Background:Recently, it has been suggested that nurses can perform diagnostic endoscopic procedures, which traditionally have been a physician’s responsibility. The existing studies concerning quality of sigmoidoscopy performed by nurses are small, used assessment tools with insufficient validation and to date there is very little knowledge of the learning curve patterns for physicians and nurses. The […]
Introduction: This study reports the first clinical series using the TAS device in a feasibility study of endoscopic polypectomy as an alternative to laparoscopic colectomy (LC) for endoscopically unresectable polyps. TAS is a novel T-tag system for endoscopic placement of sutures which facilitates closure of larger defects from advanced endolumenal or translumenal endoscopic procedures. Such […]
Introduction: The Rives-Stoppa hernia repair is the gold standard for mesh repair of complex incisional hernias. The rate of wound infection can be reduced if fascial closure is achievable between the skin and the prosthetic mesh. For larger defects, fascial closure is not often possible without raising large skin flaps for separation of the abdominal […]
Objectives: Intra-gastric balloons are devices used in many foreign countries as a bridge to bariatric surgery. Regulatory oversight differs from country to country leading to inconsistency in patient evaluations and procedural techniques. Often a United States (US) physician’s first exposure to these devices is generally upon arrival of a patient presenting with device related sequelae. […]
Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux-associated chronic aspiration contributes to the development of various lung disease processes including chronic pulmonary allograft dysfunction, as manifested by the histologic finding of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). The TLR-4 innate immune pathway is thought to play a role in these processes and may be activated by bacteria within the gastric contents. Here we […]