Treatment of gastric tumors by endoscopic mucosal resection with a ligating device

This study attempted to determine the indication for endoscopic mucosal resection with a ligating device (EMRL) and to assess the efficacy of radical (complete) resection of early gastric carcinoma and adenoma.

Sixteen patients with early gastric carcinoma (17 lesions) and 21 patients with gastric adenoma (23 lesions) underwent EMRL with an endoscope with a ligating device. After epinephrine solution was injected into the submucosa, the lesions were aspirated, ligated, and resected.

Twelve of 17 early carcinomas (70.6%) and 18 of 23 adenomas (78.3%) were radically resected by EMRL. The average size of the resected specimens was 12.8 x 11.0 mm. The rate of successful radical resection by EMRL, including piecemeal resection, was 100% (15/15) for lesions located in the antrum, 80% (4/5) in the angle, 61.1% (11/18) in the body, and 0% (0/2) for lesions at the cardia. Repeat EMRL was performed successfully in cases of partial resection (n = 3). No serious complication was encountered. No recurrence of the tumors was identified in cases of radical resection during a median follow-up period of 22.8 months.

EMRL is suitable for the treatment of gastric tumorous lesions. For the treatment of early carcinoma, well-differentiated mucosal carcinomas smaller than 10 mm located in the distal stomach represent the best indication for EMRL.