Full thickness resection device (FTRD) for endoluminal removal of large bowel tumours: development of the instrument and related experimental studies

Abstract

We describe a novel device for full thickness resectioning of large bowel lesions. The device has been assessed in experimental studies. Tumours of the large bowel are a frequent disease with increasing incidence figures. If detected at an early stage, local treatment of colon tumours is possible through an endoluminal access. Currently, full thickness resection can only be performed in the rectum with the TEM technique, while snare resection through the flexible endoscope will only allow mucosa resection. We have developed a new device which allows full thickness bowel wall resections up to the splenic flexure. The device, called full thickness resection device (FTRD) has a flexible shaft and a multifunctional front-end. It can be inserted into the colon over a flexible endoscope. After the device is advanced to the tumour, the head can be opened and the tumour, including safety margins, is pulled into the resection chamber inside the device head by means of two tissue graspers. The bowel wall invagination can be visualised with the endoscope to ensure that the tumour is completely pulled into the resection head. The head is then closed and the resection mechanism is activated. A semicircular stapling suture is fired through the bowel wall and a rotary knife is used to cut the tissue. Specimens of > 3 cm can be harvested with FTRD. Prototypes of the device have been successfully tested in a series of animal experiments in parallel to the technical development of the instrument. These experiments could demonstrate that full thickness bowel wall resection is feasible using a flexible instrument and endoscopic visualisation.