Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus using argon plasma coagulation: a prospective study after fundoplication

Risk of recurrence of Barrett's esophagus after successful endoscopic therapy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Previous estimates of incidence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) recurrence after achieving complete remission of IM (CRIM) through endoscopic therapy of Barrett's esophagus (BE) have varied widely. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to estimate an accurate recurrence risk after CRIM.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of multiple literature databases through June 2015 to identify studies reporting long-term follow-up after achieving CRIM through endoscopic therapy. Pooled incidence rate (IR) of recurrent IM, dysplastic BE, and high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) per person-year of follow-up after CRIM was estimated. Factors associated with recurrence were also assessed.

RESULTS

We identified 41 studies that reported 795 cases of recurrence in 4443 patients over 10,427 patient-years of follow-up. This included 21 radiofrequency ablation studies that reported 603 cases of IM recurrence in 3186 patients over 5741 patient-years of follow-up. Pooled IRs of recurrent IM, dysplastic BE, and HGD/EAC after radiofrequency ablation were 9.5% (95% CI, 6.7-12.3), 2.0% (95% CI, 1.3-2.7), and 1.2% (95% CI, .8-1.6) per patient-year, respectively. When all endoscopic modalities were included, pooled IRs of recurrent IM, dysplastic BE, and HGD/EAC were 7.1% (95% CI, 5.6-8.6), 1.3% (95% CI, .8-1.7), and .8% (95% CI, .5-1.1) per patient-year, respectively. Substantial heterogeneity was noted. Increasing age and BE length were predictive of recurrence; 97% of recurrences were treated endoscopically.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of recurrence after achieving CRIM through endoscopic therapy was substantial. A small minority of recurrences were dysplastic BE and HGD/EAC. Hence, continued surveillance after CRIM is imperative. Additional studies with long-term follow-up are needed.

Argon plasma coagulation of gastrojejunal anastomosis for weight regain after gastric bypass

BACKGROUND

The failure of approximately 20 % of obese patients who undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) to maintain weight loss over the following 18-24 months is related to the surgical procedure, to the patient, or both. Although the underlying mechanisms are uncertain, one factor that has been postulated is the dilation of the gastrojejunal anastomosis. The objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the serial use of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in reducing the diameter of the dilated gastrojejunal anastomosis and post-RYGB weight regain.

METHODS

We carried out a prospective, nonrandomized study of 30 patients, with no control or sham group, monitoring RYGB weight regain associated with dilation of the gastrojejunal anastomosis over a postoperative period of 18 months. Each patient underwent three sessions of APC in the anastomosis separated by 8 weeks, with a final endoscopic examination 8 weeks after the last session.

RESULTS

There was a loss of 15.48 kg (range = 8.0-16.0 kg) of the 19.6 kg (range = 7.0-39.0 kg) of regained weight after RYGB and a reduction of 66.89 % in the final anastomotic diameter, with statistically significant reductions between each APC session. Previous body mass index significantly decreased up to the final examination, and the final weight was close to but not at the same level as the nadir.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that the use of APC to treat weight regain after RYGB is a safe and effective procedure and promotes a reduction in gastrojejunal anastomosis, final weight, and BMI, with a low rate of complications.

Endoscopic management of Barrett's esophagus: advances in endoscopic techniques

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a well-known premalignant condition that can be associated with the development of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. In the past, esophagectomy was the standard treatment for patients with BE with high grade dysplasia (HGD) and early cancer (EC). However, esophagectomy is not necessarily the only treatment response to HGD and EC anymore. Over the past decade, a number of endoscopic therapies have been developed for management of BE. These include endoscopic mucosal resection, thermal ablation techniques that use laser irradiation, multipolar electrocoagulation, argon plasma coagulation, photodynamic therapy, and the recently developed cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation.

Ablation of Barrett's oesophagus: towards improved outcomes for oesophageal cancer?

Barrett's oesophagus is the major risk factor for the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The management of Barrett's oesophagus entails treating reflux symptoms with acid-suppressing medication or surgery (fundoplication). However, neither form of anti-reflux therapy produces predictable regression, or prevents cancer development. Patients with Barrett's oesophagus usually undergo endoscopic surveillance, which aims to identify dysplastic changes or cancer at its earliest stage, when treatment outcomes should be better. Alternative endoscopic interventions are now available and are suggested for the treatment of early cancer and prevention of progression of Barrett's oesophagus to cancer. Such treatments could minimize the risks associated with oesophagectomy. The current status of these interventions is reviewed. Various endoscopic interventions have been described, but with long-term outcomes uncertain, they remain somewhat controversial. Radiofrequency ablation of dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus might reduce the risk of cancer progression, although cancer development has been reported after this treatment. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) allows a 1.5-2 cm diameter piece of oesophageal mucosa to be removed. This provides better pathology for diagnosis and staging, and if the lesion is confined to the mucosa and fully excised, EMR can be curative. The combination of EMR and radiofrequency ablation has been used for multifocal lesions, but long-term outcomes are unknown. The new endoscopic interventions for Barrett's oesophagus and early oesophageal cancer have the potential to improve clinical outcomes, although evidence that confirms superiority over oesphagectomy is limited. Longer-term outcome data and data from larger cohorts are required to confirm the appropriateness of these procedures.

Endoscopic resection techniques and ablative therapies for Barrett’s neoplasia

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the most rapidly increasing cancer in western countries. High-grade dysplasia (HGD) arising from Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is the most important risk factor for its development, and when it is present the reported incidence is up to 10% per patient-year. Adenocarcinoma in the setting of BE develops through a well known histological sequence, from non-dysplastic Barrett’s to low grade dysplasia and then HGD and cancer. Endoscopic surveillance programs have been established to detect the presence of neoplasia at a potentially curative stage. Newly developed endoscopic treatments have dramatically changed the therapeutic approach of BE. When neoplasia is confined to the mucosal layer the risk for developing lymph node metastasis is negligible and can be successfully eradicated by an endoscopic approach, offering a curative intention treatment with minimal invasiveness. Endoscopic therapies include resection techniques, also known as tissue-acquiring modalities, and ablation therapies or non-tissue acquiring modalities. The aim of endoscopic treatment is to eradicate the whole Barrett’s segment, since the risk of developing synchronous and metachronous lesions due to the persistence of molecular aberrations in the residual epithelium is well established.

Endoscopic treatments for Barrett's esophagus: a systematic review of safety and effectiveness compared to esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Recently, several new endoscopic treatments have been used to treat patients with Barrett's esophagus with high grade dysplasia. This systematic review aimed to determine the safety and effectiveness of these treatments compared with esophagectomy.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify studies of endoscopic treatments for Barrett's esophagus or early stage esophageal cancer. Information from the selected studies was extracted by two independent reviewers. Study quality was assessed and information was tabulated to identify trends or patterns. Results were pooled across studies for each outcome. Safety (occurrence of adverse events) and effectiveness (complete eradication of dysplasia) were compared across different treatments.

RESULTS

The 101 studies that met the selection criteria included 8 endoscopic techniques and esophagectomy; only 12 were comparative studies. The quality of evidence was generally low. Methods and outcomes were inconsistently reported. Protocols, outcomes measured, follow-up times and numbers of treatment sessions varied, making it difficult to calculate pooled estimates.The surgical mortality rate was 1.2%, compared to 0.04% in 2831 patients treated endoscopically (1 death). Adverse events were more severe and frequent with esophagectomy, and included anastomotic leaks (9.4%), wound infections (4.1%) and pulmonary complications (4.1%). Four patients (0.1%) treated endoscopically experienced bleeding requiring transfusions. The stricture rate with esophagectomy (5.3%) was lower than with porfimer sodium photodynamic therapy (18.5%), but higher than aminolevulinic acid (ALA) 60 mg/kg PDT (1.4%). Dysphagia and odynophagia varied in frequency across modalities, with the highest rates reported for multipolar electrocoagulation (MPEC). Photosensitivity, an adverse event that occurs only with photodynamic therapy, was experienced by 26.4% of patients who received porfimer sodium.Some radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or argon plasma coagulation (APC) studies (used in multiple sessions) reported rates of almost 100% for complete eradication of dysplasia. But the study methods and findings were not adequately described. The other studies of endoscopic treatments reported similarly high rates of complete eradication.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic treatments offer safe and effective alternatives to esophagectomy for patients with Barrett's esophagus and high grade dysplasia. Unfortunately, shortcomings in the published studies make it impossible to determine the comparative effectiveness of each of the endoscopic treatments.

[Endoscopic argon plasma thermo-coagulation of Barrett's esophagus using different powers: histopathological and post procedure symptons analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To establish the ideal power to be employed in order to get the effective ablation and the lowest rate of symptoms at argon plasma thermocoagulation in Barrett's esophagus (BE).

METHODS

Twenty-eight asymptomatic patients with BE, were randomly divided in two groups of different ablation powers, 50W or 70W. After endoscopic ablation and biopsies from the treated area for histological analyses, symptoms were evaluated through a questionnaire answered by phone.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients without specialized columnar metaplasia were excluded and the remaining fifteen patients, seven men (46,7%) and eight women (53,3%), with an average age of 53 years +10,4, composed the two groups: 10 patients at the 70W power and 5 at the 50W power group. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding age, BE extent, percentage of coagulated esophageal circumference and the duration of symptoms. Pain was the most important symptom, with a mean duration of 10,3 + 9,7 days. When power was compared to symptoms, although not statistically significant, a moderate negative correlation was noted. Endoscopic biopsies showed ablation restricted to the mucosa's superficial layer in 40% of the cases in the lower power group, and only 10% in the higher power group, although deeper layers of the mucosa were compromised. There were no statistical significant differences when comparing the different powers to the penetration through the mucosa's layers and the symptoms.

CONCLUSION

There are evidences that the 70W potency argon plasma coagulation for BE leads to a lower incidence of residual specialized columnar metaplasia under the new scamous epithelium.

Mucosal ablation of Barrett esophagus

The management of Barrett esophagus is evolving with the emergence of new endoscopic technologies. Traditionally, patients with high-grade dysplasia or cancer were referred for esophagectomy. However, with the advent of endoscopic ablative therapies for Barrett esophagus, the treatment paradigm has shifted. Patients with high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma are increasingly offered esophagus-sparing therapies. Endoscopic ablative therapies can be categorized into tissue-acquiring and non-tissue-acquiring modalities. Visible lesions in the setting of dysplasia should be treated with a tissue-acquiring modality to stage and resect the lesion appropriately. One or more modalities may be used to eradicate the entire region of affected esophagus totally. Total eradication treats all of the at-risk epithelium and, therefore, treats any metachronous or synchronous lesions. Success of treatment may be gauged by complete remission of cancer, dysplasia, or Barrett esophagus. In addition to procedure-related complications, the risk of residual Barrett esophagus or subsquamous Barrett esophagus remains to be addressed. Endoscopic surveillance and acid suppression is still currently required after ablation.

A cost-utility analysis of ablative therapy for Barrett's esophagus

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Recommendations for patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) include endoscopic surveillance with esophagectomy for early-stage cancer, although new technologies to ablate dysplasia and metaplasia are available. This study compares the cost utility of ablation with that of endoscopic surveillance strategies.

METHODS

A decision analysis model was created to examine a population of patients with BE (mean age 50), with separate analyses for patients with no dysplasia, low-grade dysplasia (LGD), or high-grade dysplasia (HGD). Strategies compared were no endoscopic surveillance; endoscopic surveillance with ablation for incident dysplasia; immediate ablation followed by endoscopic surveillance in all patients or limited to patients in whom metaplasia persisted; and esophagectomy. Ablation modalities modeled included radiofrequency, argon plasma coagulation, multipolar electrocoagulation, and photodynamic therapy.

RESULTS

Endoscopic ablation for patients with HGD could increase life expectancy by 3 quality-adjusted years at an incremental cost of <$6,000 compared with no intervention. Patients with LGD or no dysplasia can also be optimally managed with ablation, but continued surveillance after eradication of metaplasia is expensive. If ablation permanently eradicates >or=28% of LGD or 40% of nondysplastic metaplasia, ablation would be preferred to surveillance.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic ablation could be the preferred strategy for managing patients with BE with HGD. Ablation might also be preferred in subjects with LGD or no dysplasia, but the cost effectiveness depends on the long-term effectiveness of ablation and whether surveillance endoscopy can be discontinued after successful ablation. As further postablation data become available, the optimal management strategy will be clarified.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the treatment for Barrett's esophagus

As evidence-based strategies to the clinical management of Barrett's esophagus (BE) are lacking, we have carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published randomized controlled trials with the aim of evaluating the value of different approaches in the treatment of BE. Searches were conducted in the databases PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Thirteen randomized clinical trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and addressed the clinical questions of this analysis were assessed in more detail. Based on our search, neither the pharmacological nor surgical therapies currently available for reflux appear to achieve complete regression of BE and the elimination of the cancer risk associated with it. In contrast, endoscopic ablative techniques are capable of achieving endoscopic and histological reversal of BE, with ablation by argon plasma coagulation (APC) appearing to be more effective than treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) [odds ratio (OR) 3.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67-7.81, P = 0.0008]. There was no statistically significant difference between APC and multipolar electrocoagulation (MPEC) in terms of the efficacy to achieve regression of BE (OR 2.01, 95% CI 0.77-5.23, P = 0.15). In conclusion, there have been only a limited number of randomized controlled trials that compare treatments for BE. The pharmacological therapy, antireflux surgery, and endoscopic ablative techniques are promising in terms of treating BE, but the studies carried out to date have had no adequate power to assess the effect of treatment on reducing and preventing progression to adenocarcinoma.

Impact of changing epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease on its diagnosis and treatment

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has emerged as one of the most common diseases in modern civilization. This article reviews selected changes in epidemiology of GERD during the past decade and provides information on treatment options with a focus on the impact of GERD and potential role of laparoscopic antireflux surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity, liver cirrhosis, at the extremes of life age and in immunocompromised individuals such as liver and lung transplant recipients.

Randomized trial of argon plasma coagulation versus endoscopic surveillance for barrett esophagus after antireflux surgery: late results

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) for ablation of Barrett esophagus.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

APC has been used to ablate Barrett esophagus. However, the long-term outcome of this treatment is unknown. This study reports 5-year results from a randomized trial of APC versus surveillance for Barrett esophagus in patients who had undergone a fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients with Barrett esophagus were randomized to undergo either ablation using APC or ongoing surveillance. At a mean 68 months after treatment, 40 patients underwent endoscopy follow-up. The efficacy of treatment, durability of the neosquamous re-epithelialization, and safety of the procedure were determined.

RESULTS

Initially, at least 95% ablation of the metaplastic mucosa was achieved in all treated patients. At the 5-year follow-up, 14 of 20 APC patients continued to have at least 95% of their previous Barrett esophagus replaced by neosquamous mucosa, and 8 of these had complete microscopic regression of the Barrett esophagus. Five of the 20 surveillance patients had more than 95% regression of their Barrett esophagus, and 4 of these had complete microscopic regression (1 after subsequent APC treatment). The length of Barrett esophagus shortened significantly in both study groups, although the extent of regression was greater after APC treatment (mean 5.9-0.8 cm vs. 4.6-2.2 cm). Two patients who had undergone APC treatment developed a late esophageal stricture, which required endoscopic dilation, and 2 patients in the surveillance group developed high-grade dysplasia during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Regression of Barrett esophagus after fundoplication is more likely, and greater in extent, in patients who undergo ablation with APC. In most patients treated with APC the neosquamous mucosa remains stable at up to 5-year follow-up. The development of high-grade dysplasia only occurred in patients who were not treated with APC.

Endoluminal therapy for Barrett's esophagus

This article reviews methods to minimize the complications associated with endoscopic therapy for patients with Barrett's esophagus. To place this discussion in context, the natural history of Barrett's esophagus and the risks associated with progression to dysplasia and invasive carcinoma are reviewed. Operative esophageal resection traditionally is recommended for patients with Barrett's high-grade dysplasia and early carcinoma, and these surgical risks also are reviewed. Finally, all currently approved and commercially available methods for endoscopic ablation and resection of Barrett's disease are categorized according to their application methods of ablation: focal ablation, field ablation, and mucosal resection. The clinical experience with these devices is reviewed with their associated adverse events and complications. Caveats, concerns, and recommendations are discussed to help minimize the complications associated with the use of these important technologies that hold the promise of removing or destroying Barrett's disease to prevent the development of invasive carcinoma.

Endoscopic therapy for Barrett's esophagus

With the increase in the rate of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the United States and the Western world matched with the high morbidity and mortality of esophagectomy, there is an increasing need for new and effective techniques to treat and prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma. A wide variety of endoscopic mucosal ablative techniques have been developed for early esophageal neoplasia. However, long-term control of neoplasic risk has not been demonstrated. Most studies show that specialized intestinal metaplasia may persist underneath neo-squamous mucosa, posing a risk for subsequent neoplastic progression. In this article we review current published literature on endoscopic therapies for the management of Barrett's esophagus.