Colorectal ESD in day surgery

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was developed in Japan and is growing in popularity in Europe. Patients undergoing a colorectal ESD procedure in Japan are hospitalized for several days. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of colorectal ESD as an outpatient procedure in a European setting.

A prospective cohort of all patients undergoing colorectal ESD at Danderyds Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden from April 2014 to December 2015 were studied. Data on patient demographics, procedural outcome and 30-day readmissions were studied. Data are presented as median (range), mean ± SD or true numbers as appropriate.

A total of 182 patients underwent a colorectal ESD during the study period. Of the 182 these, 11 were scheduled for an in-hospital procedure and of 171 patients scheduled for a day-procedure and 15 were admitted for observation. The remaining 156 patients were discharged after 2-4 h of observation and comprise the study cohort. Mean age was 69 years. Median lesion size was 28 (10-120) mm, and median resection time was 65 (10-360) min. Lesions were located as follows: anal canal 1 (0.6%), rectum 52 (33.3%), sigmoid 17 (10.9%), descending 3 (1.9%), transverse 24 (15.4%), ascending 29 (18.6%), and cecum 30 (19.2%). Eight (5.1%) of the 156 day surgery patients returned for medical attention during the postoperative 30-day period. Three of them were admitted for in-hospital observation. None of the day surgery patients required any surgical intervention.

Uncomplicated colorectal ESD can safely be carried out in a day surgery setting.