Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Outcomes for Gastroesophageal Tumors in Low Volume Units: A Multicenter Survey

Background and Aims. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) outcomes have traditionally been reported from high volume centers in East Asia. Data from low volume centers in other parts of Asia remain sparse. Methods. A retrospective survey with a structured questionnaire of 5 tertiary centers in 3 countries in South East Asia was conducted. Details of training and clinical outcomes of ESD cases, with follow-up data from these centers, were analyzed. Results. Seven endoscopists from the 5 centers performed a total of 35 cases of ESD in the upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) over a 6-year duration. Details of the lesions excised were as follows: median size was 20 mm, morphologically 20 (68.6%) were flat/depressed and 6 (17.1%) were submucosal, and histologically 27 (77.1%) were neoplastic. The median duration of ESD procedures was 105 minutes, with an en-bloc resection rate of 91.4%. There was 1 (2.9%) case of delayed bleeding, but no perforation nor mortality in any of the cases. The recurrence rate after ESD was 5.7%. A prolonged ESD duration was influenced by a larger size of lesion (25 mm, ) but not by factors related to the training experience of endoscopists. Conclusions. ESD in the UGIT is feasible and safe in low volume centers in Asia

A multicenter randomized comparison between high-definition white light endoscopy and narrow band imaging for detection of gastric lesions

Objective Narrow band imaging (NBI) is generally considered to be useful for lesion characterization, but not enhanced detection of gastric lesions, because of the dark endoscopic view. We tested whether the new generation of NBI (190-NBI or 290-NBI), which is twice as bright as the previous version, would improve detection of premalignant gastric lesions compared with high-definition white light endoscopy (HD-WLE). Patients and methods This was a multicenter prospective randomized study involving five tertiary institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. A total of 579 patients aged older than 50 years who underwent diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomized to either HD-WLE or NBI. The outcome measurements were detection of intestinal metaplasia (IM), focal gastric lesions, and gastric cancers. Results Focal gastric lesions were detected in 83/286 (29%) and 119/293 patients (40.6%) by HD-WLE and by NBI, respectively (P=0.003). IM was detected in 22/286 patients (7.7%) by HD-WLE and in 52/293 patients (17.7%) by NBI (P <0.001). Gastric cancer were found in 7/286 (2.4%) and 3/293 patients (1%) in HD-WLE and NBI groups, respectively (P =0.189). Conclusion NBI increased the detection rate of IM compared with HD-WLE. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 27:1473–1478Tiing Leong Ang, Rapat Pittayanon, James Yun Wong Lau, Rungsun Rerknimitr, Shiaw Hooi Ho, Rajvinder Singh, Andrew Boon Eu Kwek, Daphne Shih Wen Ang, Philip Wai Yan Chiu, Sally Luk, Khean Lee Goh, Jeannie Peng Lan Ong, Jessica Yi-Lyn Tan, Eng Kiong Teo and Kwong Ming Foc

Development of an E-learning System for the Endoscopic Diagnosis of Early Gastric Cancer: An International Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: In many countries, gastric cancer is not diagnosed until an advanced stage. An Internet-based e-learning system to improve the ability of endoscopists to diagnose gastric cancer at an early stage was developed and was evaluated for its effectiveness. Methods: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. After receiving a pre-test, participants were randomly allocated to either an e-learning or non-e-learning group. Only those in the e-learning group gained access to the e-learning system. Two months after the pre-test, both groups received a post-test. The primary endpoint was the difference between the two groups regarding the rate of improvement of their test results. Findings: 515 endoscopists from 35 countries were assessed for eligibility, and 332 were enrolled in the study, with 166 allocated to each group. Of these, 151 participants in the e-learning group and 144 in the non-e-learning group were included in the analysis. The mean improvement rate (standard deviation) in the e-learning and non-e-learning groups was 1·24 (0·26) and 1·00 (0·16), respectively (P < 0·001). Interpretation: This global study clearly demonstrated the efficacy of an e-learning system to expand knowledge and provide invaluable experience regarding the endoscopic detection of early gastric cancer (R000012039)