Published online Mar 28, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i12.1859
Revised: May 12, 2004
Accepted: August 22, 2004
Published online: March 28, 2005
AIM: To tattoo gastric mucosa with a novel medical device which could be used to monitor and follow-up gastric mucosal lesions.
METHODS: Combining endoscopic biopsy with sclerotherapy injection, we designed a new device that could perform biopsy and injection simultaneously. We performed endoscopies on a pig by using a novel endoscope tattoo biopsy forceps for 15 mo. At the same time, we used two-step method combining sclerotherapy injection needle with endoscopic biopsy. The acuity, inflammation and duration of endoscopy were compared between two methods.
RESULTS: Compared with the old two-step method, although the inflammation induced by our new device was similar, the duration of procedure was markedly decreased and the acuity of tattooing was better than the old two-step method. All characteristics of the novel device complied with national safety guidelines. Follow-up gastroscopy after 15 mo showed the stained site with injection of 1:100 0.5 mL of India ink was still markedly visible with little inflammatory reaction.
CONCLUSION: Endoscopic tattooing biopsy forceps can be widely used in monitoring precancerous lesions. Its safety and effectiveness has been established in animals.