Narrow band imaging versus iodine staining for margin determination of early esophageal cancer during endoscopic submucosal dissection / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical value of narrow band imaging (NBI) and iodine staining for margin determination of early esophageal cancer during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 87 patients with early esophageal cancers undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were assigned to NBI group and iodine staining group according to the staining method before ESD operation. Clinicopathological features, esophageal spasm ratio, operation time, en bloc resection rate, complications, local recurrence, and distant metastases were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 37 patients in NBI group while 50 patients in iodine staining group. Location and size of the lesions between two groups were not significantly different. The ratio of moderate-severe esophageal spasm in NBI group was significantly lower as compared to iodine staining group [10.8%(4/37) vs. 32.0%(16/50), P<0.05]. The average operation time in NBI group was significantly shorter than that in iodine staining group [(42.2±19.5) min vs. (53.3±30.9) min, P<0.05). All the tumors were resected in an en bloc fashion and the R0 resection rate was 100%. Perforations in 2 patients and delayed bleeding in 1 patient were successfully treated by endoscopic methods. Esophageal strictures occurred in 3 patients of NBI group and 4 patients of iodine staining group, who were treated by endoscopic dilation and retrievable stents. During mean 13.2 months (range 4 to 20 months) follow-up periods, local recurrence occurred in 2 patients of NBI group and 2 patients of iodine staining group. These patients received ESD or other surgery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with iodine staining, using NBI for margin determination of early esophageal cancer during ESD is more convenient and fast because of distinctly lower degree of esophageal spasm.</p>

A pilot study of closure of gastric full-thickness defect with metallic clips in a rabbit model / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of metallic clips for closure of full-thickness defects in the stomach wall.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups with 12 in each group using random digits table. A 2 cm×2 cm full-thickness defect was created in the gastric body. No closure was performed in the first group; in the second group, mucosa closure with metallic clips; the third group, closure of full-thickness gastric tissue with metallic clip; the fourth group closure with 3-0 silk suture. After operation the animals were sacrificed at the third day and the seventh day. Wound healing was evaluated. Bursting pressure was recorded. HE and Masson staining was performed to inspect wound inflammation and tissue fibrosis situation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After operation all the animals in the first group died within 34 hours, while those in other groups survived. No intraperitoneal bleeding or infection were seen in the survived animals. General observation showed that the metallic closure group caused less intraperitoneal adhesions. Operative time was shorter in the second and third group compared to the fourth group [(45.8 ± 1.6) min and (42.5 ± 1.5) min vs. (48.0 ± 1.4) min, P<0.05]. The bursting pressure on the third day was lower [(36.9 ± 4.6) mm Hg and (39.8 ± 4.1) mm Hg vs. (50.5 ± 4.2) mm Hg, P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in bursting pressure on the 7th day among the three groups [(95.0 ± 7.9) mm Hg and (97.8 ± 6.8) mm Hg vs. (98.5 ± 7.0) mm Hg, P>0.05]. HE staining revealed that metal closure had a better healing and Masson staining reflected no significant difference in healing at the same time point.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Metal clips closure full-thickness defects in the stomach, regardless in full thickness or mucosa closure, is as safe and effective as suture closure.</p>

Clinical value of different magnifying chromoendoscopy methods in screening gastric precancerous lesions and early cancers / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prospectively evaluate the clinical value of different magnifying chromoendoscopy(MCE) methods in screening gastric precancerous lesions and early cancers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between March 2010 and October 2011, among all the patients aged over 40 who received esophagogastroduodenoscopy at Zhongshan hospital, Fudan University, suspicious lesion was detected in 699 patients, who were randomly assigned to three groups: epinephrine dye(n=240), indigo carmine dye(n=246), and acetic acid-indigo carmine mixture dye(n=213). Diagnosis was made according to surface patterns and microvessels of the lesion. Pathological diagnosis was used as the gold standard. The concordance between endoscopic diagnosis and pathological diagnosis was evaluated through the agreement(Kappa) test. McNemar Paired chi-square test was used to compare the concordance of three MCE methods, regular white light, magnification alone, and NBI magnifier before and after MCE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pathological examination showed inflammatory lesions in 415 patients, intestinal metaplasia in 190, low grade intra-epithelial neoplasia in 17, and high grade intra-epithelial neoplasia or early cancer in 77. The percentage of patients with consistent endoscopic and pathological diagnosis was 77.1%(185/240) for epinephrine dye, 80.5%(198/246) for indigo carmine dye, and 81.2%(173/213) for acetic acid-indigo carmine mixture dye. Kappa values were 0.579, 0.502, and 0.667 respectively(all P<0.01). For the screening of high grade intra-epithelial neoplasia or early cancer, the diagnostic sensitivities were 84.0%, 83.3%, and 92.9%, respectively, and the specificities were 98.6%, 97.3%, and 98.4%. All the three chromoendoscopy methods improved the diagnostic accuracy for precancerous lesions compared with conventional gastroscopic observation with white light(all P<0.01). Indigo carmine and acid-indigo carmine mixture dye improved the diagnostic accuracy of magnification alone(both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between each MCE method and magnifying NBI observation(all P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NBI magnification and all the three MCE methods may improve the diagnostic accuracy of early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions.</p>

Feasibility of endoscopic full-thickness resection in the treatment of colorectal submucosal tumors / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic full-thickness resection(EFTR) in the treatment of colorectal submucosal tumor(SMT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From September 2009 to March 2012, 4 cases with colorectal SMT received EFTR at the Endoscopic Center in the Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. The operative time, complications, and follow-up data were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 3 females and 1 male. The age ranged from 33 to 78 years. The tumor location included the upper rectum(n=2), the ascending colon(n=1), and the descending colon(n=1). The mean operative time was 48.0(24-80) min. The mean diameter was 1.45(0.8-2.0) cm. Postoperative pathological examination revealed schwannoma, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, endometriosis, and mild hyperplasia of smooth muscle in the muscularis mucosa. There was no bleeding or perforation intraoperatively and postoperatively. Two patients developed abdominal pain and fever, one of whom had regional peritonitis and was managed by fasting and intravenous antibiotics. No surgical intervention was required. Postoperative follow up ranged from 1 to 30 months and no residual cancer or recurrence was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EFTR is a safe and effective method for colorectal SMT.</p>

Selection and evaluation of endoscopic resection for submucosal tumors of the esophagogastric junction originating from muscularis propria / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical application and indication of endoscopic dissection technique for submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) originating from the muscularis propria.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 143 SMTs of the EGJ were treated by endoscopic resection in the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University between March 2007 and June 2011. The clinical and histopathologic feature, surgical approach, en bloc resection rate, complications, and postoperative follow up were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 74 males and 69 females with a mean age of 49.1 years old. The en bloc resection rate was 94.4%(135/143). There were 126 patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal excavation in an en bloc fashion. Six patients underwent endoscopic full-thickness resection without laparoscopic assistance. Three patients underwent submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection. The other 8 SMTs were partially resected for histological evaluation and the residual tumors were further treated with nylon snare ligation. The mean lesion size was 17.6 mm. The mean procedure time was 45.1 minutes and the mean intraoperative bleeding was 50.0 ml. Perforations occurred in 6 patients and metal clips were used to close the defect. One patient with Mallory-Weiss syndrome was successfully treated with conservative treatment. Pathological examination showed that the lesions were leiomyoma (n=121), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n=20), granulosa cell tumor (n=1), and intermuscular lipoma (n=1). No local recurrence and distant metastasis were noted during the follow-up (range, 3-48 months).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Endoscopic resection technique is safe and effective, and should be selected for each patient individually.</p>

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for esophageal achalasia: report of 42 cases / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and the feasibility of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophageal achalasia (AC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 42 patients diagnosed as AC and received POEM in the Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University between August 2010 and March 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. The key procedures of POEM included esophageal mucosal incision, submucosal "tunneling" by endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) technique, endoscopic myotomy of the circular muscle, and closure of mucosal incision by hemostatic clips.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of 42 cases was 43.9(range 10-70) years. The mean duration of disease was 8.7 years (range, 3 months to 50 years). The mean operative time was (68.5 ± 25.5) (range 23-180) minutes with a mean submucosal tunneling length of(10.5 ± 1.5)(range 8-15) cm. The average length of endoscopic myotomy of inner circular muscle was(9.5 ± 2.5)(range 7-13) cm. No serious complications related to POEM were encountered. The median follow-up period was 2.5(range 1-6) months. Dysphagia symptom was relieved significantly during the follow-up period in 41 patients; one patient had dysphagia and vomiting 15 days after the operation. Endoscopic observation showed a submucosal fistula which was managed by endoscopic incision.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>As a novel minimally invasive therapy for AC, POEM appears to have definite short-term outcomes and can rapidly alleviate dysphagia symptom. Further observations and long follow-up are needed to evaluate long-term outcome and complications.</p>