COMPARATION OF EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT PERIOPERATIVE MEDICAL PREPARATION SCHEMES FOR TRANSPAPILLAR ENDOSCOPIC INTERVENTIONS

The intensity of peristaltic activity has significant impact on the duration of transpapillar endoscopic interventions and in some cases (juxtapapillary diverticulum, stenotising papillitis or severe oedema of papilla) can impede operations. Therefore, proper inhibition of duodenal peristalsis is one of the important preconditions for successful fulfilment of such procedures. The aim of the study was to carry out comparative analysis of impact of antispasmodic medications used through the perioperative period on the quality of transpapillar endoscopic interventions. Case histories of patients, who were treated at the Surgical Department of Municipal Enterprise “Sklifosovskiy Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital” for 2017-2019, were investigated, and 75 cases were chosen for further analysis. We divided our cohort in two groups depending on medications used for duodenal peristalsis inhibition: I group – hyoscine butyl bromide (1 ml 2% solution intramuscular injection); II – hyoscine butyl bromide (1 ml 2% solution intramuscular injection), and atropine (1ml 0,1% solution intramuscular injection). Time needed for selective cannulation, total procedure length, number and type of adverse events during manipulation and in early postoperative period were compared between the groups. After statistical data processing the following conclusions were made: 1) proper medical preparation significantly facilitates the implementation of transpapillar endoscopic interventions; 2) combined scheme to reduce duodenal peristalsis, which includes hyoscine butyl bromide and atropine, is not superior to hyoscine butyl bromide alone.

Proximal Migration of Pancreatic Duct Stent in Pancreas Divisum: Challenges in Retrieval and Review of the Literature

Pancreas divisum is the most common congenital malformation of the pancreas. Sometimes it is considered an etiology when patients present with recurrent episodes of pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) with selective cannulation of the minor papilla with sphincterotomy and stent placement are performed in these patients. Proximal migration of pancreatic stents in pancreas divisum is rare and challenging to manage. We describe a case of proximal migration of a pancreatic stent in a patient with pancreas divisum and perform a review of literature.

Artificial intelligence-assisted analysis of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography image for identifying ampulla and difficulty of selective cannulation

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has facilitated its application in medical fields. However, there has been little research for AI-assisted endoscopy, despite the clinical significance of the efficiency and safety of cannulation in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In this study, we aim to assist endoscopists performing ERCP through automatic detection of the ampulla and the identification of cannulation difficulty. We developed a novel AI-assisted system based on convolutional neural networks that predict the location of the ampulla and the difficulty of cannulation to the ampulla. ERCP data of 531 and 451 patients were utilized in the evaluation of our model for each task. Our model detected the ampulla with mean intersection-over-union 64.1%, precision 76.2%, recall 78.4%, and centroid distance 0.021. In classifying the cannulation difficulty, it achieved the recall of 71.9% for the class of easy cases and that of 61.1% for that of difficult cases. Remarkably, our model accurately detected AOV with varying morphological shape, size, and texture on par with the level of a human expert and showed promising results for recognizing cannulation difficulty. It demonstrated its potential to improve the quality of ERCP by assisting endoscopists.

Propensity score-matched analysis for comparing transpancreatic sphincterotomy and needle-knife precut in difficult biliary cannulation

Transpancreatic sphincterotomy (TPS) can be an alternative approach of difficult biliary access in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TPS compared to needle-knife precut (NKP), considering the early and late outcomes of both techniques. The prospectively collected clinical data, ERCP procedure findings, and outcomes of patients who underwent ERCP with difficult biliary access in our hospital from July 2016 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the applied secondary cannulation techniques. The propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce the potential selection bias and unify the preventive measures of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in both groups. A total of 125 patients were enrolled in this study, with 54.4% male and a mean age of 63.29 ± 16.33 years. NKP group included 82 patients, and 43 patients received TPS. Prophylactic pancreatic stents were placed in all patients with TPS and 58.5% of patients with NKP. After applying PSM, the cohort was comprised to 86 patients with 43 patients in each TPS and NKP groups. Successful selective cannulation was achieved by 95.3% using TPS and by 93% using NKP. The mean procedure time was shorter in the TPS group without significant difference. Compared to NKP, using TPS did not affect the rate of PEP. Moreover, TPS was associated with less frequent post-ERCP bleeding and perforation, but without significant differences (all p > 0.05). Patients who received TPS or NKP had no symptoms related to papillary stenosis or chronic pancreatitis during the follow-up period. In conclusion, using TPS in difficult cannulation cases was useful to achieve success cannulation with an acceptable PEP rate and less frequent post-ERCP bleeding and perforation compared to NKP. There were no symptoms related to papillary stenosis or chronic pancreatitis during the follow-up period.

Adrenal venous sampling in primary hyperaldosteronism: correlation of hormone indices and collimated C-arm CT findings

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and effect of an approach to adrenal venous sampling (AVS) analysis by combining established selective cortisol and aldosterone indices with the acquisition of a collimated C-arm CT(CACTColl). Methods Overall, 107 consecutive patients (45f,62 m; 54 ± 10 years) undergoing 111 AVS procedures without hormonal stimulation from 7/13 to 2/20 in a single institution were retrospectively analysed. Hormone levels were measured in sequential samples of the suspected adrenal veins and right iliac vein, and selectivity indices (SI) computed. Stand-alone SICortisol and/or SIAldosterone ≥ 2.0 as well as SICortisol and/or SIAldosterone ≥ 1.1 combined with positive right-sided CACTColl of the adrenals (n = 80; opacified right adrenal vein) were defined as a successful AVS procedure. Radiation exposure of CACT was measured via dose area product (DAP) and weighed against an age-/weight-matched cohort (n = 66). Results Preliminary success rates (SICortisol and/or SIAldosterone ≥ 2.0) were 99.1% (left) and 72.1% (right). These could be significantly increased to a 90.1% success rate on the right, by combining an adjusted SI of 1.1 with a positive CACTColl proving the correct sampling position. Sensitivity for stand-alone collimated CACT (CACTColl) was 0.93, with 74/80 acquired CACTColl confirming selective cannulation by adrenal vein enhancement. Mean DAPColl_CACT measured 2414 ± 958 μGyxm2, while mean DAPFull-FOV_CACT in the matched cohort measured 8766 ± 1956 μGyxm2 (p < 0.001). Conclusion Collimated CACT in AVS procedures is feasible and leads to a significant increase in success rates of (right-sided) selective cannulation and may in combination with adapted hormone indices, offer a successful alternative to previously published AVS analysis algorithms with lower radiation exposure compared to a full-FOV CACT.

Duodenal angiodysplasia: a case report

Background Angiodysplasia (AD) is an abnormal, ectatic dilated, tortuous blood vessel that is found in the mucosa and the submucosa of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). While colonic angiodysplasia is a recognized finding of the lower intestinal tract in the elderly, small intestinal angiodysplasia is rare. However, it is an important reason of GIT bleeding so its detection and proper management can be a challenge. It should be considered among the differential diagnosis in the scenario of mild or intermittent GIT bleedings of obscure cause. Case presentation A 71-year-old woman was presented to our emergency department with hypovolemic shock due to lower GIT bleeding, and she was suffering of melena and severe anemia. The revision of past medical history revealed a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal disease. After stabilization, she underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) which revealed a small abnormal vascular lesion along the anterior and posterior wall of the 2nd part of the duodenum. It appeared as blush of contrast in the arterial phase (representing dilated mucosal capillaries draining into tortuous submucosal vein) suggestive of vascular lesion (duodenal angiodysplasia). The patient was transferred to undergo an angiogram which confirmed the diagnosis of duodenal angiodysplasia. Super selective cannulation of the feeding artery was performed followed by post coiling angiogram which revealed successful embolization. No acute complications were encountered during or immediately after procedure. Conclusion AD is a rare but important cause that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of GIT bleeding especially in the older patients. It should be looked for in CT angiography done in such a clinical situation. Superselective coil embolization is a safe and effective technique to manage bowel AD.

Motion training on a validated mechanical ERCP simulator improves novice endoscopist performance of selective cannulation: a multicenter trial

Background and study aims Current data show that traditional training methods in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) fall short of producing competent trainees. We aimed to evaluate whether a novel approach to simulator-based training might improve the learning curve for novice endoscopists training in ERCP. Methods We conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial using a validated mechanical simulator (the Boškoski-Costamagna trainer). Trainees with no experience in ERCP received either standard cannulation training or motion training before undergoing standard cannulation training on the mechanical simulator. Trainees were timed and graded on their performance in selective cannulation of four different papilla configurations. Results Thirty-six trainees (16 in the motion training group, 20 in the standard group) performed 720 timed attempts at cannulating the bile duct on the simulator. Successful cannulation was achieved in 698 of 720 attempts (96.9 %), with no significant difference between the two study groups (P = 0.37). Trainees in the motion training group had significantly lower median cannulation times compared to the standard group (36 vs. 48 seconds, P = 0.001) and better technical performance on the first papilla type (P = 0.013). Conclusions Our findings suggest that motion training could be an innovative method aimed at accelerating the learning curve of novice trainees in the early phase of their training. Future studies are needed to establish its role in ERCP training programs.

Human corpse model for video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy simulation and training

OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive surgery simulation is an integral part of surgical education and skills acquisition. Our goal was to present a new video-assisted thoracic surgery simulation model based on the human corpse as an alternative to animal models. METHODS Selective cannulation of the cadaver heart was used to fill the pulmonary vessels with a gel to improve the visibility and tactile feedback of the vessels and to simulate any bleeding complications. During surgical simulation, the tutor fills out a questionnaire designed to evaluate the duration of the procedure, the correct completion of the surgical steps and the occurrence of complications. At the end of the simulation session, in order to compare the simulation to clinical practice, all the participants were asked to answer 5 questions using a scale from 1 to 10. RESULTS We have performed 2 hands-on sessions using 2 human corpses for each session. Each surgeon performed 1 lobectomy using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) first as the operator and at least 1 lobectomy as an assistant. The median operative time was 83 min in favour of surgeons who had previously performed more than 30 video-assisted lobectomies (P = 0.03). All the surgeons were able to complete all the steps of the procedure; surgeons who had performed fewer than 10 lobectomies required more support by the tutors than the other surgeons. The median total score was 40.5 (interquartile range 39–44.8). CONCLUSIONS We believe that this model includes most of the features necessary to validate a surgical simulator and allows realistic training for performing a VATS lobectomy. This model could be an effective alternative to anaesthetized animals for VATS lobectomy training and simulation.