Efficacy of the traction method in gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To overcome the technical difficulties associated with gastric ESD, a novel traction device that can alter the direction of traction was developed. Here, we compared the efficacy and safety of conventional ESD with that of traction-assisted gastric ESD.

METHODS: Patients with a single gastric epithelial neoplasm were randomized to receive conventional (n=75) or traction-assisted (n=73) gastric ESD. The primary outcome was ESD procedure time.

RESULTS: There were no differences between the conventional and traction-assisted groups with respect to treatment results or complications. The mean procedure time was similar for both groups (78.9 vs. 88.3 min, respectively; p=0.3); however, times for the traction device tended to be shorter for lesions in the lesser curvature of the upper or middle stomach (84.6 vs. 123.2 min, respectively; p=0.057).

CONCLUSIONS: Traction-assisted ESD for lesions in the lesser curvature of the upper or middle stomach were shorter, thereby reducing the procedure time of conventional ESD.