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Dr. Robert Bechara was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. After obtaining his medical degree from the University of Toronto, Dr. Bechara completed his Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology residency training at Queens University.

Dr. Bechara completed his fellowship training in Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy at St. Michael's Hospital at the University of Toronto. Subsequently, he completed a Third-Space fellowship under Dr. Haruhiro Inoue at the Showa University Digestive Disease Center Koto-Toyosu Hospital in Tokyo, Japan. His training in Japan included Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), Peroral Endoscopic Tumor resection (POET), Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), Anti-Reflux MucoSectomy, and magnifying endoscopy.

Dr. Robert Bechara is currently an Associate Professor at Queens University, and his clinical and research interests include POEM, ESD, magnifying endoscopy, and diagnosis & resection of early gastrointestinal neoplasia.

Youtube RB Endoscopy
​Twitter @RobertBechara

Memberships and Certifications

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada 
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
American Gastroenterological Association
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society
Canadian Medical Association
Ontario Medical Association ​

Publications

Peer Reviewed Publications

  1. Bechara, R., Hurlbut, D. & Grin, A. Gastric Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp: A Rare Incidental Finding on Endoscopy. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, (2021).
  2. Chis, R., Hew, S., Hopman, W., Hookey, L. & Bechara, R. Taking the Next Steps in Endoscopic Visual Assessment of Barrett's Esophagus: A Pilot Study. Clin Exp Gastroenterol 14, 113-122, (2021).
  3. Kouzmina, E., Bechara, R. & Zevin, B. Resection of Fibrous Pseudocapsule in a Patient with Secondary Achalasia and Persistent Symptoms After Removal of Adjustable Gastric Band: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care, (2021).
  4. Rai, M., Motomura, D., Hookey, L., Antillon, M. R. & Bechara, R. The who, what, where, how, and why of endoscopic submucosal dissection in Canada: A survey among Canadian endoscopists. JGH Open: An open access journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2021 (in press).
  5. Bechara, R. Evolution of re-epithelialization post-circumferential esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection. VideoGIE: an official video journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2021(in press)
  6. Scaffidi, M. A., Hurlbut, D. & Bechara, R. Peroral endoscopic tumor resection of a granular cell tumor arising from the 4th layer: Case report with video. Digestive endoscopy : official journal of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society, (2021).   
  7. Bechara, R. & Manley, P. Clinical Importance of Magnification in the Assessment of Colorectal Lesions. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, (2021).
  8. Motomura, D., Chung, W. & Bechara, R. Endoscopic therapy for T1b esophageal cancer. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 93, 282-283, (2021).
  9. Chen, L. Hurlbut, D. Bechara R, et al. Whole-circumference or near whole-circumference ESD specimens- “Rolling out” a new specimen preparation technique. Canadian Journal of Pathology 13, 34-40, (2021)
  10. Ichkhanian, Y. Assis D, Familiari P, Bechara R, et al. Management of Patients after Failed Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy: a Multicenter Study. Endoscopy, (2020).
  11. Bechara, R. Chen, L., Chung, W. & Varma, S. Salvage circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection for refractory dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus. VideoGIE: an official video journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, (2020).
  12. Hnaris, K., Taylor, C., Hookey, L. & Bechara, R. Fistulotomy-First Approach is Safe and Effective in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography: Results of a Prospective Case Series. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, (2020).
  13. Ngamruengphong, S. and Bechara, R  et al. Efficacy of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Superficial Gastric Neoplasia in a Large Cohort in North America. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, (2020).
  14. Bechara, R. Oropharyngeal Squamous Carcinoma: a not so incidental finding. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, (2020)
  15. Hew, S., Bechara, R. & Hookey, L. Papillary morphology influences biliary cannulation: beware the small papilla! Gastrointestinal endoscopy 91, 959, (2020).
  16. Hew, S. & Bechara, R. Endoscopic or Surgical Myotomy in Achalasia. The New England journal of medicine 382, 1376-1377, (2020).
  17. Rodríguez de Santiago, E, Bechara, R. et al. Safety and effectiveness of peroral endoscopic myotomy in patients on antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy: an international multicenter case-control study. Gastrointestinal endoscopy, (2020).
  18. Rai, M., Woo, M. & Bechara, R. The Canadian POEM Experience: The First 50 Patients. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, (2020).
  19. Bechara, R., Inoue, H. & Hurlbut, D. Signet Ring Early Gastric Cancer: Seize the Opportunity. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, (2020).
  20. Bechara, R., Inoue, H., Shimamura, Y. & Reed, D. Gastroesophageal reflux disease after peroral endoscopic myotomy: lest we forget what we already know. Diseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus, doz106, (2020)
  21. Onimaru, M.  and Bechara, R et al. Clinical outcomes of per-oral endoscopic tumor resection for submucosal tumors in the esophagus and gastric cardia. Digestive endoscopy : official journal of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society 32, 328-336, (2020).
  22. Grimes KL, Bechara R, Shimamura Y, Ikeda H, Inoue H. Gastric myotomy length affects severity but not rate of post-procedure reflux: 3-year follow-up of a prospective randomized controlled trial of double-scope per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophageal achalasia. Surgical endoscopy. 2019.
  23. Bechara, R., Abaskharoun, R. & Manley, P. Dysplastic Barrett’s lesion with white opaque substance and xanthoma. VideoGIE : an official video journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, (2019)
  24. Hnaris K, Bechara R. Removal of a migrated biliary stent perforating the colonic wall: a case description of endoscopic repair. Endoscopy. 2019.
  25. Scaffidi, M. A., Bechara, R. et al. Influence of video-based feedback on self-assessment accuracy of endoscopic skills: a randomized controlled trial. Endoscopy international open 7, E678-e684, (2019).
  26. Rai, M., Hookey, L. & Bechara, R. A case of radiation-induced enteritis diagnosed by video capsule endoscopy. Gastrointestinal endoscopy, (2019).
  27. Nguyen, H. H., Bechara, R., Paterson, W. G. & Hookey, L. C. Two-year retrospective analysis of patients undergoing direct to procedure flexible sigmoidoscopy investigation with rectal bleeding as a primary complaint. Endoscopy international open 6, E1059-e1064, (2018).
  28. Woo, M. & Bechara, R. Post-polypectomy Visible Vessel. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 1, 51-52, (2018).
  29. Rai, M., Woo, M. & Bechara, R. Picking up the tab: Gastrointestinal bleeding due to an embedded bread bag clip. Digestive Endoscopy: official journal of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society, (2018).
  30. Bechara, R., Albabtain, M., Kwan, A. & Hurlbut, D. Double-lumen duodenum with obscure overt GI bleeding. VideoGIE 3, 187-188, (2018).
  31. Hookey L, Kelley M, Marchut K, Green J, Bechara R. Colon Capsule Visualization Is Not Enhanced with Prucalopride: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, 2018, 1(1), 20–25
  32. Tanaka S, Kawara F, Toyonaga T, Bechara R, et al. A novel method of endoscopic-assisted esophageal clearance in advanced achalasia. Endosc Int Open (2018).
  33. Tanaka S, Kawara F, Toyonaga T, Inoue H, Bechara R, Hoshi N, Abe H, Ohara Y, Ishida T, Morita Y, Umegak E. Two penetrating vessels as a novel indicator of the appropriate distal end of per-oral endoscopic myotomy. Dig Endosc (2017).
  34. Bechara R, Kortan P, Kandel G, May G, Schwartz I, Norman Marcon. Combined Endoscopic and Radiographic Evaluation of the Esophagus Immediately After Pneumatic Dilatation for Achalasia. Gastroenterol Pancreatol Liver Disord 3(5): 1-3, (2016).
  35. Bechara, R., Onimaru, M., Ikeda, H. & Inoue, H,.Per-oral endoscopic myotomy, 1000 cases later: pearls, pitfalls, and practical considerations. Gastrointest Endosc (2016).
  36. Bechara, R. & Inoue, H POEM, the Prototypical “New Notes” and the first successful NOTES. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am (2016)
  37. Bechara, R., Onimaru, M., Kushima, M. & Inoue, H. Peroral endoscopic tumor resection for an esophageal bronchogenic cyst. Gastrointest Endosc (2016).
  38. Bechara, R., Ikeda, H.,& Inoue, H. Peroral endoscopic myotomy for Jackhammer esophagus: To cut or not to cut the LES. Endosc Int Open (2016).
  39. Gomi K, Inoue H, Bechara R, et al. New endoscopic classification of the cardiac orifice in esophageal achalasia: Champagne glass sign. Dig Endosc (2016).
  40. Bechara, R., Marcon, N. & Streutker, C. J. Melanosis coli: a disappearing act. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 83, 1296-1298, (2016).
  41. Grimes KL, Inoue H, Onimaru M, Ikeda H, Tansawet A, Bechara R, Tanaka S., Double-scope per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): a prospective randomized controlled trial. Surg Endosc (2015).
  42. Bechara, R., Ikeda, H. & Inoue, H. Peroral endoscopic myotomy: an evolving treatment for achalasia. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 12, 410-26 (2015).
  43. Bechara, R. & Inoue, H. Recent advancement of therapeutic endoscopy in the esophageal benign diseases. World J Gastrointest Endosc (2015) 
​
Book Chapters
  1. Grimes KL, Bechara R, Balassone V, et al. Endoscopic GI Surgery. In: Romanelli JR, Desilets DJ, Earle DB, eds. NOTES and Endoluminal Surgery. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2017:29-46.
  2. Bechara R and Inoue H. Magnifying Endoscopic Diagnosis of Tissue Atypia and Cancer Invasion Depth in the Area of Pharyngoesophageal Squamous Epithelium by NBI Enhanced Magnification Image: IPCL Pattern Classification. Johnathan Cohen, eds. Comprehensive Atlas of High‐Resolution Endoscopy and Narrowband Imaging. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 2nd Edition, 2017:39-59

Abstracts
  1. Rai, M, Nazarian, A, Bechara, R. A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF ROPIVACAINE FOR POST-OPERATIVE PAIN IN POEM. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 93, AB301, (2021)
  2. Motomura, D. & Bechara, R. A138 ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR BARRETT’S NEOPLASIA IN A NORTH AMERICAN ACADEMIC CENTRE. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 4, 123-125, (2021).
  3. Hew, S., Taylor, C., Hookey, L. & Bechara, R. A270 AMPULLARY MORPHOLOGY PREDICTS SUCCESS AND POST-PROCEDURE COMPLICATIONS IN PRIMARY NEEDLE-KNIFE FISTULOTOMY FOR BILIARY CANNULATION IN ERCP: RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE CASE SERIES. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 3, 147-148, (2020).
  4. Rodrigues, D., Lourenssen, S., Bechara, R. & Blennerhassett, M. G. A132 SMOOTH MUSCLE BIOPSIES FROM POEM PROCEDURES FOR ACHALASIA SHOW LACK OF FUNCTIONAL INNERVATION. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 3, 152-153, doi:10.1093/jcag/gwz047.131 (2020).
  5. Hew, S., Bechara, R. Obesity post-peroral endoscopic myotomy: How big a problem is it? Gastrointestinal endoscopy 91, AB150-AB151,2020.
  6. Tan, P. et al. A158 LACK OF DIFFERENCE OF COLONIC CURVATURE IN SUPINE VERSUS PRONE PATIENT POSITIONS, IN NORMAL AND HIGH BMI INDIVIDUALS, AS ASSESSED BY QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY COLONOGRAPHY. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 3, 22-23, (2020).
  7. Parsa, N. et al. 666 WHAT TO DO WHEN HELLER MYOTOMY FAILS? INTERNATIONAL MULTICENTER COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE OUTCOMES OF REDO HELLER MYOTOMY VS PERORAL ENDOSCOPIC MYOTOMY VS PNEUMATIC DILATATION IN PATIENTS WITH FAILED HELLER MYOTOMY. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 91, AB56, (2020).
  8. Motomura D, Hew, S, Bechara, R. Novel Triangle-tip knife increases efficiency in Peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 91, AB143, 2020
  9. Bechara, R. et al. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for complex achalasia and the POEM difficulty score. Digestive endoscopy: official journal of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society 31, 148-155, doi:10.1111/den.13294 (2019).
  10. Kerdsirichairat, T., and Bechara, R. et al. Su1372 OUTCOMES OF ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION VERSUS SURGERY IN EARLY GASTRIC CANCER MEETING STANDARD AND EXPANDED INDICATIONS: A MULTICENTER NORTH AMERICAN COHORT. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 89, AB350-AB351, doi:10.1016/j.gie.2019.03.499 (2019).
  11. Ngamruengphong, S., and Bechara, R. et al.. 646 ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR GASTRIC NEOPLASIA: A LARGE MULTICENTER STUDY FROM NORTH AMERICA. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 89, AB102-AB103, doi:10.1016/j.gie.2019.04.100 (2019).
  12. Assis, D., and Bechara, R. et al. . 468 INTERNATIONAL MULTICENTER STUDY ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS AFTER FAILED PERORAL ENDOSCOPIC MYOTOMY (POEM). Gastrointestinal endoscopy 89, AB80-AB81, doi:10.1016/j.gie.2019.04.061 (2019).
  13. Mehta, A. and Bechara, R. et al. 554 PROPHYLACTIC ENDOSCOPIC CLOSURE DOES NOT REDUCE ADVERSE EVENTS FOLLOWING ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION: A CASE-MATCHED MULTICENTER STUDY. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 89, AB97, doi:10.1016/j.gie.2019.04.091 (2019).
  14. Lasso, A., and Bechara, R. et al. A222 QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE CHANGES IN COLONIC CURVATURE WITH SUPINE VERSUS PRONE PATIENT POSITION USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY COLONOGRAPHY. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 2, 433-434, doi:10.1093/jcag/gwz006.221 (2019).
  15. Woo, M., Rai, M., Canning, S., Chakraborty, A. & Bechara, R. An Analysis of Objective pH Testing in Post-POEM Achalasia Patients: 411. American Journal of Gastroenterology 113, S242-S243 (2018
  16. Albabtain M, Bechara R. Duodenal duplication cyst presenting as obscure overt gastrointestinal bleeding. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, Volume 1, Issue suppl_2, 1 March 2018, Pages 87.           
  17. Jowhari, F., Inoue, H., Ikeda, H., Onimaru, M. & Bechara, R. A216 Predicting Difficult Cases in POEM (Peroral endoscopic myotomy) Procedures. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 1, 320-320, (2018).
  18. Woo, M. & Bechara, R. A43 Utility of a Difficulty Score in Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy(POEM) for Treating Achalasia. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 1, 70-71, doi:10.1093/jcag/gwy009.043 (2018).
  19. Woo, M. & Bechara, R. A52 PERORAL ENDOSCOPIC MYOTOMY (POEM) FOR TREATING ACHALASIA: A SINGLE CENTER’S RESULTS. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 1, 88-89, (2018).
  20. Bechara, R. & Kanagasabai, V. V. A52 Endoscopic Closure of a Perforated Peptic Ulcer in a Patient who was a Challenging Candidate for Surgical Management. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 1, 84-84, doi:10.1093/jcag/gwy009.052 (2018).
  21. Hnaris, K. & Bechara, R. A333 Removal of a Migrated Biliary Stent Impacted In the Colonic Wall: A Case Description of Endoscopic Repair. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology 1, 480-481, doi:10.1093/jcag/gwy009.333 (2018).
  22. Chis,R. & Bechara, R. Taking the next steps in endoscopic visual assessment of Barrett's esophagus. APDW 2018 E-poster Presentations. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 33, 54-221, doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.14482 (2018).
  23. Bechara, R. et al. Tu1366 Immediate Combined Endoscopic and Radiographic Evaluation of the Esophagus After Balloon Dilation for Achalasia Is Sufficient to Detect Leaks in Asymptomatic Patients. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 79, AB514, doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2014.02.812 (2014).

R. Bechara