Background Endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) is recognised treatment for symptomatic Crohn's strictures. Several case series report its efficacy. A systematic analysis for overall efficacy can inform the design of future studies. Aim To examine symptomatic (SR) and technical response (TR) and adverse events (AE) of EBD. Stricture characteristics were also explored. Methods A systematic search strategy of COCHRANE, MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed. All original studies reporting outcomes of EBD for Crohn's strictures were included. SR was defined as obstructive symptom‐free outcome at the end of follow‐up, TR as post‐dilatation passage of the endoscope through a stricture, and adverse event as the presence of complication (perforation and/or bleeding). Pooled event rates across studies were expressed with summative statistics. Results Twenty‐five studies included 1089 patients and 2664 dilatations. Pooled event rates for SR, TR, complications and perforations were 70.2% (95% CI: 60–78.8%), 90.6% (95% CI: 87.8–92.8%), 6.4% (95% CI: 5.0–8.2) and 3% (95% CI: 2.2–4.0%) respectively. Cumulative surgery rate at 5 year follow‐up was 75%. Pooled unweighted TR, SR, complication, perforation and surgery rates were 84%, 45%, 15%, 9% and 21% for de novo and 84%, 58%, 22%, 5% and 32% for anastomotic strictures. Outcomes between two stricture types were no different on subgroup meta‐analysis. Conclusions Efficacy and complication rates for endoscopic balloon dilatation were higher than previously reported. From the few studies with 5 year follow‐up the majority required surgery. Future studies are needed to determine whether endoscopic balloon dilatation has significant long‐term benefits.

Objective. Large sessile or flat colorectal polyps, which are traditionally treated surgically, may be amenable to endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), often using a piecemeal method. Appropriate selection of lesions and a careful technique may enhance the efficacy of EMR for polyps ≥20 mm in diameter without compromising safety. The aim of this study was to identify the factors that may be predictive of the risk of polyp recurrence. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the outcome of 161 polyps ≥20 mm in diameter, treated by piecemeal EMR at a single centre using the “lift and cut” technique. All records were reviewed for polyp size, site, morphology and histology. Polypectomy technique, patient follow-up, polyp recurrence and surgical interventions were also recorded. Results. Over an 8-year period, 161 colonic polyps measuring ≥20 mm were removed by EMR. Follow-up data were available for 149 cases (93%) with a mean polyp diameter of 32.5 mm; the total success rate of endoscopic polyp removal was 95.4%. The number of cases requiring 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 attempts at EMR was 89 (60%), 36 (24%), 14 (9%), 2 (1.3%) and 1 (0.7%), respectively. Recurrence was significantly related to polyp size (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant relationship between site and recurrence. Seven patients (4.6%) underwent surgical intervention after EMR because of failed clearance. There were no post-EMR perforations and significant bleeding was reported in only two patients (1.7%). Conclusions. With careful attention to technique, piecemeal EMR is a safe option for the resection of most sessile and flat colorectal polyps ≥20 mm in size. A stricter follow-up may be required for larger lesions because of a higher risk of recurrence.

Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in racial and ethnic migrant groups

Background: Introduction: The prognosis of dysplasia in patients with IBD is largely determined from observational studies from the pre‐videoendoscopic era (pre‐1990s) that does not reflect recent advances in endoscopic imaging and resection.Aims: To better understand the risk of synchronous colorectal cancer and metachronous advanced neoplasia (ie high‐grade dysplasia or cancer) associated with dysplasia diagnosed in the videoendoscopic era, and to stratify risk according to a lesion's morphology, endoscopic resection status or whether it was incidentally detected on biopsy of macroscopically normal colonic mucosa (ie invisible).Methods: A systematic search of original articles published between 1990 and February 2020 was performed. Eligible studies reported on incidence of advanced neoplasia at follow‐up colectomy or colonoscopy for IBD‐dysplasia patients. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed.Results: Thirty‐three studies were eligible for qualitative analysis (five for the meta‐analysis). Pooled estimated proportions of incidental synchronous cancers found at colectomy performed for a pre‐operative diagnosis of visible high‐grade dysplasia, invisible high‐grade dysplasia, visible low‐grade dysplasia and invisible low‐grade dysplasia were 13.7% (95% CI 0.0‐54.1), 11.4% (95% CI 4.6‐20.3), 2.7% (95% CI 0.0‐7.1) and 2.4% (95% CI 0.0‐8.5) respectively. The lowest incidences of metachronous advanced neoplasia, for dysplasia not managed with immediate colectomy but followed up with surveillance, tended to be reported by the studies where high definition imaging and/or chromoendoscopy was used and endoscopic resection of visible dysplasia was histologically confirmed.Conclusions: The prognosis of IBD‐dysplasia diagnosed in the videoendoscopic era appears to have been improved but the quality of evidence remains low. Larger, prospective studies are needed to guide management.PROSPERO registration no: CRD42019105736.