Endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors assisted by endoscopic ultrasonography.
BACKGROUND
The resection and histologic examination of the lesions is generally considered the treatment of choice in order to achieve diagnosis in gastrointestinal submucosal tumors. Moreover, the degree of malignancy of the tumor depends on certain features that can only be studied on the entire resected piece.


METHODS
We revised the cases of patients who underwent endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors in the period from 1997 through 2002.


RESULTS
Fifty submucosal lesions were resected in 45 patients (64.4% men). Patient mean age was 55.31 years. Of the lesions, 52% were gastric tumors and 88% were located in the second layer. Mean size was 12.34 mm, and 54% were smaller than 10 mm. Resection with submucosal injection of saline solution and diluted adrenaline was performed on 46% of the lesions, and standard resection using polypectomy snare on 48%. Ligation was used in three cases. Resection was successful in 98% and major complications were observed in 4% (two cases of bleeding, endoscopically resolved).


CONCLUSIONS
The endoscopic resection of submucosal tumors is a safe and efficient technique: It has few associated complications and allows diagnosis in all the cases and cure of the lesion in the great majority of cases.
Martínez-Ares
D
D
Department of Gastroenterology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Juan Canalejo-A Coruña, Spain. martinezares7@hotmail.com
Lorenzo
M J Varas
MJ
Souto-Ruzo
J
J
Pérez
J C Espinós
JC
López
J Yánez
JY
Belando
R A
RA
Vilas
J Durana
JD
Colell
J M Miquel
JM
Iglesias
J L Vázquez
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged