Dumping syndrome is a common but underdiagnosed complication of gastric and oesophageal surgery. We initiated a Delphi consensus process with international multidisciplinary experts. We defined the scope, proposed statements and searched electronic databases to survey the literature. Eighteen experts participated in the literature summary and voting process evaluating 62 statements. We evaluated the quality of evidence using grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Consensus (defined as >80% agreement) was reached for 33 of 62 statements, including the definition and symptom profile of dumping syndrome and its effect on quality of life. The panel agreed on the pathophysiological relevance of rapid passage of nutrients to the small bowel, on the role of decreased gastric volume capacity and release of glucagon-like peptide 1. Symptom recognition is crucial, and the modified oral glucose tolerance test, but not gastric emptying testing, is useful for diagnosis. An increase in haematocrit >3% or in pulse rate >10 bpm 30 min after the start of the glucose intake are diagnostic of early dumping syndrome, and a nadir hypoglycaemia level <50 mg/dl is diagnostic of late dumping syndrome. Dietary adjustment is the agreed first treatment step; acarbose is effective for late dumping syndrome symptoms and somatostatin analogues are preferred for patients who do not respond to diet adjustments and acarbose.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness, morbidity, and mortality associated with endoscopic ampullectomy (EA) and surgical ampullectomy (SA). Background: The proposed management of benign ampullary lesions includes local resection (EA or SA) and en bloc resection (pancreaticoduodenectomy). Most agree that en bloc resection entails a significant morbidity and mortality. No study has previously compared EA and SA for the treatment of benign ampullary lesions. Methods: Medical records of patients selected for ampullectomy at Duke University Medical Center from 1991 to 2010 were reviewed. Results: After review, 109 patients were confirmed to have undergone ampullectomy for a suspected benign ampullary lesion. Sixty-eight patients underwent EA, whereas 41 patients underwent SA. Patients in each group were identical in terms of age, sex, race, and comorbid conditions, except that EA had a higher rate of severe obesity (body mass index >35). Endoscopic ampullectomy was found to have a significantly reduced length of stay, lower morbidity, and readmission rates, but it had similar rates of mortality, margin-positive excisions, and reinterventions. Conclusions: In patients selected for ampullectomy for benign ampullary lesions, EA was found to have equivalent efficacy when compared with SA. Moreover, EA had lower morbidity and identical mortality. These findings suggest that patients would likely benefit from an aggressive endoscopic approach before consideration for surgery.