Current status and research advances on the use of assisted traction technique in endoscopic full-thickness resection

Abstract

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) allows completely resecting deep submucosal tumors (SMTs) in the gastrointestinal wall, which has a broad application prospect in clinic. However, its application and promotion are limited by complex surgical procedures and high surgical risk. Various auxiliary traction techniques are expected to reduce the operation difficulty and risk of EFTR and improve its operative success rate. To provide a reference for clinicians, we summarize various auxiliary traction techniques in EFTR in this article. The clip-with-line method is simple to operate and widely used, whereas its traction is limited and there is a risk of clip falling off. The snare traction method and the clip-snare traction method has advantage of large traction force, but its thrust is affected by the hardness of snare. The traction point of the grasping forceps traction method is flexible and easy to adjust. Nevertheless, it requires the use of a dual-channel upper endoscope, which is difficult to operate. The transparent cap traction method and the full-thickness resection device traction method takes a short time and is easy to promote, whereas the resectable lesion is limited, and the size of the lesion may affect the success rate. In contrast, the suture loop needle-T-tag tissue anchors assisted method has a large resection range, but the operation is complicated and the feasibility has not been verified. The robot-assisted method has flexible operation and excellent visualization, whereas it is expensive and difficult to operate. There is no report of the application of magnetic anchor technology in EFTR, but it may have good application prospects in the auxiliary traction of EFTR.