A prospective cohort study of a new electrosurgical unit for preventing colorectal post-endoscopic submucosal dissection coagulation syndrome

Background and AimPost-endoscopic submucosal dissection coagulation syndrome (PECS) is a recognized complication of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD); however, there is a lack of interventions for preventing PECS. We therefore conducted a prospective study to evaluate the utility of maXium, a novel electrosurgical unit, for preventing PECS.MethodsThis single-center, prospective cohort study prospectively enrolled patients undergoing colorectal ESD. The voltage and power of the electrosurgical units were measured. PECS was defined as a visual analog scale (VAS) >= 30 mm, an increase of VAS >= 20 mm from baseline, body temperature >= 37.5 degrees C, or white blood cell count >= 10 000/mu L after ESD. PECS was classified into type I (without extra-luminal air) and type II (with peri-luminal air). The primary endpoint was the incidence of PECS. A sample size of 92 patients was required to ensure the upper limit of the 90% CI for the incidence of PECS was less than 15%.ResultsAt resistances greater than 400 omega, the maXium unit allowed submucosal dissection with lower power than with the VIO300D unit. Ninety-one patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the final study analysis. The incidence of PECS was 16% (90% CI, 10-23%), comprising type I (11%) and type II (5%) PECS. Simple extra-luminal air without PECS was observed in 7% of patients.ConclusionUse of the maXium electrosurgical unit did not reduce the incidence of PECS after colorectal ESD; however, the maXium unit had equivalent performance to a conventional electrosurgical unit used for colorectal ESD. image