Real-World Experience of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Neoplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Some studies have recently investigated endoscopic resection of UC-associated neoplasia (UCAN), but the indications for endoscopic resection of UCAN remain controversial. This study sought to clarify the problems encountered in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for UCAN. METHODS: Seventeen lesions in 12 patients with UCAN (UCAN group) and 913 epithelial lesions in 824 control patients without UC (non-UC group) were evaluated. Both groups underwent ESD between January 2010 and December 2017 at Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Treatment outcomes of the 2 groups were compared retrospectively. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that the mean tumor size was significantly smaller in the UCAN group than in the non-UC group (25.1 ± 26.7 mm vs. 31.9 ± 19.0; p = 0.0023); however, the R0 resection rate was significantly lower in the UCAN group (70.6 vs. 92.9%; p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a significantly lower negative horizontal margin rate in the UCAN group (odds ratio 11.3, 95% confidence interval 3.588-34.525; p = 0.000). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: ESD for UCAN is associated with a low-negative horizontal margin rate. When performing ESD for UCAN, it is important to evaluate the accuracy of the UCAN demarcation line, especially for flat lesions, using white-light imaging and chromoendoscopy as well as other modalities, including biopsy of surrounding tissues.

Comparison of 3D endoscopy and conventional 2D endoscopy in gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: an ex vivo animal study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Conventional endoscopy provides two-dimensional (2D) information without depth information. This study compared three-dimensional (3D) endoscopy and 2D endoscopy using an endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) training model to evaluate the utility of 3D endoscopy. METHODS: Porcine stomach specimens (7 × 7 cm) were prepared from commercially available resected porcine stomachs and a 10-mm hypothetical lesion was marked at the center of each specimen. Specimens were individually placed in an ESD training model, and subjected to either 2D or 3D ESD. En bloc resection rate, perforation rate, incision time, dissection time, and levels of five eyestrain symptoms (fatigue, pain, blurred vision, head-heaviness, and headache; 100-mm visual analog scale) were compared between the 2D and 3D procedures. In a crossover design, 8 endoscopists each performed two 2D and two 3D procedures. RESULTS: All 32 lesions were resected en block, but perforation occurred in one 2D procedure. Incision time was significantly shorter in 3D ESD than in 2D ESD (102.8 ± 42.1 s vs. 135.8 ± 65.7 s, p < 0.05). Dissection time was also significantly shorter in 3D ESD than in 2D ESD (366.3 ± 187.6 s vs. 517.8 ± 282.3 s, p < 0.05). Differences in levels of all symptoms except blurred vision between before and after ESD were larger in 3D ESD than in 2D ESD. CONCLUSIONS: Incision time and dissection time were significantly shorter in 3D ESD compared with 2D ESD, but eyestrain was increased. Depth information from 3D images appears to facilitate rapid and stable ESD maneuvers.

Operational effectiveness of three-dimensional flexible endoscopy: an ex vivo study using a new model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Two-dimensional (2D) images lack depth information and thus provide probabilistic recognition that do not completely match the actual three-dimensional (3D) information. Here, we investigated the operability of 3D endoscopes. METHODS: A 3D operation model was developed by passing 20 silk threads through upper and lower plates at 2-mm intervals in front and back rows separated by 1 mm. We evaluated accuracy and time of operating an electrosurgical knife. A successful operation was defined as pulling only a front-row thread; an unsuccessful operation was defined as pulling no thread (miss) or simultaneously pulling front- and back-row threads. Endoscopists (four experts, six trainees) repeated the operation under 2D and 3D conditions until individually accumulating 10 successful attempts under each condition. RESULTS: Operation accuracy was significantly higher for 3D compared with 2D in all endoscopists (88.5% vs. 61.3%; p < 0.01) and in both experience groups (trainees: 84.5% vs. 61.2%; experts: 95.2% vs. 61.5%; both p < 0.01). Operation time was significantly shorter for 3D compared with 2D in all endoscopists (12.5 ± 4.1 s vs. 14.8 ± 4.7 s; p < 0.01) and in both experience groups (trainees: 12.8 ± 4.2 s vs. 15.2 ± 4.9 s; experts: 12.1 ± 4.0 s vs. 14.3 ± 4.3 s; both p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Compared with 2D endoscopy, 3D endoscopy significantly improved operation accuracy and shortened operation time, suggesting that 3D endoscopy enables accurate operation by depth information, aiding spatial recognition.

Recognition accuracy of tumor extent using a prototype 3D endoscope for superficial gastric tumor: an ex vivo crossover study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Many studies have shown the utility of rigid three-dimensional (3 D) endoscopes in surgery, but few have reported the utility of flexible 3 D endoscopes. This ex vivo study was intended to investigate whether a newly developed 3 D endoscope (GIF-Y0083; Olympus) improves diagnostic accuracy for superficial gastric tumor. METHODS: Twelve observers comprising experts, trainees, and novices (4 each) evaluated 2 D and 3 D images of 20 specimens resected by gastric ESD. Evaluation items were diagnostic accuracy of tumor extent and degree of confidence in assessing (a) tumor extent, (b) morphology, and (c) comprehensive recognition. The 2 D and 3 D endoscopy data were compared in a crossover analysis. RESULTS: Overall, diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher with 3 D images (88.1 %) than with 2 D images (84.2 %) ( P  < 0.01). Comparison by skill level showed that 3 D images significantly improved diagnostic accuracy among novices but not among experts or trainees. Comparison by morphology showed that diagnostic accuracy did not differ significantly for type IIa/IIb lesions but improved significantly for type IIc lesions among trainees and novices. Overall, 3 D images significantly increased the degree of confidence in the assessment of all three items (a - c). Comparison by skill level showed similar results, and comparison by morphology showed that regardless of skill level, the degree of confidence in assessing all items (a - c) increased significantly only when examining type IIc lesions. CONCLUSION: Compared with 2 D images, 3 D images significantly improved both diagnostic accuracy of tumor extent and degree of confidence for diagnosing superficial gastric tumor. The utility of the 3 D endoscope was apparent among trainees and novices and for the diagnosis of type IIc lesions.

Efficacy of Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy in the detection of colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for detecting colorectal adenomas and cancers. Endoscopic surveillance has been shown to be effective for preventing colorectal cancer. Although detection of colorectal polyps at an early stage is important, endoscopic visualization of early neoplasia can be difficult. The Endocuff is a new device that can be attached to the tip of the colonoscope to hold the colonic folds away from the field of view during withdrawal. The aim of this study was to compare the adenoma detection rate (ADR) and the mean number of adenomas detected per patient (MAP) achieved using Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy (EAC) and standard colonoscopy (SC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized prospective study was conducted at two academic endoscopy departments in Japan. A total of 447 patients underwent a complete colonoscopic examination between April 2015 and September 2015. The EAC group included 239 patients. The cecal intubation rate, insertion time, withdrawal time, pain score, complications, polyp detection rate (PDR), ADR, the mean number of polyps detected per patient (MPP), and the MAP were assessed. RESULTS: There were no differences between the EAC and SC groups in terms of cecal intubation rate, insertion time, withdrawal time, or pain scores. The PDR in patients increased by about 12 % (61.9 % vs. 49.2 %, P  = 0.013) and ADR increased by 15 % (52.5 % vs. 39.2 %, P  = 0.001) with the use of the Endocuff. The advanced ADR was higher in the EAC group but no statistically significant difference was found (7.7 % vs. 4.6 %, P  = 0.17). Both MPP and MAP were also higher in the EAC group (mean ±â€ŠSD: 1.33 ±â€Š1.43 vs. 0.83 ±â€Š0.99 per patient; P  < 0.01, 1.11 ±â€Š1.41 vs. 0.66 ±â€Š0.99 per patient; P  < 0.01, respectively). No major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: EAC not only enabled a higher ADR but also significantly increased the mean number of adenomas identified per patient, as compared with SC.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Non-Ampullary Superficial Duodenal Tumor.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal resection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) are well established as curable and safety procedures for treating superficial tumors of the stomach, esophagus and colon. However, a majority of endoscopic resection strategies for non-ampullary superficial duodenal tumors (NASDTs) remains undefined. The aim of this study was to clarify which was the right method for NASDT treatment - EMR or ESD. SUMMARY: We analyzed 129 consecutive endoscopic resection (74 ESD and 55 EMR) procedures performed with NADSTs and divided the ESD group into 49 large ESD groups (more than 20 mm in diameter) and 25 small ESD groups (less than 20 mm in diameter). With respect to the technical outcomes of EMR/ESD for small size NASDTs, EMR was safer than ESD, but its nature of curability was inferior to that of ESD. The rates of complication such as perforation or delayed bleeding were significantly higher in both ESD groups than in the EMR group. However, the prophylactic endoscopic closure of large mucosal defects after ESD was useful for resolving those complications. The limitations of our study were involvement of a single-center, limited sample size, short follow-up duration and the retrospective design, which may have introduced selection bias. However, the present findings suggest that adequate endoscopic treatment strategy for NASDTs can lead to favorable outcomes and an excellent prognosis. Key Message: It is necessary to select EMR or ESD adequately for R0 resection of small NASDTs, according to their size and location. For large NASDTs, duodenal ESD with essential management is feasible and useful as a therapeutic procedure.

Recognition Accuracy Using 3D Endoscopic Images for Superficial Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Crossover Study.

Aim. To determine whether 3D endoscopic images improved recognition accuracy for superficial gastrointestinal cancer compared with 2D images. Methods. We created an image catalog using 2D and 3D images of 20 specimens resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection. The twelve participants were allocated into two groups. Group 1 evaluated only 2D images at first, group 2 evaluated 3D images, and, after an interval of 2 weeks, group 1 next evaluated 3D and group 2 evaluated 2D images. The evaluation items were as follows: (1) diagnostic accuracy of the tumor extent and (2) confidence levels in assessing (a) tumor extent, (b) morphology, (c) microsurface structure, and (d) comprehensive recognition. Results. The use of 3D images resulted in an improvement in diagnostic accuracy in both group 1 (2D: 76.9%, 3D: 78.6%) and group 2 (2D: 79.9%, 3D: 83.6%), with no statistically significant difference. The confidence levels were higher for all items ((a) to (d)) when 3D images were used. With respect to experience, the degree of the improvement showed the following trend: novices > trainees > experts. Conclusions. By conversion into 3D images, there was a significant improvement in the diagnostic confidence level for superficial tumors, and the improvement was greater in individuals with lower endoscopic expertise.