• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Guide tube-assisted endoscopy for procedures that require repeated endoscopic access is safer and more effective than conventional endoscopy. However, its effectiveness has not been confirmed in animal studies. We assessed the usefulness of guide tube-assisted endoscopic procedures in an in vivo porcine model. Methods: Five different guide tube-assisted endoscopic procedures were performed by experienced endoscopists on a pig weighing 32 kg. To evaluate the efficacy of these procedures, we compared the endoscopic approach time when a guide tube was used to that when it was not. Additional endoscopic procedures using a guide tube were performed, including multiple foreign body extractions, multiple polypectomies, and multiple submucosal dissections. To evaluate safety, we compared the insertion force into the proximal esophagus between the guide tube and conventional overtube methods. Results: Using the endoscopic approach with a guide tube required a shorter average approach time to reach the three target lesions than when using the endoscopic approach without a guide tube (p<0.001). Compared to the conventional overtube method, the guide tube method produced a lower average resistance during insertion into the upper esophagus (p<0.001). Conclusions: Guide tube-assisted endoscopic procedures are effective and safe for repeated endoscopic access in an in vivo porcine model.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.199-206
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• 2013

Since the first transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery was described, various applications and modified procedures have been investigated. Transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for periotoneoscopy, cholecystectomy, and appendectomy all seem viable in humans, but additional studies are required to demonstrate their benefits and roles in clinical practice. The submucosal tunneling method enhances the safety of peritoneal access and gastric closure and minimizes the risk of intraperitoneal leakage of gastric air and juice. Submucosal tunneling involves submucosal tumor resection and peroral endoscopic myotomy. Peroral endoscopic myotomy is a safe and effective treatment option for achalasia, and the most promising natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery procedure. Endoscopic full-thickness resection is a rapidly developing natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery procedure for the upper gastrointestinal tract and can be performed with a hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery technique (combining a laparoscopic approach) to overcome some limitations of pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery. Studies to identify the most appropriate role of endoscopic full-thickness resection are anticipated. In this article, I review the procedures of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery associated with the upper gastrointestinal tract.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.605-614
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• 2022

The double-guidewire method has been increasingly used in endoscopic procedures for biliary and pancreatic diseases in recent years, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasonography-related procedures. In addition, double-lumen catheters with uneven distal and proximal lumen openings have been introduced, making it possible to easily create a double-guidewire situation, and the usefulness of the double-guidewire technique using uneven double-lumen cannulas has been widely reported. Although the advantages of using two guidewires depend on the particular situation and the appropriate use of the two guidewires, deepening the knowledge of the double-guidewire method will contribute greatly to troubleshooting in daily practice. In this review, the usefulness of the double-guidewire technique is discussed with respect to two main areas: selective insertion of guidewires and devices and biliary cannulation.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2022

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has modified the activities of endoscopy units worldwide. Herein, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on anesthesiologist assistance for endoscopic procedures in Lombardy, Italy. Methods: A questionnaire concerning anesthesiologist assistance provided from October 26 to December 6, 2020, in comparison with the same period in 2019, was sent to endoscopic units in Lombardy. Results: Approximately 54% (34/63) of the units responded. A reduction in the number of all endoscopies (-33.5%; 18792 in 2020 vs. 28264 in 2019) and anesthesiologist-assisted endoscopies (-15.3%; 2652 in 2020 vs. 3132 in 2019) was reported. A greater reduction in anesthesiologist assistance was observed in government community units (-29.5%) than in academic (-14%) and private community units (-4.6%). Among all units, 85% reported a reduction in anesthesiologist assistance; 65% observed a delay/cancellation of procedures; 59%, a restricted patient selection; 17%, the need to transfer some patients to other hospitals; and 32%, a related worsening of procedure quality. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic compromised the anesthesiologist assistance for endoscopic procedures in Lombardy, which worsened the procedure quality mainly in government community units. The COVID-19 "stress test" suggests a more balanced allocation of anesthesiologic resources in the future.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.433-436
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• 2010

Objective : Arachnoid cysts (ACs) can be cured by making the definite and wide communication between the cyst and arachnoid space using endoscopy, but often it is impossible only through the usual working-channel (intra-channel) procedures. We discuss and propose a more valuable endoscopic technique with the presentation of our series of cases. Methods : We treated 9 patients with cortical AC in various locations with extra-channel endoscopic techniques. The patients ranged in age from 3 years to 60 years (mean age, 37.2 yrs). The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 26 months (mean follow-up duration, 17.2 months). All patients had large AC compressing the adjacent brain with clinical symptoms or signs. The authors performed extensive fenestration via single burr hole with the aid of endoscope. Being bypassed the rigid endoscope, through the space between the shaft of endoscope and guiding cannula (extra-channel method), fenestration procedures were done in the dry fields. Results : Eight (88.9%) patients had been treated successfully with endoscope. One patient required shunt procedure. Among the eight patients who were treated with endoscopic procedure, 6 patients (66.7%) showed cyst reduction, and two (22.2%) showed disappearance of cyst. Conclusion : We suggest that extra-channel method will be simple and easy to perform using more valuable instruments with wider working area, and may promise better results compared to the conventional intra-channel endoscopic procedures.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2024

Therapeutic endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) procedures using the forward-viewing convex EUS (FV-EUS) have been reviewed based on the articles reported to date. The earliest reported procedure is the drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts using FV-EUS. However, the study on drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts focused on showing that drainage is possible with FV-EUS rather than leveraging its features. Subsequently, studies describing the characteristics of FV-EUS have been reported. By using FV-EUS in EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy, double punctures in the gastrointestinal tract can be avoided. In postoperative modified anatomical cases, using the endoscopic function of FV-EUS, procedures such as bile duct drainage from anastomosis, pancreatic duct drainage from the afferent limb, and abscess drainage from the digestive tract have been reported. When a perpendicular puncture to the gastrointestinal tract is required or when there is a need to insert the endoscope deep into the gastrointestinal tract, FV-EUS is considered among the options.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.485-497
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• 2017

Surgical treatment of the degenerative disc disease has evolved from traditional open spine surgery to minimally invasive spine surgery including endoscopic spine surgery. Constant improvement in the imaging modality especially with introduction of the magnetic resonance imaging, it is possible to identify culprit degenerated disc segment and again with the discography it is possible to diagnose the pain generator and pathological degenerated disc very precisely and its treatment with minimally invasive approach. With improvements in the optics, high resolution camera, light source, high speed burr, irrigation pump etc, minimally invasive spine surgeries can be performed with various endoscopic techniques for lumbar, cervical and thoracic regions. Advantages of endoscopic spine surgeries are less tissue dissection and muscle trauma, reduced blood loss, less damage to the epidural blood supply and consequent epidural fibrosis and scarring, reduced hospital stay, early functional recovery and improvement in the quality of life & better cosmesis. With precise indication, proper diagnosis and good training, the endoscopic spine surgery can give equally good result as open spine surgery. Initially, endoscopic technique was restricted to the lumbar region but now it also can be used for cervical and thoracic disc herniations. Previously endoscopy was used for disc herniations which were contained without migration but now days it is used for highly up and down migrated disc herniations as well. Use of endoscopic technique in lumbar region was restricted to disc herniations but gradually it is also used for spinal canal stenosis and endoscopic assisted fusion surgeries. Endoscopic spine surgery can play important role in the treatment of adolescent disc herniations especially for the persons who engage in the competitive sports and the athletes where less tissue trauma, cosmesis and early functional recovery is desirable. From simple chemonucleolysis to current day endoscopic procedures the history of minimally invasive spine surgery is interesting. Appropriate indications, clear imaging prior to surgery and preplanning are keys to successful outcome. In this article basic procedures of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy through transforaminal and interlaminar routes, percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy, percutaneous endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy and percutaneous endoscopic thoracic discectomy are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.241-245
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• 2007

Objective : So called "minimally invasive procedures" have evolved from chemonucleolysis, automated percutaneous discectomy, arthroscopic microdiscectomy that are mainly working within the confines of intradiscal space to transforaminal endoscopic technique to remove herniated epidural disc materials directly. The purpose of this study is to assess the result of endoscopic spinal surgery and favorable indication in the thoracolumbar spine. Methods : The records of 71 patients, 73 endoscopic procedures, were retrospectively analysed. Yeung Endoscopic Spine Surgery system with 7 mm working sleeve and $25^{\circ}$ viewing angle was used. The mean follow up period was 6 months [range, 3-9]. Results : Operated levels were from T12-L1 disc down to L5-L6 of S1 disc. Of 71 cases, 2 patients underwent transforaminal endoscopic surgery twice due to recurrence after initial operation. MacNab's criteria was used to assess the outcome. Favorable outcome, excellent of good, was seen in 78% [57 procedures] of the patients. Among 11 fair outcomes, only 1 procedure was followed by secondary open procedure, laminectomy with discectomy. Two of 5 poor outcomes were operated again by same procedure which resulted in fair outcomes. One patient with aggravated cauda equina syndrome remained poor and a lumbar fusion procedure was performed in other patient with poor outcome. There were 2 postoperative discitis that were treated with conservative care in one and anterior lumbar interbody fusion in the other. Conclusion : Evolving technology of mechanical, visual instrument enables minimal invasive procedure possible and effective. The transforaminal endoscopic spinal surgery can reach as high as T12-L1 disc level. The rate of favorable outcome is mid-range among reported endoscopic lumbar surgery series. Authors believe that the outcome will be better as cases accumulate and will be able to reach the fate of standard open microsurgery.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.125-129
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• 2023

Appropriate sedation and analgesia are crucial for successful endoscopic procedures, patient safety, and satisfaction. Endoscopic resection for upper gastrointestinal tumors requires a deep sedation level because the procedure is lengthy and induces moderate to severe pain. Continuous patient consciousness assessment and vigilant vital signs monitoring are required for deep sedation. General anesthesia may unintentionally occur even during deep sedation for endoscopic tumor resection, which may cause unexpected complications, especially in high-risk patients. Previous studies have revealed that general anesthesia increases the en bloc resection rate and decreases the procedure time. Complications, such as perforation, aspiration pneumonia, and cardiopulmonary instability, including hypoxemia, hypotension, and arrhythmia, occurred more frequently in patients with sedation compared to those with general anesthesia. Therefore, general anesthesia demonstrated potential benefits in endoscopic treatment results and patient safety. General anesthesia should be considered a useful alternative for sedation in patients undergoing endoscopic gastrointestinal tumor resection. However, more high-quality prospective studies are required to determine the safety and effectiveness of general anesthesia in endoscopic upper gastrointestinal tumor resection because most studies comparing general anesthesia and sedation in these procedures have been retrospectively conducted and the results were inconsistent.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.327-334
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• 2017

To review recent advances in endoscopic techniques for treating intraventricular lesions via transcortical passage. Articles in PubMed published since 2000 were searched using the keywords 'endoscopy,' 'endoscopic,' and 'neuroendoscopic.' Of these articles, those describing intraventricular lesions were reviewed. Suprasellar arachnoid cysts (SACs) can be treated with ventriculo-cystostomy (VC) or ventriculo-cysto-cisternostomy (VCC). VCC showed better results compared to VC. Procedure type, fenestration size, stent placement, and aqueductal patency may affect SAC prognosis. Colloid cysts can be managed using a transforaminal approach (TA) or a transforaminal-transchoroidal approach (TTA). However, TTA may result in better exposure compared to TA. Intraventricular cysticercosis can be cured with an endoscopic procedure alone, but if pericystic inflammation and/or ependymal reaction are seen, third ventriculostomy may be recommended. Tumor biopsies have yielded successful diagnosis rates of up to 100%, but tumor location, total specimen size, endoscope type, and vigorous coagulation on the tumor surface may affect diagnostic accuracy. An ideal indication for tumor excision is a small tumor with friable consistency and little vascularity. Tumor size, composition, and vascularity may influence a complete resection. SACs and intraventricular cysticercosis can be treated successfully using endoscopic procedures. Endoscopic procedures may represent an alternative to surgical options for colloid cyst removal. Solid tumors can be safely biopsied using endoscopic techniques, but endoscopy for tumor resection still results in considerable challenges.