Blog Posts

FSIE Supports SAGES FB Education During Pandemic

4/29/2020

The annual SAGES meeting was postponed due to COVID-19 but the members carry on with several live educational seminars on Facebook. As ever devoted SAGES members, FSIE Board member Kevin Reavis along with former fellows Emily Speer (2015) and Ashwin Kurian (2013) supported the SAGES educational efforts by presenting during the live Alternatives to Nissen session this week to an enthusiastic audience. FSIE appreciates the dedication to education shown by SAGES during these times of virtual learning and social distancing. See you in Cleveland!

FSIE Finally on IG!

4/11/2020

One good thing about #stayhome is a chance to catch up on the long not urgent but wish you had time for to do list! Follow us @FSIEsurgery

Stay Healthy!

FSIE Cancels Summer Programs

3/23/2020

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, FSIE will be cancelling all summer internships and programs including the Undergraduate and High School Internships. Hopefully there will be a POEM course in 2020 but will wait and see how the next few months go. Stay safe out there and virtually hug your health care professionals in your community. #stayhomeforus

IRCAD Silent Auction Item Redeemed by Former Fellows

3/6/2020

In 1994, IRCAD opened on the grounds of the University Hospital of Strasbourg, France. Since its creation, IRCAD has gained world renowned fame as a leading research and education institute. FSIE is grateful for our relationship with this prestigious institution. Each year founder and chief Prof. Jacques Marescaux generously donates two surgeon subscriptions for our annual silent auction at the FSIE Summer Celebration Fundraiser. This huge value is always a highly popular item! Last year’s lucky winners, former Foregut Fellows Dr Filippo Filicori and Dr Ahmed Zihni recently cashed in their IRCAD experience where they participated in hands-on courses (and a little karaoke we hear) and were hosted by FSIE President Dr Lee Swanstrom. Thank you IRCAD!

Find out more about IRCAD

FSIE In Maui!

2/15/2020

The 35th annual "Medical and Surgical Aspects of Esophageal & Foregut Disorders: Pathophysiology and Treatment" course was held this past week in the Island of Maui in Hawaii led by FSIE Innovations Team member and Program Director Dr Steven DeMeester. The whole team was able to come soak up the knowledge and the sun (and a little rain) thanks to Dr Reavis who covered the service at home in PDX. Fellows Dr Fletcher, Dr Reid and Dr Sharata all had the opportunity to present at the early risers sessions. Great job everyone! There was of course plenty of time for exploring and making connections despite Dr DeMeester’s very enthusiastic agenda (Steve- let’s stop by 12:30 next year!!) A great time was had by all!

How many days until next year’s trip?

ALOHA!

Cleveland Rocks!! Get Ready for Sages April 1-4 2020

12/17/2019

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRESENTERS
See tentative SAGES schedule below. Annual Swanstrom Fellow Party TBD
APRIL 1, 2020

Masters Foregut: Paraesophageal Hernia
Talk Title: Pre-recorded `Live` Surgery: Nissen Fundoplication
Presenter Christy Dunst
04/01/2020, 9:00:00 AM - 12:00:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall B

Masters Foregut: Paraesophageal Hernia
Talk Title: Relaxing Incisions - How I Do It
Speaker Steve DeMeester
04/01/2020, 9:00:00 AM - 12:00:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall B

SAGES AWARD Luncheon
Dr Brett Parker to receive the IRCAD Visiting Fellowship Award
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Huntington Convention Center, Cleveland OH

SS17 Foregut Endoscopy
Moderator Lee Swanstrom
4/1/202 14:30-15:30

Abstract Accepted: Can We Identify Patients Appropriate for Same Day Discharge After Laparoscopic Fundoplication?
Presenter: Brett C Parker, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Poster Session (Non CME)
Session Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2020 - Saturday, April 04, 2020
Session Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

April 2, 2020

Oh No It Slipped Again: Tips and Tricks to Managing Primary and Recurrent Hiatal Hernias
Talk Title: Chair
Session Chair Christy Dunst
04/02/2020, 7:30:00 AM - 9:00:00 AM Room: Grand Ballroom A

Oh No It Slipped Again: Tips and Tricks to Managing Primary and Recurrent Hiatal Hernias
Talk Title: Do It Right the First Time: Reducing Axial and Radial Tension
Speaker Steve DeMeester
04/02/2020, 7:30:00 AM - 9:00:00 AM Room: Grand Ballroom A

Esophageal Cancer: Updates in MIS and Endoluminal Management
Talk Title: Management of Stage T1b Esophageal Cancer: Current Role for Endoscopic Eradication Therapy vs Surgical Resection
Speaker Steve DeMeester
04/02/2020, 4:00:00 PM - 5:30:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall B

Evolving Techniques in Revisional Bariatric Surgery
Title: The Endoscopic Weight Loss Procedure Failed - Can I Do a Definitive Surgical Procedure?
Speaker Kevin Reavis
04/02/2020 7:30-9:00 am

Video Accepted: Technique for Jejunojejunostomy
Presenter: Derek Dirks, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Video Loop Day 2
Session Date: Thursday, April 02, 2020
Session Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

April 3, 2020

"Mesh Should be Used Routinely During PEH Repair." This would be part of The Great Foregut Debate on 4/3 from 1:30 PM - 4 PM.
Great Foregut Debate
Talk Title: Management of Stage T1b Esophageal Cancer: Current Role for Endoscopic Eradication Therapy vs Surgical Resection
Speaker Steve DeMeester
04/02/2020, 4:00:00 PM - 5:30:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall B

Video Accepted: Paraesophageal Hernia Repair with Truncal Vagotomy and Hill Gastroplasty Status Post Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass
Presenter: Derek Dirks, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Exhibit Hall Theater Session IV
Session Date: Friday, April 03, 2020
Session Time: 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Video Accepted: It’s Huuuge! Trans-gastric Resection of Giant GIST
Presenter: Brett C Parker, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Masterpiece Theater
Session Date: Friday, April 03, 2020
Session Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Video Accepted: Large Paraesophageal Hernia and Gastric Bypass
Presenter: Derek Dirks, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Video Loop Day 3
Session Date: Friday, April 03, 2020
Session Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Video Accepted: Endoscopic Submucosal Resection of a Symptomatic Esophageal Leiomyoma in No Man’s Land
Presenter: Reid Fletcher, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Exhibit Hall Theater Session III
Session Date: Friday, April 03, 2020
Session Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

April 4, 2020

Abstract Accepted: POEM PERSISTS! A SIX YEAR OUTCOME STUDY OF 100 PATIENTS
Presenter: Sarah C McKay, BS
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Best Papers II
Session Date: Saturday, April 04, 2020
Session Time: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Abstract Accepted: Safety and Efficacy of LINX Dilation for Dysphagia
Presenter: Reid Fletcher, MD
Program Number: Program number will be assigned after your acceptance.
Session Name: Foregut Complications
Session Date: Saturday, April 04, 2020
Session Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

International Scholar Dr Vishal Gupta spends time with FSIE in PDX

11/22/2019

FSIE was proud to host the American College of Surgeons 2019 International Guest Scholarship recipient Dr Vishal Gupta. Dr Gupta focuses on GI and HPB malignancies at the King George Medical University in Lucknow, India. His department is one of the very few in India that was established exclusively for the surgical management of GI Disorders. Dr Gupta spent two weeks with FSIE surgeons, observing cases, new technology, participating in complex foregut case conference and research meetings. It was our pleasure to meet our colleague, now friend, from India. Thank you for coming, Dr Gupta!

FSIE Board goes to Tacorea

10/28/2019

Lee Swanstrom, Christy Dunst and Kevin Reavis had a quick FSIE meeting at Tacorea while attending the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress meeting in San Francisco. Highly recommend!

Fall POEM Course

10/25/2019

Special thanks to the FSIE team and sponsors for putting on another great course! Twelve participants learned POEM through an intensive hands-on lab and didactic day Thursday followed by live surgeries by Dr Kevin Reavis on Friday. The group also enjoyed a nice dinner at Altabira rooftop restaurant. A special thanks to John Day from ERBE who gave an excellent guest lecture about electrosurgery in the submucosal space.

FSIE Launches youtube channel

10/20/2019

FSIE has moved all videos from the site to youtube to make it easier for people to view (the site was slow!) Check it out and subscribe!

FSIE SURGERY

FSIE Welcomes International Post-graduate Research Fellow, Dr Dolores Müller

10/6/2019

Dr Dolores Müller is currently a surgical resident at the University of Cologne with extensive background in esophageal pathophysiology under the expert tutelage of Dr Hans Fuchs. She has presented her research at the German Society of Surgery and at SAGES among others. As a promising rising foregut star, she has been awarded a travel research scholarship through Restech to continue her work investigating laryngopharyngeal reflux and its impact on patient health. She will be spending 1-2 years in Portland as our FSIE post-graduate research fellow collaborating on various projects and observing operative techniques. FSIE is thrilled to have her as part of our research team!

Summer Internship Application Now Open

10/4/2019

FSIE is now accepting applications for the popular 2020 summer undergraduate and high school internship programs. Acceptance letters will go out by January 1st for undergraduates and April 1st for HS students after review by the selection committee.

FSIE Interns on TV!

First FSIE Patients Implanted in the NECTAR Trial

8/16/2019

FSIE Investigators are part of a multi-center trial testing a new endoscopic therapy for patients with early GERD interested in eliminating or decreasing their dependence on medical therapy: NECTAR Pivotal Trial
Aluvra, also known as Durasphere, has been used to treat stress urinary incontinence for over 18 years and is now under study at the GEJ to treat GERD. Aluvra is an injectable bulking material composed of >99% non-pyrogenic carbon beads, coated with pyrolytic carbon and suspended in a biocompatible, water-based carrier gel containing beta glucan, which provides lubricity to aid in the beads' delivery down the lumen of the delivery catheter. This substance, when injected submucosally at the GEJ, creates bulking of the submucosal tissue in the area of the LES. Over time collagen is deposited around the beads, creating an encapsulated fibrous sheath around the injected particles that produces tissue bulking and improved coaptation of the LES/GEJ, ultimately preventing gastroesophageal reflux. A small pilot study has shown very promising results with the endoscopic out-patient procedure (Ganz et al, Gastrointest Endosc. 2009). The study shows that the procedure was well tolerated with minimal patient discomfort and no dysphagia. At 12 months, 90% of patients reduced PPI use by greater than 50% and 70% discontinued all antacid medication completely. There was no esophagitis, no erosion, ulceration or sloughing of material was noted at any injection site and the beads did not appear to migrate. FSIE enrolled it's first 3 patients this week.

8th Annual FSIE Summer Celebration Honors Dr Lee Swanstrom

7/20/2019

This year's annual FSIE party celebrated President and Founder Dr Lee Swanstrom's retirement from clinical practice (see post from July 15) in addition to the traditional graduation for the Summer Undergraduate Interns. It was a wonderful summer night mingling with friends and colleagues! See you next year!

Summer Internship Programs End with a Bang!

7/19/2019

The FSIE Undergraduate Summer Interns welcomed 9 promising high school students to join them for a special combined week of special sessions. They started the week learning the basics of resuscitation including IV starts and intubation in the simulation lab. The next two days included watching live laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, by Dr Steve Demeester and Dr Rehan Ahmad, projected into the lab conference room. The surgeons wore microphones so they could interact with the group in real time. Then the students experienced an incredible flexible endoscopy skills day lead by Dr Kevin Reavis and Dr Daniel Davilla Bradley after attending the weekly research meeting where the interns gave their final research presentations. But the icing on the cake was the Friday hands on surgical skills lab where the group performed Fundamental of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) tasks, flexible endoscopic surgery and laparoscopic surgery procedures in a laboratory setting. During breaks they heard lectures about electrosurgery by John Day and the future of surgery by Dr Swanstrom. A great time was had by all! A special thanks to the support of ERBE, Olympus, Stryker, Covidian, Endogastric Solutions, Medtronic, Boston Scientific and all the volunteers for making it all possible!