Endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for large esophageal neoplastic lesions

Abstract

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is recommended for en bloc R0 resection of superficial esophageal neoplasms larger than 20 mm, but is high risk and time-consuming. In the tunnel technique, incisions at the lower and upper lesion edges are joined by a submucosal tunnel and then lateral incisions are made. The mucosa is thereby easily separated from the muscular layer. We report our experience of esophageal tunnel ESD. We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive esophageal tunnel ESDs performed at our unit between January 1 2010 and January 11 2013. Lesions were superficial esophageal neoplasms, UT1N0 at EUS. 11 patients underwent tunnel ESD (nine squamous cell carcinomas, two adenocarcinomas). Mean dissected surface area was 13.25 cm(2). Mean procedure duration was 76.7 minutes. All 11 resections were en bloc and 9/11 were R0. Complications were one subcutaneous emphysema with spontaneous resolution, and stenosis in 4/11 patients (36.4%) with resolution after 1-5 dilations. Tunnel ESD of superficial esophageal neoplasms is an interesting option, seeming to be faster and more effective than standard ESD, without higher morbidity.