Ligation-assisted endoscopic enucleation for the treatment of colorectal submucosal tumours originating in the muscularis propria

AimA ligation-assisted endoscopic enucleation (EE-L) technique was developed and was evaluated to determine its efficacy and safety for treating colorectal submucosal tumours (<10mm) originating in the muscularis propria. MethodEE-L was used to treat 13 patients between January 2011 and January 2014. The tumour was sucked into a transparent cap and ligated at its base by a rubber band ligature attached to the tip of the endoscope. With the creation of a pseudo-stalk, the tumour was then enucleated using endoscopic dissection and the wound was closed with clips. ResultsAll tumours [median diameter 6.8 (4-10)mm] were successfully enucleated [procedure time 19 (11-27)min]. Histopathological examination identified 11 (84.6%) to be leiomyoma and 2 (15.4%) low-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumours. No perforations or massive haemorrhage occurred and there were no recurrences during a follow-up of 3-39months. ConclusionEE-L is a successful technique for the removal of small colorectal tumours in the muscularis propria with few complications and enables a histopathological diagnosis. In this study, all the resected lesions had a benign pathology.