Published online May 7, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i17.5281
Peer-review started: October 18, 2014
First decision: November 14, 2014
Revised: January 26, 2015
Accepted: March 19, 2015
Article in press: March 19, 2015
Published online: May 7, 2015
Processing time: 208 Days and 17.7 Hours
AIM: To compare closure methods, closure times and medical costs between two groups of patients who had post-endoscopic resection (ER) artificial ulcer floor closures.
METHODS: Nineteen patients with duodenal adenoma, early duodenal cancer, and subepithelial tumors that received ER between September 2009 and September 2014 at Kagawa University Hospital and Ehime Rosai Hospital, an affiliated hospital of Kagawa University, were included in the study. We retrospectively compared two groups of patients who received post-ER artificial ulcer floor closure: the conventional clip group vs the over-the-scope clip (OTSC) group. Delayed bleeding, procedure time of closure, delayed perforation, total number of conventional clips and OTSCs and medical costs were analyzed.
RESULTS: Although we observed delayed bleeding in three patients in the conventional clip group, we observed no delayed bleeding in the OTSC group (P = 0.049). We did not observe perforation in either group. The mean procedure times for ulcer closure were 33.26 ± 12.57 min and 9.71 ± 2.92 min, respectively (P = 0.0001). The resection diameters were 18.8 ± 1.30 mm and 22.9 ± 1.21 mm for the conventional clip group and the OTSC group, respectively, with significant difference (P = 0.039). As for medical costs, the costs of all conventional clips were USD $1257 and the costs of OTSCs were $7850 (P = 0.005). If the post-ER ulcer is under 20 mm in diameter, a conventional clip closure may be more suitable with regard to the prevention of delayed perforation and to medical costs.
CONCLUSION: If the post-ER ulcer is over 20 mm, the OTSC closure should be selected with regard to safety and reliable closure even if there are high medical costs.
Core tip: Duodenal postoperative exposure of the artificial ulcer floor to pancreatic juice and bile acid induces delayed perforation. There are, however, no reports on comparisons of closure methods, closure times and medical costs according to the different methods for closure of artificial ulcer floors. If the post-endoscopic resection (ER) ulcer is under 20 mm in diameter, the conventional clip closure might be more suitable with regard to the prevention of delayed perforation and to medical costs. If the post-ER ulcer is over 20 mm, the over-the-scope clip closure should be selected with regard to safety and reliable closure even if there are high medical costs.