Endoscopic submucosal dissection for large colorectal tumor in a Japanese general hospital. J Oncol. 2013;2013:218670. [PMID: 24072998 PMCID: PMC3773443 DOI: 10.1155/2013/218670]

Risk factors for unsuccessful colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite its growing popularity, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for colorectal neoplasms is still technically challenging. The factors contributing to the failure of ESD are not yet comprehensively elucidated. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to explore the potential risk factors associated with unsuccessful colorectal ESD.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of Medline and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant publications from inception until March 14, 2023. Unsuccessful ESD was defined as cases involving incomplete resection or the occurrence of adverse events, such as perforation and delayed bleeding.

RESULTS

Among the 2067 citations initially identified, a total of 23 cohort studies and 16 case-control studies met the inclusion criteria. Following meta-analyses, several significant risk factors for incomplete resection were identified, including lesion diameter ≥40 or 50 mm, right-side colonic location, deeper submucosal invasion, and severe fibrosis. Similarly, lesion diameter ≥40 or 50 mm and severe fibrosis emerged as risk factors for perforation. However, no individual factor was found to be statistically associated with delayed bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis identified risk factors correlated with incomplete resection and adverse events following ESD. The findings provide valuable insights that can guide clinical decision-making, aiding gastroenterologists in accurately identifying high-risk individuals.

Risk factors for adverse events of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is already an established treatment for superficial colorectal tumors. However, its technical difficulty and high adverse events rates, compared to endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection, are a concern to some specialists and have probably contributed to discouragement in its widespread adoption. The debate mentioned above stimulated us to perform a systematic review aiming to identify risk factors for colorectal ESD-related adverse events. We conducted this study following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement and registered in the PROSPERO (University of York) international database (CRD42016042625). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and LILACS for the publications focused on risk factors for colorectal ESD-related adverse events from inception until April 2020. We included a total of 22 qualified studies in this analysis. We found that fibrosis had an odds ratio (OR) for perforation of 2.90 [95% confidence interval, (1.83-4.59)], right colon location of 2.35 (1.58-3.50), colonic location of 2.20 (1.44-3.35) and larger size of 2.17 (1.47-3.21), as well as one protective factor, the endoscopist experience OR = 0.62 (0.45-0.86). For bleeding, we considered rectal location a risk factor [OR = 3.55 (2.06-6.12)]. Through the several meta-analyses that we performed in this article, we could summarize the main risk factors for perforation and bleeding on colorectal ESD. Therefore, we provide insightful information for clinical judgment on regions where colorectal ESD is already widespread and help in the learning process of this challenging technique.

Impact of obesity in colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

When performing colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in obese patients, technically difficult cases are sometimes experienced because of difficulty with the insertion of the colonoscope, poor scope maneuverability, or an abundance of fat tissue in the submucosal layer. Since the association between obesity and colorectal ESD has not been investigated, we evaluated the clinical impact of obesity in patients who underwent colorectal ESD.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 535 patients who underwent colorectal ESD between April 2012 and February 2019. Patients were divided into three groups based on their body mass index (BMI): a control group (BMI < 25 kg/m²), an overweight group (25 kg/m² ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m²), and an obese group (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), and the short-term clinical outcomes were analyzed to assess the safety and difficulty of colorectal ESD.

RESULTS

No significant difference in the procedure times, en bloc resection rates, pathological diagnoses, or complications were seen among the groups. While the amount of sedative per body weight was significantly lower in the group with a higher BMI (flunitrazepam: 1.75 × 10^-2 [1.27 × 10^-2-2.34 × 10^-2] mg/kg vs. 1.48 × 10^-2 [1.08 × 10^-2-2.03 × 10^-2] mg/kg vs. 1.16 × 10^-2 [0.98 × 10^-2-1.54 × 10^-2] mg/kg, P < 0.001; pethidine: 0.63 [0.55-0.72] mg/kg vs. 0.50 [0.46-0.56] mg/kg vs. 0.39 [0.32-0.45] mg/kg, P < 0.001), a reduction in percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation occurred significantly more frequently in the group with a higher BMI (123 [30.2%] vs. 43 [43.9%] vs. 10 [55.6%], P = 0.005). When the procedures were performed by trainees, the number of cases that required a procedure time of longer than 90 min was significantly larger in the group with a higher BMI (27 [10.8%] vs. 14 [21.9%] vs. 3 [25.0%], P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that colorectal ESD could be performed safely and effectively in obese patients. However, ESD in obese patients requires attention, particularly to changes in respiratory conditions.

Palisade technique as an effective endoscopic submucosal dissection tool for large colorectal tumors

Background and study aims  Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become the standard treatment for colorectal ESD, but large colorectal tumors remain difficult to remove. We developed a new method, called the palisade technique, by modifying the multiple tunneling technique. In this method, a palisade of submucosal tissue is left beneath the tumor to anchor a dissected specimen, maintaining effective submucosal traction. Patients and methods  The study included 11 patients with large colorectal tumors that were over half the circumference of the colorectal lumen which were treated using the palisade technique from August 2017 to October 2019. Overall resection outcomes were assessed. Results  All 11 lesions were removed en bloc. The R0 resection rate was 45.6 % because of marginal burning of the specimen, but no local recurrence was found after a median observation period of 31 months. The median submucosal dissection time (SDT) and submucosal dissection speed (SDS) were 170 minutes and 23.1 mm 2 /min, respectively. One case of post-ESD hemorrhage was successfully managed endoscopically, and two cases of post-colorectal ESD coagulation syndrome were managed conservatively. Conclusion  The palisade technique can be an effective and safe technique for treating large colorectal tumors that extend over half the luminal circumference.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection involving the anal canal presents a risk factor for postoperative stricture

BACKGROUND

Although postoperative strictures after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the rectum are relatively rare, some rectal lesions require resection involving the anal canal, which is a narrow tract comprising squamous epithelium. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated narrow anal canals when evaluating post-ESD strictures. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of resections involving the anal canal on postoperative stricture development.

METHODS

Between April 2005 and October 2017, 707 rectal lesions were treated with ESD. We retrospectively investigated 102 lesions that required ≥ 75% circumferential resection. Risk factors for post-ESD stricture and, among patients with strictures, obstructive symptoms, and number of dilation therapies required were investigated.

RESULTS

Post-ESD stricture occurred in 18 of 102 patients (17.6%). In the multivariate analysis, circumferential resection ≥ 90% and ESD involving the anal canal (ESD-IAC) were risk factors for postoperative strictures (P ≤ 0.0001 and 0.0115, respectively). Among the patients with strictures, obstructive symptoms were significantly related to anal strictures compared to rectal strictures (100% vs. 27.2%, P = 0.0041). Furthermore, the number of dilation therapies required was significantly greater among patients with anal strictures compared to those with rectal strictures (6.5 times vs. 2.7 times, P = 0.0263).

CONCLUSION

Not only circumferential resection ≥ 90% but also ESD-IAC was a significant risk factor for the stricture after rectal ESD. Furthermore, anal strictures were associated with a significantly higher frequency of obstructive symptoms and larger number of required dilation therapies than were rectal strictures.

Predictive Factors of Mild and Severe Fibrosis in Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Varying degrees of fibrosis in colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) make the procedure difficult. Consensus on the predictive factors of fibrosis degree (mild or severe) has not been established. We conducted a study to identify the predictive factors and to examine the feasibility of ESD for fibrotic lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included 518 patients who had undergone ESD for 558 lesions from April 2012-September 2018. Patients were classified into fibrosis or no-fibrosis groups, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors of fibrosis. Subgroup analyses were performed for fibrosis degree.

RESULTS

The total incidence of fibrosis was 21.1% (mild: 14.1%; severe: 7.1%). Although the curative resection rate (free margin: invasion depth less than 1000 μm: no lymphatic invasion, vascular involvement) was lower in the fibrosis group compared with the control (80.7% vs. 97.6%), neither the en bloc resection rate (99.1% vs. 100%) nor incidence of perforation (0.9% vs. 0.2%) differed between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that a cecal location, preoperative biopsy, straddling fold, laterally spreading tumor-non-granular-pseudo-depressed (LST-NG-PD) type were predictive of mild fibrosis. The presence of a straddling fold and a protruded lesion were independent predictive factors of severe fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified the predictive factors of mild and severe fibrosis. It is preferable that a more experienced physician performs ESD for the lesions with F2 fibrosis.

Perforation and Postoperative Bleeding Associated with Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Colorectal Tumors: An Analysis of 398 Lesions Treated in Saga, Japan

Objective The aim of this study was to clarify the safety of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) during the era of health insurance coverage starting from April 2012 in Japan. Methods Between April 2012 and May 2016, ESD was applied to 398 lesions in 373 patients. Risk factors for serious complications of colorectal ESD, perforation and post-ESD bleeding, were evaluated focusing on the resected specimen size, location, growth pattern, invasion depth, histopathology, postoperative clipping, and procedure time. In addition, the relationship between serious complications and patients' background characteristics was analyzed. Results Among 373 patients, perforation occurred in 12 patients and post-ESD bleeding in 19 patients. A univariate analysis showed that the risk factors for perforation were the lesion size, the resected specimen size, and a long operation time. A multivariate analysis showed that a long operation time was a risk factor for perforation during colorectal ESD. A univariate analysis indicated that significant risk factors for postoperative bleeding were a long operation time, rectal lesion, and cancer. All patients with serious complications were treated by an endoscopic procedure without blood transfusion or the need to convert to open surgery. Conclusion The present study suggests that colorectal ESD may be accepted with relative safety in Japan as a common therapeutic approach for early colorectal cancer.

Usefulness of a multifunctional snare designed for colorectal hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection (with video)

Since colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains technically difficult, hybrid ESD was developed as an alternative therapeutic option to achieve en bloc resection of relatively large lesions. In this feasibility study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of hybrid colorectal ESD using a newly developed multifunctional snare. From June to August 2016, we prospectively enrolled 10 consecutive patients with non-pedunculated intramucosal colorectal tumors 20 - 30 mm in diameter. All of the hybrid ESD steps were performed using the "SOUTEN" snare. The knob-shaped tip attached to the loop top helps to stabilize the needle-knife, making it less likely to slip during circumferential incision and enables partial submucosal dissection. All of the lesions were curatively resected by hybrid ESD, with a short mean procedure time (16.1 ± 4.8 minutes). The mean diameters of the resected specimens and tumors were 30.5 ± 4.9 and 26.0 ± 3.5 mm, respectively. No perforations occurred, while delayed bleeding occurred in 1 patient. In conclusion, hybrid ESD using a multifunctional snare enables easy, safe, and cost-effective resection of relatively large colorectal tumors to be achieved.

STUDY REGISTRATION

UMIN000022545.

Safety and efficacy of simultaneous colorectal ESD for large synchronous colorectal lesions

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Multiple large colorectal lesions are sometimes diagnosed during colonoscopy. However, there have been no investigations of the feasibility of simultaneous endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for multiple lesions. This study aims to reveal the strategy of simultaneous ESD for multiple large colorectal lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

246 patients who underwent ESD for 274 colorectal lesions were retrospectively evaluated in this study. Fifty-one large colorectal lesions among 23 patients were treated by ESD simultaneously (simultaneous group), and 223 patients were treated with ESD for a single lesion (single group).

RESULTS

 En-bloc resection and curative resection rates did not differ. Compared with the single group, each procedure time was faster (31.8 ± 23.6 min vs. 45.8 ± 44.8, P  = 0.002), but total procedure time was significantly longer in the simultaneous group (70.6 ± 33.4 vs. 45.8 ± 44.8 min, P  = 0.01). Rates of adverse events including bleeding and perforation were not higher in the simultaneous group but the mean blood pressure, incidence of bradycardia and the amount of sedative drug used during ESD were significantly higher in the simultaneous group. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified non-experienced physician, lesion size ≥ 40 mm and submucosal fibrosis as an independent risk factor for procedure duration (≥ 90 min) (Odds ratio 11.852, 18.280, and 3.672; P  < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

 Simultaneous ESD for multiple synchronous colorectal lesions is safe and feasible compared with single ESD and can reduce the burden to patients, length of hospital stay and medical expense. These results need to be elucidated by further studies.

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced endoscopic technique that allows en-bloc resection of gastrointestinal tumor. We systematically review the medical literature in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of colorectal ESD. Patients and methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Ovid, CINAHL, and Cochrane for studies reporting on the clinical efficacy and safety profile of colorectal ESD. Results: Included in this study were 13833 tumors in 13603 patients (42 % female) who underwent colorectal ESD between 1998 and 2014. The R0 resection rate was 83 % (95 % CI, 80 - 86 %) with significant between-study heterogeneity (P < 0.001) which was partly explained by difference in continent (P = 0.004), study design (P = 0.04), duration of the procedure (P = 0.009), and, marginally, by average tumor size (P = 0.09). Endoscopic en bloc and curative resection rates were 92 % (95 % CI, 90 - 94 %) and 86 % (95 % CI, 80 - 90 %), respectively. The rates of immediate and delayed perforation were 4.2 % (95 % CI, 3.5 - 5.0 %) and 0.22 % (95 % CI, 0.11 - 0.46 %), respectively, while rates of immediate and delayed major bleeding were 0.75 % (95 % CI, 0.31 - 1.8 %) and 2.1 % (95 % CI, 1.6 - 2.6 %). After an average postoperative follow up of 19 months, the rate of tumor recurrence was 0.04 % (95 % CI, 0.01 - 0.31) among those with R0 resection and 3.6 % (95 % CI, 1.4 - 8.8 %) among those without R0 resection. Overall, irrespective of the resection status, recurrence rate was 1.0 % (95 % CI, 0.42 - 2.1 %). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis, the largest and most comprehensive assessment of colorectal ESD to date, showed that colorectal ESD is safe and effective for colorectal tumors and warrants consideration as first-line therapy when an expert operator is available.

Usefulness of training using animal models for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: is experience performing gastric ESD really needed?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Despite the clinical advantages of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), an effective training system, especially for Western endoscopists, has been challenging to establish. Herein, we propose a novel training program using ex vivo animal models and evaluate the learning curve of colorectal ESD trainees without gastric ESD experience.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 80 colorectal lesions were prospectively collected and removed by two novice operators. Before human ESD procedures, they received ESD training using an ex vivo porcine "proximal colon" model, which simulates a lumen with many folds and flexions. To assess the validity of our training system, the self-completion and en bloc R0 resection rates, the operation time, and prevalence of complications were compared between the first and latter period. Moreover the factors associated with prolonged operation time were evaluated.

RESULTS

The overall rates of self-completion and en bloc R0 resection were 98 % (78/80) and 100 % (80/80), respectively. The operation time during the first period was significantly longer than that during the latter period (86 ± 50 minutes vs. 60 ± 36 minutes, P = 0.01). Regarding complications, only two cases of perforations and delayed hemorrhage were observed during the first period; however, all of the complications were successfully managed endoscopically. The presence of fibrosis was identified as a significant independent predictor of a prolonged operation time during the first period (coefficient, 5.90; 95 %CI, 2.36 - 9.44, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Our trainees achieved high rates of self-completion and R0 resection without severe complications even during the first 20 cases, suggesting that our training programs using ex vivo animal models are useful for trainees without gastric ESD experience.

STUDY REGISTRATION

UMIN000013566.

Tissue shielding with polyglycolic acid sheets and fibrin glue on ulcers induced by endoscopic submucosal dissection in a porcine model

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The safety and efficacy of the application of polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets with fibrin glue to ulcers induced by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) have not been established in the treatment of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, in which the influence of digestive fluid and peristalsis may affect treatment, and there may also be a risk of infection. The aims of this study were to evaluate the healing process of ESD-induced ulcers in animals treated with the application of a PGA sheet with fibrin glue and to verify experimentally the safety of this treatment procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gastric ESD was performed in nine pigs under general anesthesia. Two ulcer sites were prepared in each pig; one ulcer was treated by applying a PGA sheet with fibrin glue (treated ulcer site), while the other ulcer was left untreated (control ulcer site). Three pigs were euthanized at week 1, three at week 4, and three at week 8 after ESD, and the ulcer sites were macroscopically and histopathologically evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the nine treated ulcer sites, seven ulcer sites, to which a PGA sheet had been applied without exposure to the mucosal fluid, showed no peeling of the sheet despite the influence of peristalsis and gastric acid. Histopathologic examination revealed abundant, newly formed blood vessels in the treated ulcers and good granulation. In the treated ulcers, no excessive inflammation, necrosis, or infection was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our animal study experimentally demonstrated that this treatment technique can be safely applied to ESD-induced ulcers.

Improving quality measures in colonoscopy and its therapeutic intervention

Colonoscopy with polypectomy has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer. The critical element in the quality of colonoscopy in terms of polyp detection and removal continues to be the performance of the endoscopist, independent of patient-related factors. Improved results in terms of polyp detection and complete removal have implications regarding the development of screening and surveillance intervals and the reduction of interval cancers after negative colonoscopy. Advances in colonoscopy techniques such as high-definition colonoscopy, hood-assisted colonoscopy and dye-based chromoendoscopy have improved the detection of small and flat-type colorectal polyps. Virtual chromoendoscopy has not proven to improve polyp detection but may be useful to predict polyp pathology. The majority of polyps can be removed endoscopically. Available polypectomy techniques include cold forceps polypectomy, cold snare polypectomy, conventional polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. The preferred choice depends on the polyp size and characteristics. Other useful techniques include colonoscopic hemostasis for acute colonic diverticular bleeding, endoscopic decompression using colonoscopic stenting, and transanal tube placement for colorectal obstruction. Here we review the current knowledge concerning the improvement of quality measures in colonoscopy and colonoscopy-related therapeutic interventions.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) in Colorectal Tumors

Background

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) – initially developed for the treatment of early gastric cancer in Japan – is an attractive option for en bloc resection of larger sessile or flat colorectal neoplasia.

Methods

A review of the current literature on colorectal ESD was carried out.

Results

In contrast to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), ESD for larger colorectal neoplasia yields high en bloc resection rates and very low recurrence rates. The frequency of delayed bleeding is similar for EMR and ESD. Higher perforation rates during ESD are mostly due to microperforations identified and treated during the intervention, and are therefore of minor clinical relevance. A major disadvantage of ESD is the necessity for high-level endoscopic skills and long procedure times. ESD also has the potential to replace laparoscopic surgery or transanal endoscopic microsurgery mainly due to its lower complication rates.

Conclusion

ESD for the resection of larger flat or sessile colorectal lesions has potential advantages over conventional EMR or minimally invasive surgery. Due to the low incidence of early gastric cancer, experience with ESD will remain limited in Western countries. The spread of colorectal ESD will depend on adequate training opportunities and also on modifications yielding a reduction in procedure time.