Endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric lesions: results of an European inquiry.
OBJECTIVE
In Japanese centers, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is commonly used for the resection of early gastric lesions. However, in Europe, only a few reports have been published. The aim of the current study was to survey the current use of ESD by European endoscopists.


METHODS
Between April and May 2009, European endoscopists (n = 490) who had articles published in the journals Endoscopy and/or Gastrointestinal Endoscopy during 2007 and 2008 were asked to complete an online questionnaire.


RESULTS
A total of 58 endoscopists completed the questionnaire (12 %). Only 20 centers performed ESD, which was mostly performed by a single endoscopist in each center. Each endoscopist had treated a mean of four cases during the previous year (mean total experience 11 ESDs) bringing a total of 510 ESDs across all European centers that responded (197 during the past year). Lesions were located in the antrum in 35 % of cases; 39 % were Paris classification IIa, 22 % IIa + b, and 18 % IIa + c. Overall, the average of mean lesion diameter was 15.7 mm (range 1 - 70.0 mm). Most cases were non-invasive high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (44 %) or adenocarcinoma (36 %). An insulated-tipped knife (1 or 2) was used in 70 % of procedures and an average of the mean duration of procedures was 108 minutes. In all, 78 % of lesions were removed en bloc with an R0 rate of 77 %. Endoscopists experienced major complications (perforation or major bleeding) in 13 % of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
ESD in Europe seems to be performed at a few centers, with most endoscopists performing a low number of procedures, achieving a high rate of efficacy and a moderate rate of major complications. However, as a potential selection bias may have occurred, multicenter registries should be conducted to help address the problem of dissemination of this technique.
Ribeiro-Mourão
F
F
CINTESIS/Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Pimentel-Nunes
P
P
Dinis-Ribeiro
M
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004210:Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005762:Gastroenterology; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome