Gastrointestinal symptoms are common and frequently reported in Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is unclear if SARS-CoV-2 is associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Nevertheless, GIB in COVID-19 patients poses unique challenges to patients due to high-risk of concomitant respiratory failure and to endoscopy personnel due to risk of airborne transmission during endoscopic procedures. Many management issues related to COVID-19 are still being studied. In this case series, we attempt to discuss the important clinical implications related to the management of GIB in COVID-19 patients.
Background and Aims: Endoscopic resection of lesions involving the appendiceal orifice (AO) remains a challenge. We aim to report the outcomes of full-thickness resection device (FTRD) for the resection of appendiceal lesions and identify factors associated with the occurrence of appendicitis.
Methods: This is a retrospective study at 18 tertiary-care centers (12 U.S., Canada 1, 5 Europe) between 11/2016 and 8/2020. Consecutive patients who underwent resection of AO lesions using the FTRD were included. The primary outcome was the rate of R0 margin resection in neoplastic lesions, defined as negative lateral and deep margins on post-resection histologic evaluation. Secondary outcomes included the rates of; technical success (en bloc resection), clinical success (technical success without need for further surgical interventions), post-resection appendicitis, and polyp recurrence. Results: A total of 66 patients (mean age 64 yr., 29 F) underwent resection of colonic lesions (mean size 14.5 (6.2) mm) involving the AO, with 40 (61%) deep extending into the appendiceal lumen. Technical success was achieved in 59/66 (89%) cases, out of which, 56 were found to be neoplastic lesions on post-resection pathology. Clinical success was achieved in 53/66 (80%). R0 resection was achieved in 52/56 (93%) cases. Out of the 58 patients of whom EFTR was completed and had no prior history of appendectomy, appendicitis was reported in 10 (17%) cases, with 6 (60%) requiring surgical appendectomies. Follow-up colonoscopy was completed in 41 cases with evidence of recurrence in 5 (12.2%).
Conclusions: FTRD is a promising non-surgical alternative for resecting appendiceal lesions but
appendicitis occurs in 1 out of 6 cases.
WJGE mainly publishes articles reporting research results and findings obtained in the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy and covering a wide range of topics including capsule endoscopy,
Digital pancreatoscopy should be considered in the diagnostic algorithm of MD-IPMN in patients with a diffusely dilated pancreatic duct and without any focal lesions seen on cross-sectional imaging or EUS.
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