Safety and Efficacy of Full-Thickness Resection Device in Resection of Upper Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Tumor Compared to Conventional Endoscopic Methods

Aims Full-Thickness Resection Device (FTRD) is a novel resection method that allows removal of non-lifting lesion. Its safety and efficacy in removal of subepithelial tumor (SET) in upper gastrointestinal tract are not well studied. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of FTRD and conventional endoscopic (CE) resection techniques.

Methods This is a retrospective review of prospectively maintained cohort of patients with upper gastrointestinal SET who underwent endoscopic resection by either FTRD or CE techniques. Primary outcomes were technical success rate and R0 resection rate.

Results A total of 18 patients were included (8 in FTRD and 10 in CE group). Tumor characteristics and demographic data were similar in both groups except for patients in CE group were significantly younger than the FTRD group (p=0.005). There was no statistical difference in technical success rate (P=0.87), R0 resection rate (P=0.68), en bloc resection rate (P=0.68), or adverse event rate (p=0.4) between FTRD and CE group. Adverse events of FTRD included bleeding and esophageal mucosal injury. Procedural time was substantially shorter in FTRD group (28.75±16.3 vs. 149.80±79.6 min; p=0.003) while the hospitalization length was similar (2.5±2.3 vs 2.3±1.2; p=0.83). There was 0% recurrence at 1-year follow-up among both groups ([Table 1]).

Table 1 Tumor characteristics.

Conclusions Compared to CE, FTRD achieved comparable safety and efficacy with significantly shorter procedural time.

Conflicts of interest

Authors do not have any conflict of interest to disclose.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2023