Endoscopic submucosal dissection of a rectal nongranular laterally spreading tumor with the use of a new endoscopic platform

Pilot study on a new endoscopic platform for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection

Background

The endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a technically demanding and time-consuming procedure, with an increased risk of adverse events compared to standard endoscopic resection techniques. The main difficulties are related to the instability of the operating field and to the loss of traction. We aimed to evaluate in a pilot trial a new endoscopic platform [tissue retractor system (TRS); ORISE, Boston scientific Co., Marlborough, MA, USA], designed to stabilize the intraluminal space, and to provide tissue retraction and counter traction.

Method

We prospectively enrolled all consecutive patients who underwent an ESD for sigmoid/rectal lesions. The primary outcome was the rate of technical feasibility. Further technical aspects such as en-bloc and R0 resection rate, number of graspers used, circumferential incision time, TRS assemblage time, submucosal dissection time, and submucosal dissection speed were provided. Clinical outcomes (recurrence rate and adverse events) were recorded as well.

Results

In all, 10 patients (M/F 4/6, age: 70.4 ± 11.0 years old) were enrolled. Eight out of 10 lesions were located in the rectum. Average lesion size was 31.2 ± 2.7 mm, and mean lesion area was 1628.88 ± 205.3 mm². The two sigmoid lesions were removed through standard ESD, because the platform assemblage failed after several attempts. All rectal lesions were removed in an en-bloc fashion. R0 resection was achieved in 7/8 (87.5%) patients in an average procedure time of 60.5 ± 23.3 min. None of the patients developed neither intraprocedural nor postprocedural adverse events.

Conclusion

TRS-assisted ESD is a feasible option when used in the rectum, with promising result in terms of efficacy and safety outcomes. Nevertheless, our pilot study underlines few technical limitations of the present platform that need to be overcome before the system could be widely and routinely used.

Endoscopic instruments and techniques in endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer

Introduction: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a less invasive local treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC).Areas covered: Japanese guidelines have recently expanded the endoscopic treatment indications for EGC. ESD is sometimes performed for lesions with a relative indication that has not previously been considered for ESD. ESD procedures are technically difficult, especially for larger and more invasive lesions. Complete resection and accurate histological assessment of EGC lesions are essential to evaluate endoscopic curability. Various endoscopic instruments, including three types of endoscopic knives and specific hemostatic forceps, have been developed, and endoscopic techniques, including the traction method, have been modified to simplify the procedure.Expert opinion: An insulated-tip knife with large tissue contact allows us to perform faster incisions, while a needle-type knife with minimal tissue contact allows us to perform precise incisions. Furthermore, a scissor-type knife with grasping tissues allows us to perform more secure incision. The traction method enables the operator to proceed with submucosal dissection procedures. In cases with small lesions, snaring can be used, as well as knife dissection. Understanding the features of each endoscopic instrument and technique is essential because appropriate selection and usage contribute to successful and safe ESD procedures.

Application value of pre-cutting endoscopic mucosal resection in treatment of colorectal laterally spreading tumors

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with precutting (Pre-cut-EMR) is an improvement on the basis of EMR, which combines the technical advantages of EMR and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to form a new endoscopic resection method and is more and more widely used in clinical practice. This study preliminarily explored the clinical value of Pre-cut-EMR in the treatment of colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) through retrospective analysis.

AIM

To explore the application value of Pre-cut-EMR in the treatment of colorectal LSTs.

METHODS

A total of 84 patients with colorectal LSTs who were treated at our department from January 2016 to December 2019 were selected as the research subjects. The clinical data of all patients were retrospectively analyzed to summarize the clinical characteristics of colorectal LSTs. All patients underwent Pre-cut-EMR, and the average operation time, overall resection rate, complete resection rate, and the incidence of complications were recorded. Colonoscopy was performed at 3, 6, and 12 mo after the operation to evaluate the recurrence. The relevant literature on ESD treatment of colorectal LSTs was retrieved through China HowNet and Wanfang Database, and the pre-cut-EMR group and ESD group were compared for the curative effect on colorectal LSTs.

RESULTS

The average diameter of colorectal LSTs in the 84 cases was 25.6 mm. The endoscopic morphological classification was mainly granular. According to Kudo pit classification, types Ⅲ and Ⅳ were common, with type ⅢL being the most common. Tubular adenoma and villous adenoma were common pathological types. All 84 patients with colorectal LSTs underwent endoscopic resection successfully. One of them converted to ESD and one to EPMR. The pre-cut-EMR resection rate was 97.6%, and the average operation time was 24.5 min. There were three cases with positive basal margins, and the complete resection rate was 96.4%. Two cases of bleeding and one case of perforation occurred during the operation, and the complication rate was 3.6%. None of the 78 patients who were followed had recurrence, and the recurrence rate was 0%. Compared with the research data obtained by Xu et al, Yu et al, and Qiuhai et al, the operation time of the Pre-cut-EMR group was significantly lower than that of the ESD group (χ² = 21.037, P = 0.001), but there was no statistical difference in the overall resection rate, complication rate, complete resection rate, or recurrence rate compared with the ESD group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Pre-cut-EMR is effective and safe for colorectal LST treatment, and has high clinical value. This surgical method deserves to be widely promoted due to its simplicity, being easy to learn, and low equipment requirements.