Publications by authors named "Alberto Barchi"

Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (EDGE) and endoscopic ultrasound-directed transenteric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (EDEE) are innovative endoscopic techniques developed to overcome the challenges of biliary access in patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy. EDGE facilitates the creation of a gastro-gastric anastomosis, enabling endoscopic access to the excluded stomach and subsequent duodenum for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures. Similarly, EDEE involves creating a gastro-jejunal anastomosis, allowing endoscopic access to the jejunum and hepaticojejunostomy for ERCP.

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Introduction: Chicago Classification (CC) for high-resolution manometry (HRM) is the standard for diagnostic criteria of primary motility disorders, achalasia being the most relevant. CC does not include recommendations on HRM in treated achalasia, either after surgery or endoscopic interventions.

Material And Methods: After systematic review of literature on 3 major databases (Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science) from inception to December 2024, a group of 12 esophageal motility experts provided recommendations for HRM interpretation in treated achalasia and proposed novel nomenclature and management flow-chart to address gaps in diagnostic CC hierarchy.

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Introduction: Non-anesthesiologist-administered propofol (NAAP) sedation for outpatient endoscopy has proven to be safe. However, implementing NAAP in Western countries faces challenges, and propofol-based sedation is still largely administered by anesthetists. For low-risk patients, anesthesiologist-administered propofol (AAP) could represent an avoidable waste of healthcare resources.

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: The management of non-lifting colorectal lesions (NLCLs), often resulting from previous unsuccessful treatments or biopsies, remains challenging due to submucosal fibrosis that prevents adequate lifting. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a viable option for achieving complete resection in such cases. However, when standard ESD is not feasible, conversion to hybrid ESD (H-ESD) has been proposed as a rescue strategy.

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Anastomotic strictures are a common complication following esophagogastric surgery, with prevalence varying depending on the type of surgery and anatomical site. These strictures can lead to debilitating symptoms such as dysphagia, pain, and malabsorption, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Endoscopic treatment of anastomotic strictures has established a role as the first-line strategy in this setting instead of revision surgery, offering benefits in terms of lower morbidity.

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Barrett's esophagus (BE) represents a pre-cancerous condition that is characterized by the metaplastic conversion of the squamous esophageal epithelium to a columnar intestinal-like phenotype. BE is the consequence of chronic reflux disease and has a potential progression burden to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The pathogenesis of BE and EAC has been extensively studied but not completely understood, and it is based on two main hypotheses: "transdifferentiation" and "transcommitment".

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Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided interventions have revolutionized the management of malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) and gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), providing minimally invasive alternatives with improved outcomes. These procedures have significantly reduced the need for high-risk surgical interventions or percutaneous alternatives and have provided effective palliative care for patients with advanced gastrointestinal and bilio-pancreatic malignancies. EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) techniques, including hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS), choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS), and antegrade stenting (EUS-AS), offer high technical and clinical success rates, with a good safety profile particularly when Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not feasible.

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Background & Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of maintenance treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) among observational studies (OSs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Materials And Methods: Studies reporting histologic success of maintenance therapy ≥48 weeks were included. The primary outcome was histologic success rate (defined as <15/<6 eosinophils/high-power field).

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: Delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE) occurs in 15-39% of patients who undergo esophagectomy. Intra-Pyloric Injection of Botulinum Toxin (IPBT), Pneumatic Balloon Dilation (PBD), and the same session combination (BTPD) represent the main endoscopic procedures, but comparative data are currently unavailable. : We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data on all consecutive patients with DGCE treated endoscopically with IPBT, PBD, or BTPD.

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Article Synopsis
  • Zenker's Diverticulum (ZD) is a common throat condition caused by a herniation of tissue, leading to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) in most patients.
  • Traditional surgery for ZD has high technical challenges and can result in significant complications, prompting interest in less invasive endoscopic methods.
  • Newer endoscopic techniques like Zenker-POEM and Per Oral Endoscopic Septomyotomy offer alternative treatment options, which are discussed along with their pros, cons, and potential future developments.
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Background/aims: Decrease of esophageal mean nocturnal baseline impedance reflects loss of mucosal integrity. It can predict response to anti-reflux therapy. Mean nocturnal baseline impedance after transoral incisionless fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease has never been assessed.

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Introduction: Although gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) has shown substantial efficacy in patients with medically refractory gastroparesis (GP), comprehensive long-term data on its effectiveness are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis including observational studies assessing long-term efficacy after G-POEM in patients with refractory GP. Our primary outcome was the pooled rate of clinical success 1-year after G-POEM.

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Article Synopsis
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the esophagus, linked to other type 2 inflammatory disorders.
  • Recent research has identified new molecular targets related to EoE and its connection to the "atopic march," which involves allergic conditions like asthma and dermatitis.
  • Advances in biologic therapies are being explored for EoE treatment, focusing on monoclonal antibodies and immune modulators that target Th2 inflammation.
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Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an established treatment for achalasia, yet there is still a lack of technical standardization. No clear definition of 'long', 'standard', or 'short' POEM exists to date. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to analyze current POEM length standards.

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Article Synopsis
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) affect the gastrointestinal tract and can lead to extraintestinal manifestations, which can hurt patients' quality of life.
  • Common associated conditions like peripheral arthritis and episcleritis improve with treatments for intestinal inflammation, while others, like ankylosing spondylitis, often occur independently.
  • The review explores the pathophysiology and treatment of these extraintestinal manifestations in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, noting that some advanced IBD therapies may have side effects similar to these conditions.
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Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic type 2 inflammation-mediated disease characterized by an eosinophil-predominant inflammation of the esophagus and symptoms of esophageal dysfunction. Relevant treatment outcomes in the setting of EoE include the improvement of histology, symptoms, and endoscopy findings, quality of life (QoL), and the psychological burden of the disease. Established validated tools for the assessment of EoE include questionnaires on dysphagia and QoL (ie, DSQ, EEsAI, and EoE-IQ).

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Esophagectomy, while a pivotal treatment for esophageal cancer, is not without adverse events. Among these, anastomotic leak (AL) is the most feared complication, threatening patient lives and incurring significant healthcare costs. The management of AL is complex and lacks standardization.

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Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGIDs) are a group of conditions characterized by abnormal eosinophil accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract. Among these EGIDs, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is the most well documented, while less is known about Eosinophilic Gastritis (EoG), Eosinophilic Enteritis (EoN), and Eosinophilic Colitis (EoC). The role of endoscopy in EGIDs is pivotal, with applications in diagnosis, disease monitoring, and therapeutic intervention.

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Gut microbiota is recognized nowadays as one of the key players in the development of several gastro-intestinal diseases. The first studies focused mainly on healthy subjects with staining of main bacterial species via culture-based techniques. Subsequently, lots of studies tried to focus on principal esophageal disease enlarged the knowledge on esophageal microbial environment and its role in pathogenesis.

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