Prevention of esophageal stricture after endoscopic resection

Complete circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection for early Barrett's neoplasia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is carving out an increasing role in the treatment of esophageal neoplasia in the Western world. Contrary to Asia, most esophageal cancers in North America are associated with Barrett's esophagus. Patients with circumferential advanced neoplasia were previously managed by esophagectomy, but an increased experience with ESD has allowed for an endoscopic alternative. We present our experience with complete circumferential esophageal ESD at a North American referral center.

METHODS

All patients undergoing 100% circumferential esophageal ESD between October 2016 and January 2023 at a single tertiary care center in Canada were included in the cohort. Demographics, procedural data, and lesion characteristics are presented in this series.

RESULTS

Eleven patients underwent 100% circumferential esophageal ESD during this period for Barrett's neoplasia. All patients had technically successful procedures with en-bloc resection. Nine patients (82%) had R0 resections, defined as clear lateral and deep margins on histologic examination. Two patients had positive deep margins on histologic examination and proceeded to esophagectomy. Seven patients (64%) had adenocarcinoma on the final pathology, of which 6 (86%) had upstaging from their initial biopsy sampling results. The median area of resected specimen was 48 cm2 (interquartile range [IQR], 26-80), and the median procedure time was 231 minutes (IQR, 180-246). Procedural efficiency was 4.0 min/cm2 (IQR, 2.7-5). Two patients (18%) developed refractory strictures after the procedure, which were endoscopically managed to resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Multifocal dysplastic Barrett's esophagus remains a challenging entity to treat. Circumferential ESD is a possible therapeutic option, with high procedural success and a low rate of adverse outcomes. This should be balanced against the risk of stricture development, as the optimal postprocedural prophylaxis regimen is investigated.

Strategies for Preventing Esophageal Stenosis After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Progress in Stem Cell-Based Therapies

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely used in the early neoplasia of the esophagus. However, postoperative esophageal stenosis is a big problem, particularly when a large circumferential proportion of esophageal mucosa is resected. Currently, there are several methods available to prevent esophageal stenosis after ESD, including steroid administration, esophageal stent implantation, and endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD). However, the therapeutic effects of these are not yet satisfactory. Stem cell-based therapies has shown promising potential in reconstructing tissue structure and restoring tissue function. In this study, we discussed the current strategies for preventing esophageal stenosis after ESD and perspectives of stem cell-based therapies for the prevention of esophageal stenosis.

Endoscopic spraying of smectite for preventing esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Esophageal stenosis after ESD has been recorded high for large-scale esophageal lesion. Risk factors for increasing the occurrence of stenosis includes long type lesions, lesions infiltrating into the muscularis mucosa and muscular layer injury. In this case, postoperative stricture of the patient was highly likely occurred. Smectite is a mucosal protective agent that can resist external stimuli, promote wound healing, and reduce inflammatory factors. Therefore, it can effectively prevent the formation of scars on wounds. This study was carried out in humans for the first time and was successful. In conclusion, endoscopic spraying of smectite may be effective and safe in preventing esophageal stenosis after ESD with large non-circumferential lesions.

Short Peptide Nanofiber Biomaterials Ameliorate Local Hemostatic Capacity of Surgical Materials and Intraoperative Hemostatic Applications in Clinics

Short designer self-assembling peptide (dSAP) biomaterials are a new addition to the hemostat group. It may provide a diverse and robust toolbox for surgeons to integrate wound microenvironment with much safer and stronger hemostatic capacity than conventional materials and hemostatic agents. Especially in noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH), diffuse mucosal surface bleeding, and internal medical bleeding (IMB), with respect to the optimal hemostatic formulation, dSAP biomaterials are the ingenious nanofiber alternatives to make bioactive neural scaffold, nasal packing, large mucosal surface coverage in gastrointestinal surgery (esophagus, gastric lesion, duodenum, and lower digestive tract), epicardiac cell-delivery carrier, transparent matrix barrier, and so on. Herein, in multiple surgical specialties, dSAP-biomaterial-based nano-hemostats achieve safe, effective, and immediate hemostasis, facile wound healing, and potentially reduce the risks in delayed bleeding, rebleeding, post-operative bleeding, or related complications. The biosafety in vivo, bleeding indications, tissue-sealing quality, surgical feasibility, and local usability are addressed comprehensively and sequentially and pursued to develop useful surgical techniques with better hemostatic performance. Here, the state of the art and all-round advancements of nano-hemostatic approaches in surgery are provided. Relevant critical insights will inspire exciting investigations on peptide nanotechnology, next-generation biomaterials, and better promising prospects in clinics.

Endoscopic resection of early esophageal tumors in patients with cirrhosis or portal hypertension: a multicenter observational study

BACKGROUND

Liver cirrhosis and esophageal cancer share several risk factors, such as alcohol intake and excess weight. Endoscopic resection is the gold standard treatment for superficial tumors. Portal hypertension and coagulopathy may increase the bleeding risk in these patients. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of endoscopic resection for early esophageal neoplasia in patients with cirrhosis or portal hypertension.

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter international study included consecutive patients with cirrhosis or portal hypertension who underwent endoscopic resection in the esophagus from January 2005 to March 2021.

RESULTS

134 lesions in 112 patients were treated, including by endoscopic submucosal dissection in 101 cases (75 %). Most lesions (128/134, 96 %) were in patients with liver cirrhosis, with esophageal varices in 71 procedures. To prevent bleeding, 7 patients received a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, 8 underwent endoscopic band ligation (EBL) before resection, 15 received vasoactive drugs, 8 received platelet transfusion, and 9 underwent EBL during the resection procedure. Rates of complete macroscopic resection, en bloc resection, and curative resection were 92 %, 86 %, and 63 %, respectively. Adverse events included 3 perforations, 8 delayed bleedings, 8 sepsis, 6 cirrhosis decompensations within 30 days, and 22 esophageal strictures; none required surgery. In univariate analysis, cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection was associated with delayed bleeding (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with liver cirrhosis or portal hypertension, endoscopic resection of early esophageal neoplasia appeared to be effective and should be considered in expert centers with choice of resection technique, following European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines to avoid undertreatment.

Predictors of stricture after non-circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection of the esophagus and single-dose triamcinolone injection immediately after the procedure

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Local triamcinolone (TA) injection is widely used to prevent stricture formation after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, stricture develops in up to 45% of patients despite this prophylactic measure. We therefore conducted a single-center prospective study to identify predictors of stricture after esophageal ESD and local TA injection.

METHODS

Patients who underwent esophageal ESD and local TA injection and who were comprehensively assessed for lesion- and ESD-related factors were included in the study. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the predictors of stricture.

RESULTS

A total of 203 patients were included in the analysis. Multivariate analysis identified residual mucosal width ≤5 mm (odds ratio [OR], 29.0; P < .0001) or 6 to 10 mm (OR, 3.7; P = .04), history of chemoradiotherapy (OR, 5.1; P = .045), and tumor in the cervical or upper thoracic esophagus (OR, 3.8; P = .018) as independent predictors of stricture. Based on the ORs of the predictors, patients were stratified into 2 groups according to stricture risk: patients in the high-risk group (residual mucosal width ≤5 mm or 6-10 mm with another predictor) had a stricture rate of 52.5% (31 of 59 cases), and patients in the low-risk group (residual mucosal width ≥11 mm or 6-10 mm without other predictors) had a stricture rate of 6.3% (9 of 144 cases).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified predictors of stricture after ESD and local TA injection. Local TA injection prevented stricture formation after ESD in low-risk patients but was not sufficient to prevent stricture in high-risk patients. Additional interventions should thus be considered in high-risk patients. (University Hospital Medical Network Clinical Trials Registry number: UMIN 000028894.).

Benign esophageal stricture model construction and mechanism exploration

Esophageal stricture is a debilitating condition that negatively impacts patients' quality of life after undergoing endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Despite its significance, this disease remains underexplored due to the lack of a stable animal model. Under direct visualization with choledochoscopy, we retrogradely damaged the esophageal mucosal layer through the gastrostomy to create a rat model of esophageal stricture. The development of histological defects in the mucosal layer was assessed over a 2-week period after model induction. Then the models were evaluated using X-ray barium radiography, Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson's trichrome, Sirius red, and Victoria blue staining, multiphoton microscopic imaging. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms of esophageal stricture were explored by conducting RNA transcriptome sequencing, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. We successfully established fifteen rat models of esophageal stricture by injuring the mucosal layer. In the model group, the mucosal defect initially occurs and subsequently repaired. The epithelium was absent and was plastically remodeled by collagen during the acute inflammatory phase (Day 1), proliferation phase (Day 7), anaphase of proliferation (Day 10), and plastic remodeling phase (Day 14). We observed increased expression of COL1A1, acta2, FGF, IL-1, and TGF-β1 pathway in the model group. We established a highly repeatable rat model of esophageal stricture, and our results suggest that the mucosal defect of the esophagus is a critical factor in esophageal stricture development, rather than damage to the muscularis layer. We identified Atp4b, cyp1a2, and gstk1 as potential targets for treating esophageal stricture, while the TGF-β pathway was found to play an important role in its development.

Self-help inflatable balloon versus autologous skin-grafting surgery for preventing esophageal stricture after complete circular endoscopic submucosal dissection: a propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

The self-help inflatable balloon (SHIB) and autologous skin-grafting surgery (ASGS) were used to prevent stricture after esophageal complete circular endoscopic submucosal dissection (cESD) with promising clinical results. We aim to evaluate which method is more suitable for patients who underwent esophageal cESD.

METHODS

From October 2017 to July 2021, patients whose mucosal defect length were between 30 and 100 mm after esophageal cESD were retrospectively reviewed from two prospective studies. They were enrolled once SHIB or ASGS was used as preventive methods to prevent stricture. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups. Comparisons were made between the two groups, including operation time, the longitudinal length of ulceration, fasting time, hospitalization days, and the incidence of stricture.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The numbers of patients in SHIB group and ASGS group were 25 and 16, respectively. Fifteen patients in each group were selected after performing PSM. The basic baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The stricture rates were 20% (3/15) in SHIB group and 40% (6/15) in ASGS group, while the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.427). The SHIB group showed significantly shorter operation time, shorter hospitalization days, lower cost, and longer removing balloon/stent time compared with ASGS group (p < 0.001). Comparison of relevant stricture factors between the stricture group and non-stricture group revealed that longer longitudinal length of ulceration (> 60 mm) accounted for a higher proportion in stricture groups (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Both the SHIB and ASGS had high efficacy and safety in preventing strictures in patients with mucosal defects no longer than 100 mm in length after esophageal cESD. The longitudinal length of ulceration > 60 mm was the independent factor for predicting stricture.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Esophageal Cancer: Current and Future

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely used to treat superficial esophageal cancer. The advantages of esophageal ESD include a high en bloc resection rate and accurate pathological diagnosis. It enables local resection of the primary tumor and accurate identification of the risk factors for lymph node metastasis, including depth, vascular invasion, and types of invasion. Even in cases with clinical T1b-SM cancer, ESD and additional treatment can achieve radical cure, depending on the risk of lymph node metastasis. Esophageal ESD will be increasingly vital in minimally invasive and effective esophageal cancer treatment. This article describes the current status and prospects of esophageal ESD.

Outcome of a novel self-control stricture-preventing water balloon for complete circular esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection

OBJECTIVES

Post-ESD esophageal stricture especially after wholly circumferential ESD remains an unresolved issue without ideal strategies. Our initiative novel self-control stricture-preventing water balloon may be an alternative.

METHODS

Patients with esophageal neoplastic lesions expected to result in a whole circular mucosa defect after esophageal ESD from February 2018 to August 2020 were included in the study. We used a novel self-control stricture-preventing water balloon combined with oral prednisolone as preventive strategy for the enrolled patients.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients (9 females and 28 males, patients aged 52 to 82 years) finished the 12-week treatment including steroid treatment and balloon placement. The median size of longitudinal diameter was 7 cm (range from 4 to 14 cm). All the lesions achieved curative resection and the median procedure time was 110 min (range 50 to 180 min). Balloons were found migration in 4 patients. As a result, there were 3 patients (8.1%) experienced stricture. Generally, patients could tolerate to balloons, only with mild uncomfortableness, such as occasional sore throat, cough, and retrosternal pain. In addition, during the follow-up period, no significant adverse events associated to oral steroid administration were observed and no recurrence was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel self-control stricture-preventing water balloon based on the oral steroid therapy is effective and safe. This strategy well prevents esophageal stricture after complete circumferential ESD.

Utility of a super-soft hood for esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection below an esophageal stricture

Video 1Use of a super-soft hood (Space Adjuster; TOP, Tokyo, Japan) for esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection below an esophageal stricture.

Pirfenidone prevents esophageal stricture by inhibiting nucleotide binding oligomerization domain like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Esophageal injury often results in a scar, leading to refractory strictures. The NLRP3 inflammasome activates caspase-1, causing the maturation of interleukin (IL)-1β. Here, we aimed to investigate the preventive effect of pirfenidone (PFD), an antifibrotic drug, on esophageal stricture after ulcer healing and studied its mechanism by focusing on the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

METHODS

Esophageal ulcers were induced in rats via the local application of acetic acid in the serosa. PFD was intraperitoneally administered to the rats 3 days after ulcer induction. The effect of PFD on esophageal stricture after ulcer healing was assessed by esophagography on day 9. The protein levels of mature caspase-1 and IL-1β were assessed by western blotting.

RESULTS

The ulcers fully developed 3 days after induction and were almost scarred by day 9 with severe strictures. PFD promoted ulcer healing and attenuated fibrotic collagen in the submucosa by suppressing the increase in NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, and mature IL-1β expression, improving stricture rate (PFD vs vehicle = 55% vs 81%). Exogenous IL-1β abolished the therapeutic effects of PFD on ulcer healing and stricture formation. Furthermore, NLRP3 and caspase-1 inhibitors mimicked the effects of PFD on ulcer healing and stricture formation, with suppression of the increase in cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1β proteins and expression of fibrosis-related molecules including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1.

CONCLUSION

The NLRP3 inflammasome promotes esophageal stricture formation following ulcer healing, and PFD exerts potential prophylactic activity against strictures, possibly via the inhibition of the NLRP3/IL-1β/TGF-β1 axis.

Positive predictive value of the clinical diagnosis of T1a-epithelial/lamina propria esophageal cancer depends on lesion size

OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic resection (ER) is a minimally invasive treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, stricture may develop after ER for widespread lesions. Application of ER is justified if these cancers are pathological T1a-epithelial/lamina propria (pEP/LPM) cancers that can be cured by ER. We conducted a study to clarify the association between pathological invasion depth and lesion size or circumference in clinical (c) EP/LPM cancers.

METHODS

From our database, we identified patients diagnosed with cEP/LPM ESCC via endoscopic examination who underwent endoscopic or surgical tumor resection. The accuracy of the cEP/LPM ESCC diagnosis was determined by histologically diagnosing cancer invasion depth as a reference standard.

RESULTS

Between January 2015 and December 2019, 1271 cancer patients were diagnosed with cEP/LPM ESCC, of which 1195 (94.0%) were correctly diagnosed with pEP/LPM cancer. The positive predictive value (PPV) classified according to lesion sizes of ≤25, 26-49, and ≥50 mm was 95.8% (981/1024 lesions), 89.7% (191/213 lesions), and 67.6% (23/34 lesions), respectively. PPV according to the circumferential extent of <3/4, ≥3/4, and <1, and whole was 94.6% (1164/1230 lesions), 75.0% (24/32 lesions), and 77.8% (7/9 lesions), respectively. In multivariate analysis, the PPV of cEP/LPM ESCC was significantly associated with lesion size (P < 0.001) and male sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Between January 2015 and December 2019, 1271 cancer patients were diagnosed with cEP/LPM ESCC, of which 1195 (94.0%) were correctly diagnosed with pEP/LPM cancer. The PPV of cEP/LPM ESCC was related to lesion size. Treatment should be determined considering the high risk of cancer invasion into the muscularis mucosa or deeper in cEP/LPM cancers with a lesion size of ≥50 mm.

Risk factors of postoperative stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

As larger-sized superficial esophageal neoplasms became candidates for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), post-ESD esophageal stricture has inevitably developed into a significant complication during long-term follow-up.

METHOD

The PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, as well as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Wanfang Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, were searched to identify all the appropriate studies published from January 2000 through October 2019. For risk factor assessment between postoperative stricture and control groups, pooled odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) estimation was done. All meta-analytical procedures were conducted by using Stata version 15.1 software.

RESULTS

The results showed that 11 studies with 2248 patients (284 structure cases and 1964 controls) were eligible for this meta-analysis. Statistical results indicated 6 substantial risk factors: lesion characteristics involving the upper third of the esophagus (OR 1.51, [1.02-2.25]), macroscopic type of IIa/IIc (OR 2.76, [1.55-4.92]), tumor depth of invasion above m1 (OR 7.47, [3.31-16.86]), and m2 (OR 12.67, [4.00-40.10]), longitudinal length (WMD 13.75 mm, [7.76-19.74]), circumferential diameter (WMD 10.87 mm, [8.13-13.60]), and circumferential range >3/4 (OR 38.17, [9.94-146.52]). Each additional 10% of the circumferential range increased the risk of stricture by 149% (OR 9282.46, [978.14-88089.35]).

CONCLUSIONS

Six risk factors were assessed to have a key role in the elevated risk levels of post-ESD esophageal stricture. The results can help doctors identify patients with increased risk and thus can guide management of the adequate period of surveillance after ESD and take available approaches of stricture prevention.

Early Esophageal Cancer: What the Gastroenterologist Needs to Know

Endoscopic findings in early esophageal cancer are often subtle and require careful inspection and meticulous endoscopic examination. When dysplasia is suspected, we recommend performing 1 or 2 targeted biopsies of the abnormal area and review with a pathologist specialized in evaluating gastrointestinal diseases. In the case of adenocarcinoma, after resection of any visible cancer, residual Barrett's can be treated by ablation. Endoscopic resection can offer the opportunity for patients to avoid surgery. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal management of circumferential and near-circumferential lesions as well as tools and techniques to facilitate the performance of endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection.

A multicenter retrospective study of the esophageal triamcinolone acetonide-filling method in patients with extensive esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for extensive esophageal cancer is sometimes associated with post-ESD stenosis, despite preventative steroid therapy. In this retrospective multicenter analysis, we evaluated the factors associated with therapy resistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 73 patients with 75 extensive esophageal cancers treated with ESD. Stenosis prevention was performed using two esophageal triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-fillings, and repeated if stenosis was found on follow-up. Therapy-resistance factors associated with incidence of severe stenosis requiring endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) were evaluated, including age, gender, previous treatment history, tumor location, morphology, resection size, histologic type, invasion depth, and horizontal resection grade (HR-grade 1, ≥ 9/12 and <10/12 of the circumference; grade 2, ≥ 10/12 and <11/12; grade 3, ≥ 11/12 but not circumferential; and grade 4, entirely circumferential).

RESULTS

Severe stenosis occurred in 17.3%(13/75) of cases, with a median of two EBDs (range, 1-6 times). Severe stenosis was significantly associated with HR-grade elevation and previous treatment history (p < .05); multivariate analysis showed both as independent therapy-resistance factors (p < .05). Patients without previous treatment history demonstrated severe stenosis at 12.9%(9/70): 0%(0/26) HR-grade 1, 18.8%(3/16) grade 2, 17.6%(3/17) grade 3, and 27.3%(3/11) grade 4, showing a risk of HR-grade 2 or more resection but an acceptable stenosis prevention even after entirely circumferential resection. Conversely, patients with previous treatment history demonstrated severe stenosis at a high frequency of 80%(4/5).

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal TA-filling is a promising stenosis-preventive steroid therapy, even in entirely circumferential ESD cases. However, HR-grade 2 or more elevation and previous treatment history were independently associated with therapy resistance.

Autologous esophageal mucosa with polyglycolic acid transplantation and temporary stent implantation can prevent stenosis after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection

Background

This research aimed at investigating the safety and efficacy of autologous esophageal mucosa (AEM) with polyglycolic acid (PGA) transplantation and temporary stent implantation (TSI) in preventing esophageal stenosis (ES) after early esophageal cancer (EC) surgery.

Methods

Between April 2019 and October 2020, patients scheduled for circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were prospectively recruited. After ESD, autologous esophageal mucosal patches (MPs) were constructed on the absorbable PGA felt. Then, the felt was structured onto a covered metal mesh stent (CMMS) and attached to the ulcer surface. The stents were removed 6-8 weeks after the operation. The occurrence of ES and adverse events was observed and analyzed.

Results

Data from 25 patients were analyzed. In total, 14 patients (56%) had no stenosis during an average follow-up of 10.2 months, and 11 patients (44%) suffered strictures at a mean interval of 63.73 days after the ESD procedure. Stent migration occurred in 2 patients. No other complications, including perforations, bleeding, or wound infections, occurred. The median of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) sessions was 2.16 (range, 0-14). There showed a higher post-ESD stricture rate in patients with lesions located in the middle-lower esophagus (P<0.05). More transplanted MPs may reduce the occurrence of ES.

Conclusions

AEM with PGA transplantation and TSI is a safe and effective approach of preventing ES and improving the life quality after circumferential ESD.

Progress of esophageal stricture prevention after endoscopic submucosal dissection by regenerative medicine and tissue engineering

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely accepted as an effective treatment for early esophageal cancer. However, post-ESD esophageal stricture remains a thorny issue. We herein review many strategies for preventing post-ESD esophageal stricture, as well as discuss their strengths and weaknesses. These strategies include pharmacological prophylaxis, esophageal stent and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine treatment. In this review, we summarize these studies and discuss the underlying progress and future directions of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine treatment.

Efficacy of polyglycolic acid sheets and fibrin glue for the prevention of post-ELPS bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of a covering method using polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets and fibrin glue in preventing laryngopharyngeal bleeding after endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery (ELPS) combined with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

METHODS

Twenty-one patients who underwent ELPS combined with ESD (28 resected pharyngeal carcinomas) were retrospectively evaluated. After completing ELPS combined with ESD, fibrinogen was sprayed onto the ulcer. A PGA sheet cut into 5 × 5 mm pieces that fit the size of the ELPS-induced ulcer was then placed over the ulcer and fixed in place with a fibrin glue comprising thrombin.

RESULTS

The resection procedure was performed for all lesions. The median long diameter of the resected specimen was 36 mm. The rate of a resected specimen diameter >30 mm, use of anticoagulant/platelet, and macroscopic classification 0-Ⅱa were 68% (19/28), 19% (5/28), and 36% (10/28), respectively. The median time required to cover ELPS-induced ulcers using PGA sheets and fibrin glue was 10 min (range: 3-22 min). No post-ELPS bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, or aspiration pneumonia (0/28) was observed.

CONCLUSION

The covering method using PGA sheets and fibrin glue for ELPS-induced ulcers is considered to be sufficiently safe and effective in preventing post-ELPS laryngopharyngeal bleeding. This method could be useful in preventing post-ELPS bleeding in patients with head and neck cancer.

Prospective multicenter study of the esophageal triamcinolone acetonide-filling method in patients with subcircumferential esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The esophageal triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-filling method is a novel local approach for stenosis prevention after extensive esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We evaluated this method after subcircumferential ESD.

METHODS

We enrolled 20 patients with esophageal cancer requiring subcircumferential ESD in a prospective multicenter study. Esophageal TA filling was carried out 1 day and 1 week after ESD, with follow-up endoscopy every 2 weeks. We treated severe stenosis preventing endoscope passage with endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) and additional TA filling, and mild stenosis allowing endoscope passage with additional TA filling only. Primary endpoint was incidence of severe stenosis; secondary endpoints were total number of EBD, rate of additional TA filling, time to stenosis and complete re-epithelialization, dysphagia score, and adverse events. Horizontal resection grade was divided into grades 1 (≥ 9/12 and <10/12 of the circumference), 2 (≥ 10/12 and <11/12), and 3 (≥ 11/12 but not circumferential) and analyzed statistically for correlation with endpoints.

RESULTS

Incidence of severe stenosis was 5.0% (1/20; 0.1-24.8%) and was treated with three EBD. Six patients showed mild stenosis. Additional TA filling was carried out in these seven patients: 0% (0/9) for grade 1 resection, 40% (2/5) for grade 2, and 83% (5/6) for grade 3 (P < 0.05). Median time to stenosis and re-epithelialization was 3 and 7 weeks, respectively. Dysphagia score deteriorated in one patient. No adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The esophageal TA-filling method prevented stenosis after subcircumferential ESD. Grade ≥2 resection showed a high risk for stenosis, but additional TA filling for mild stenosis inhibited stenosis progression (UMIN000024384).

Clinical relevance of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging in decision-making regarding the treatment strategy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Recent advances in endoscopic technology, especially magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (ME-NBI) enable us to detect superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but determining the appropriate method of resection, endoscopic resection (ER) vs surgical resection, is often challenging. Recently, several studies have reported that ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a useful indicator for decision-making regarding treatment for superficial ESCC. Although, there are not enough reports on association between FDG-PET uptake and clinicopathological characteristics of superficial ESCC. And, there are not enough reports on evaluating the usefulness of combination of FDG-PET and ME-NBI for determining the treatment strategy for superficial ESCC. This study evaluated clinical relevance of FDG-PET and ME-NBI in decision-making regarding the treatment strategy for ESCC.

AIM

To investigate the association between FDG uptake and the clinicopathological characteristics of superficial ESCC and its usefulness of combination of FDG-PET and ME-NBI for determining the treatment strategy for superficial ESCC.

METHODS

A database of all patients with superficial ESCC who had undergone both ME-NBI and FDG-PET for pre-treatment staging at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital between January 2008 and November 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. FDG uptake was defined positive or negative whether the primary lesion was visualized or could be distinguished from the background, or not. The invasion depth of ESCC was classified according to the Japan Esophageal Society. Primary endpoint is to evaluate the association between FDG uptake and clinicopathological characteristics of superficial ESCC. Secondary endpoint is to investigate the efficacy of combination of FDG-PET and ME-NBI for determining the treatment strategy for superficial ESCC.

RESULTS

A total of 82 lesions in 82 patients were included. FDG-PET showed positive uptake in 29 (35.4%) lesions. Univariate analysis showed that uptake of FDG-PET had significant correlations with circumferential extension (P = 0.014), pathological depth of tumor invasion (P < 0.001), infiltrative growth pattern (P < 0.001), histological grade (P = 0.002), vascular invasion (P = 0.001), and lymphatic invasion (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only depth of tumor invasion was independently correlated with FDG-PET/computed tomography visibility (P = 0.018). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of Type B2 in ME-NBI for the invasion depth of T1a muscularis mucosae and T1b upper submucosal layer were 68.4%/79.4%/50.0%/89.3%/76.8%, respectively, and those of Type B3 for the depth of T1b middle and deeper submucosal layers (SM2 and SM3) were 46.7%/100%/100%/89.3%/90.2%, respectively. On the other hand, those of FDG-PET for SM2 and SM3 were 93.3%/77.6%/48.2%/98.1%/80.5%, respectively, whereas, if the combination of positive FDG uptake and type B2 and B3 was defined as an indicator for radical esophagectomy or definitive chemoradiotherapy, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 78.3%/91.5%/78.3%/91.5%/87.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

FDG uptake was correlated with the invasion depth of superficial ESCC. Combined use of FDG-PET and ME-NBI, especially with the microvascular findings of Type B2 and B3, is useful to determine whether ER is indicated for the lesion.

Clinical experience of using a novel self-help inflatable balloon to prevent esophageal stricture after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection

Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is gradually becoming a first-line treatment for superficial esophageal neoplasms (SEN), strictures occur in almost 100% of cases after circumferential ESD. A standard method to prevent stricture has not been established. Thus, we propose a novel self-help inflatable balloon to prevent stricture. The new balloon was used by the patients themselves at home (4-5 times a day, duration of each procedure was approximately 15-20 min), and was removed when the defects were almost healed. From January 2018 to September 2018, eight patients who received circumferential ESD for SEN and underwent a novel self-help inflatable balloon to prevent stricture were enrolled. Median size of the mucosal defects was 76.3 mm (range: 50-90 mm). Median time for removing the self-help inflatable balloon was 94.6 days (range, 71-119 days). Only one (12.5%) patient experienced stricture, and three endoscopic balloon dilation sessions were carried out for this patient. All patients tolerated the balloon well, and none experienced perforation or delayed bleeding. The self-help inflatable balloon seems to show a high preventive effect against stricture in patients whose mucosal defect was no longer than 100 mm in length after esophageal circumferential ESD. This method is economic, feasible, and safe.