Clipping after polyp resection: uncertainties of a randomized trial

Life on a knife edge: the optimal approach to the management of perforations during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a well-established procedure that can provide curative resection of malignant and premalignant lesions endoscopically, thereby offering patients an effective non-operative option. Though ESD is safe and highly effective when performed in appropriately selected patients by an experienced ESD expert, it carries risks including intraprocedural and delayed perforation.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides a practical approach to the initial management of perforation to minimize subsequent complications. The importance of prompt recognition of perforation and early intervention cannot be overstated. This review summarizes indications for closure, anatomic considerations impacting closure, and closure techniques. This article also highlights the do's and don'ts of various closure devices, focusing particularly on advanced closure methods, the-over-the-scope clips (OTSCs) and endoscopic suturing.

EXPERT OPINION

As ESD offers surgery-sparing alternatives to patients, advanced closure techniques allow endoscopists to effectively and promptly manage associated complications, improving the possibility of the widespread implementation of ESD in the US. With continued improvements in OTSCs and endoscopic suturing, ESD will become a stalwart of endoscopic management of malignant and premalignant gastrointestinal lesions.

Outcome of EMR as an alternative to surgery in patients with complex colon polyps

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with complex colon polyps were traditionally referred for surgery to avoid adverse events associated with endoscopic resection. Recent advances in endoscopic imaging as well as endoscopic hemostasis and clip closure allow for the use of EMR as an alternative to surgery for such lesions. To determine the outcome of treatment of complex colon polyps with EMR as an alternative to surgery, we conducted a retrospective observational study.

METHODS

Two hundred three patients with complex colon polyps were referred to an EMR center as an alternative to surgery. Patients underwent a protocol-driven EMR. The primary endpoint was the complete resection rate. Secondary endpoints were safety, residual adenoma rate, and incidence of missed synchronous polyps.

RESULTS

EMR was performed in 155 patients and was deferred in 48 patients who were referred to surgery. EMR specimens revealed benign polyps in 149 and cancer in 6 patients. EMR adverse events occurred in 7 patients, requiring hospitalization in 5 of them. None of the patients died as a result of their adverse events. Surveillance colonoscopy at 4 to 6 months after resection of a benign lesion in 137 patients revealed residual adenoma at the scar site in 6 patients and additional synchronous precancerous lesions in 117 patients that were not removed by the referring endoscopist. None underwent surgery for failure of EMR. The overall precancerous lesion burden was 2.83 per patient, the adenoma burden was 2.13 per patient, and the serrated polyp burden was .69 per patient.

CONCLUSIONS

EMR can be used instead of surgery for complex colon polyps in 75% of patients with few adverse events and few residual adenomas at resection sites. In addition, careful repeat examination of the entire colon for synchronous lesions overlooked by the referring endoscopist is required for most patients. (

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01827241.).