Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a technically demanding and time-consuming
procedure, which is usually performed with the patient under sedation. It is associated,
therefore, with some definite risks, especially in elderly patients. Recently, hybrid
ESD was developed as an alternative therapeutic technique for achieving safe, easy,
and quick en bloc resection of superficial GI neoplasms.1, 2 Additionally, a previous
study reported the feasibility of gastric ESD with use of a small-caliber endoscope,
which was inserted per-orally, as a countermeasure to overcome the narrow space
3
or for use of a traction-assisted device.
4
Because of the lower likelihood of pain and gag reflex activation, small-caliber endoscopy
by the nasal route can be performed without the patient under sedation. Although Nakamura
et al
5
reported the efficacy of transnasal ESD without sedation, the limited usefulness of
the transnasal endoscope still remains problematic. Because of the narrow accessory
channel, operators must manufacture their own devices to fit the size of the narrow
channel. Under these circumstances, ultrathin endodevices for use in transnasal endoscopy
have been newly introduced: Souten6, 7 and Raicho (Kaneka Medics, Tokyo, Japan) (Figs. 1A
and B). Using these devices, we performed transnasal hybrid ESD without sedation for
the resection of superficial gastric neoplasms (Video 1, available online at www.VideoGIE.org)
and confirmed whether either is tolerated for elderly patients with severe comorbidities.
Figure 1
Ultrathin-type endodevices that can be used in transnasal endoscopy. A, Souten (Kaneka
Medics, Tokyo, Japan). A 1.5-mm needle-knife with a knob-shaped tip attached to the
top of the snare loop. The diameter of the insertion sheath part is 2.35 mm. B, Raicho
(Kaneka Medics, Tokyo, Japan). A rotatable monopolar-type hemostatic device. The diameter
of the insertion sheath part is 2.3 mm. C, Handmade distal attachment with transparent
tape wound on the tip of the transnasal endoscope.
A 90-year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment of a 20-mm protruding
lesion in the antrum, which was diagnosed as category 4 by the Vienna classification
(Fig. 2A). The patient, with a history of angina, was diagnosed as having myelodysplastic
syndrome (complete blood count: hemoglobin 7.6 g/dL; white blood cell count 4800/μL,
platelet count 23,000/μL), and he was categorized as American Society of Anesthesiologists
physical status class 3. To avoid the risk associated with sedation, after obtaining
written informed consent from the patient, we performed hybrid gastric ESD through
the nasal route without sedation (Fig. 2B). As preparation for that procedure, we
used naphazoline nitrate for local anesthesia. We used the EG-580NW2 endoscope (Fujifilm,
Tokyo, Japan), with a distal end diameter of 5.8 mm and an inner diameter of the instrument
channel of 2.4 mm. Because the currently manufactured distal attachment cap is not
suitable for use with this transnasal endoscope, a handmade distal attachment with
transparent tape was prepared (Fig. 1C). As a therapeutic device, we used Souten,
a multifunctional snare with a needle-knife with a knob-shaped tip attached to the
top of the snare, for making a circumferential incision and to perform partial submucosal
dissection; thus, all hybrid ESD processes can be completed with a single device.
Raicho is a rotatable hemostatic forceps that allows a precise approach to the lesion.
Its maximal diameter is 2.35 mm, ensuring the suction ability of the endoscope. First,
a marking was made with the tip of the Souten. After local injection of saline solution,
a full-circumferential incision was made, and the lesion edge was also trimmed with
the tip of the Souten (Fig. 2C). Subsequently, additional saline solution was injected
under the center of the lesion, and the snare part of the Souten was placed on the
dissection plane and tightened (Fig. 2D), and the lesion was resected. The high-frequency
device (VIO300D; Erbe, Tübingen, Germany) was set in the Endocut mode (effect 3, interval
2) for incision and in the forced coagulation mode for snaring and submucosal dissection
(effect 2, 45 W). No active bleeding was noted during the ESD procedure. To avoid
delayed bleeding, post-ESD preventive coagulation of visible vessels in the resection
area was attempted with the Raicho (Fig. 2E). The entire procedure was completed within
10 minutes without the patient feeling pain (Fig. 2F). The patient’s vital signs remained
unchanged during the procedure. Histopathologic examination showed R0 curative resection
of the intramucosal adenocarcinoma (Fig. 2G).
Figure 2
Hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). A, Lesion located in the antrum. B, Endoscopy
by the transnasal approach with use of a thin-type scope without sedation. C, A circumferential
incision is made with the Souten tip. D, Lesion tied up with the snare part of the
Souten. E, Ulcer floor after hybrid ESD. F, Resected specimen; en bloc resection was
achieved. G, Microscopic view of the gastric polyp.
There are several limitations of transnasal hybrid ESD that still need to be overcome.
First, the aforementioned devices are not available outside the Japanese market. Second,
the image resolution of the transnasal small-caliber endoscope is low compared with
that of the conventional endoscope. In addition, we need to pay attention to the fact
that the weaker suction ability and lack of a water jet may make hemostasis more difficult
to achieve. Although hybrid ESD can shorten the procedure time and reduce the difficulty
of ESD, additional studies will be needed to determine whether this modality is also
useful for beginners.
Herein, we have presented a case of transnasal hybrid ESD performed without sedation
and with little pain to the elderly patient. The drawbacks of the transnasal endoscope
with the narrow accessory channel can be overcome with the use of the newly developed
ultrathin endoscopic devices, Souten and Raicho.
Disclosure
All authors disclosed no financial relationships relevant to this publication.