Gastric obstruction after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Background Bleeding and perforation are two major complications of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). There are only a few reports concerning gastric obstruction related to ESD in the stomach. Objective The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological features of patients who experienced gastric obstruction after gastric ESD. Methods Clinicopathological data of 1878 patients who underwent gastric ESD from September 2002 to December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Data of lesion location, circumference, circumferential extent of ESD ulcer, specimen diameter, depth of cancer, ulcer findings within the lesion, curability of ESD, number of simultaneous lesions, and occurrence of post‐operative bleeding and perforation were collected. The risk of gastric obstruction regarding lesion and procedure related factors were assessed, and treatment for these patients was studied. Results Gastric obstruction was observed in 2.5% of the patients (47/1878). Symptoms occurred in a median of 24 days after ESD. The incidence among patients with lesions in the upper part of the stomach was 4.7% (17/316), 0.36% (3/818) in the middle, and 3.8% (27/699) in the lower part. In relation to the circumferential extent, the incidence was 50% (33/66) among patients with a resection of >75% of the circumference. Stenosis was observed in 87% (41/47) of patients with gastric obstruction. Endoscopic balloon dilation was performed in 45 patients. Perforation due to EBD occurred in four patients; one was referred to surgery. Conclusions Patients with a wide resection of >75% of the circumference should be considered for early repeat endoscopy after ESD, and dilation should be performed with caution if found to have stenosis.