Endoscopic submucosal dissection in dogs in a World Gastroenterology Organisation training center

To evaluate if canine models are appropriate for teaching endoscopy fellows the techniques of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

ESD was performed in 10 canine models under general anesthesia, on artificial lesions of the esophagus or stomach marked with coagulation points. After ESD, each canine model was euthanized and surgical resection of the esophagus or stomach was carried out according to "The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, Russel and Burch". The ESD specimens were fixed with needles on cork submerged in a formol solution with the esophagus or stomach, and delivered to the pathology department to be analyzed.

ESD was completed without complications using the Hook-knife in five esophageal areas, with a procedural duration of 124 +/- 19 min, a length of 27.4 +/- 2.6 mm and a width of 21 +/- 2.4 mm. ESD was also completed without complications using the IT-knife2 in five gastric areas, with a procedural duration of 92.6 +/- 19 min, a length of 32 +/- 2.5 mm and a width of 18 +/- 3.7 mm.

ESD is feasible in the normal esophagus and stomach of canine models, which are appropriate for teaching this technique.