title: Routine mucosal closure with a detachable snare and clips after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric epithelial neoplasms: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether the routine closure of mucosal defects after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can enhance mucosal healing and reduce ESD-associated bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with gastric epithelial neoplasias and no obvious submucosal invasion were prospectively enrolled. Mucosal defects were left untreated in the control group. In the study group, mucosal closure was attempted with a 2-channel endoscope, a detachable snare, and clips. All participants received a second-look endoscopy the day after ESD, and coagulation therapy was administered to patients with visible vessels and active bleeding points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two patients were enrolled in the study, and 26 patients were assigned to each group. Complete mucosal defect closure occurred in 16 patients (61%) in the study group; incomplete closure occurred in 8 patients (31%) in the study group, and failed closure occurred in 2 patients (8%). Coagulation therapy at the second-look endoscopy was performed more often in the control group than in the study group (31% vs 4%, p=0.024). There were no significant differences in the incidence of immediate or delayed bleeding or in the two-week decrease in hemoglobin between the groups. The prevalence of open ulcers after 8 weeks was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (18% vs 43%, p=0.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine mucosal closure after ESD supports earlier healing of artificial ulcers. A larger-scale trial is necessary to determine whether mucosal closure can reduce ESD-associated bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Bo-In
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung-Wook
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyung-Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hwang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jeong-Seon
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Sun-Mee
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Young-Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Hiun-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Kyu-Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Choi