Usefulness of the thread-traction method in endoscopic full-thickness resection for gastric submucosal tumor: a comparative study

Background Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) has shown great prospects in treating gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) from the muscularis propria. However, it is very difficult sometimes to ideally expose the tumor and gain adequate visualization for the dissection site. In the present study, we applied the thread-traction (TT) method to assist EFTR in treating gastric SMTs and investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of this strategy. Methods A total of 28 patients were involved in the study. 13 patients were treated by TT-assisted EFTR (TT group) and the others by non-assisted EFTR (NA group). Data on clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes were collected for analysis. Results The average tumor size was 1.6 ± 0.4 cm. En bloc resection rate was 92.9%. Histopathological evaluation indicated that 22 tumors were gastrointestinal stromal tumors (78.6%), all at low- or very low-risk, and 6 tumors were leiomyomas (21.4%). The total complication rate was 32.1%. All complications were managed intra-operatively or conservatively. Both the total procedure time and the perforation time were significantly shorter in patients of TT group than those of NA group (71.9 ± 30.5 vs. 107.5 ± 35.8 min, P = 0.010; 38.3 ± 22.0 vs. 68.6 ± 24.2 min, P = 0.002). The pain score evaluated by visual analogue system after operation was significantly lower in patients of TT group than those of NA group (4.5 ± 1.1 vs. 5.8 ± 1.4, P = 0.014). Although complication rate was lower in patients of TT group than those of NA group, the difference was not statistically significant (15.4% vs. 46.7%, P = 0.114). No residual or recurrent tumors were observed during a mean follow-up period of 17.9 ± 4.4 months. Conclusions The TT method could effectively assist EFTR to shorten operation time and decrease the risk of complications.