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[Combined-macro-micro endoscopic technique as the most advantageous endonasal sinus surgery especially for severe sinusitis: theory and surgical technique].

Functional endonasal sinus surgery (FESS) is becoming the procedure of choice for the surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis. The operation has been made possible by the introduction of the endoscope to sinus surgery. The endoscope allows a more detailed observation of ethmoid lesions, and provides direct visual access to the paranasal region which is not visible through the anterior nares. A technique which involves the exclusive use of endoscopy, endoscopic sinus surgery, presents several problems however, especially in cases of polyposis or those with excessive bleeding. For ideal sinus surgery, tools must guarantee the greatest possible safety, ease, and accuracy. None of the currently available tools is independently able to fully satisfy all three of these requirements, not even the endoscope. The anatomical region being operated on determines which of these three requirements is most critical in each phase of the surgery. Ease is most important in the nasal cavity, which has no exceptionally dangerous regions to be operated on. The quickest and simplest operation is most expedient for minimizing blood loss in severe polyposis. To achieve this objective, macroscopic manipulation using a headlamp is most suitable. There is no need to use the endoscope or microscope to remove polyps in the nasal cavity. Because almost all of the risks in sinus surgery are encountered in the ethmoid region, operation in this area demands the safest method. For example if the ethmoid cavity is filled with massive polyps, it is sometimes difficult to endoscopically detect whether orbital fat has broken into the ethmoid. To discriminate between fat and a polypoid lesion or to distinguish dura from mucoperiost during surgery, the microscope is clearly the superior tool. In region where dead angles prevent accurate manipulation, use of the endoscope is essential. To optimize success in sinus surgery using the currently available tools, the author describes a combined macro-micro-endoscopic technique (COMMET) which effectively combines use of the headlamp, the microscope, and the endoscope according to the demands of each anatomical region.

Adolescent↗

[How good is spatial orientation with rigid endoscopic optics? Study of micromanipulation in the nasal cavity].

Rigid endoscopes are used as an alternative to the operating microscope for visual control during paranasal sinus surgery. Since the view through the endoscope is monocular, perception of depth (stereopsis) through the operating microscope must be expected to be superior due to the binocular view afforded. To investigate whether monocular visualization through an endoscope is a disadvantage in paranasal sinus surgery, we compared stereoacuity in a model of the nasal cavity, using a head lamp, an operating microscope and a 0 degree Hopkin's endoscope. Twenty volunteers had to touch defined points in a spatial model of the nasal cavity. Under binocular vision with a head lamp, performance was significantly better than with the microscope or the endoscope. Manipulations were performed with the same speed under microscopic and endoscopic control, although under microscopic guidance more faults in point sequence were made than with the endoscope. Various monocular phenomena seem to allow sufficient spatial orientation through the endoscope, so that monocular visualization does not appear to be a disadvantage for quick and safe manipulations during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Depth Perception↗

[Interventional endoscopic therapy of chronic pancreatitis].

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Complications in chronic pancreatitis, such as duct occlusion due to stenosis or stones can be treated by interventional endoscopic procedures. The benefit of such procedures and the effect on the clinical course is still under debate. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to analyze the effect of endoscopic interventional procedures in more detail with respect to technical and clinical benefit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 patients with chronic pancreatitis (cP) were studied retrospectively. In 58 patients an indication for interventional endoscopic therapy was given (45 +/- 12 yrs; 46 M, 12 F; cP 1 degree: n = 1, cP II degree: n = 8, cP III degree: n = 49). The patients were allocated to three groups: stenosis (n = 18), pancreatic duct stones (n = 18) and stenosis and pancreatic duct stones (n = 20). In two patients no visualization of the main pancreatic duct was performed due to cholestasis that was treated primarily. In total, 295 endoscopic procedures were performed (EPT, duct dilatation, plastic endoprothesis, ESWL, mechanical lithotripsy). Technical success was 95%. All stenoses could be dilated or bridged by plastic stents. Fragmentation of main pancreatic duct stones was achieved in 92%. The overall complication rate of all 319 endoscopies (fever, bleeding, stent dislocation) was 15.8%. Five patients had to undergo surgery, however, not as a direct consequence of complications from or unability of endoscopic procedures. 86% of the patients reported complete pain relief after the endoscopic-interventional procedures and 62% during the follow-up interval (7.4 +/- 6.3 months). 59% of the patients with weight loss and 58% of the patients with initially stable weight experienced a weight gain following endoscopic-interventional therapy. Individual patients showed improvement of endocrine or exocrine pancreatic function. 82% of the patients did not require inhouse treatment or emergency admission to the hospital whereas three admissions on average were recorded prior to endoscopic interventional treatment. Therefore, we conclude that a subset of patients does benefit from endoscopic interventional therapy of complications of chronic pancreatitis. However, a controlled prospective study is still mandatory.

Adolescent↗

A retrospective comparison of open and endoscopic brow-lifts.

OBJECTIVES: To measure and compare surgical brow elevation with open and endoscopic techniques; to compare patients who did and did not undergo an eyelid procedure in the same setting as the brow-lift; and to determine whether a learning curve exists for a successful endoscopic brow-lift procedure. DESIGN: A retrospective review of patients who underwent coronal, trichophytic, and endoscopic brow-lift surgery from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1997 (performed by K.A.L.). We analyzed preoperative and postoperative photographs obtained from 10 to 56 months after surgery while masked to the surgical technique used. Measurements included a horizontal baseline drawn through the midpoint of the right and left medial canthi, and extended laterally across the face; the distance from the baseline to the superior border of the medial eyebrow on the right and left sides; and the distance from the baseline to the highest point of the brow on the right and left sides. A second, nonbiased observer analyzed a random sampling of patient photographs to determine the degree of interobserver variation. SETTING: Private facial plastic and reconstructive surgery practice. All procedures were performed in an ambulatory surgery setting. PARTICIPANTS: We identified 125 patients (average age, 54 years) with greater than 10 months of postoperative photographic documentation. We excluded 41 patients owing to several inconsistencies between their preoperative and postoperative photographs and included 84. These patients were divided into 3 groups: those undergoing coronal, trichophytic, and endoscopic procedures. Of the patients undergoing concomitant eyelid procedures, 12 underwent upper lid blepharoplasties; 15, lower lid blepharoplasties; 16, bilateral upper and lower lid blepharoplasties; 6, periorbital laser resurfacing or chemical peel; 1, canthoplasty; and 1, ptosis repair. The endoscopic brow-lift procedure was not performed in this facial plastic surgery practice until 1995. To determine whether better results were obtained in the later half of the study, when the surgeon had more experience, this group was divided between the 14 patients who underwent the procedure from January 1, 1995, to June 30, 1996, and the 20 who did from July 1, 1996, to December 31,1997. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Comparison of preoperative photographs with postoperative 10- to 32-month follow-up photographs and with final 35- to 56-month follow-up photographs. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant difference in: the distance of the medial brow (P =.89) or highest elevated point of the brow (P =.93) between the coronal, trichophytic, and endoscopic groups; the distance that the medial brow (P =.15) or the highest point of the brow (P =.11) was raised for those patients undergoing concomitant eyelid procedures; and the distance that the medial brow (P =.80) or highest point of the brow (P =.79) was raised between the 2 endoscopic brow-lift groups. Interobserver variation in brow measurements was 0.1 cm or less in more than 90% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Both open and endoscopic brow-lift techniques described herein elevate the entire brow successfully. We found no statistical difference in patients undergoing concomitant eyelid procedures, and there was no identification of a "learning curve" for a successful endoscopic brow-lift with the surgical technique described.

Endoscopy↗

Endoscopic cholangiography and stone removal prior to cholecystectomy. A more cost-effective approach than operative duct exploration?

Would economic benefit result from performing endoscopic cholangiography and removal of common bile duct stones prior to cholecystectomy in patients who are suspected preoperatively of having choledocholithiasis? In this study, 173 patients had cholecystectomy and 30 (17%) had common bile duct exploration. Records of these patients were reviewed as were those of 31 patients who had only endoscopic cholangiography and endoscopic stone removal. Cost estimates were based on local charges. Cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration was $6730 more per patient than cholecystectomy alone. Endoscopic cholangiography and endoscopic stone removal was 87% successful in removing duct stones. Had endoscopic cholangiography and endoscopic stone removal been performed preoperatively in patients undergoing cholecystectomy who had suspected choledocholithiasis, 21 of 30 common bile duct explorations could theoretically have been eliminated. This would have saved $85,526 or $2851 per patient undergoing common bile duct exploration. Our analysis suggests that patients who require cholecystectomy and have suspected choledocholithiasis may be treated more cost-effectively by performing endoscopic cholangiography and endoscopic stone removal immediately prior to cholecystectomy than by cholecystectomy and operative common bile duct exploration.

Adolescent↗

Serum and tissue zinc concentrations in patients with endoscopic esophagitis.

Because zinc is an important metabolic requirement for growth and repair of squamous tissue, we questioned whether changes in serum and esophageal tissue zinc were present in patients with reflux esophagitis. To investigate this question, we prospectively studied 49 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for symptoms of abdominal pain and discomfort; 19 patients were taking H2 antagonists at the time of the study. Blood was obtained to measure serum zinc concentrations prior to endoscopy and tissue zinc levels were obtained from esophageal biopsies from the distal, middle, and proximal esophagus in patients who were either endoscopically normal or who exhibited endoscopic esophagitis. Serum zinc concentrations were significantly lower in patients with endoscopic esophagitis compared to the endoscopically normal group (77 +/- 3.8 micrograms/dl vs 88 +/- 2.4 micrograms/dl, P less than 0.02). Distal esophageal tissue concentrations were significantly higher in patients with endoscopic esophagitis compared to the endoscopically normal group (200 +/- 30 micrograms/liter vs 135 +/- 15 micrograms/liter, P less than 0.05); whereas there were no differences between values obtained in the proximal or middle esophagus. Serum and tissue zinc concentrations in patients with esophagitis receiving H2 antagonists were more similar to values obtained in patients who were endoscopically normal than to patients with endoscopic esophagitis without treatment. This study suggests that in endoscopic esophagitis: (1) greater amounts of zinc are concentrated in the rapidly proliferating distal esophageal epithelium, (2) the serum zinc pool may serve as a major zinc source, and (3) decreasing esophageal mucosal inflammation with H2 antagonists may decrease zinc loss via the esophageal epithelium.

Adult↗

Impact of randomized trials on the application of endoscopic techniques for inguinal hernia repair in The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: One year after publication of a Dutch prospective trial randomizing patients with inguinal hernias to either endoscopic or open repair, a questionnaire was sent to all Dutch surgeons to evaluate the impact of this trial on the application of endoscopic inguinal hernia repair in the Netherlands. METHODS: All 780 registered Dutch surgeons were surveyed. The performance of endoscopic inguinal hernia repair, the technique and the indications, the involvement of surgical residents, the motives for use of conventional techniques, and the type of open repair were documented. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. Endoscopic inguinal hernia repair was performed by 16% of Dutch surgeons. For 81% of the surgeons, the total extraperitoneal approach was the preferred endoscopic technique. Primary inguinal hernias were approached endoscopically by only 54% of these surgeons, and recurrent hernias by 92%. The technique of choice for open repair of primary hernias was the Shouldice repair. The predominant repair for recurrent inguinal hernias was the Lichtenstein technique. CONCLUSIONS: Although randomized clinical trials have provided evidence that the endoscopic approach to inguinal hernias is preferable, only 1 of 6 Dutch surgeons has adopted endoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Improvement in training of both surgical residents and surgeons and increasing awareness among medical doctors and patients about the benefits of endoscopic inguinal hernia repair are necessary to enhance the acceptance of this valuable technique for inguinal hernia repair.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗

Endoscopic resection for submucosally invasive colorectal cancer: is it feasible?

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in colonoscopy have resulted in an increasing number of endoscopic resections of colorectal neoplasms. However, endoscopic resection of submucosal invasive cancer remains a controversial issue. METHODS: The subjects for this study were the surgically treated patients with submucosal invasive colorectal cancer. These patients were classified into two groups: those with versus those without preoperative endoscopic resection. Clinicopathologic features and prognosis were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent surgery for submucosally invasive colorectal cancer. Numbers of patients with and without preoperative endoscopic resection were 22 and 28, respectively. In 36.4% of the patients, endoscopic resections were incomplete. Two patients in whom the preoperative endoscopic resections had revealed a positive cancer margin, had nodal metastasis. One of these patients also developed hepatic metastasis. Endoscopic findings such as diameter and shape were not indicative of either lymphatic or vascular invasion. There were no morbidities or mortalities associated with endoscopic resection or surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative endoscopic resection for colorectal submucosal cancer is feasible, provided the resection is complete. The indications for surgical treatment should be determined after pathologic examination.

Case-Control Studies↗

Endoscopic mucosal resection of large sessile colorectal polyps with submucosal injection of hypertonic 50 percent dextrose-epinephrine solution.

PURPOSE: Before endoscopic mucosal resection of large sessile colorectal polyps, injection of solution into submucosa cushions and isolates the tumor, although there is little information as to which solution with optimal effect should be used. This study investigated the effectiveness of endoscopic mucosal resection by use of a hypertonic dextrose plus epinephrine solution for large sessile colorectal polyps. METHODS: We removed 59 large sessile colorectal polyps in 59 patients by introducing an endoscopic submucosal hypertonic dextrose plus epinephrine injection technique. Endoscopic evaluations were repeated at 3, 6, and 12 months or longer. If no residual tumor was observed endoscopically and histologically at one year or more, the patient was considered to be "cured." The main outcome measurements were the mean amount of solution injected, mean disappearance time of solution, safety, complications, and recurrence at follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 59 large sessile colorectal polyps, 23 (39 percent) were resected en bloc and 36 (61 percent) piecemeal. The mean amount of hypertonic dextrose plus epinephrine solution injected was 24.42 +/- 17.52 ml, and its mean disappearance time was 13.61 +/- 5.21 (range, 7-21) minutes. Of the 36 patients treated with piecemeal resection, 18 (50 percent) required additional endoscopic interventions. In patients who entered the follow-up surveillance protocol for one year or longer, the cure rate by en bloc resection was 100 percent (23/23) and that by piecemeal intervention was 96.78 percent (30/31). Four patients (6.8 percent) had local bleeding after endoscopic mucosal resection that was mainly controlled endoscopically. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic mucosal resection after submucosal hypertonic dextrose plus epinephrine solution injection, with an intensive follow-up program, seems to be a safe and effective treatment for large sessile colorectal polyps.

Aged↗

Clinical, biological, and endoscopic picture of attacks of Crohn's disease. Evolution on prednisolone. Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires Digestives.

One hundred forty-two patients with active colonic or ileocolonic Crohn's disease were included in a multicenter prospective study. Data collection included 28 clinical, biological, and endoscopic items; the latter were recorded according to a standardized colonoscopic protocol; a previously validated endoscopic index of severity was calculated. Oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg body wt per day) was started and maintained until clinical remission and for at least 3 and at most 7 wk. A second clinical biological and endoscopic evaluation was then performed. At initial colonoscopy, mucosal lesions were, by decreasing order of frequency, superficial ulcerations, deep ulcerations, mucosal edema, erythema, pseudopolyps, aphthoid ulcers, ulcerated stenosis, and nonulcerated stenosis (93%, 74%, 48%, 44%, 41%, 35%, 10%, 8%, and 2% of cases, respectively). No correlation was found between the clinical activity index and any of the endoscopical data (lesion frequency and surface, endoscopic severity index). Ninety-two percent of patients underwent clinical remission within 7 wk of treatment. None of the 28 clinical biological and endoscopical items collected just before treatment could predict clinical response to steroids. Only 38 of the 131 patients in clinical remission were also in endoscopic remission. In conclusion, (a) the description and severity of colonoscopic lesions in active Crohn's disease have been quantified; (b) no correlation exists between clinical severity and nature, surface, or severity of endoscopic lesions; (c) Oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg body wt per day) induces a clinical remission in 92% of patients within 7 wk; (d) resistance to steroids cannot be predicted from the data collected before treatment onset; and (e) only 29% of patients in clinical remission also achieve endoscopic remission.

Adult↗

Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis by endoscopic ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasonography is a promising procedure for the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholestasis. Accuracy for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis by ultrasonography and computed tomography were prospectively compared with endoscopic ultrasonography in 62 consecutive patients. METHODS: Final diagnosis was determined by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with or without sphincterotomy or intraoperative cholangiography with or without choledochoscopy. All of the patients had abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, endoscopic ultrasonography, and either an endoscopic retrograde (n = 40) or intraoperative cholangiography (n = 32) performed. RESULTS: Choledocholithiasis was confirmed in 22 patients. Thirteen patients had a stone with a diameter < 1 cm, and 14 had a nonenlarged common bile duct. Endoscopic ultrasonography was more sensitive (97%) than ultrasonography (25%; P < 0.0001) and computed tomography (75%; P < 0.02). Specificity and positive predictive value were not significantly different. Negative predictive value of endoscopic ultrasonography (97%) was better than that of ultrasonography (56%; P < 0.0001) and computed tomography (78%; P < 0.02). Results were unchanged after six patients in whom the absence of choledocholithiasis was considered probable after follow-up were excluded. Endoscopic ultrasonography results did not depend on stone diameter or common bile duct dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ultrasonography appears to be the best diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis compared with other noninvasive procedures.

Adult↗

Endoscopic mucosal resection as a staging technique to determine the depth of invasion of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ablation and vagal-sparing esophagectomy offer the potential for reduced morbidity in patients with high-grade dysplasia or early esophageal adenocarcinoma, but neither includes a lymphadenectomy. Although adequate for intramucosal tumors, both are potentially inadequate for patients with submucosal tumor invasion given the high prevalence of nodal metastases with these lesions. Currently there is no test including endoscopic ultrasound that can accurately determine whether a small tumor is confined to the mucosa or has penetrated into the submucosa. The aim of this study was to compare the pathologic depth of invasion by endoscopic mucosal resection with findings and outcome after surgical resection to assess the accuracy and reliability of endoscopic mucosal resection for staging early esophageal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: From 2001 to 2003, 7 patients presented with small, endoscopically visible adenocarcinomas. All underwent endoscopic mucosal resection followed by surgical resection. RESULTS: Analysis of the resected specimens confirmed that the endoscopic mucosal resection had accurately determined the depth of tumor invasion in all patients, and had completely excised the lesion in all but 1 patient (86%). Lymph node dissection was included as part of the resection in 2 patients with submucosal invasion by endoscopic mucosal resection, and a vagal-sparing esophagectomy was used in the 5 patients with only intramucosal tumors. All patients are alive and disease-free at a median follow-up of 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic mucosal resection accurately determines the depth of tumor invasion, and should be used as a staging procedure in patients with early esophageal cancer when therapies that do not include a lymphadenectomy are considered.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Multicentre retrospective study on endoscopic ultrasound complications.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography, both conventional and interventional, has been used increasingly during the past 20 years and is deemed a safe technique. Its complication rate, however, has been studied to only a limited extent. This multicentre investigation sought to establish the complication rate for a large number of endoscopic ultrasonography procedures. METHODS: By means of a questionnaire, we collected data from six centres on the number of endoscopic ultrasonography examinations performed and divided them into conventional and interventional examinations of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Information was obtained on technical modalities such as instruments and sedation and, for interventional endoscopic ultrasonography, indications, pre-procedural exams and technical details (needle calibre, number of passes) had to be specified. Complications were classified as mild, moderate, severe or fatal and their onset as immediate, early or late. Variables that entered into the analysis of complication rate included type of endoscopic ultrasonography instrument used, type and site of lesion biopsied, number of needle passes and operator experience. RESULTS: Eleven thousand five hundred thirty nine endoscopic ultrasonographic procedures were reported, of which 10,731 were conventional and 808 interventional. No deaths occurred; there were 14 (0.12%) complications, 5 (0.046%) of them following conventional endoscopic ultrasonography and 9 (1.11%) after interventional endoscopic ultrasonography. Seven complications were mild, four moderate and three severe. CONCLUSIONS: Both conventional and interventional endoscopic ultrasonography were confirmed to be acceptably safe techniques.

Endoscopy, Digestive System↗

Endoscopic ultrasonography-identified celiac adenopathy remains a poor prognostic factor despite preoperative chemoradiotherapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed our experience with preoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and pretreatment endoscopic ultrasonography-identified celiac adenopathy. METHODS: One hundred eighty-six patients with adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus were staged with endoscopic ultrasonography before treatment from 1997 through 2004. All patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT group) and surgical intervention or induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (C-->CRT group) and surgical intervention. Survival analysis (excluding operative mortality) evaluated various pretreatment factors. RESULTS: Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that pretreatment endoscopic ultrasonography-identified celiac adenopathy was a significant predictor of decreased long-term survival (P = .03). Median and 3-year survivals were 49 months and 54% in the endoscopic ultrasonography-identified cN0 M0 group (n = 65), 45 months and 56% in the endoscopic ultrasonography-identified cN1 M0 group (n = 96), and 19 months and 12% in the endoscopic ultrasonography-identified celiac adenopathy (cM1a) group (n = 18; P = .03). Increased systemic relapse was noted in the endoscopic ultrasonography-identified cM1a group (44% vs 22%, P = .07). The only factor associated with increased survival in the endoscopic ultrasonography-identified cM1a group (27 vs 15 months, P = .02) was the addition of induction chemotherapy before concurrent chemoradiotherapy and surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ultrasonography-identified celiac adenopathy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus conveys a poor prognosis despite preoperative chemoradiotherapy. These patients should be stratified in future multimodality trials. The investigation of induction chemotherapy before concurrent chemoradiotherapy might be warranted in this high-risk group of patients.

Abdomen↗

Endoscopic resection of sinonasal inverted papilloma: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic resection has become an increasingly popular method of treating sinonasal inverted papillomas. The literature on endoscopic approaches to inverted papilloma consists primarily of relatively small case series (grade C evidence). This study aims to systematically review and integrate the available literature to objectively compare success rates of endoscopic versus nonendoscopic tumor resection techniques. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of the literature on resection of inverted papillomas. METHODS: Comprehensive review of the English-language literature on resection of inverted papillomas was performed. The reports were subdivided into endoscopic approaches versus nonendoscopic approaches, applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our institution's experience with endoscopic treatment of inverted papilloma was also included. Studies from the era of endoscopic sinus surgery (1992-2004) formed a "contemporary" cohort and were compared with a "historical" cohort developed from the literature between 1970 and 1995. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were included in the contemporary cohort, comprising 714 patients treated endoscopically and 346 patients treated nonendoscopically. Thirteen studies in the historical cohort yielded 692 patients treated nonendoscopically. There was a significantly lower recurrence rate in the contemporary cohort compared with the historical cohort (15% v 20%, P = 0.02). Within the contemporary cohort, endoscopically treated patients had significantly lower recurrences than nonendoscopically treated patients (12% v 20%, P < 0.01). Notably, the recurrence rate for nonendoscopically treated patients in the contemporary cohort was equivalent to that of the nonendoscopic patients in the historical cohort (20% v 19%, P = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: A systematic review of the literature supports endoscopic resection as a favorable treatment option for most cases of sinonasal inverted papilloma. EBM RATING: B-3a.

Cohort Studies↗

Retroflexed endoscopic multiple band ligation of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids.

BACKGROUND: Elastic band ligation is a well-established nonoperative method for treatment of internal hemorrhoids that give rise to symptoms. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of retroflexed endoscopic multiple band ligation, a procedure that involves extensive ligation of internal hemorrhoids, and the immediately proximal normal rectal mucosa, by means of a retroflexed endoscope. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with symptoms caused by internal hemorrhoids (15, stage I; 19, stage II; 47, stage III; 1, stage IV) were treated by retroflexed endoscopic multiple band ligation. Symptoms (prolapse, bleeding, pain with defecation) were graded from 0 to 3. Range and form of the internal hemorrhoids were evaluated endoscopically. Retroflexed endoscopic multiple band ligation was performed by using a flexible endoscope with an attached band ligation device in the retroflexed position. RESULTS: A mean of 8 bands (range 4-14) were placed per treatment session. Seventy-six patients were treated in a single session, 5 in two sessions, and one in 3 sessions. Symptom and endoscopic scores improved at 4 weeks after the retroflexed endoscopic multiple band ligation: bleeding, from 1.26 to 0.53 (p<0.01); prolapse, from 1.94 to 0.5 (p<0.01); pain, from 1.03 to 0.93 (p=0.67); Goligher classification, from 2.41 to 1.09 (p<0.01); range, from 3.25 to 0.56 (p<0.01); and form, from 2.81 to 0.56 (p<0.01). Long-term response (mean follow-up 12 months, range 3-40 months) was excellent for 89% of the patients, good for 9%, and poor for 2%. No major complication was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Retroflexed endoscopic multiple band ligation is a safe and effective method for treatment for patients with symptoms caused by internal hemorrhoids.

Adult↗

Endoscopic biopsy technique for acquiring larger mucosal samples.

Biopsies of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine are most often obtained using the traditional advance-and-close method with flexible endoscopes by extending an open forceps several millimeters beyond the endoscope tip to sample the mucosa, all under direct vision. We developed an alternative "turn-and-suction" endoscopic biopsy technique that permits the acquisition of larger mucosal samples. The biopsy forceps is advanced into the lumen, opened, and withdrawn backward until it is flush with the endoscope tip. Next, the endoscope tip is turned gently into the wall while air is suctioned from the lumen, and the biopsy forceps is very slightly advanced and then closed, usually without direct visualization. After straightening the endoscope tip, the biopsy is obtained by withdrawing the forceps and avulsing a superficial mucosal sample. By using this new method, we have safely taken over 10,000 biopsies without complications in endoscopic surveillance research protocols in patients at risk for gastrointestinal cancer. To compare the sizes of biopsies obtained with these two techniques, histologic sections of 341 mucosal samples from 12 patients with chronic ulcerative colitis were studied retrospectively. The mean greatest length of biopsy sections using the traditional technique was 4.72 mm, and using our new technique was 7.35 mm (56% longer). The turn-and-suction endoscopic biopsy method is best applied when flat mucosa is randomly sampled to seek microscopic pathologic changes that are not visible endoscopically, and may be advantageous for various non-histologic research analyses of gastrointestinal mucosa which are limited by tissue quantity.

Adult↗

Endoscopic ultrasonographic evaluation of the rectum in cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Rectal endoscopic ultrasonography was performed using an ultrasound fiberscope in 20 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension (6 alcoholic patients, 4 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen positive, and 10 cryptogenic patients) and in 10 patients with irritable bowel syndrome as controls. Rectal varices were diagnosed endoscopically when either tortuous or saccular distended veins were seen beneath the mucosa. At rectal endoscopic ultrasonography rectal varices were seen as rounded or oval echo-free structures in the submucosa. Rectal endoscopic ultrasonography also showed perirectal veins outside the rectal wall. Rectal varices were detected by endoscopy in 9 patients and by rectal endoscopic ultrasonography in 17 patients. Rectal endoscopic ultrasonography also detected submucosal veins in 3 of 10 controls. The number and size of submucosal veins seen on rectal endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with portal hypertension were greater than in controls (p < 0.01 for both number and size). The size of perirectal veins was greater in patients than in controls (p < 0.05), although their number was no different (p = NS). A perforating vein communicating between a submucosal and perirectal vein was seen in only one patient. Rectal wall thickness was not different in patients and controls (p = NS). Rectal endoscopic ultrasonography was superior to endoscopy in detecting the presence (85% versus 45%, p < 0.01), and number (p < 0.01) of rectal varices. Our study suggests that rectal endoscopic ultrasonography is useful in detecting changes in rectal and perirectal vasculature in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Adult↗