Drainage-only strategy on weekend for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography on the risk of procedure-related adverse events: a prospective observational study.

Background: The feasibility of performing complete endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for acute cholangitis during weekends or holidays remains controversial due to concerns over increased risks of adverse events (AEs) in off-hour procedures.

Objectives: To evaluate whether weekend drainage-only ERCP affects the incidence of AEs compared to standard weekday ERCP, and to identify risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Preliminary feasibility study of a novel spiral-designed plastic stent for endoscopic management of malignant hilar biliary obstruction: a multicenter prospective study (with video).

Background And Aims: Plastic stents (PSs) are widely used for palliative drainage in patients with malignant hilar obstruction (MHO); however, their clinical utility is often limited by their short duration of patency, occlusion, and the risk of migration. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy of a newly designed Twist stent (Taewoong Medical Co, Ltd, Goyang, South Korea) PS, specifically designed to enhance anchoring and prolong patency during endoscopic MHO treatment.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled 32 patients with MHO who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with placement of an 8.

Enhancing biliary tract cancer diagnosis using AI-driven 3D optical diffraction tomography.

Biliary tract cancer is associated with distinct metabolic alterations, particularly in lipid metabolism. This study aimed to classify biliary tract cancer cells automatically based on lipid droplet (LD) characteristics using three-dimensional (3D) optical diffraction tomography (ODT) combined with convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Human biliary tract cancer cell lines (SNU1196, SNU308, and SNU478) and a normal cholangiocyte cell line (H69) were cultured to evaluate the LD volume, mass, and count.

Risk of and factors influencing the progression from acute to recurrent acute to chronic pancreatitis.

Objectives & Aims: Acute pancreatitis (AP) recurrence rates range from 11 to 36 % yet accurately predicting recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and its progression to chronic pancreatitis (CP) after an initial episode remains challenging. Thus, this study explored the risk factors contributing to RAP and its progression to CP.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with AP from three tertiary medical centers between January 2010 and December 2017.

Correction: Park et al. Real-World Outcomes of First-Line Chemotherapy in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Korea. 2024, , 3173.

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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training using a silicone simulator fabricated using a 3D printing technique (with videos).

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) training remains challenging. This study used 3D printing techniques to develop and optimize a portable ERCP training simulator and to implement basic and advanced practical techniques. Subsequently, we aimed to determine whether endoscopy trainees acquired proficiency in ERCP techniques and assess any improvements in their skill levels from using this model.

Prospective validation and revision of predictive models for post-ERCP pancreatitis: focus on procedure-related factors and a novel risk stratification approach.

Introduction: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common serious adverse event after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Although retrospective models to predict PEP have shown promise, their real-world applicability remains uncertain. Thus, we used prospectively derived cohort data to validate current prediction models.

Association between Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Levels and Pancreatobiliary Cancer Risk in Patients with Diabetes: Evidence from the National Health Insurance Cooperation Health Checkup 2009 to 2012.

Background/aims: Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels indicate hepatic dysfunction and have been linked to an increased risk of pancreatobiliary cancers. However, this association, particularly in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), requires elucidation. We aimed to examine the association between elevated serum GGT levels and pancreatobiliary cancer risk in patients with diabetes.

Identification of risk factors associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients with easy cannulation: a prospective multicenter observational study (with videos).

Background And Aims: Difficult biliary cannulation is an independent risk factor for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP); however, there is a noticeable lack of studies focusing on the incidence and risk factors of PEP among patients undergoing easy cannulation. Therefore, we systematically investigated the risk factors for PEP in patients who underwent easy cannulation.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with naive major papillae who underwent diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP between June 2018 and June 2023.

Real-World Outcomes of First-Line Chemotherapy in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Korea.

Background/objectives: This nationwide population-based study investigated the overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) receiving first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Data from the National Health Insurance Service linked to the Korea Central Cancer Registry were used. Patients with mPC receiving first-line chemotherapy (2012-2019) were included and followed up until 2020.

Safety and efficacy of remimazolam versus propofol during EUS: a multicenter randomized controlled study.

Background And Aims: Propofol, a widely used sedative in GI endoscopic procedures, is associated with cardiorespiratory suppression. Remimazolam is a novel ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine sedative with rapid onset and minimal cardiorespiratory depression. This study compared the safety and efficacy of remimazolam and propofol during EUS procedures.

Convolutional neural network model for automatic recognition and classification of pancreatic cancer cell based on analysis of lipid droplet on unlabeled sample by 3D optical diffraction tomography.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer cells generally accumulate large numbers of lipid droplets (LDs), which regulate lipid storage. To promote rapid diagnosis, an automatic pancreatic cancer cell recognition system based on a deep convolutional neural network was proposed in this study using quantitative images of LDs from stain-free cytologic samples by optical diffraction tomography.

Methods: We retrieved 3D refractive index tomograms and reconstructed 37 optical images of one cell.

Gallbladder perforation in acute acalculous vs. calculous cholecystitis: a retrospective comparative cohort study with 10-year single-center experience.

Background: Gallstones are a well-known risk factor for acute cholecystitis. However, their role as a risk factor for gallbladder perforation (GBP) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of gallstones on the development of GBP.

Cholecystectomy increases the risk of metabolic syndrome in the Korean population: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure to treat symptomatic gallstones; however, the long-term outcomes after cholecystectomy are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cholecystectomy through a large, population-based, longitudinal study.

Methods: Subjects aged ≥20 years who underwent cholecystectomy from 2010 to 2014 (n=76,485) and controls (n=76,485), matched for age and sex, were identified from the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation.

Clinical impact of pancreatic steatosis measured by CT on the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis: a multicenter prospective trial.

Background And Aims: Pancreatic steatosis (PS) may be a risk factor for acute pancreatitis. Whether it is also a risk factor for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) has not been evaluated. This study aimed to determine the impact of PS on PEP development.

Efficacy of a Newly Developed Guidewire for Selective Biliary Cannulation: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Aims: Various guidewires are used for biliary cannulation, and each one has its own characteristics affecting its effectiveness. This study aimed to measure the basic properties and evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed 0.025-inch guidewire for selective biliary cannulation.

Successful Intubation Using a Cap-Assisted Colonoscope for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients Undergoing Roux-en-Y Reconstruction.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is challenging in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y (REY) reconstruction; although balloon-assisted enteroscopy is the first-line treatment, it is not always available considering equipment and expertise. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using a cap-assisted colonoscope as the primary approach for ERCP in REY reconstruction. We included 47 patients with REY who underwent ERCP using a cap-assisted colonoscope between January 2017 and February 2022.