Ligation-assisted endoscopic submucosal resection following unroofing technique for small esophageal subepithelial lesions originating from the muscularis propria.

BACKGROUND: The majority of esophageal subepithelial lesions originating from the muscularis propria (SEL-MPs) are benign in nature, although a subset may exhibit malignant characteristics. Conventional endoscopic resection techniques are time-consuming and lack efficacy for small SEL-MPs. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ligation-assisted endoscopic submucosal resection (ESMR-L) following unroofing technique for small esophageal SEL-MPs. METHODS: From January 2021 to September 2023, 17 patients diagnosed with esophageal SEL-MPs underwent ESMR-L following unroofing technique at the endoscopy center of Shenzhen People's Hospital. Details of clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 50.12 ± 12.65 years. The mean size of the tumors was 7.47 ± 2.83 mm and all cases achieved en bloc resection successfully. The average operation time was 12.2 minutes without any complications. Histopathology identified 2 Lesions (11.8%) as gastrointestinal stromal tumors at very low risk, 12 Lesions (70.6%) as leiomyoma and 3 Lesions (17.6%) as smooth muscle proliferation. No recurrence was found during the mean follow-up duration of 14.18 ± 9.62 months. CONCLUSION: ESMR-L following roofing technique is an effective and safe technique for management of esophageal SEL-MPs smaller than 20 mm, but it cannot ensure en bloc resection and may require further treatment.

Effects on anorectal function of endoscopic submucosal dissection for rectal tumors involving the dentate line.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a specific procedure that uses an electrosurgical knife for en-bloc resectioning large tumors. However, no study has examined the effect of ESD on the defecation function of patients with rectal tumors. We aimed to investigate the potential effects caused by ESD by analyzing changes in the morphology and movement of the anorectum pre- and post-ESD. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 11 patients with anorectal tumors who underwent ESD between April 2020 and February 2022. Pre-ESD assessments included anorectal manometry and defecography. Post-ESD assessments were conducted 2 months later, including anorectal manometry, defecography, and proctoscopy for ulcer and stenosis evaluation. RESULTS: The median patient age was 73 years, including seven males and four females. Eight patients (73%) had a tumor in the lower rectum, and the extent of resection was less than 50% of the rectal lumen. Resection reached the dentate line in six cases (55%). In the patients with post-ESD mucosal defects involving the dentate line, the median of functional anal canal length significantly decreased from (3.4 cm pre-ESD to 2.8 cm post-ESD, p = 0.04). Defecography revealed one case with incomplete evacuation (<50%) and incontinence post-ESD. Interestingly, patients with pre-existing rectoceles noted resolution of lesions post-ESD. None of the patients reported daily constipation or fecal incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: While rectal ESD is unlikely to cause significant real-world defecation difficulties, alterations in rectal and anal canal morphology and function may occur if the dentate line is involved in the resection range.

Outcomes of Endoscopic Antireflux Mucosectomy for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in western countries. Endoscopic procedures have recently emerged as an alternative therapy to surgery for patients with GERD. The aim of this study was to determine outcomes after endoscopic antireflux mucosectomy (ARMS). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to analyze outcomes after ARMS. The main outcomes included patients' satisfaction, GERD health-related quality of life, use of proton pump inhibitors, and DeMeester score. The secondary endpoint was postprocedural adverse events. A meta-analysis of proportions was used to assess the effect of each approach on different outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies comprising 654 patients were included for analysis. The mean age of patients was 51.83 (36 to 59.39) years, and the mean body mass index was 25.06 (23.5 to 27) kg/m 2 . The weighted pooled proportion of patient satisfaction after ARMS was 65% (95% CI: 52%-76%). The pooled proportion of patients taking proton pump inhibitors decreases from 100% to 40.84% ( P < 0.001). The mean GERD health-related quality of life scores (pre 19.48 vs post 7.90, P < 0.001) and DeMeester score (pre 44.99 vs post 15.02 P = 0.005) significantly improved after ARMS. Overall morbidity rate was 27% (95% CI: 13%-47%), with a weighted pooled proportion of perforation, stricture, and bleeding of 3% (95% CI: 2%-6%), 12% (95% CI: 9%-16%), and 6% (95% CI: 2%-17%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ARMS for GERD is associated with symptomatic improvement, reduction of medical therapy, and enhanced quality of life. Refinements of the technique, however, are needed to decrease morbidity.

Comparison of the Prevention of Esophageal Stricture Between Oral Prednisolone Alone and Oral Prednisolone Combined with Nasogastric Tube in Superficial Esophageal Cancer After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS:  There is a lack of effective and safe methods for preventing esophageal stricture after large endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with superficial esophageal cancer. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of oral prednisolone alone versus a combination of oral prednisolone and nasogastric tube in preventing esophageal stricture following extensive ESD. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  We retrospectively gathered clinical data from a single center on patients with early esophageal cancer who underwent ESD. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: the steroid group (receiving only oral prednisolone) and the steroid+nasogastric tube retention (NGT) group. We analyzed the incidence of esophageal stricture and identified risk factors for its development. RESULTS:  The study included 79 patients, with 30 in the steroid group and 49 in the steroid+NGT group. The incidence of stricture was significantly higher in the steroid group (9/30, 30.0%) compared to the steroid+NGT group (3/49, 6.1%) (P = .004). Notably, we observed a significant difference in the stricture rates between the 2 groups, particularly in patients with a complete circumferential defect (100% and 16.7%) (P = .015). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a full circumferential defect of the esophageal mucosa (OR 12.501; 95% CI 1.907, 81.047; P = .008), invasion depth beyond the lamina propria (OR 5.635; 95% CI 1.039, 30.559; P = .045), and the absence of NGT retention (OR 12.896; 95% CI 2.099, 79.219; P = .006) were independent risk factors predicting the development of a stricture. CONCLUSION:  The combination of steroids with NGT retention is more effective than using oral steroids alone in preventing esophageal stricture after extensive ESD.

Development and validation of a predictive model for submucosal fibrosis in patients with early gastric cancer undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection: experience from a large tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Submucosal fibrosis is associated with adverse events of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The present study mainly aimed to establish a predictive model for submucosal fibrosis in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) undergoing ESD. METHODS: Eligible patients with EGC, identified at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from April 2013 to December 2023, were retrospectively included and randomly split into a training set and a validation set in a 7:3 ratio. Logistic regression analyses were used to pinpoint the risk factors for submucosal fibrosis. A nomogram was developed and confirmed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration plots, Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) tests, and decision curve analysis (DCA) curves. Besides, a predictive model for severe submucosal fibrosis was further conducted and tested. RESULTS: A total of 516 cases in the training group and 220 cases in the validation group were recruited. The nomogram for submucosal fibrosis contained the following items: tumour location (long axis), tumour location (short axis), ulceration, and biopsy pathology. ROC curves showed high efficiency with an area under the ROC of 0.819 in the training group, and 0.812 in the validation group. Calibration curves and H-L tests indicated good consistency. DCA proved the nomogram to be clinically beneficial. Furthermore, the four items were also applicable for a nomogram predicting severe fibrosis, and the model performed well. CONCLUSION: The predictive models, initially constructed in this study, were validated as convenient and feasible for endoscopists to predict submucosal fibrosis and severe fibrosis in patients with EGC undergoing ESD.

Outcome and predictive factors for perforation in orthodontic rubber band-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection of fibrotic colorectal lesions.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of fibrotic colorectal lesions is difficult and has a high complication rate. There are only a few reports on the utility of orthodontic rubber band (ORB) traction in reducing the difficulty of this procedure. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for perforation when applying ORB traction during ESD of fibrotic colorectal lesions. We continuously collected the clinical data of 119 patients with fibrotic colorectal lesions who underwent ESD with ORB and clip traction between January 2019 and January 2024. Possible risk factors for perforation were analyzed. The median ORB-ESD operative time was 40 (IQR 28-62) min, and the en bloc and R0 resection rates were 94.1% and 84.0%, respectively. Perforation occurred in 16 of 119 patients (13.4%). The lesion size, lesion at the right half of the colon or across an intestinal plica, the degree of fibrosis, operation time, and the surgeon's experience were associated with perforation during ORB-ESD (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesions in the right colon (OR 9.027; 95% CI 1.807-45.098; P = 0.007) and those across an intestinal plica (OR 7.771; 95% CI 1.298-46.536; P = 0.025) were independent risk factors for perforation during ORB-ESD. ORB-ESD is an effective and feasible approach to treat fibrotic colorectal lesions. Adequate preoperative evaluation is required for lesions in the right colon and across intestinal plicas to mitigate the risk of perforation.

Gastric cystica profunda: Another indication for minimally invasive endoscopic resection techniques?

Gastric cancer presents a significant global health burden, as it is the fifth most common malignancy and fourth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Variations in incidence rates across regions underscores the multifactorial etiology of this disease. The overall 5-year survival rate remains low despite advances in its diagnosis and treatment. Although surgical gastrectomy was previously standard-of-care, endoscopic resection techniques, including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) have emerged as effective alternatives for early lesions. Compared to surgical resection, endoscopic resection techniques have comparable 5-year survival rates, reduced treatment-related adverse events, shorter hospital stays and lower costs. ESD also enables en bloc resection, thus affording organ-sparing curative endoscopic resection for early cancers. In this editorial, we comment on the recent publication by Geng et al regarding gastric cystica profunda (GCP). GCP is a rare gastric pseudotumour with the potential for malignant progression. GCP presents a diagnostic challenge due to its nonspecific clinical manifestations and varied endoscopic appearance. There are several gaps in the literature regarding the diagnosis and management of GCP which warrants further research to standardize patient management. Advances in endoscopic resection techniques offer promising avenues for GCP and early gastric cancers.

Local recurrence after endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric neoplastic lesions: special attention should be given also to safety margins.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of local recurrence following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains a clinical concern. We aimed to evaluate the impact of narrow safety margin (< 1 mm) on the recurrence rate. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted across two centers. Cases of R0-ESD with subsequent recurrence were compared to matched controls in a 1:2 ratio in a case-cohort analysis. RESULTS: Over a median period of 25 months (IQR 14-43), a recurrence rate of 3% (95%CI 1.7-4.3) was observed, predominantly (13/21) following R0 resections with favourable histology. Endoscopic retreatment was feasible in 18 of 21 recurrences. The proportion of R0-cases where the safety margin in both horizontal (HM) and vertical (VM) margin exceeded 1 mm was similarly distributed in the recurrence and non-recurrence group, representing nearly 20% of cases. However, cases with HM less than 1 mm, despite VM greater than 1 mm, nearly doubled in the recurrence group (7.7% vs. 3.9%), and tripled when both margins were under 1 mm (23.1% vs. 7.7%). Despite this trend, statistical significance was not achieved (p = 0.05). In the overall cohort, the only independent risk factor significantly associated with local recurrence was the presence of residual tumor at the HM (HM1) or not assessable HM (HMx) (OR 16.5 (95%CI 4.4-61.7), and OR 11.7 (95%CI 1.1-124.1), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: While not common or typically challenging to manage, recurrence post-ESD warrants attention and justifies rigorous post-procedural surveillance, especially in patients with HM1, HMx, and probably also in those with R0 resections but narrow safety margin.

Multicenter retrospective analysis of complications and risk factors in endoscopic resection for esophageal cancer across Japan.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic resection (ER) is a minimally invasive treatment for esophageal cancer that sometimes causes complications. To understand the real-world incidence and risk factors for these complications, a nationwide survey was conducted across Japan. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included patients who underwent ER for esophageal cancer from April 2017 to March 2018 (2017 complication analysis) and April 2021 to March 2022 (2021 complication analysis). The study assessed the complication rates and conducted risk factor analyses for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using data for these patients, with exclusions based on specific criteria to ensure data accuracy. RESULTS: In the 2021 complication analysis, there were two mortalities highly likely attributable (0.03%) to ER and one mortality possibly attributable (0.01%) to ER. Intraoperative perforation, delayed bleeding, and pneumonia occurred in 137 cases (1.8%), 44 cases (0.6%), and 130 cases (1.7%), respectively. In the multivariate analysis for complications after ESD, low ER volume of the facility was an independent risk factor for perforation, while lesion location in the cervical or upper thoracic esophagus was an independent factor for reduced risk of perforation. Age ≥ 80 years was a risk factor for pneumonia, while use of traction techniques was a factor for reduced risk of pneumonia. Lesions located in the middle thoracic esophagus had a lower risk of stricture, and the risk of stricture increased as the circumferential extent of the lesion increased. CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale study provided detailed insights into the complications associated with esophageal ER and identified significant risk factors.

Repeat endoscopic submucosal dissection close to the initial endoscopic submucosal dissection scar for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Repeat endoscopic submucosal dissection for metachronous recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma close to previous endoscopic submucosal dissection scars is challenging. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy and safety of repeat endoscopic submucosal dissection for recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: The study included 1680 patients. After propensity score matching, esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection-related outcomes were compared between the post-endoscopic submucosal dissection scar group (n = 91) and first endoscopic submucosal dissection group (n = 910). The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to compare both groups' survival and local recurrence curves. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, the two groups showed no significant difference in en bloc resection rate (97.80% vs. 99.56%, p = 0.096), treatment time (64.75 min vs 61.33 min, p = 0.448), recurrence rate (3.30% vs. 2.20%, p = 0.458), and stricture rate (7.69% vs. 4.07%, p = 0.110). However, the perforation rate was higher in the post-endoscopic submucosal dissection scar group than in the first endoscopic submucosal dissection group (4.40% vs. 1.10%, p = 0.031). The 5-year overall survival rates in the post-endoscopic submucosal dissection scar and first endoscopic submucosal dissection groups were 88.6% and 89.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection for recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes and survival rates. Therefore, repeat endoscopic submucosal dissection may effectively treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma recurrence close to the initial endoscopic submucosal dissection scars.

Predictors of residual neoplasia after noncurative (R1) endoscopic submucosal dissection of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive resection technique that enables the en bloc resection of gastrointestinal lesions. Despite en bloc resection, pathological evaluation of lesions can reveal positive vertical or horizontal margins, which is referred to as R1 resection. Not all R1 lesions referred for surgical resection or endoscopic surveillance show evidence of residual tumor. We aimed to identify the predictors of residual neoplasia in patients with an R1 resection following ESD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All lesions resected via ESD between June 2016 and September 2021 at a tertiary referral center were retrospectively identified. Lesions with an R1 resection and adequate follow-up were eligible for inclusion. Patient, lesion, and procedural characteristics were analyzed to identify predictors of residual neoplasia. RESULTS: Of 614 lesions, 163 (28%) had R1 resection. Of these, 56 lesions in 51 patients had complete follow-up and were included. Thirteen patients (25.5%) underwent surgical resection and the remainder underwent endoscopic surveillance. Seven (12.5%) patients had residual disease. All patients with residual disease had esophageal carcinoma. Positive deep and lateral margins, severe submucosal fibrosis, and moderate/poorly differentiated tumors were identified as significant predictors of residual neoplasia. CONCLUSION: Most R1 lesions (87.5%) resected by ESD did not have residual disease on follow-up. Those without identified risk factors for residual disease, such as esophageal carcinoma, severe submucosal fibrosis, or both histological margin positivity, may benefit from a strategy of close endoscopic surveillance rather than referral for surgical resection.