ABSTRACT
Objective To estimate the safety and efficacy of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) on treatment of large esophageal submucosal tumors (SMTs) originating from muscularis propria layer.Methods The data of patients with large esophageal SMTs (diameter ≥ 3.5 cm) undergone STER (n=17) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD,n =15) at the Endoscopy Center of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from December 2009 to March 2016 were retrospective analyzed.The therapeutic effects,hospitalization times,post-operation expenses,and occurrence of complications were evaluated and compared between the two groups.Results All the endoscopic treatments of the 32 patients were successfully completed.The operating time of the STER group was significantly longer than that of the ESD group (t =2.595,P =0.015).There was no statistical difference on the en bloc resection rate,complete resection rate and complication rate between STER group and ESD group (P＞0.05).The mean post-operative hospital stay of the STER group was significantly less than that of the ESD group (3.8± 1.0days VS 6.7±1.8 days,t=5.644,P=0.000).The mean hospital cost of the STER group was significantly less than that of the ESD group (22 456.1±5 232.0 yuan VS 27 392.5±5 747.9 yuan,t =2.543,P =0.016).The wound healing rates at 1 month after operation in the STER group was significantly higher than that of the ESD group [94.1％ (16/17) VS 20.0％ (3/15),P=0.000].No recurrence and metastasis occurred in the STER group and ESD group during the 41.2±20.6 months follow-up.Conclusion STER is a safe and effective technique for treating large esophageal SMTs originating from the muscularis propria layer,with earlier wound healing,shorter hospital stay and lower cost compared with those of the traditional method of ESD.