Modified endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for large esophageal submucosal gland duct adenoma: A case report

BACKGROUND With the recent improvement of endoscopic techniques,endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine needle aspiration and endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection(ESTD)have been widely used for accurate diagnosis and dissection acceleration of esophageal tumors.CASE SUMMARY We used a modified submucosal tunnel technique during endoscopic en bloc resection in a 58-year-old man with large esophageal submucosal gland duct adenoma(ESGDA).During modified ESTD,the oral end of the involved mucosa was cut transversely,followed by a submucosal tunnel created from the proximal to the distal end,and the anal end of the involved mucosa blocked by the tumor was incised.As a result of retaining submucosal injection solutions using the submucosal tunnel technique,it was possible to reduce the amount of injection required and increase the efficiency and safety of dissection.CONCLUSION Modified ESTD is an effective treatment strategy for large ESGDAs.Single-tunnel ESTD appears to be a time-saving procedure compared with conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Esophageal bronchogenic cyst excised by endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection: A case report

BACKGROUND Esophageal bronchogenic cyst(EBC) is a rare congenital disease that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively, and treatment remains controversial.CASE SUMMARY We report a 53-year-old Chinese woman hospitalized in our hospital following the discovery of a submucosal protruding mass of the esophagus by upper endoscopy. A preliminary diagnosis of EBC was made by endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS), and treatment was accomplished by endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection(ESTD). The pathological results verified the diagnosis. No scar changes or cystic lesion within the original lesion were found under EUS after a 3-mo follow-up.CONCLUSION EUS is valuable for the preliminary diagnosis of EBC and surveillance. ESTD is a safe and effective treatment for EBC. Further evaluation of complications and long-term follow-ups are required.

Endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis:A propensity score analysis

BACKGROUND Although early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(EESCC)with cirrhosis is a relatively rare clinical phenomenon,the management of EESCC in cirrhotic patients continues to be a challenge.AIM To evaluate the feasibility,safety,efficacy and long-term survival outcomes of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection(ESTD)for treating EESCC in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS This was a single-center retrospective cohort study.We examined 590 EESCC patients who underwent ESTD between July 14,2014,and May 26,2021,from a large-scale tertiary hospital.After excluding 25 patients with unclear lesion areas or pathological results,the remaining 565 patients were matched at a ratio of 1:3 by using propensity score matching.A total of 25 EESCC patients with comorbid liver cirrhosis and 75 matched EESCC patients were ultimately included in the analysis.Parametric and nonparametric statistical methods were used to compare the differences between the two groups.The Kaplan–Meier method was used to create survival curves,and differences in survival curves were compared by the log-rank test.RESULTS Among 25 patients with liver cirrhosis and 75 matched noncirrhotic patients,there were no significant differences in intraoperative bleeding(P=0.234),30-d post-ESTD bleeding(P=0.099),disease-specific survival(P=0.075),or recurrence-free survival(P=0.8196).The mean hospitalization time and costs were significantly longer(P=0.007)and higher(P=0.023)in the cirrhosis group than in the noncirrhosis group.The overall survival rate was significantly lower in the cirrhosis group(P=0.001).CONCLUSION ESTD is technically feasible,safe,and effective for patients with EESCC and liver cirrhosis.EESCC patients with Child-Pugh A disease seem to be good candidates for ESTD.

Two traction methods that can facilitate esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection

Different traction devices that can provide a visual field and attain appropriate tension at the dissection plane during endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)have been developed.Clip-with-line(CWL)is a classic traction device that can offer per-oral traction toward the direction where the line is drawn.A multicenter randomized controlled trial(CONNECT-E trial)comparing the conventional ESD and CWL-assisted ESD(CWL-ESD)for large esophageal tumors was conducted in Japan.This study showed that CWL-ESD was associated with a shorter procedure time(defined as the time from initiating submucosal injection to completing tumor removal)without increasing the risk of adverse events.Multivariate analysis revealed that whole-circumferential lesion and abdominal esophageal lesion were independent risk factors for technical difficulties,which were defined as a procedure time of>120 min,perforation,piecemeal resection,inadvertent incision(any accidental incision caused by the electrosurgical knife within the marked area),or handover to another operator.Therefore,techniques other than CWL should be considered for these lesions.Several studies have shown the usefulness of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection(ESTD)for such lesions.A randomized controlled trial conducted at five Chinese institutions showed that compared with the conventional ESD,ESTD had a significantly reduced median procedure time for lesions covering≥1/2 of the esophageal circumference.In addition,a propensity score matching analysis conducted at a single Chinese institution showed that compared with the conventional ESD,ESTD had a shorter mean resection time for lesions at the esophagogastric junction.With the appropriate use of CWL-ESD and ESTD,esophageal ESD can be performed more efficiently and safely.Moreover,the combination of these two methods may be effective.