Project description:Mortality from acute variceal bleeding (AVB) has improved markedly over the last 2-3 decades due to increased specialisation and standardisation of medical and endoscopic practice culminating in the production of consensus guidance based on expert opinion. Nonetheless, despite greater exposure, training and endoscopic practices, 30-day mortality still remains high at around 30%. This is a reflection of the high morbidity with liver disease, and limited endoscopic experience and/or endoscopic techniques used by the majority of general endoscopists. Clinical necessity defines our drive for further endoscopic innovation to improve 'best practice' and, therefore, clinical outcomes accordingly. Sclerotherpy, variceal band ligation and/or rescue balloon tamponade have been entrenched in most treatment algorithms over the decades. However, in recent years and albeit limited to specialised liver centres, cyanoacrylate glue injection therapy (for oesophageal and gastric varices), and the placement of a self-expanding metallic stent for oesophageal varices have begun to offer improved endoscopic care in experienced hands. Yet even in specialised centres, their application is sporadic and operator dependent. Here, we discuss the evidence of these newer endoscopic approaches, and hope to propose their inclusion in endoscopic therapy algorithms for 'best practice' management of AVB in all appropriately supported endoscopy units.
Project description:Background and aims:Post liver transplant biliary anastomotic strictures have traditionally been treated with balloon dilation and multiple plastic stents. Fully covered self-expandable metallic stents may be used as an initial alternative or after multiple plastic stents failure. Refractory strictures can occur in 10-22% and require revisional surgery. Alternatively, cholangioscopy allows direct visualization and therapeutic approaches. We aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of balloon dilation combined with cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection for the treatment of refractory anastomotic biliary strictures. Methods:Three post-orthotopic liver transplant patients who failed standard treatment of their biliary anastomotic strictures underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with balloon dilation followed by cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection at a tertiary care center. Patients had follow-up with images and laboratorial tests to evaluate for residual stricture. Results:Technical success of balloon dilation?+?cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection was achieved in all patients. Cholangioscopy permitted accurate evaluation of bile ducts and precise localization for steroid injection. No adverse events occurred. Mean follow-up was 26 months. Two patients are stent free and remain well in follow-up, with no signs of biliary obstruction. No further therapeutic endoscopic procedures or revisional surgery were required. One patient did not respond to balloon dilation?+?cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection after 11 months of follow-up and required repeat balloon dilation of new strictures above the anastomosis. Conclusion:Cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection combined with balloon dilation in the treatment of refractory post liver transplant strictures is feasible and safe. This method may be used as a rescue alternative before surgical approach. Randomized controlled trials comparing balloon dilation?+?cholangioscopy-guided steroid injection to fully covered self-expandable metallic stents are needed to determine the role of this treatment for anastomotic biliary strictures.
Project description:The results of endoscopic treatment with elastic band ligation for esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis remain poor. In comparison with treatment with elastic band ligation, we have found lower rates of rebleeding and mortality with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injections. Thus, the aim of the current study was to describe our unit's 10 years of experience with injection of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate to control esophageal variceal ruptures in patients with Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis.A single-center, retrospective study was conducted. Sixty-three patients with Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis had been admitted to the center with an acute episode of esophageal variceal bleeding. All were treated with injection of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. The patients were assigned to 1 of 2 groups according to their Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis scores: group I (score range, 10 through 13 points) and group II (score, 14 or 15 points). The 3 variables studied were rates of initial failure to control bleeding, failure to prevent rebleeding (secondary prophylaxis), and mortality. Patients in the 2 groups (group I, n = 50; group II, n = 13) had similar characteristics.Bleeding was successfully controlled in almost 75 % of the patients during the first 5 days after treatment, with no significant differences observed between groups I and II. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to mortality rate for the first 5 days after treatment. Thirty-four patients (54 %) were free of bleeding at 6 weeks after treatment, with a significant difference noted between the groups: group I, 64 %, versus group II, 15.4 % (P < 0.001). The overall mortality rate was 44.4 %, with a significant difference noted between the groups: group I, 34 %, versus group II, 84.6 % (P < 0.001).Endoscopic injection of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate is a valid treatment option to control esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with a Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis score in the range of 10 through 13 points.
Project description:Background and aimsHemodynamic response to pharmacotherapy improves survival in patients with cirrhosis post variceal bleeding, but long-term outcomes remain unexplored especially in this part of the world. We aimed to study the long-term impact of portal pressure reduction on liver-related outcomes after index variceal bleed.MethodsPatients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) more than 12 mm Hg after index variceal bleed were given non-selective beta-blockers in combination with variceal band ligation. HVPG response was assessed after 4 weeks. Patients were followed up for rebleed events, survival, additional decompensation events and safety outcomes. Rebleed and other decompensations were compared using competing risks analysis, taking death as competing event, and survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis.ResultsForty-eight patients (29 responders and 19 non-responders) were followed up for a median duration of 45 (24-56) months. Rebleeding rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 10.3%, 20.7% and 20.7% in responders and 15.8%, 44.7% and 51.1% in non-responders, respectively (Gray's test, P = 0.044). Survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 89.7%, 72.1% and 51.9% in responders and 89.5%, 44% and 37.7% in non-responders, respectively (log-rank test, P = 0.1). Both severity of liver disease (MELD score, multivariate sub-distributional hazards ratio: 1.166 [1.014-1.341], P = 0.030) and HVPG non-response (multivariate sub-distributional hazards ratio: 2.476 [1.87-7.030], P = 0.045) predicted rebleeding risk while survival was dependent only on severity of liver disease (MELD > 12, multivariate hazards ratio: 2.36 [1.04-5.38], P = 0.041).ConclusionBaseline severity of liver disease predicted survival and rebleed in these patients. Hemodynamic response, although associated with lower rebleeding rate, had limited impact on survival.
Project description:This case report describes an uncommon cardiac complication related to the endoscopic injection of cyanoacrylate glue to treat gastric variceal bleeding. The presentation and management options are reviewed and compared with our step-by-step approach in a patient requiring a liver transplant. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
Project description:BackgroundAnastomotic leakage (AL) is the most frequent life-threating complication following colorectal surgery. Several attempts have been made to prevent AL. This prospective, randomized, multicentre trial aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nebulised modified cyanoacrylate in preventing AL after rectal surgery.MethodsPatients submitted to colorectal surgery for carcinoma of the high-medium rectum across five high-volume centres between June 2021 and January 2023 entered the study and were randomized into group A (anastomotic reinforcement with cyanoacrylate) and group B (no reinforcement) and followed up for 30 days. Anastomotic reinforcement was performed via nebulisation of 1 mL of a modified cyanoacrylate glue. Preoperative features and intraoperative and postoperative results were recorded and compared. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID number NCT03941938).ResultsOut of 152 patients, 133 (control group, n = 72; cyanoacrylate group, n = 61) completed the follow-up. ALs were detected in nine patients (12.5%) in the control group (four grade B and five grade C) and in four patients (6.6%), in the cyanoacrylate group (three grade B and one grade C); however, despite this trend, the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.36). However, Clavien-Dindo complications grade > 2 were significantly higher in the control group (12.5% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.04). No adverse effects related to the glue application were reported.ConclusionThe role of modified cyanoacrylate application in AL prevention remains unclear. However its use to seal colorectal anastomoses is safe and could help to reduce severe postoperative complications.