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Simulator-based gastrointestinal endoscopy training has gained acceptance over the last decades and has been extensively studied. Several types of simulators have been validated and it has been demonstrated that the use of simulators in the early training setting accelerates the learning curve in acquiring basic skills. Current GI endoscopy simulators lack the degree of realism that would be necessary to provide training to achieve full competency or to be applicable in certification. Virtual Reality and mechanical simulators are commonly used in basic flexible endoscopy training, whereas ex vivo and in vivo models are used in training the most advanced endoscopic procedures. Validated models for the training of more routine therapeutic interventions like polypectomy, EMR, stenting and haemostasis are lacking or scarce and developments in these areas should be encouraged.

Background: Angiodysplasias are one of the most frequent causes of gastrointestinal bleeding. Pharmacological options, such as octreotide Long-Acting Release (LAR), do not yet have a defined role and are currently used for patients who are not candidates for or are refractory to endoscopic treatment. Aims: (1) To evaluate the efficacy of octreotide LAR by considering transfusion requirements (units of packed erythrocytes (UPE)/month) and number of hospitalizations/month before and during therapy; (2) to verify whether the characteristics of patients and/or concurrent medication influenced response to therapy; and (3) to evaluate the safety of therapy by registering adverse effects. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 16 patients with angiodysplasias treated with octreotide LAR was reviewed. Results: (1) There was a significant decrease (follow up before vs. follow up during) in the median number of UPE/month (1.84 vs. 0.42, p = 0.008) and the number of admissions/month (0.21 vs. 0.00, p = 0.015). (2) Of the characteristics analyzed, only the presence of aortic stenosis (vs. other comorbidities) positively influenced the response to therapy in relation to the variation in transfusion requirements (−2.39 UPE/month vs. −0.61 UPE/month; p = 0.009). (3) Adverse effects: splenic infarction (1 patient) and gallstones (1 patient).Conclusions: Octreotide LAR is effective as prophylaxis for gastrointestinal bleeding angiodysplasia by decreasing transfusion requirements and the need for hospitalizations. Patients with Octreotide LAR prevents angiodysplasia bleeding 177 aortic stenosis were those who most benefited from the therapy. A dose of 20 mg/month did not prove more effective than a dose of 10 mg/month. O octreótido Long-Acting Release é eficaz na prevenção de hemorragia por angiodisplasias gastrointestinais ResumoIntrodução: As angiodisplasias são uma das causas mais frequentes de hemorragia com ponto de partida no intestino delgado. As opções farmacológicas como o octreótido LAR não têm ainda um papel definido destinando-se a doentes não candidatos ou refratários à terapêutica endoscópica. Objetivos: (1) Avaliar a eficácia terapêutica comparando: necessidades transfusionais (unidades de concentrado eritrocitário/mês) e número de internamentos/mês antes e durante a terapêu-tica;(2) Verificar se as características dos doentes e/ou da medicação tiveram influência na resposta à terapêutica; (3) Avaliar a segurança da terapêutica (registo de efeitos adversos). Métodos: Efetuado estudo retrospetivo de coorte de 16 doentes com AD tratados com octreótido LAR. Resultados: (1) Observou-se diminuição significativa (follow up before vs follow up during) do número mediano de UCE/mês [1.84 UCE/mês vs 0,42 UCE/mês; p=0.008] e do número de internamentos/mês [0,21 internamentos/mês vs 0,00 internamentos/mês; p=0.015].(2) Das características analisadas, apenas a presença de estenose aórtica (vs outras comorbilidades) influenciou positivamente a resposta à terapêutica no que concerne à variação das necessidades transfusionais (---2,39 ...

Introduction: Endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection are demanding procedures. This study aims to establish face, content and expert validity of the live porcine model in performing endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, complication management and to assess it as a training tool. Material and methods: Tutors and trainees participating in live porcine model endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection workshops filled out a questionnaire regarding the realism of the model compared to human setting and its role as a learning tool. A 10-point Likert scale was used. Results: Ninety-one endoscopists (13 tutors; 78 trainees) were involved in four workshops. Median global classifications for the realism of the life porcine model ranged between 7.0-8.0 (interquartile range 5.0-9.0). Procedures resembled human cases with a median of 9.0 (8.0-9.0) for oesophageal multiband endoscopic mucosal resection; 8.5 (8.0-9.0) for oesophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection; 9.0 (8.0-10.0) for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection; and 9.0 (8.5-9.75 and 8.0-9.69) for complication detection and management. The animal model as a learning tool had median scores of 9.0 (7.0-10.0) considering how procedures are performed; 9.0-9.5 (8.0-10.0) for usefulness for beginners; and 9.0-10.0 (5.0-10.0) regarding it a prerequisite. Conclusions: Training in a live porcine model was considered very realistic compared to the human setting and was highly appreciated as a learning tool. This is the first study to establish face, content and expert validity of the live porcine model in performing multiband endoscopic mucosal resection, oesophageal and gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. The validation of this model provides the rationale to incorporate it into formal teaching programmes.

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