cholangitis developing after the endoscopic procedure. The median follow-up for the entire group was 145 days. In all but 3 patients, the stent expanded to more than 80% of its maximum diameter. Two patients had ongoing cholangitis after stent insertion. Long-term complications manifested by late cholangitis, were seen in 18% of the cases after a median interval of 125 days. The occlusion rate by biliary sludge was 5% after a median time period of 175 days which is substantially less than the 21% occlusion rate reported for polyethylene stents. In conclusion, our results show that the Wallstent can be easily placed in distal and mid-CBD strictures after guidewire passage, with most of the patients having a- good drainage effect. The occlusion rate by biliary sludge is significantly less than for conventional polyethylene stents, but the occlusion by tumor ingrowth is substantial. A disadvantage is the high cost of the Wallstent. Further randomized trials will be required to determine the cost-benefit ratio for the use of this stent.