[Application of endoscopic full-thickness resection in the treatment of gastric tumors originated fromthe muscularis propria].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative effect and safety of endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFR) in the treatment of gastric tumor originated from the muscularis propria.
 METHODS: Clinical data were collected from 34 patients, who underwent EFR of gastric tumor originated from muscularis propria, to observe the resection rate and complications from November 2012 to August 2014.
 RESULTS: Of the 34 patients, 15 were male, 19 were female, with the age of 38.3-70.6 (52.3±4.3) years old. The lesions of 25 patients located in the fundus of stomach and the rest was in the gastric body. EFR was successfully performed in the 34 patients with no need for surgery. The complete resection rate was 100%. Lesion diameter ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 (2.8±1.2) centimeters. The operation time was 50-100 (76.5±18.2) min. Patients with pneumoperitoneum were relieved after abdominal puncture exhaust, without post-operation bleeding and perforation. The hospitalization duration was 3-5 (3.6±0.8) days. Except 1 case, the remaining 33 cases were spindle cell tumors, consistent with the results of immunohistochemistry. The risk for two lesions with 4.5 cm and 5.0 cm was moderate. The risk of invasion was low or very low in the remaining 31 cases. Among them, 2 stromal tumors near the cardia showed a differentiation tendency toward smooth muscle. No lesion residual or recurrence happened during the follow-up period (range 5-23 months) in 34 cases. 
 CONCLUSION: EFR is a safe and effective method for gastric tumor originated from muscularis propria.

[Efficacy and safety of peroral endoscopic myotomy in the treatment of achalasia cardia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia cardia (AC).
 METHODS: A total of 62 patients with AC were enrolled and treated with POEM in the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from April 2012 to October 2014. The symptoms and complications were retrospectively analyzed.
 RESULTS: The ages of patients, including 32 males and 30 females, were 14-68 (43.2±5.6) years old. Eckardt scores were 4-6 or ≥7 for 25 patients or 37 patients (including 20 patients were at a score of 12). Thirteen patients suffered balloon expansion for 2-3 times. Sixty-one patients had completed POEM treatment, 1 patient were given Heller surgery instead of POEM because of extensive submucosal adhesion during POEM. The operative time for POEM was (60.8±15.1) min. Fourteen patients had mild subcutaneous emphysema. Among them, 5 suffered pneumoperitoneum and felt better after abdominal puncture exhaust; 2 patients suffered bronchospasm hypoxemia and were relieved after treatment by positive pressure oxygen for 1 h. The hospital stay was (4.3±1.2) d. The postoperative follow-up period was (11.4±5.4) months. Swallowing obstruction, vomiting and chest pain in patients was relieved at different degrees. The treatment effective rate was 100%. 
 CONCLUSION: POEM is a safe, effective and minimally invasive approach for AC.

Application of clips assisted with foreign body forceps in defect closure after endoscopic full-thickness resection.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of metallic clips assisted with foreign body forceps closing the gastric wall defect after endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFR) for gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs). METHODS: Eighteen patients with gastric SMTs originated from the muscularis propria were treated by EFR between September 2012 and June 2014. Twelve patients underwent endoscopic closure of the gastric wall defects after EFR with endoloop and metallic clips (endoloop string suture method, ESSM), and six patients with clips and foreign body forceps (clips assisted with foreign body forceps clip method, CFCM). RESULTS: No significant differences existed between the two groups in terms of demographics, clinical characteristics, and the size of the gastric wall defects. The average time spent in closing the gastric wall defects (14.83 ± 1.94 min for the CFCM group and 22.42 ± 5.73 min for the ESSM group) and hospitalization fees of the CFCM group were significantly lower than those of the ESSM group. The average hospitalization time of the two groups had no statistical significance. No single case had surgical intervention or complications, such as gastric bleeding, perforation, peritonitis, or abdominal abscess. CONCLUSION: The CFCM and the ESSM are safe and effective techniques for gastric defect closure after EFR for gastric SMTs. Because of the "chopsticks effect," the CFCM more suitable for the lesions located at the gastric fundus, the greater curvature or anterior wall of the gastric body and gastric antrum.