Robotics in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Recent advances in endoscopic technology allow clinicians to not only detect digestive diseases early, but also provide appropriate treatment. The development of various therapeutic endoscopic technologies has changed the paradigm in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, contributing greatly to improving the quality of life of patients. The application of robotics for gastrointestinal endoscopy improves the maneuverability and therapeutic ability of gastrointestinal endoscopists, but there are still technical limitations. With the development of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment, clinicians need more sophisticated and precise endoscopic instruments. Novel robotic systems are being developed for application in various clinical fields, to ultimately develop into minimally invasive robotic surgery to lower the risk to patients. Robots for endoscopic submucosal dissection, autonomous locomotive robotic colonoscopes, and robotic capsule endoscopes are currently being developed. In this review, the most recently developed innovative endoscopic robots were evaluated according to their operating mechanisms and purpose of use. Robotic endoscopy is an innovative treatment platform for future digestive endoscopy.

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Probiotics in gastroenterology – from a different angle

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2013.29547 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 154 (8) ◽

pp. 294-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

György Miklós Buzás

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Beneficial Effect ◽

Analytical Data ◽

Well Being ◽

Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽

Convincing Evidence ◽

Probiotic Treatment ◽

History Of ◽

Irritable Bowel

After a short overview of the history of probiotics, the author presents the development of human intestinal microflora based on the newest genetic data and the microbiological features of main probiotics. The indications of probiotic administration have been defined and extended in recent years. The author reviews significant results of probiotic treatment in some gastrointestinal diseases based on meta-analytical data. Probiotics are useful in preventing and treating diarrhoea caused by antibiotics and Clostridium difficile caused diarrhoea. In the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, preparations containing certain Lactobacillus,Bifidobacterium strains or Saccaromyces boulardii could enhance by 5–10% the rate of successful eradication and reduce the incidence and severity of the side effects. Some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and thus the quality of life can be improved by probiotics. Their beneficial effect in ulcerative colitis was proven, while in Crohn’s disease has not yet been defined. The use of probiotics is not included in guidelines, with the exception of the Maastricht IV/Florence consensus. For each disease it is advisable to use probiotics containing strains only with proven beneficial effect. The efficiency of preparations containing mixed strains has not yet been properly investigated. The author reviews the rare but potentially serious side effects of probiotics. In Hungary, there are many probiotic preparations available which can be purchased in pharmacies without prescription: their use is more empirical than evidence-based. The European Food Safety Authority has recently rejected claims for probiotics to be classed as medicines given the lack of convincing evidence on the effects of probiotics on human health and well-being. Clearly, further research is needed to collect evidence which could be incorporated into the international guidelines. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 294–304.

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Cost-effectiveness of minimally invasive midline lumbar interbody fusion versus traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2019.6.spine1965 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 31-35

Author(s):

Mladen Djurasovic ◽

Jeffrey L. Gum ◽

Charles H. Crawford ◽

Kirk Owens ◽

Morgan Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Direct Costs ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

OBJECTIVEThe midline transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIDLIF) using cortical screw fixation is a novel, minimally invasive procedure that may offer enhanced recovery over traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Little information is available regarding the comparative cost-effectiveness of the MIDLIF over conventional TLIF. The purpose of this study was to compare cost-effectiveness of minimally invasive MIDLIF with open TLIF.METHODSFrom a prospective, multisurgeon, surgical database, a consecutive series of patients undergoing 1- or 2-level MIDLIF for degenerative lumbar conditions was identified and propensity matched to patients undergoing TLIF based on age, sex, smoking status, BMI, diagnosis, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA) class, and levels fused. Direct costs at 1 year were collected, including costs associated with the index surgical visit as well as costs associated with readmission. Improvement in health-related quality of life was measured using EQ-5D and SF-6D.RESULTSOf 214 and 181 patients undergoing MIDLIF and TLIF, respectively, 33 cases in each cohort were successfully propensity matched. Consistent with propensity matching, there was no difference in age, sex, BMI, diagnosis, ASA class, smoking status, or levels fused. Spondylolisthesis was the most common indication for surgery in both cohorts. Variable direct costs at 1 year were $2493 lower in the MIDLIF group than in the open TLIF group (mean $15,867 vs $17,612, p = 0.073). There was no difference in implant (p = 0.193) or biologics (p = 0.145) cost, but blood utilization (p = 0.015), operating room supplies (p < 0.001), hospital room and board (p < 0.001), pharmacy (p = 0.010), laboratory (p = 0.004), and physical therapy (p = 0.009) costs were all significantly lower in the MIDLIF group. Additionally, the mean length of stay was decreased for MIDLIF as well (3.21 vs 4.02 days, p = 0.05). The EQ-5D gain at 1 year was 0.156 for MIDLIF and 0.141 for open TLIF (p = 0.821). The SF-6D gain at 1 year was 0.071 for MIDLIF and 0.057 for open TLIF (p = 0.551).CONCLUSIONSCompared with patients undergoing traditional open TLIF, those undergoing MIDLIF have similar 1-year gains in health-related quality of life, with total direct costs that are $2493 lower. Although the findings were not statistically significant, minimally invasive MIDLIF showed improved cost-effectiveness at 1 year compared with open TLIF.

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Lumbar periarticular cysts of arcorray joint

Vestnik nevrologii, psihiatrii i nejrohirurgii (Bulletin of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery) ◽

10.33920/med-01-2003-06 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 47-57

Author(s):

Anton Yarikov ◽

Maxim Shpagin ◽

Iliya Nazmeev ◽

Sergey Gorelov ◽

Olga Perlmutter

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Severe Pain ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Lumbar Region ◽

Results Of Treatment ◽

Invasive Method ◽

Facet Syndrome

The immediate and long-term results of treatment of 30 patients with severe pain syndrome of the lumbar region, who underwent operations on denervation of DOS, were studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of minimally invasive technologies for the treatment of pain in the lumbar region (denervation of DOS), to study the near and distant results of these treatment methods. Denervation DOS is an effective minimally invasive method for the treatment of facet syndrome caused by spondylarthrosis. It allows in the early and distant postoperative periods to significantly reduce the pain syndrome and improve the quality of life of patients.

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Patient Suffering in Chronic Digestive Diseases: Will Primary Care-Specialist Collaboration With Effective Interactive Communication and Integrative Medicine in the Plan of Care Improve Quality of Life?

Journal of Patient Experience ◽

10.1177/2374373520967798 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 989-993

Author(s):

Andrew Thomas ◽

Annie Thomas

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Primary Care ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

The United States ◽

Care Providers ◽

Physician Visits ◽

Digestive Diseases ◽

Care Specialist

Acute and chronic digestive diseases are causing increased burden to patients and are increasing the United States health care spending. The purpose of this case report was to present how nonconfirmatory and conflicting diagnoses led to increased burden and suffering for a patient thus affecting quality of life. There were many physician visits and multiple tests performed on the patient. However, the primary care physician and specialists could not reach a confirmatory diagnosis. The treatment plans did not offer relief of symptoms, and the patient continues to experience digestive symptoms, enduring this burden for over 2 years. The central theme of this paper is to inform health care providers the importance of utilizing evidence-based primary care specialist collaboration models for better digestive disease outcomes. Consistent with patient’s experience, the authors propose to pilot/adopt the integrative health care approaches that are proven effective for treating digestive diseases.

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