Effectiveness of Surgicel® (Fibrillar) in patients with colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection

Because the invasive procedure of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) entails a extensive mucosal defect and submucosal exposure, the procedure may have a substantial risk of complications including delayed bleeding, perforation and bacteremia and/or endotoxemia. The aim of our study was to investigate whether Surgicel(®) would be effective in reducing complications after colorectal ESD.

Between 2012 and 2013, 52 consecutive patients who underwent a colorectal ESD were enrolled. After the removal of colorectal epithelial neoplasm, surgicel was sprayed onto the submucosal surface using the wet type of application (Surgicel(®) group). We evaluated tumor type, location, size, histology, procedure time, hospital stay and associated complication. For assessing inflammatory reaction, white blood cells and body temperature were monitored. In assessing the effectiveness of Surgicel(®) application, we retrospectively compared the clinical outcomes with 52 other consecutive large colorectal tumor patients who had previously received conventional ESD, as control group (non-Surgicel(®) group).

Of the 52 patients, three patients were excluded. Forty-nine patients were ultimately enrolled in this study. During the follow-up period, rebleeding occurred in 0 (0% in Surgicel(®) group) patients and 4 (7.7% in non-Surgicel(®) group) patients; fever (>37.7) in 2 (4.1%) and 10 (19.2%) patients, respectively (p = 0.019); and leukocytosis in 9 (18.4%) and 16 (30.8%) patients, respectively (p = 0.172). C-reactive protein level was 0.35 ± 0.18 and 9.83 ± 2.44 (p < 0.001). The mean hospitalization period was 4.22 ± 0.94 and 5.13 ± 0.27 days, respectively (p < 0.001). The group (surgicel vs. non-surgicel, p = 0.005, odds ratio 11.114 (2.104-58.718)) was identified as independent predictor for complication such as fever or delayed bleeding by multivariated analysis.

Surgicel(®) application after colorectal ESD may be an effective method to reduce some complications and mean hospitalization period. Therefore, surgicel application may be considered to be a valuable clinical method.