Depth of the cutting plane with underwater and conventional endoscopic mucosal resection: Post-hoc analysis of a randomized study

Procedural outcomes of a novel underwater injection endoscopic mucosal resection technique for colorectal polyps ≥10 mm

It is uncertain whether underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) enables resection of the submucosal tissue with sufficient margins for T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) because UEMR forgoes submucosal injection. Therefore, we developed a novel "underwater injection EMR" (UIEMR) method that combines submucosal injection with UEMR to obtain an adequate vertical margin.We retrospectively analyzed procedure-related outcomes of 135 consecutive lesions from patients who underwent UIEMR for ≥10-mm nonpedunculated colorectal polyps (median size 15 mm). The outcomes included the en bloc, R0, RX, and R1 resection rates, and adverse events. Additionally, the vertical margin distance of seven T1 CRCs was evaluated.En bloc resection was achieved in 127 lesions (94.1%). R0 and RX resections were observed in 92 (68.1%) and 42 lesions (31.1%), respectively, while R1 resection was seen in only one lesion (0.7%). There were two cases with adverse events (1.5%), both delayed bleeding. In T1 CRCs, all seven cases had free vertical margins, and the median vertical margin distance was 1140 µm (range 731-1570 µm).UIEMR safely demonstrated high success rates for en bloc resection, and potentially ensures a sufficient vertical margin. This technique might be an option, particularly for relatively small lesions concerning for T1 CRC, and deserves further study.

Endoscopic Resection for Colorectal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic resection techniques for colorectal tumors are constantly evolving with improvements.

SUMMARY

Over the past decade, there has been a paradigm shift toward cold polypectomy for the removal of small lesions (<10 mm), known as the "cold revolution". In recent years, underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has emerged as an alternative to conventional EMR and has been gaining popularity for resection of intermediate and large-sized lesions (≥10 mm). Although colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) requires a high level of advanced skills, improvements in dissection techniques and devices have facilitated the procedure. In Japan, the safety and efficacy of ESD for resecting large lesions (≥20 mm) have been demonstrated in a large-scale, multicenter, prospective cohort study (CREATE-J). ESD is also being increasingly adopted in Western countries. As endoscopic resection continues to advance and include large and more complex defects, a variety of closure techniques and new devices are being developed. Meanwhile, the number of endoscopic resections for T1-colorectal cancer (T1-CRC), including those intended for total excisional biopsy, has been increasing owing to the aging population and improvements in endoscopic technique.

KEY MESSAGES

This review provides a broad summary of endoscopic resection for colorectal tumors including advancements in closure techniques and devices for mucosal defects, as well as the potential role of endoscopic resection for patients with T1-CRC.

Present situation of minimally invasive surgical treatment for early gastric cancer

Minimally invasive surgery is a kind of surgical operation, which is performed by using professional surgical instruments and equipment to inactivate, resect, repair or reconstruct the pathological changes, deformities and wounds in human body through micro-trauma or micro-approach, in order to achieve the goal of treatment, its surgical effect is equivalent to the traditional open surgery, while avoiding the morbidity of conventional surgical wounds. In addition, it also has the advantages of less trauma, less blood loss during operation, less psychological burden and quick recovery on patients, and these minimally invasive techniques provide unique value for the examination and treatment of gastric cancer patients. Surgical minimally invasive surgical techniques have developed rapidly and offer numerous options for the treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC): endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), underwater EMR (UEMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR), endoscopic submucosal excavation (ESE), submucosal tunnel endoscopic resection), laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS); Among them, EMR, EFTR and LECS technologies have a wide range of applications and different modifications have been derived from their respective surgical operations, such as band-assisted EMR (BA-EMR), conventional EMR (CEMR), over-the-scope clip-assisted EFTR, no-touch EFTR, the inverted LECS, closed LECS, and so on. These new and improved minimally invasive surgeries are more precise, specific and effective in treating different types of EGC.

Cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection as a salvage technique for challenging colorectal laterally spreading tumors

BACKGROUND

Cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR-c) has emerged as a potential alternative to standard piecemeal wide-field EMR (WF-EMR) for the resection of laterally spreading tumors (LSTs). However, clear indications for this technique are still lacking. Our objective was to investigate the performance of salvage EMR-c after WF-EMR failure in the resection of large colorectal LSTs.

METHODS

The data of consecutive patients undergoing WF-EMR for large colorectal LSTs (2015-2021) were analyzed in this single-center, retrospective, observational study. In the event of a WF-EMR failure, the procedure was switched to EMR-c in the same session. The efficacy of the two techniques was evaluated in terms of complete endoscopic resection, R0 resection, and recurrence rate. Safety was also assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, the data from 81 WF-EMRs were collected. Eighteen cases of WF-EMR failure were switched to EMR-c in the same session and complete endoscopic resection was achieved in 17/18 patients (94.4%). No statistically significant difference was observed between WF-EMR and salvage EMR-c in terms of macroscopic radicality (P = 0.40) and R0 resection (P = 0.12). However, recurrence was more common with EMR-c (44.4% vs. 23.5%; P = 0.05), as were adverse events, particularly intraprocedural bleeding (27.8% vs. 7.9%; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

EMR-c is an effective salvage technique for challenging colorectal LSTs following WF-EMR failure. Due to the elevated risk of adverse events associated with this procedure, careful patient selection, endoscopic expertise, and close follow-up are strongly recommended.

Feasibility of underwater endoscopic mucosal resection for endoscopic management of gastric neoplasms in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) has been developed as an effective endoscopic intervention for colon, rectum, and duodenum neoplasms. However, there are no comprehensive reports regarding the stomach, and its safety and efficacy are unknown. We aimed to examine the feasibility of UEMR for gastric neoplasms in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

METHODS

We retrospectively extracted data of patients with FAP who underwent endoscopic resection (ER) for gastric neoplasms at Osaka International Cancer Institute from February 2009 to December 2018. Elevated gastric neoplasms of ≤ 20 mm in diameter were extracted, and conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (CEMR) and UEMR were compared. Furthermore, outcomes after ER until March 2020 were examined.

RESULTS

91 endoscopically resected gastric neoplasms were extracted from 31 patients with 26 pedigrees, and 12 neoplasms underwent CEMR and 25 neoplasms underwent UEMR was compared. The procedure time was shorter for UEMR than for CEMR. There was no significant difference between en bloc resection and R0 resection rates by EMR methods. CEMR and UEMR showed postoperative hemorrhage rates of 8% and 0%, respectively. Residual/local recurrent neoplasms were identified in four lesions (4%), but additional endoscopic intervention (three UEMR and one cauterization) resulted in a local cure.

CONCLUSION

UEMR was feasible in gastric neoplasms of FAP patients, especially in elevated lesions and those of ≤ 20 mm in diameter.

Efficacy and safety of intensive downstaging polypectomy (IDP) for multiple duodenal adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) risk developing multiple duodenal adenomas (MDAs), leading to duodenal cancer and death. We investigated the efficacy and safety of intensive downstaging polypectomy (IDP) for MDAs integrated with new-generation procedures.

METHODS

This prospective phase II study, conducted at a tertiary cancer center, enrolled patients with FAP who had MDAs. We performed IDP including cold snare/forceps polypectomy (CSP/CFP) and underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR). The primary end point was the downstaging of Spigelman stage at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

2424 duodenal polyps in 58 patients with FAP underwent IDP, including 2413 CSPs in 57 patients, seven CFPs in one patient, and four UEMRs in four patients. Only one major adverse event was observed (grade 3 hyperamylasemia) without clinical manifestations. We performed additional UEMR, CSP, and CFP for one, 12, and 22 patients, respectively, during initial follow-up. Overall, 55 patients completed protocol examination; the Spigelman stage was significantly reduced at the 1-year follow-up endoscopy (P < 0.001), with downstaging observed in 39 patients (71 %). Among the 26 patients with Spigelman stage IV at initial examination and protocol completion, 23 (88 %) showed downstaging. There was no major change in Spigelman stages from 1-year follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy to a median of 37 months (range 3-56).

CONCLUSIONS

IDP, including new-generation procedures, showed significant downstaging with acceptable adverse events for MDA in patients with FAP, even those with advanced-stage disease. Lesion selection for different resection techniques may be important for suitable and sustainable management of MDA in patients with FAP.

Underwater EMR for the diagnosis of diffuse infiltrative gastric cancer

Video 1Underwater EMR for establishing diagnosis of diffuse infiltrative gastric cancer.