Western outcomes of circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection (cESD) in the esophagus has been reported to be feasible in small Eastern case series. We assessed the outcomes of cESD in the treatment of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Western countries.

METHODS

We conducted an international study at 25 referral centers in Europe and Australia using prospective databases. We included all patients with ESCC treated with cESD before November 2022. Our main outcomes were curative resection according to European guidelines and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 171 cESDs were performed on 165 patients. En bloc and R0 resections rates were 98.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95.0-99.4) and 69.6% (95% CI, 62.3-76.0), respectively. Curative resection was achieved in 49.1% (95% CI, 41.7-56.6) of the lesions. The most common reason for noncurative resection was deep submucosal invasion (21.6%). The risk of stricture requiring 6 or more dilations or additional techniques (incisional therapy/stent) was high (71%), despite the use of prophylactic measures in 93% of the procedures. The rates of intraprocedural perforation, delayed bleeding, and adverse cardiorespiratory events were 4.1%, 0.6%, and 4.7%, respectively. Two patients died (1.2%) of a cESD-related adverse event. Overall and disease-free survival rates at 2 years were 91% and 79%.

CONCLUSIONS

In Western referral centers, cESD for ESCC is curative in approximately half of the lesions. It can be considered a feasible treatment in selected patients. Our results suggest the need to improve patient selection and to develop more effective therapies to prevent esophageal strictures.

Risk of Residual Neoplasia after a Local-Risk Resection of Colorectal Lesions by Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Multinational Study

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in colorectal lesions is demanding, and a significant rate of non-curative procedures is expected. We aimed to assess the rate of residual lesion after a piecemeal ESD resection, or after an en bloc resection but with positive horizontal margins (local-risk resection-LocRR), for colorectal benign neoplasia. A retrospective multicenter analysis of consecutive colorectal ESDs was performed. Patients with LocRR ESDs for the treatment of benign colorectal lesions with at least one follow-up endoscopy were included. A cohort of en bloc resected lesions, with negative margins, was used as the control. A total of 2255 colorectal ESDs were reviewed; 352 of the ESDs were "non-curative". Among them, 209 were LocRR: 133 high-grade dysplasia and 76 low-grade dysplasia. Ten cases were excluded due to missing data. A total of 146 consecutive curative resections were retrieved for comparison. Compared to the "curative group", LocRRs were observed in lengthier procedures, with larger lesions, and in non-granular LSTs. Recurrence was higher in the LocRR group (16/199, 8% vs. 1/146, 0.7%; p = 0.002). However, statistical significance was lost when considering only en bloc resections with positive horizontal margins (p = 0.068). In conclusion, a higher rate of residual lesion was found after a piecemeal ESD resection, but not after an en bloc resection with positive horizontal margins.

Risk of residual neoplasia after a noncurative colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection for malignant lesions: a multinational study

BACKGROUND : Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in colorectal lesions is technically demanding and a significant rate of noncurative procedures is expected. We aimed to assess the rate of residual lesions after a noncurative ESD for colorectal cancer (CRC) and to establish predictive scores to be applied in the clinical setting. METHODS : Retrospective multicenter analysis of consecutive colorectal ESDs. Patients with noncurative ESDs performed for the treatment of CRC lesions submitted to complementary surgery or with at least one follow-up endoscopy were included. RESULTS : From 2255 colorectal ESDs, 381 (17 %) were noncurative, and 135 of these were performed in CRC lesions. A residual lesion was observed in 24 patients (18 %). Surgery was performed in 96 patients and 76 (79 %) had no residual lesion in the colorectal wall or in the lymph nodes. The residual lesion rate for sm1 cancers was 0 %, and for > sm1 cancers was also 0 % if no other risk factors were present. Independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis were poor differentiation and lymphatic permeation (NC-Lymph score). Risk factors for the presence of a residual lesion in the wall were piecemeal resection, poor differentiation, and positive/indeterminate vertical margin (NC-Wall score). CONCLUSIONS : Lymphatic permeation or poor differentiation warrant surgery owing to their high risk of lymph node metastasis, mainly in > sm1 cancers. In the remaining cases, en bloc and R0 resections resulted in a low risk of residual lesions in the wall. Our scores can be a useful tool for the management of patients who undergo noncurative colorectal ESDs.

The impact of submucosal fatty tissue during colon endoscopic submucosal dissection in a western center

OBJECTIVES

Obesity is associated with submucosal fatty tissue. The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of submucosal fatty tissue on the success of colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection (C-ESD) in a western population.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of 125 consecutive C-ESDs performed between October 2015 and July 2017. Fatty tissue sign was defined as positive when the submucosal layer was covered with fatty tissue. The complexity of performing an ESD was assessed by the performing endoscopist, defined by the occurrence of intraprocedural perforation, inability to complete an en-bloc resection or a procedure time exceeding 180 min.

RESULTS

Fatty tissue sign positive was present in 44.8% of the procedures. There were 28 (22.4%) c-ESD defined as complex. Factors associated with complex ESD included; fatty tissue sign [odds ratio (OR) 12.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.9-81.9; P = 0.008], severe fibrosis (OR 148.6; 95% CI, 6.6-3358.0; P = 0.002), poor maneuverability (OR 267.4; 95% CI, 11.5-6212.5; P < 0.001) and polyp size ≥35 mm (OR 17.2; 95% CI, 2.6-113.8; P = 0.003). In patients demonstrating the fatty tissue sign, BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were higher (27.8 vs. 24.7; P < 0.001 and 0.56 vs. 0.49; P < 0.001, respectively) and en-bloc resection was achieved less frequently (76.8 vs. 97.1%, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed higher risk of fatty tissue sign positive associated with WHtR ≥0.52 (OR 26.10, 95% CI, 7.63-89.35, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the fatty tissue sign contributes to procedural complexity during C-ESD. Central obesity correlates with the likelihood of submucosal fatty tissue and as such should be taken into account when planning procedures.

Endoscopic Submucosal Hydrodissection with Paradoxical Movement of the Colonoscope Using Hybrid Knife “Traction Mode” for Malignant Polyp in the Cecum

The water-jet hydro dissection technique has been shown to be effective for colorectal tumors. This case report illustrates type T hybrid knife for the elevation of the submucosal layer, cutting the mucosa and dissecting submucosal fibers. ESD was performed using ERBEJET 2 hydrodissection system and hybrid Knife. The resection was completed en bloc within 135 minutes without adverse events. Pathology examination revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma confined to the shallow submucosal layer with free resection margins.

Clip Closure After Resection of Large Colorectal Lesions With Substantial Risk of Bleeding

BACKGROUND & AIMS

It is not clear whether closure of mucosal defects with clips after colonic endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) prevents delayed bleeding, although it seems to have no protective effects when risk is low. We performed a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of complete clip closure of large (≥2 cm) nonpedunculated colorectal lesions after EMR in patients with an estimated average or high risk of delayed bleeding.

METHODS

We performed a single-blind trial at 11 hospitals in Spain from May 2016 through June 2018, including 235 consecutive patients who underwent EMR for large nonpedunculated colorectal lesions with an average or high risk of delayed bleeding (based on Spanish Endoscopy Society Endoscopic Resection Group score). Participants were randomly assigned to groups that received closure of the scar with 11-mm through-the-scope clips (treated, n = 119) or no clip (control, n = 116). The primary outcome was proportion of patients in each group with delayed bleeding, defined as evident hematochezia that required medical intervention within 15 days after colonoscopy.

RESULTS

In the clip group, complete closure was achieved in 68 (57%) cases, with partial closure in 33 (28%) cases and failure to close in 18 (15%) cases. Delayed bleeding occurred in 14 (12.1%) patients in the control group and in 6 (5%) patients in the clip group (absolute risk difference, reduction of 7% in the clip group; 95% confidence interval, -14.7% to 0.3%). After completion of the clip closure, there was only 1 (1.5%) case of delayed bleeding (absolute risk difference, reduction of 10.6%; 95% confidence interval, -4.3% to 17.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

In a randomized trial of patients with large nonpedunculated colorectal lesions undergoing EMR, we found that clip closure of mucosal defects in patients with a risk of bleeding can be a challenge, but also reduces delayed bleeding. Prevention of delayed bleeding required complete clip closure. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02765022.