Intragastric band migration is an unusual but major complication of gastric banding. We review our experience with endoscopic removal of eroded gastric bands. We retrospectively evaluated the cases of 110 morbidly obese patients who underwent adjustable gastric banding between 2005 and 2012 to identify those who experienced band erosion. To remove the migrated band, we used an endoscopic approach with a Gastric Band Cutter. Band or tube erosion occurred in 14 patients (12.7%). The median time interval from the initial gastric band placement to the diagnosis of band erosion was 32 (range 18–52) months. Upper abdominal pain, port site infection, loss of restriction and weight regain were the most common symptoms. We used the Gastric Band Cutter to remove the band endoscopically. It was able to cut the band successfully in all but 1 patient, in whom twisting of the cutting wire required conversion from endoscopy to laparotomy. In 2 patients, the band, after being cut, was locked in the gastric wall and required laparotomic removal. In 1 patient, we performed surgery for intragastric penetration of the connecting tube broken close to the band. The Gastric Band Cutter was successful in dividing the band in all but 1 patient, although we could not always complete the procedure endoscopically. Endoscopic removal seems to be effective and safe for band erosion.

Background/aims: Interactions between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which are common diseases worldwide, are confusing. In this study, the aim was to compare and evaluate the relationship between reflux esophagitis (RE) and Hp infection in adult patients with both the gastric localization of Hp and its histopathologic features. Materials and methods: 248 patients with RE were compared with 249 age and sex matched control groups. Biopsy specimens obtained from the gastric antrum and corpus were histologically evaluated. Findings: The incidence of Hp infection was significantly lower in patients with RE than in the control group (Ratio 1.53, 95% CI 1.07–2.20; p = .02, p < .05). Corpus Hp colonization and corpus gastritis scores were notably lower in the study group (p = .01, p < .05), whereas there was no significant difference in Hp colonization and antrum gastritis scores in the antrum. Corpus Hp colonization and gastritis scores were found to be negatively correlated with esophagitis development (r = −0.11; p = .01; (r = −0.14; p = .00 respectively, p < .05). There was no difference between the groups in terms of atrophy development (p > .05). Conclusion: This study showed that the presence of Hp infection in the corpus and corpus gastritis score was significantly lower in patients with erosive reflux esophagitis than in the control group. It also showed that Hp colonization and corpus gastritis scores were negatively correlated with esophagitis development. This inverse relationship was independent of atrophy.

Turkjgastroenterol, Turkgastro

Background: In patients with ulcerative colitis, endoscopic and clinical indices are used to assess the disease activity. In addition, stud- ies have been carried out for easier and cheaper markers in recent years. For this purpose, we evaluated the monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio of the disease activity. Methods: According to clinical activity and partial Mayo scores, a total of 114 patients, 53 in the active ulcerative colitis group and 61 in the ulcerative colitis remission group were included in the study. Monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate measurements of these 2 groups were recorded. Ulcerative colitis remission group and active ulcerative colitis group were compared in terms of activity. Results: The monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio value in the active ulcerative colitis group was significantly higher than that of the ulcerative colitis remission group (10.68 ± 3.39, 6.68 ± 1.39, P < .001, respectively). The monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio value for active ulcerative colitis at a cut-off value of 7.4 had 83% sensitivity and 81% specificity. In the active ulcerative colitis group, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values were significantly higher than the ulcerative colitis remission group (P < .001, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). Conclusion: Monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio is an inexpensive and effective marker that can be used to determine the activity of ulcerative colitis.