Single operator experience of endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's neoplasia in a North American academic...

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is carving out an increasing role in the treatment of Barrett's associated neoplasia. ESD provides the advantage of en-bloc resections and greater R0 resection rates. We aim to present outcomes from one of the largest single-center cohorts of esophageal ESD in North America.

All patients undergoing esophageal ESD for Barrett's neoplasia between Oct 2016 and June 2020 at a Canadian tertiary care center were included. Demographic, procedural data, and lesion characteristics are presented. Subgroup analysis was performed on patients who underwent extensive resection (≥75% of esophageal circumference) and the patients who developed strictures.

Thirty-four patients were included in the series. The median lesion diameter was 5.7 cm and the median procedure time was 129 min. The en-bloc resection rate was 97%, and the R0 resection rate was 91%. Curative resection was achieved in 82% of patients. Upstaging in histology occurred in 59% of cases. Two adverse events occurred, and there were no perforations. Procedural outcomes were similar in patients with extensive resections, but those with ≥75% circumferential resection developed more strictures (65% vs. 6.3%, p < 0.01). Stricture formation was associated with extensive resection (odds ratio [OR]: 27.5, p < 0.01) and longer lesion diameter (OR: 1.7, p = 0.02).

Our experience with ESD for Barrett's related neoplasia shows excellent en-bloc and R0 resection rate, and provides more accurate histological specimens. Curative resection is possible in the majority of cases, including those with extensive resections. Further investigation into stricture prophylaxis will be useful as near circumferential resections are attempted.