• Clinical Endoscopy
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.23-37
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• 2023

Submucosal endoscopy or third-space endoscopy utilizes the potential space between the mucosal and muscularis layers of the gastrointestinal tract to execute therapeutic interventions for various diseases. Over the last decade, endoscopic access to the submucosal space has revolutionized the field of therapeutic endoscopy. Submucosal endoscopy was originally used to perform endoscopic myotomy in patients with achalasia cardia, and its use has grown exponentially since. Currently, submucosal endoscopy is widely used to resect subepithelial tumors and to manage refractory gastroparesis and Zenker's diverticulum. While the utility of submucosal endoscopy has stood the test of time in esophageal motility disorders and subepithelial tumors, its durability remains to be established in conditions such as Zenker's diverticulum and refractory gastroparesis. Other emerging indications for submucosal endoscopy include esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum, Hirschsprung's disease, and esophageal strictures not amenable to conventional endoscopic treatment. The potential of submucosal endoscopy to provide easy and safe access to the mediastinum and peritoneal spaces may open doors to novel indications and rejuvenate the interest of endoscopists in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery in the future. This review focuses on the current spectrum, recent updates, and future direction of submucosal endoscopy in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.173-178
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• 2012

Purpose: To report the initial clinical experience with single-incision laparoscopic gastric wedge resection for submucosal tumors. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 10 patients who underwent single-incision laparoscopic gastric wedge resection between July 2009 and March 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic data, clinicopathologic and surgical outcomes were assessed. Results: The mean tumor size was 2.5 cm (range, 1.2~5.0 cm), and the tumors were mostly located on the anterior wall (4/10) or along the greater curvature (4/10), of the stomach. Nine of ten procedures were performed successfully, without the use of additional trocars, or conversion to laparotomy. One patient underwent conversion to multiport laparoscopic surgery, to get simultaneous cholecystectomy safely. The mean operating time was 66.5 minutes (range, 24~132 minutes), and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (range, 4~7 days). No serious perioperative complications were observed. Of the 10 submucosal tumors, the final pathologic report revealed 5 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, 4 schwannomas, and 1 heterotopic pancreas. Conclusions: Single-incision laparoscopic gastric wedge resection for gastric submucosal tumors is feasible and safe, when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. This technique provides favorable cosmetic results, and also short hospital stay and low morbidity, in carefully selected candidates.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.16-21
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• 2022

Diagnosis of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) is sometimes difficult with conventional endoscopy or tissue sampling with standard biopsy, so non-invasive imaging modalities such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and computed tomography are used to evaluate the characteristics of SETs features (size, location, originating layer, echogenicity, shape). However imaging modalities alone is not able to distinguish among all types of SETs, so histology is the gold standard for obtaining the final diagnosis. For tissue sampling, mucosal cutting biopsy and mucosal incision-assisted biopsy and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration or biopsy (EUS-FNA or EUS-FNB) is commonly recommended. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are used for resection of SETs involving the mucosal and superficial submucosal layers, could not treat adequately and safely the SETs involving the deep mucosa and muscularis propria. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) and endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is used as a therapeutic option for the treatment of SETs with the development of reliable endoscopic closure techniques and tools.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.40-45
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• 2015

Background: Surgical enucleation is the treatment of choice for esophageal submucosal tumors (SMTs) with symptomatic, larger, or ill-defined lesions. The enucleation of SMTs has traditionally been performed via thoracotomy. However, minimally invasive approaches have recently been introduced and successfully applied. In this study, we present our experiences with the thoracotomic and thoracoscopic approaches to treating SMTs. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 53 patients with SMTs who underwent surgical enucleation between August 1996 and July 2013. Demographic and clinical features, tumor-related factors, the surgical approach, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: There were 36 males (67.9%) and 17 females (32.1%); the mean age was $49.2{\pm}11.8$ years (range, 16 to 79 years). Histology revealed leiomyoma in 51 patients, a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in one patient, and schwannoma in one patient. Eighteen patients (34.0%) were symptomatic. Fourteen patients underwent a planned thoracotomic enucleation. Of the 39 patients for whom a thoracoscopic approach was planned, six patients required conversion to thoracotomy because of overly small tumors or poor visualization in five patients and accidental mucosal injury in one patient. No mortality or major postoperative complications occurred. Compared to thoracotomy, the thoracoscopic approach had a slightly shorter operation time, but this difference was not statistically significant ($120.0{\pm}45.6$ minutes vs. $161.5{\pm}71.1$ minutes, p=0.08). A significant difference was found in the length of the hospital stay ($9.0{\pm}3.2$ days vs. $16.5{\pm}5.4$ days, p<0.001). Conclusion: The thoracoscopic enucleation of submucosal esophageal tumors is safe and is associated with a shorter length of hospital stay compared to thoracotomic approaches.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.126-130
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• 2011

A composite glandular/exocrine-endocrine carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract is characterized by the co-existence of two adjacent, but histologically-distinct tumors in an organ. Composite glandular/exocrine-endocrine carcinomas are a special type of tumor comprised of common adenocarcinomas and neuroendocrine components that account for at least one-third of the entire tumor area. Composite tumors have been reported in a range of organs, but are relatively rare in the stomach. We report a case of a composite neuroendocrine carcinoma with an adenocarcinoma of the stomach (mixed exocrine-endocrine carcinoma), which was misdiagnosed as a giant submucosal tumor preoperatively based on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and a contrast-enhanced axial computed tomographic scan.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.15-20
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• 2023

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for early gastric cancer. The criteria for determining the suitability and success of ESD have expanded, with changes in the histopathological classification of gastric carcinoma, including results from molecular research. Treatment methods have also diversified to include targeted therapies and immuno-oncology agents. To improve communication between clinicians and pathologists, it is crucial to understand the standardized diagnostic forms of gastric cancer. This study aims to examine the handling method of ESD specimens and describe the pathological findings of gastric tumors.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.278-285
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• 2015

Purpose: Gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) located very close to the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) are a challenge for gastric surgeons. Therefore, this study reports on the experience of using endoscopic and laparoscopic full-thickness resection (ELFR) with laparoscopic two-layer suturing in such tumors. Materials and Methods: Six patients with gastric SMTs very close to the EGJ underwent ELFR with laparoscopic two-layer suturing at Kyungpook National University Medical Center. With the patient under general anesthesia, the lesser curvature and posterior aspect adjacent to the EGJ were meticulously dissected and visualized using a laparoscopic approach. A partially circumferential full-thickness incision at the distal margin of the tumor was then made using an endoscopic approach under laparoscopic guidance. The SMT was resected using laparoscopic ultrasonic shears, and the gastric wall was closed using two-layer suturing. Thereafter, the patency and any leakage were checked through endoscopy. Results: All the ELFR procedures with laparoscopic two-layer suturing were performed successfully without an open conversion. The mean operation time was $139.2{\pm}30.9$ minutes and the blood loss was too minimal to be measured. The tumors from four patients were leiomyomas, while the tumors from the other two patients were gastrointestinal stromal tumors with clear resection margins. All the patients started oral intake on the third postoperative day. There was no morbidity or mortality. The mean hospital stay was $7.7{\pm}0.8$ days. Conclusions: ELFR with laparoscopic two-layer suturing is a safe treatment option for patients with an SMT close to the EGJ, as major resection of the stomach is avoided.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.104-109
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• 2008

목적: 국내 위 점막하 종양의 임상병리학적 양상과 치료방법에 대해 파악하고자 전국조사를 실시하였다. 대상 및 방법: 국내 47개 병원에서 2005년부터 2006년까지 위 점막하 종양으로 수술 받은 환자 878명의 자료를 수집하여, 진단명, 증상, 위치, 수술법, 사망률, 종양의 크기, 악성도 등을 조사하였다. 결과: 위 점막하 종양의 수술 후 진단으로는 위장관 간질 종양(Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, GIST)이 586명(66.8%)으로 가장 많았고, 평활근종(Leiomyoma) 97명(11.1%), 신경초종(schwannoma) 70명(8.0%), 이소성 췌장(Ectopic pancreas) 68명(7.8%), 유암종(carcinoid) 16명(1.8%) 순이었다. 환자의 평균 나이는 56.0세, 남녀 비는 1:1.18이었으며, 50.9%의 환자가 증상 없이 발견되었다. 위 상부 1/3에 위치한 위 점막하 종양이 가장 흔했으며(n=449, 52.0%), GIST의 55.4% (n=319), 평활근종의 84.5% (n=82)가 위 상부 1/3에 위치하였다. 복강경적 접근이 전체 환자의 44.2% (n=388)에서 시행되었으며, 수술방법으로는 쐐기 절제술(n=726, 82.8%)이 가장 빈번히 시행되었다. 전체 환자 중 1명(0.1%)만이 수술 후 30일 이내에 사망하였다. GIST 환자 중 115명(21.1%, 115/544)이 고위험도의 악성도를 가졌고, 41명(8.3%, 45/495)에서 수술 후 imatinib mesylate 항암 치료를 하였다. 결론: 조사된 국내 점막하 종양의 약 2/3가 GIST였으며, 약 1/2에서 복강경하 절제술이 이루어졌다. 향후 이 보고가 위점막하 종양의 진료 및 연구의 참고자료로 활용되기를 기대한다.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.188-195
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound to facilitate treatment of gastric submucosal tumors. Materials and Methods: The feasibility of laparoscopic wedge resection as determined by CT findings of tumor size, location, and growth pattern was correlated with surgical findings in 89 consecutive operations. The role of laparoscopic ultrasound for tumor localization was analyzed. Results: Twenty-three patients were considered unsuitable for laparoscopic wedge resection because of large tumor size (N=13) or involvement of the gastroesophageal junction (N=9) or pyloric channel (N=1). Laparoscopic wedge resection was not attempted in 11 of these patients because of large tumor size. Laparoscopic wedge resection was successfully performed in 65 of 66 (98.5%) patients considered suitable for this procedure. Incorrect interpretation of preoperative CT resulted in a change of surgery type in seven patients (7.9%): incorrect CT diagnosis on gastroesophageal junction involvement (N=6) and on growth pattern (N=1). In 18 patients without an exophytic growth pattern, laparoscopic ultrasound was necessary and successfully localized all lesions. Conclusions: Preoperative CT and laparoscopic ultrasound are useful for surgical planning and tumor localization in laparoscopic wedge resection.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.3-18
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• 2013

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is the most common mesenchymal tumor in the gastrointestinal tract and is most frequently developed in the stomach in the form of submucosal tumor. The incidence of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor is estimated to be as high as 25% of the population when all small and asymptomatic tumors are included. Because gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor is not completely distinguished from other submucosal tumors, a surgical excisional biopsy is recommended for tumors >2 cm. The surgical principles of gastrointestinal stromal tumor are composed of an R0 resection with a normal mucosa margin, no systemic lymph node dissection, and avoidance of perforation, which results in peritoneal seeding even in cases with otherwise low risk profiles. Laparoscopic surgery has been indicated for gastrointestinal stromal tumors <5 cm, and the indication for laparoscopic surgery is expanded to larger tumors if the above mentioned surgical principles can be maintained. A simple exogastric resection and various transgastric resection techniques are used for gastrointestinal stromal tumors in favorable locations (the fundus, body, greater curvature side). For a lesion at the gastroesophageal junction in the posterior wall of the stomach, enucleation techniques have been tried preserve the organ's function. Those methods have a theoretical risk of seeding a ruptured tumor, but this risk has not been evaluated by well-designed clinical trials. While some clinical trials are still on-going, neoadjuvant imatinib is suggested when marginally unresectable or multiorgan resection is anticipated to reduce the extent of surgery and the chance of incomplete resection, rupture or bleeding.