- Background and aims
Endoscopic hand suturing (EHS) is a new technique for the closure of mucosal defects in the gastrointestinal tract. While this method was tested for wound closure after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in Japan, a feasibility test in a Western setting is lacking. In this study we present our first experience with EHS for different indications and in different anatomical locations.
Methods
Technical success of EHS as well as suturing speed were retrospectively determined for all available EHS cases in our center. Technical success was defined as complete closure of the mucosal defect or visually tight fixation of the target.
Results
19 EHS procedures were performed in 17 patients (mean age 54.9 years, standard error of the mean [SEM] 4.2 years, male 53% [n=9]). Technical success was achieved in 78.9% (n=15). Total EHS operation time was 40.0 min (SEM 3.1 min) with 3.3 min (SEM 0.2 min) per single stitch. In a constant team of endoscopist and assistantBackground and aims
Endoscopic hand suturing (EHS) is a new technique for the closure of mucosal defects in the gastrointestinal tract. While this method was tested for wound closure after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in Japan, a feasibility test in a Western setting is lacking. In this study we present our first experience with EHS for different indications and in different anatomical locations.
Methods
Technical success of EHS as well as suturing speed were retrospectively determined for all available EHS cases in our center. Technical success was defined as complete closure of the mucosal defect or visually tight fixation of the target.
Results
19 EHS procedures were performed in 17 patients (mean age 54.9 years, standard error of the mean [SEM] 4.2 years, male 53% [n=9]). Technical success was achieved in 78.9% (n=15). Total EHS operation time was 40.0 min (SEM 3.1 min) with 3.3 min (SEM 0.2 min) per single stitch. In a constant team of endoscopist and assistant mean stitch times declined significantly from the first four to the second four of eight cases (4.0 min [SEM 0.6] vs. 2.3 min [SEM 0.2], p=0.02).
Conclusions
EHS was technically feasible and applicable in different anatomical locations. Further studies may elucidate a possible effect on complication rates of endoscopic resections.…
