Endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric epithelial tumors: A multicenter study in Taiwan

Background/Purpose: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced endoscopic procedure to resect early gastric cancer (EGG). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and complications of ESD for gastric epithelial tumors in Taiwan. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and outcome of ESD in patients who received ESD for gastric epithelial tumors between June 2004 and August 2007. Results: A total of 70 patients with gastric epithelial tumors were treated by ESD. The mean age was 66.5± 12.9 years (range, 35-84 years). The mean size of the gastric epithelial tumors was 1.85±0.81 cm. The mean size of resected specimens was 3.26±1.39 cm. The one-piece resection rate was 91.4% (64/70). The median operation time was 92.4 minutes. The complicating bleeding and perforation rates were 5.7% (4/ 70) and 4.3% (3/70), respectively. Emergency surgery was performed for three patients with perforations. The local recurrence rate of gastric cancer was 2.8%. Except for one patient who died of congestive heart failure and another who died of stroke, the remaining 68 patients (97.1%) survived. Conclusion: ESD is a promising local curative treatment option for EGG in Taiwan but it still carries risks of perforation and bleeding. The education and learning curve of endoscopists will improve the outcome of this procedure.