title: Submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection for the treatment of esophageal submucosal tumours originating from the muscularis propria layer: an analysis of 15 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection of esophageal tumours originating from the muscularis propria layer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with esophageal submucosal tumours originating from the muscularis propria layer underwent submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection between August 2011 and February 2012. The key steps were: (1) creating a submucosal tunnel from 5 cm above the tumour between the submucosal and muscular layers with a hook knife or hybrid knife; (2) dissecting the tumour by the technique of endoscopic submucosal dissection; (3) closing the mucosal incision site with clips after the tumour was removed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection was successfully performed in all cases. The en bloc resection rate was 100%. The average tumour diameter was 1.8 cm (range 1.0-3.0 cm). During the procedure, perforation occurred in 3 patients, who recovered after conservative treatment. No residual tumour or tumour recurrence was detected during the follow-up period (mean: 3.5 months, range: 1-9 months). Pathological diagnoses of these tumours were leiomyomas (12/15) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (3/15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection is a feasible method for the treatment of small esophageal submucosal tumours originating from the muscularis propria layer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical College, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xin-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Lin-Hong
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xian-Bin
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Sai-Qin
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Ji-Ya
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome