Usefulness of the combined orthodontic rubber band and clip method for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection with Rubber Bands and Clips Compared to Conventional Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The rising number of gastrointestinal (GI) tumors, including esophageal, gastric, and colorectal tumors, makes it essential to develop more effective treatment methods. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a popular intervention due to its ability to resect the tumor completely and prevent local recurrence. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of ESD with rubber bands and clips (ESD-RBC) in the treatment of various GI tumors. We systematically searched Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline/PubMed, and Cochrane databases until April 20, 2024. Eligible studies included clinical trials and observational studies focusing on ESD-RBC alone or compared to conventional ESD (C-ESD) in patients with gastrointestinal tumors. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) tool. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan and R software. ESD-RBC was superior to C-ESD in achieving R0 resection and en bloc resection (OR: 1.99 with 95% CI [1.17 to 3.36], P = 0.01, I2 = 0%) and (OR: 5.98 with 95% CI [2.30 to 15.55]; P = 0.0002, I2 = 0%), respectively. ESD-RBC enhanced the resection speed compared to C-ESD (MD: 8.48 mm2/min with 95% CI [3.12 to 13.83]; P < 0.00001, I2 = 89%) and shortened the procedure duration (MD: - 11.94 min with 95% CI [- 21.98 to - 1.91]; P < 0.00001, I2 = 7%). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of bleeding and delayed bleeding (OR: 1.08 with 95% CI [0.37 to 3.14]; P = 0.89, I2 = 0%) and (OR: 0.69 with 95% CI [0.20 to 2.33]; P = 0.55, I2 = 0%), respectively. The proportion of R0 resection using ESD-RBC was 90%, with 95% CI [65% to 98%] and I2 = 78%. The en bloc resection rate was 96%, with 95% CI [95% to 97%], and I2 = 0%. In addition, the raw mean (MRAW) of resection speed was 24.25 mm2/min, with 95% CI [13.48 to 35.02], and I2 = 99.4%. ESD-RBC was superior to C-ESD in achieving en bloc resection and R0 resection with a comparable risk of bleeding and delayed bleeding. In addition, ESD-RBC enhanced the resection speed and shortened the procedure duration.

Orthodontic Rubber Band Traction Improves Trainees' Learning Curve of Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Prospective Randomized Study

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a technically demanding operation with a long learning curve. The aim of this study was to determine whether orthodontic rubber band (ORB)-assisted colorectal ESD could improve the trainees' learning curve as it was shown to shorten colorectal ESD procedure time in trainees and experts.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study involved 178 patients who underwent colorectal ESD, randomly divided into trainee ORB-assisted ESD (Trainee ORB-ESD; n = 60), trainee conventional ESD (Trainee C-ESD; n = 57), and expert conventional ESD (Expert C-ESD; n = 61) groups. The main outcome was procedure time.

RESULTS

Per Protocol analysis showed a similar operative time in the trainee ORB-ESD and expert C-ESD groups, which was shorter than in the trainee C-ESD group [28.0 (21.0-35.0) and 25.0 (15.0-35.0) vs 41.0 (31.0-52.5) min; ( P < 0.001)]. The trainee ORB-ESD, trainee C-ESD, and expert C-ESD groups differed significantly in resection speed (11.35, 9.07, and 12.56 mm 2 /min, respectively), good visual field exposure rate (96.7%, 80.7%, and 93.4%), and muscle injury rate (5.0%, 17.5%, and 6.6%). However, the trainee ORB-ESD and expert C-ESD groups were similar in these measures, and all 3 groups were similar in adverse events, en bloc resection, R0 resection, and pathology rates. The cumulative sum suggested that the learning inflection point of the trainee ORB-ESD group was earlier than that of the trainee C-ESD group.

DISCUSSION

ORB-ESD shortened colorectal ESD procedure time and improved efficiency in trainees to an expert level. ORB-ESD could shorten the learning curve, justifying its widespread application.

Outcome and predictive factors for perforation in orthodontic rubber band-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection of fibrotic colorectal lesions

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of fibrotic colorectal lesions is difficult and has a high complication rate. There are only a few reports on the utility of orthodontic rubber band (ORB) traction in reducing the difficulty of this procedure. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for perforation when applying ORB traction during ESD of fibrotic colorectal lesions. We continuously collected the clinical data of 119 patients with fibrotic colorectal lesions who underwent ESD with ORB and clip traction between January 2019 and January 2024. Possible risk factors for perforation were analyzed. The median ORB-ESD operative time was 40 (IQR 28-62) min, and the en bloc and R0 resection rates were 94.1% and 84.0%, respectively. Perforation occurred in 16 of 119 patients (13.4%). The lesion size, lesion at the right half of the colon or across an intestinal plica, the degree of fibrosis, operation time, and the surgeon's experience were associated with perforation during ORB-ESD (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesions in the right colon (OR 9.027; 95% CI 1.807-45.098; P = 0.007) and those across an intestinal plica (OR 7.771; 95% CI 1.298-46.536; P = 0.025) were independent risk factors for perforation during ORB-ESD. ORB-ESD is an effective and feasible approach to treat fibrotic colorectal lesions. Adequate preoperative evaluation is required for lesions in the right colon and across intestinal plicas to mitigate the risk of perforation.

Randomised controlled, patient-blinded, multicentre, superiority trial to evaluate the efficacy of the line-attached sheath-type traction device for endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with superficial gastric neoplasms

INTRODUCTION

EndoTrac is a line-attached sheath-type traction device that enables us to control the direction and the force of traction during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The efficacy of EndoTrac for gastric ESD has not been fully verified.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The G-Trac study is a multicentre (nine general hospitals and two university hospitals in Japan) collaborative trial assessing the efficacy of EndoTrac for gastric ESDs. Patients with superficial gastric neoplasms will be enrolled and randomly assigned to undergo either conventional ESD or EndoTrac ESD. Allocation will be stratified according to tumour location, operator experience and tumour diameter at an allocation rate of 1:1. The type of endoknife used will be confirmed before randomisation. The primary outcome, procedure time, will be compared between the groups in both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. The efficacy-related, safety-related and device-related outcomes will be assessed in the secondary analysis. The planned sample size of the 142 patients in the two groups will enable us to detect a difference with a power of 80% by using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, assuming an effect size of 0.54, asymptotic relative efficiency of 0.864 and a two-sided type 1 error rate of 5%.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial was approved by the certified review board of Kobe University (22 December 2022). The results from this trial will be disseminated through peer-review journals, presentations at national and international conferences, and data sharing with other researchers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

jRCT1052220166.