福田 久

INTRODUCTION: Gel immersion endoscopy (GIE) is a technique used to maintain a clear view during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. We aimed to identify cases most likely to benefit from GIE for ESD bleeding by reviewing our clinical experience and determining the associated factors. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 470 lesions in 380 patients who underwent gastric ESD between October 2020 and March 2023. The patients were divided into conventional method (n = 433) and GIE groups (n = 37). We compared the clinical and pathological characteristics between the groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with GIE use. Among the GIE group, hemostasis times under gas, water, and gel conditions were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that dialysis (odds ratio [OR]: 15.3), concurrent antiplatelet and anticoagulant use (OR: 9.5), and tumor location in the middle third (OR: 3.5), upper third (OR: 5.7), or remnant stomach (OR: 9.3) were independently associated with GIE use. No significant differences in overall hemostasis time were observed between gas, water, or gel. Of the nine bleeding events exceeding 300 s under gas immersion, seven achieved successful hemostasis by switching to GIE, with a median of 32 s to locate the source and 140 s to complete hemostasis. CONCLUSION: Dialysis, combined antithrombotic use, and certain tumor locations were key factors influencing GIE for ESD bleeding. Although the overall hemostasis times did not differ, GIE may be particularly beneficial in high-risk scenarios.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pediatric achalasia and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) are not well investigated. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of pediatric achalasia and evaluate the long-term outcomes of POEM. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter study across 14 high-volume centers, comparing the clinical characteristics of children (aged < 18 years) diagnosed with achalasia to those of adults (aged < 65 years). The POEM procedures and outcomes were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 3421 patients with achalasia, 50 (1.5%) were children. Compared with adults, children had a shorter period to diagnosis (1.0 vs. 3.4 years; p < 0.001) and were more likely to be severely underweight (body mass index: 17.8 vs. 20.9 kg/m2; p < 0.001). However, children exhibited less esophageal dilation (46.0% vs. 64.1%; p = 0.013) and higher lower esophageal sphincter pressure (37.3 vs. 29.9 mmHg; p = 0.002). Notably, a significant failure to thrive was not observed in the pediatric group. The POEM procedure time was shorter for children compared to adults (58.0 vs. 83.0 min; p < 0.001). Clinical success rates were not significant between the two groups. Over the 5-year follow-up period, children had a lower incidence of reflux esophagitis following POEM compared to adults (11.0% vs. 26.4%; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric achalasia is rare and typically presents with early-stage manometric and esophagogastric features, along with severe systemic symptoms requiring an early diagnosis. POEM is a durable and effective treatment for pediatric achalasia, offering advantages such as shorter procedural times and a lower incidence of postprocedure reflux compared to adults.