Traction-assisted colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection using clip and line: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a challenging procedure because it is often difficult to maintain good visualization of the submucosal layer. To facilitate colonic ESD, we designed a novel traction method, namely traction-assisted colonic ESD using clip and line (TAC), and investigated its feasibility. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 23 patients with large colonic superficial lesions who had undergone TAC. The main outcome was the procedural success rate of TAC, which we defined as successful, sustained application of clip and line to the lesion until the end of the procedure. RESULTS The procedural success rate of TAC was 87 % (20/23). In all three unsuccessful cases, the lesions were in the proximal colon and the procedure times over 100 minutes. The overall mean procedure time was 61 min (95 % confidence interval, 18 - 172 min). We achieved en bloc resections of all lesions. There were no perforations or fatal adverse events. CONCLUSIONS TAC is feasible and safe for colonic ESD and may improve the ease of performing this procedure.