GASTROENTEROLOGY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA

Simulation-Based Learning as a Strategy to Optimizing Efficiency of Upper Endoscopy and Colonoscopy
Soetikno RM, Maulahela H, Nguyen-Vu T and Kaltenbach T
Gastrointestinal diseases impose a significant morbidity, mortality, and health care cost burden, affecting millions annually in the United States alone. Endoscopy plays a crucial role in managing these conditions. Despite technological advancements in endoscopy, ensuring efficient, high-quality care remains challenging. A critical need to standardize high-quality endoscopy is for education reform in the training of endoscopists. Traditional apprenticeship-based training methods are dependent on the trainer as well as the patient case mix. Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) emerges as a promising strategy to improve endoscopy training. This review discusses the current state of SBML for optimizing upper endoscopy and colonoscopy efficiency.
Endoscopy in Enteral Nutrition and Luminal Therapies
Ramai D, Toy G and Fang J
Enteral nutrition (EN) is the preferred method of feeding for those who are unable to consume sufficient food and requires enteral access for long-term nutrition support. Selecting the appropriate enteral access device for delivery of EN depends on disease state, gastric and small bowel function, anticipated length of therapy, comorbidities, and social/cultural considerations. The latest endoscopic techniques allow gastroenterologists to provide minimally invasive solutions that minimize procedural complications while improving patient outcomes and quality of life. It is important for all endoscopists to understand the preoperative considerations, procedural techniques, and postprocedural complications of providing EN and luminal therapies.
Advances in Pediatric Endoscopy
Ngo PD and Lightdale JR
Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures in children are fundamental to the subspecialty of pediatric gastroenterology. This review highlights significant advancements and trends in pediatric endoscopy, emphasizing the transformative impact of technological innovations in the field. The advent of ultra-thin endoscopes and the development of minimally-invasive techniques have markedly enhanced both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, leading to safer and more effective procedures for pediatric patients. Key advancements include transnasal endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and per-oral endoscopic myotomy.
Advanced Techniques in Therapeutic and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Colonoscopy
Worix A and Keswani RN
Colonoscopy is an essential diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of colorectal disease. This review explores the recent advances of colonoscopy that have revolutionized patient care in the era of minimally invasive medicine. Key areas of focus include innovations in imaging, advanced endoscopic resection techniques, and nonsurgical management of strictures. Advances in therapeutic endoscopy are especially evident in inflammatory bowel disease. As the landscape of colonoscopy continues to evolve, it will continue to play a central role in modern medicine, shaping the future of patient care, and therapeutic interventions.
Endoscopic Hemostasis and Antithrombotic Management
Bering J, Batheja MJ and Abraham NS
This review highlights the available literature for antithrombotic management and hemostasis techniques that can be leveraged when caring for patients on antithrombotic medications who may develop gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Risks of both index GIB as well as risk of recurrent GIB are reviewed with emphasis on the balance between therapeutic benefits and bleeding hazards that are inherent with these medications. For management of these complications, an in-depth review of the various endoscopic hemostasis techniques that can be utilized is also provided.
Biliary Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
AbiMansour JP and Martin JA
Since inception in 1968, biliary endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has transformed into a highly effective, minimally invasive modality for the identification and treatment of a variety of biliary pathologies including benign, malignant, and iatrogenic diseases. The diagnostic role of ERCP has been largely replaced by high-quality imaging modalities including endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. However, there continues to be significant demand for therapeutic procedures. This article reviews the general principles of ERCP, as well as common indications, contraindications, and potential adverse events with which endoscopists and referring physicians should be familiar.
To Scope or Not to Scope: That Is the Question
Buchman AL
Diagnostic Endoscopic Ultrasound
Radlinski MJ, Zaver HB and Shami VM
The last two decades have seen the emergence of endoscopic technologies and techniques allowing for minimally invasive modalities for assessing and sampling lesions inside and outside of the gastrointestinal lumen, including the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Incorporating these new endoscopic approaches has revolutionized the diagnosis and staging of intraluminal and extraluminal lesions and enabled more accessible and safer tissue acquisition.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: Pancreatic Endoscopy
Han S and Chandrasekhara V
The evolution of pancreatic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has transformed from a diagnostic tool to now a primarily therapeutic modality. Mainly utilized within the spectrum of pancreatitis, pancreatic ERCP can help resolve pancreatic duct (PD) leaks, disruptions, and pancreatic fluid collections. In chronic pancreatitis, ERCP is effective for the treatment of PD strictures and stones with the improvement of pancreatoscopy greatly facilitating targeted therapy. Pancreatoscopy also allows for accurate mapping of main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, which can help guide surgical resection.
Advances in Endoscopic Resection
Esaki M, Mohapatra S and Fukami N
This article provides an overview of recent advances in endoscopic resection techniques. It includes the brief overview of endoscopic submucosal dissection, regional differences in ESD indications, innovation of ESD techniques, and expansion to full-thickness resection. The article covers cold snare polypectomy for small polyps with tips, underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (U-EMR) for sessile lesions with tips and expanding role of U-EMR, and the key assistive techniques for ESD that have improved the safety and efficacy. Furthermore, it discusses the emerging field of endoscopic full-thickness resection including device-assisted and freehand exposure techniques.
Therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound and Endoscopic Ultrasound-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Interventions
Khan R and Law R
Therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) encompasses an array of procedures to manage pancreaticobiliary and luminal gastrointestinal disorders. Therapeutic EUS procedures include EUS-guided rendezvous of the pancreatic and biliary ducts, as well as direct drainage of the bile duct, pancreatic duct, and gallbladder, drainage of pancreatic fluid collections, and luminal anastomosis creation. These procedures have a range of required equipment, approaches, clinical outcomes, and adverse events dependent on both procedure-related and patient-related factors. In expert hands, these procedures provide patients with less invasive options and can achieve excellent clinical outcomes.
Advances in Endoscopic Bariatric and Metabolic Therapies
Matar RH and Abu Dayyeh BK
This article presents an overview of endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) as emerging minimally invasive interventions for obesity and its related comorbidities. It explores various gastric and small-bowel endoscopic procedures, including their mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and safety profiles.
Advances in Third Space Endoscopy
Mohapatra S, Esaki M and Fukami N
This article offers a detailed overview of recent advancements in third space endoscopy (TSE), highlighting key procedures and their clinical applications and outcomes. Clinical TSE started as a treatment for achalasia and was named peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Outcome data and comparative data of POEM with other treatments were detailed and discussed. This article also explores the indications and outcomes of other TSE procedures, such as G-POEM, Z-POEM, D-POEM, per-rectal endoscopic myotomy, and STER/POET. This article serves as a valuable resource for endoscopists looking to enhance their understanding and stay updated on these advanced TSE procedures.
Artificial Intelligence in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Labaki C, Uche-Anya EN and Berzin TM
Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly impacted the field of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, with applications spanning a wide range of clinical indications. The central goals for AI in GI endoscopy are to improve endoscopic procedural performance and quality assessment, optimize patient outcomes, and reduce administrative burden. Despite early progress, such as Food and Drug Administration approval of the first computer-aided polyp detection system in 2021, there are numerous important challenges to be faced on the path toward broader adoption of AI algorithms in clinical endoscopic practice.
Endoscopic Education, Training, and Simulation
Waschke KA and Sedlack RE
This article summarizes the evolution of endoscopy training from its origins of simple bedside instruction to its current state of competency-based curricula and incorporation of novel training methods, including simulation, gamification for the trainee, and improving education skills of the tutors.
Advanced Esophageal Endoscopy
Jung K, Haug RM and Wang AY
Recent advancements in endoscopy, including high-definition imaging, virtual chromoendoscopy, and optical magnification, have enhanced our ability to visualize and diagnose certain esophageal diseases. Innovative endoscopic tools and procedures have been developed to broaden the scope of therapeutic options for treating patients with various esophageal conditions. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the esophageal anatomy and major disorders from an endoscopist's perspective and explore recent advances in endoscopic treatment.
Vini, Vidi, Vici: Endoscopy's Julius Caesar Moment
Martin JA
A Novel Organoid-Based Strategy Using Hybrid Colon Interposition for Short Bowel Syndrome: A Mini Review of In Vivo Models and Possible Human Candidates
Wada M, Watanabe K, Sugimoto S, Sato T and Kobayashi E
This comprehensive review focuses on advances in surgical techniques and in vivo animal models for treating short bowel syndrome (SBS) with intestinal organoids. Notably, this review discusses a novel method involving the replacement of the epithelium of large intestinal tissue with small intestinal organoids, which improves function and prognosis when grafted back into the small intestine. This study not only underscores the importance of integrating organoid technology and surgical techniques to improve the outcomes of patients with SBS but also acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead, including achieving functional organoids with peristaltic movement and vascularization.
Intestinal Transplantation in the Developing World
Gondolesi GE, Nikoupour H and Matsumoto CS
Intestinal failure (IF) remains as a life-threatening medical condition worldwide, but the disparity on the type and quality of medical care available, together with the different limitations to access among individual countries or regions, turned IF assessment and therapy into a difficult matter, which becomes a major hazard for the developing world. This article aims to provide an update regarding definitions used, the current general worldwide data, the developments, achievements, and the different access alternatives in Latin-America, Middle East, and Asia to exemplify what can be done to help patients with IF.
Update on Maintenance Immunosuppression in Intestinal Transplantation
Patwardhan S, Hong J and Weiner J
Outcomes in intestinal transplantation remain hampered by higher rates of rejection than any other solid organs. However, maintenance immunosuppression regimens have largely remained unchanged despite advances in therapies for induction and treatment of rejection and graft-versus-host disease. Recently, there have been a small number of new maintenance therapies attempted, and older agents have been used in new ways to achieve better outcomes. The authors herein review the traditional maintenance therapies and their mechanisms and then consider updates in new therapies and new ways of using old therapies for maintenance immunosuppression after intestinal transplantation.
Overcoming Challenges in Intestinal Transplantation: A Look at Advances and Global Collaboration
Buchman AL