The efficacy and safety of snare traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection for circumferential superficial esophageal cancer

This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of snare traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the management of circumferential superficial esophageal cancer.

A total of 68 patients who underwent ESD for circumferential superficial esophageal cancer were included in this study. All the patients were divided into two groups based on whether the snare traction was used or not; the snare traction group (S-ESD, group n = 35) and the control group (C-ESD, group n = 33).

There was no significant difference in the size of the resected area between the groups [21.98 (18.30, 27.00) cm² vs 24.00 (15.28, 30.72) cm², P = 0.976]. The snare traction group had a shorter dissection time [92.00 (74.00, 121.00) min vs 110.00 (92.50, 137.00) min, P = 0.017] and a faster resection speed [0.28 ± 0.13 cm²/min vs 0.22 ± 0.11cm²/min, P = 0.040] compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of hospital stay, cost, en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, curative resection rate, bleeding rate, perforation rate, stricture rate, and recurrence rate (P > 0.05).

Snare traction-assisted ESD is a safe and efficient approach for the treatment of circumferential superficial esophageal cancer. Its advantages includes shorter procedure so the anesthesia requirement, clear operative filed view, improved mucosal dissection efficiency, simple, and easily accessible equipment.