Background and aims: To verify the safety and efficacy of over-the-scope clip (OTSC)-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) for the excision of stromal tumors.
Material and methods: Forty patients with gastric stromal tumors treated in the Department of Gastroenterology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital from December 2015 to March 2017 were included in this study. The surgical procedures included marking the lesion boundaries, cutting open the top surface of the lesion, installing an OTS, sucking the lesion into the transparent cap of the anatomical clip which was then released, application of an endoloop for EFTR, and confirming the complete resection and pathological examination of the lesion. Statistical analysis of the tumor site and size, operation time, success rates, complications, pathological examination results, and follow-up status was performed.
Results: The average operation duration was 38.40 ± 24.9 min. Three cases had an incomplete resection, but the lesion was later found to have fallen off together with the OTSC. Therefore, the treatment success rate was 100%. Postoperative pathological examination revealed leiomyomas in four cases and stromal tumors in the remaining 36 cases.
Conclusions: OTSC-assisted EFTR is safe and effective for resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, especially for those <20 mm in size.
Keywords: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST); endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR); over-the-scope clip (OTSC).