Non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery with one-step nucleic acid amplification for early gastrointestinal tumors: Personal experience and literature review

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery is a safe, organ-sparing surgery that achieves full-thickness resection with adequate margins. Recent studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of these procedures. However, these techniques are limited by the exposure of the tumor and mucosa to the peritoneal cavity, which could lead to viable cancer cell seeding and the spillage of gastric juice or enteric liquids into the peritoneal cavity. Non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery (NEWS) is highly accurate in determining the resection margins to prevent intraperitoneal contamination because the tumor is inverted into the visceral lumen instead of the peritoneal cavity. Accurate intraoperative assessment of the nodal status could allow stratification of the extent of resection. One-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) can provide a rapid method of evaluating nodal tissue, whilst near-infrared laparoscopy together with indocyanine green can identify relevant nodal tissue intraoperatively.

AIM

To determine the safety and feasibility of NEWS in early gastric and colon cancers and of adding rapid intraoperative lymph node (LN) assessment with OSNA.

METHODS

The patient-based experiential portion of our investigations was conducted at the General and Oncological Surgery Unit of the St. Giuseppe Moscati Hospital (Avellino, Italy). Patients with early-stage gastric or colon cancer (diagnosed via endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and computed tomography) were included. All lesions were treated by NEWS procedure with intraoperative OSNA assay between January 2022 and October 2022. LNs were examined intraoperatively with OSNA and postoperatively with conventional histology. We analyzed patient demographics, lesion features, histopathological diagnoses, R0 resection (negative margins) status, adverse events, and follow-up results. Data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 10 patients (5 males and 5 females) with an average age of 70.4 ± 4.5 years (range: 62-78 years) were enrolled in this study. Five patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer. The remaining 5 patients were diagnosed with early-stage colon cancer. The mean tumor diameter was 23.8 ± 11.6 mm (range: 15-36 mm). The NEWS procedure was successful in all cases. The mean procedure time was 111.5 ± 10.7 min (range: 80-145 min). The OSNA assay revealed no LN metastases in any patients. Histologically complete resection (R0) was achieved in 9 patients (90.0%). There was no recurrence during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

NEWS combined with sentinel LN biopsy and OSNA assay is an effective and safe technique for the removal of selected early gastric and colon cancers in which it is not possible to adopt conventional endoscopic resection techniques. This procedure allows clinicians to acquire additional information on the LN status intraoperatively.

Key Words: Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery; Non-exposed endoscopic wall inversion surgery; Early gastric cancer; Early colorectal cancer; Sentinel lymph node; One-step nucleic acid amplification; Endoscopic full-thickness resection

Core Tip: The treatment efficacy of non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery combined with sentinel lymph node (LN) biopsy and intraoperative one-step nucleic acid amplification assay remains to be fully evaluated in early gastric and colon cancers. The patients included in the experiential portion of our investigations were diagnosed with early gastric and colon cancers that were not amenable to conventional endoscopic resection techniques. We found that this approach provides essential details on LN status intraoperatively and we discuss the related literature to help guide future research studies and clinical care.

INTRODUCTION

The most effective treatment for patients with resectable gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs), including gastrointestinal stromal tumors[1-4] and early gastrointestinal cancer[5], is complete surgical resection. Segmental resection is acceptable based on oncologic principles[6-8]. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a well-studied treatment for adenomas and early cancer of the gastrointestinal tract[9]. In some cases, it has low rates of microscopic resections with a negative margin (R0). ESD in lesions involving the muscularis propria remains controversial due to the increased risk of perforation[10-13]. Adverse events have also been described in lesions located in anatomical positions that are difficult to access.

Previous studies reported that laparoscopic wedge resection for gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) was oncologically feasible and safe with a decrease in blood loss and length of hospital stay[14-16] compared to other classic gastric resections. Using the conventional laparoscopic approach, it is difficult to establish the exact line of resection for intraluminally developing gastrointestinal tumors. With limited or overabundant resections, there is a risk of having postoperative functional problems or infiltrated resection margins with postoperative recurrence[17,18]. Endoscopic control of the resection margin is essential for safe local resection in early gastrointestinal cancers[19]. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is a digital optical method of image-enhanced endoscopy that enhances the vessel and surface structure of colorectal lesions using 415 nm and 540 nm wavelength filters[20-22]. Several NBI classifications for colorectal lesions have been proposed. These classifications were unified as the NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic (NICE) classification for non-magnifying endoscopy in 2009 and the Japan NBI Expert Team (JNET) classification for magnifying endoscopy in 2014[20,23-27].

NICE was divided into three groups based on histology: Hyperplastic or sessile serrated polyp (type 1), adenoma (type 2), and deep submucosal invasive cancer (type 3). There are also three criteria: Surface pattern, vase pattern and colour[26,27]. The Japanese endoscopists separated the type 2 NICE category into type 2A (low-grade adenoma) and type 2B (high-grade adenoma and submucosal cancer) using magnifying endoscopy. They developed the JNET classification as an advanced version of the NICE classification. When magnifying endoscopy is available, the JNET classification is better at selecting the correct therapeutic strategy based on precise diagnosis[20].

To overcome the limitations of endoscopic resections and wedge resections, Hiki et al[28] combined the ESD technique to properly determine the resection margin with laparoscopic full-thickness excision, developing a hybrid technique of laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS). The LECS allows to preserve the vascularization, the innervation of the wall, and the organs' functionality with a better postoperative quality of life for the patient.

To expand the indication of LECS, some modified LECS procedures were developed, such as non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery (NEWS)[29-36]. Currently, the LECS, already widely studied for stomach lesions, is also used for lesions of other organs, such as the duodenum[37], the rectum and the colon[38,39]. This technique allows the lesion to be approached simultaneously from the inside endoscopically and externally laparoscopically, allowing a limited resection that respects oncological principles[40-44].

Diagnostic imaging assessment of lymphadenopathy in gastric and colorectal cancers (CRCs) is challenging. Individual imaging modalities face specific intrinsic limitations, which negatively impact detection and it does not allow a correct evaluation of important lymph node (LN) details. Therefore we only have the size criterion available to determine lymphadenopathies[45]. A new semi-automated diagnostic method called one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) has been developed to detect LN metastases. OSNA is based on reverse transcription–loop-mediated isothermal amplification[46,47] to amplify cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA. The OSNA test has been used successfully in numerous malignancies[48]. Yaguchi et al[49] defined the CK19 mRNA cutoff to identify LN metastases with OSNA assay in gastric cancer[49-52]. Kumagai et al[50] showed that OSNA could be advantageously used to diagnose LN metastases in advanced gastric cancer.

CK19 is an epithelial marker. When it is identified in LNs from patients with CRC, it is highly suggestive of LN metastases[53-55]. The OSNA assay can assess LN metastasis in various cancers expressing CK19, including sentinel LNs in breast cancer and other cancers[56-59].

In this study, we determined the safety and feasibility of NEWS in early gastric and colon cancers and adding rapid intraoperative LN assessment with OSNA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort study approach was taken, relying on data from a prospectively maintained database of consecutive patients undergoing elective NEWS for early gastric and colon cancers at St. Giuseppe Moscati Hospital of Avellino, Italy. The database included preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data. Inclusion criteria were: (1) Adult age; (2) diagnosis with early gastric or colon cancer; and (3) eligibility for the NEWS procedure. Exclusion criterion was: Allergy to indocyanine green (ICG). In total, 10 patients were included in this study.

This study was carried out in continuity with our previous study[59] and conducted according to the ethical principles of the Institution following the Declaration of Helsinki and with approval by the Institutional Review Board of the St. Giuseppe Moscati Hospital (Approval No. 201801). Written informed consent was granted by study participants for the publication of this article.

Surgical-endoscopic technique and histopathological evaluation

Immediately after access to the abdominal cavity by laparotomy or laparoscopy, a flexible endoscope was passed to the tumor site (Figure 1) to allow a 0.5 mL submucosal injection of ICG (2.5–5.0 mg/mL) at four points around the tumor (Figure 2). The nodal basin was then examined under near-infrared (NIR) illumination (Karl Storz SE & Co., Tuttlingen, Germany). In the case of the stomach, we proceeded to the exeresis of identifiable nodes at one or two nodal basins (Figure 3). In contrast, in the case of the colon, any identifiable sentinel LNs were excised and submitted immediately to the pathology department. LNs harvested in this way were cleaned of fat. LNs weighing between 0.05 g and 0.60 g or with a cross diameter of less than 8 mm were exclusively processed using the OSNA technique. LNs weighing more than 0.60 g or with diameter over 8 mm were dissected and analyzed using the OSNA technique and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). In the latter case, LNs were divided at 2-mm intervals, and nonadjacent blocks were alternatively subjected to definitive histopathological examination with H&E or OSNA. Our technique for preparation of materials for OSNA and interpretation of results has already been described in our previous study[59] (Figure 4). The patient’s total tumor load (TTL) resulted from the sum of all CK19 mRNA tumor copies/μL of each LN.

Figure 1 Preoperative endoscopy of prepyloric early gastric cancer. A: Endoscopy; B: Virtual chromoendoscopy; C: Endoscopic ultrasound.

Figure 2 Endoscopic injection of indocyanine green at cardinal points 1 cm from the margins of a prepyloric early gastric cancer lesion. A: First injection of indocyanine green (ICG); B: Second injection of ICG; C: Cardinal points of the lesion injected with ICG.

Figure 3 Sentinel lymph node biopsy. A: Level 4 d node; B: Level 4 d fluorescent node with near-infrared vision.

Figure 4 One-step nucleic acid amplification assay. A-F: Lymph nodes were prepared and placed in homogenized lysis buffer (Lynorhag; Sysmex) and then centrifuged. CK19 mRNA was extracted from the lysate and analyzed by reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification in the RD-100i system (Sysmex) using the Lynoamp (Sysmex) reagent kit[59].

OSNA results with CK19 mRNA above 250 copies/μL were designated positive, and those with fewer than 250 copies/μL were considered negative[59]. The result of the sentinel LN analysis was intraoperatively communicated to the surgeon. All patients underwent the NEWS procedure.

In this procedure, mucosal markings are placed around the tumor followed by serosal markings via laparoscope under endoscopic navigation. A longitudinal seromuscular incision is performed laparoscopically around the serosal markings, taking special care not to create a full-thickness opening in the wall. The pending vessels of the submucosa are coagulated laparoscopically. The seromuscular layers are sutured transversely (Figure 5) to avoid postoperative strictures, particularly in patients with colon cancer, and the lesion is inserted into the inside of the lumen. Finally, circumferential mucosal and submucosal tissue incisions are made endoscopically around the inverted tumor (Figure 6). The resected tumor is retrieved, and the mucosal defect is sutured with several endoscopic clips.

Figure 5 Laparoscopic and robotic surgical incision and reconstruction of the external gastric wall. A and B: Incision, representative views; C and D: Reconstruction, representative views.

Figure 6 Endoscopic full thickness resection of early gastric cancer using the non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery procedure. A: Mucosal markings placed around the tumor; B: Endoscopic incision of the internal layers of the gastric wall; C: Specimen.

Patients with early gastric cancer and early colon cancer were encouraged to begin drinking and eating on postoperative day 1 after the NEWS procedure. If the postoperative course was uneventful, then patients could be discharged on postoperative day 1 or 2.

Subsequently, the records of each patient were discussed in a multidisciplinary conference with surgeons, pathologists, and oncologists, considering the definitive examination of the surgical specimen and the result of the sentinel LN analysis. The final histology of the surgical specimen and harvested LNs were always concluded based on the H&E analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 10 patients (5 males and 5 females) with an average age of 70.4 ± 4.5 years (range: 62-78 years) were observed in this study. Five patients were diagnosed with early-stage gastric cancer, and five patients were diagnosed with early-stage colon cancer. The mean tumor diameter was 23.8 ± 11.6 mm (range: 15-36 mm). The patient characteristics are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Patient demographics and clinical results.

Variables	Results
Sex
Male	5 (50)
Female	5 (50)
Age	70.4 ± 4.5 (62-78)
BMI	23.7 ± 2.1 (20.2-26.5)
ASA physical status classification
I	0
II	5
III	5
IV	0
V	0
Tumor size in mm	23.8 ± 11.6 (10-36)
Tumor location
Stomach	5
Colon	5
Operation time in min	111.5 ± 10.7 (80-145)
Negative margin	9/10
Number of nodes	2.5 ± 2.2 (1-5)
Postoperative complications	1/10
Recurrence	0
Follow-up period in mo	6.3 ± 4.2

Data are presented as n, n/total, n (%), or mean ± SD (range). All patients were included in the evaluations. ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists; BMI: Body mass index.

The NEWS procedure was successful in all cases. The mean procedure time was 111.5 ± 10.7 min (range: 80-145 min). The OSNA assay revealed no LN metastases in any patient. The diagnostic accuracy in predicting the LN status based on the sentinel LN concept by OSNA compared with the postoperative histological examination was 100%. Complete histological resection (R0) was achieved in 9 (90.0%) patients. The average post-procedure length of hospitalization was 3.1 ± 4.8 d (range: 1-8 d). There was no recurrence during the follow-up. The mean follow-up was 6.3 ± 4.2 mo.

There was only 1 patient who experienced a complication. In the gastric cancer group, 1 patient was treated conservatively for intrabdominal fluid collection (Table 2). One patient who underwent the removal of a lesion affecting the proximal transverse colon presented positive focal margins after histological examination. Therefore, he underwent a right hemicolectomy. The definitive histological examination showed no residual tumor foci or LN metastases (Table 3).

Table 2 Tumor size, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and clinical and anatomical parameters of the gastric lesions.

Variables	Results
Number	5
Tumor size in mm	23.5 ± 12.1 (10-36)
Primary site
Body	3 (60)
Antrum	2 (40)
Operation time in min	110.5 ± 10.9 (80-145)
Complete resection	5/5
Complications	1/5
Number of lymph nodes	2.6 ± 2.2 (1-4)
Length of hospitalization in d	3.6 ± 4.2 (1-8)
Recurrence	0

Data are presented as n, n/total, n (%), or mean ± SD (range). All patients were included in the evaluations.

Table 3 Tumor size, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and clinical and anatomical parameters of the colonic lesions.

Variables	Results
Tumor number	5
Tumor size in mm	24.0 ± 10.6 (18-35)
Primary site
Right colon	2 (40)
Left colon	3 (60)
Operation time in min	112.5 ± 10.6 (105-120)
Complete resection	4/5
Complications	0/5
Number of lymph nodes	2.4 ± 2.7 (1-5)
Length of hospitalization in d	2.3 ± 1.7 (1-4)
Recurrence	0

Data are presented as n, n/total, n (%), or mean ± SD (range). All patients were included in the evaluations.

The average LN count was 2.5 ± 2.2, ranging from 1 to 5 nodes per patient. Five patients had early gastric cancer, and five had early CRC confirmed by final histology.

DISCUSSION

In this article, we investigated the possibility of adding to the NEWS (for early gastrointestinal cancers) an intraoperative study of LNs using fluorescence and ICG to identify the LN basin of the tumor and OSNA for the analysis of the excised LNs. We also performed a literature review on the use of NEWS in early gastrointestinal cancers, on sentinel LN and LN basin studies in gastric and colonic cancers, and on the intraoperative use of OSNA.

NEWS in early gastrointestinal cancers

NEWS has been reported as a novel full-thickness resection technique without wall perforation. It is primarily used to treat early gastrointestinal cancer[30,32-34,60,61]. An advantage of NEWS is that all the gastric or intestinal layers can be resected precisely under direct visualization by laparoscopy and endoscopy. As a result, wall resection is limited and oncological principles are respected. The size of the tumor is one of the main limitations of NEWS. Lesion size should be 30 mm or less as the resected specimen is retrieved perorally or transanally. The LECS concept initially adopted for gastric lesions can also be applied to colorectal tumors[38]. The appropriate indications of LECS for colorectal tumors are: (1) Intramucosal carcinoma (Tis) and adenoma with high-grade atypia accompanied by a severe degree of fibrosis in the submucosal layer (tumor recurrence after endoscopic or surgical resection); (2) Tis and adenoma with high-grade atypia involving the appendix or diverticulum; or (3) intraluminal or intramural growth-type SMTs. LECS for the colon is a safe and feasible procedure[62,63]. LECS for colorectal tumors has a 0% rate for either residual or local recurrence.

Currently, modified LECS procedures can be applied to cases of early gastrointestinal cancer (within the indication for endoscopic mucosal resection/ESD) that would be technically difficult to treat with endoscopic mucosal resection/ESD. Innovative organ-preserving procedures such as transanal minimally invasive surgery, LECS, and modified LECS allow adequate resection of early-stage tumors without extensive interventions[64].

Sentinel LN and nodal basin

The LN stage remains crucial for oncological treatments. Identifying LN metastases in gastric or CRC is still unsatisfactory despite improvements in imaging techniques[65-67]. Sentinel LN biopsy for early gastric cancer is reportedly helpful when deciding whether to perform LN dissection, and LECS combined with sentinel LN dissection has been attempted for early gastric cancer as well[31,68-70]. The sentinel LN is the first LN that receives lymphatic drainage from the primary tumor and is a predictor of the pathological status of all other LNs. Miwa[71] studied lymphatic basin dissection in gastric cancer as a method of sentinel LN biopsy. The specific lymphatic system for gastric cancer is stained by a dye tracer injected near the gastric lesion and drained into the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is then dissected en bloc, and the sentinel LN analysis is performed.

Multiple reports have investigated lymphatic basin dissection as a specific sentinel LN biopsy in stomach cancer[72-75]. The lymphatic basin identified by dye mapping is excised en bloc, and sentinel LNs are analyzed ex vivo after dissection of the basin and sent for rapid intraoperative diagnosis. If, after sentinel LN biopsy, a positive LN is found, D2 gastrectomy is added. If LNs are negative for metastases, further dissection is avoided, gastric vasculature outside the basin is preserved, and the gastric resection area is minimized[76-79].

In recent years, a number of clinical trials in Japan and South Korea have shown that the safety and therapeutic effect of sentinel LN navigation surgery in early gastric cancer are acceptable[74,80-84]. A multicenter study in Japan showed that the detection rate of sentinel LNs in early gastric cancer reached 97.5%, with 93% sensitivity and 99% accuracy[75]. A multicenter randomized controlled trial (SENORITA) conducted in South Korea showed that the sentinel LN biopsy group did not have non-inferiority to the radical gastrectomy group for 3-year disease-free survival. However, the 3-year disease-free survival and 3-year overall survival rates did not differ after rescue surgery in recurrence/metachronous gastric cancer cases. The sentinel LN biopsy group had a better long-term quality of life and nutrition than the radical gastrectomy group[76,77].

Goto et al[34] reported the use of NEWS for early gastric cancer in combination with sentinel LN navigation surgery (SNNS). The lymphatic basin is an essential concept in SNNS.

OSNA in gastric cancer and CRC

Recent developments in the OSNA test allow for rapidly identifying metastases over the entire LN. The OSNA assay, already extensively studied in breast cancer[56], is under evaluation as an alternative diagnostic test for identifying secondary localizations of sentinel LNs in gastric cancer[65]. In the study by Yaguchi et al[49], the agreement rate between the OSNA test and H&E stain was 94.4%, and the sensitivity and specificity were 88.9 and 96.8%, respectively, when the CK19 mRNA cutoff value is 250 copies/μL. The multicenter study by Kumagai et al[50] showed that the OSNA test has the same precision as the 2 mm interval histological examination in detecting LN metastases in the case of stomach cancer. Shoji et al[85] showed that single-tracer sentinel LN mapping by ICG fluorescence imaging with intraoperative diagnosis by OSNA assay is feasible and safe.

Joosten et al[86] in 1999 introduced the concept of sentinel LN in the CRC to reduce false negative results and study the importance of LN involvement. The main advantage of sentinel LN mapping in CRC is identifying nodes with an increased risk of metastasis so that they undergo further testing.

The OSNA test can also detect colorectal metastases in LNs based on CK19 levels within 20 min of removal[87-89]. Until recently, it was predominantly used to evaluate the entire LN basin, but its rapidity could make it a functional intraoperative test to guide decision-making.

Vogelaar et al[90] compared OSNA with a single H&E stain and multilevel fine pathology (immunohistochemistry with pan-cytokeratin antibody staining) to identify metastases in the sentinel LN of colon cancer patients. OSNA and fine pathological examination were superior to a single H&E stain. Additionally, combining the two methods observed a 46.5% upstaging rate. The study by Yamamoto et al[91] shows that if the sum of CK19 mRNA is higher, the number of histologically positive LNs increases. The median CK19 mRNA value was significantly lower if there were fewer than three metastatic regional LNs than in patients with more than four positive LNs.

The median TTL values of pN0, pN1 (1-3 LN positive), and pN2 (4 or more LN positive) were 1550 copies/μL (300-320000 copies/μL), 24050 copies/μL (250-890000 copies/μL) and 90600 copies/μL (7700-1635100 copies/μL), respectively. The TTL increases with the advancing LN stage. In the study by Aldecoa et al[92], TTL correlated with pT stage (P = 0.01) and tumor size (P < 0.01) in low-grade tumors. In this study, classic high-risk factors correlated with TTL in patients with stage I-II colon cancer. These results showed that the sum of CK19 mRNA obtained by the OSNA method is comparable with the current pathology diagnosis system. These studies pave the way for a new molecular staging using OSNA based on the amount of CK19mRNA rather than the number of LN metastases. Furthermore, TTL has been suggested to be related to a poor prognosis, worse disease-free survival, and other CRC risk factors[45,93,94], such as pN, pT, tumor grade, male sex, tumor size, and lymph vascular invasion.

In the literature, the association between the use of fluorescence to search for colorectal LNs and the use of OSNA to provide an accurate and rapid assessment of the oncological status of these specific LNs has been shown, which can give information on the entire LN basin. In the study by Shimada et al[58], there is a high agreement between OSNA and histopathology. For this reason, the OSNA test can be considered a convenient, objective and valuable alternative to the current pathological method for detecting LN metastases.

Some studies have used intraoperative OSNA testing to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy and elapsed time between surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy[59,95,96]. A rapid intraoperative test, such as OSNA (which takes approximately 40 min[95]), to obtain information on the status of LNs in the tumor drainage basin can overcome the limitations of preoperative imaging in clinically LN-negative patients. The OSNA test, thanks to its intraoperative diagnostic accuracy and rapidity, may be indispensable for safely performing minimal resections in patients with early-stage gastrointestinal cancer. With more experience using this technology and further refinement of the technique, ICG analysis could be used in conjunction with OSNA intraoperatively to identify LN metastases, which would influence surgical decision-making.

In our previous study[37] we described the advantages and limitations of the OSNA technique. Some authors have proposed that positive CK19 on immunohistochemistry in primary tumors should be a prerequisite for OSNA use[37,73].

To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the utility of intraoperative OSNA testing in the assessment of sentinel LN in patients with early-stage gastrointestinal cancer undergoing the NEWS procedure.

Study limitations

This article included a single-center pilot study. As such, the number of patients collected was small and the selected patients did not have LN metastases. Therefore, it was not possible to validate the sentinel LN technique.

At present, two methods are predominantly used in the detection of sentinel LNs; it involves injecting a radioisotope with a gamma probe or a dye. Hot LNs are identified by radioisotope uptake, and sentinel LNs are colored blue or green by dye after injection around the tumor with a radioisotope colloid or dye. The currently established double-tracer method (dye and radioisotope tracers) described in several studies[97-99] appears to increase the sensitivity of identifying true sentinel LNs. We used only one tracer method in this study. ICG has hypoallergenic potential, deep detection depth, high sensitivity, and stable signal. Furthermore, tight regulation and costs of radioactive substances limit the widespread use of the probe-guided method.

The SNNS concept has been established in early gastric cancer but is still controversial in CRC. Colorectal sentinel LN basins are still not well defined. The usefulness of sentinel LN basin dissection for curative resection needs to be investigated. In this situation, the effectiveness of SNNS combined with OSNA could not be determined in CRC.

CONCLUSION

NEWS is a feasible and safe technique for organ-sparing surgery in selected patients in centers with a high experience in endoscopy, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery. ICG-NIR lymphangiography in combination with sentinel LN OSNA analysis is feasible and may allow intraoperative prediction of LN status in patients with early colon or gastric cancer treated with the NEWS procedure. Furthermore, its implementation allows more precise staging. ICG-NIR lymphangiography and OSNA could be used to plan personalized surgery and lymphadenectomy in patients with early-stage cancers. Prospective multicenter studies with large populations of patient cohorts are needed to provide definitive conclusions.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

There are more and more studies in the literature concerning endoscopic and surgical resections for organ preservation in early gastrointestinal neoplasms, respecting oncological principles. Lymph node (LN) study with one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) is also the subject of numerous studies.

Research motivation

Organ-sparing endoscopic and imaging techniques do not currently allow for an accurate LN study. Using LN biopsy with rapid intraoperative results during the laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative approach can add important information.

Research objectives

This article aims to stimulate studies that can add further information on LN status in patients with early gastrointestinal cancer, which, if treated only with endoscopic technique or with modified Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery, would have no additional information on LN status beyond radiological ones. However, our study is the first to evaluate the utility of intraoperative OSNA assay in assessing SN in patients with early-stage gastrointestinal cancer undergoing the Non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery (NEWS).

Research methods

This pilot study with a literature review is based on data collected prospectively from a database of patients undergoing elective NEWS for early gastrointestinal cancer at St. Giuseppe Moscati Hospital of Avellino, Italy. The database included preoperative, operative, and postoperative data. Inclusion criteria included adult patients with early gastric and colonic cancer eligible for the NEWS procedure. Exclusion criteria included participants with an allergy to any indocyanine green (ICG).

Research results

A total of 10 patients were enrolled in this study, which included 5 gastric and 5 colonic early-stage cancers. The NEWS procedure was successful in all cases. The OSNA assay revealed no LN metastasis in all patients. The diagnostic accuracy in predicting the LN status based on the SN concept by OSNA compared with the postoperative histological examination was 100%. Histologically complete resection (R0) was achieved in 9 (90.0%) patients. There was no recurrence during the follow-up. An intrabdominal fluid collection treated conservatively was observed in 1 (10.0%) patient of the gastric group. One patient who underwent the removal of a lesion affecting the proximal transverse colon presented positive focal margins on a definitive histological examination. Therefore he subsequently underwent a right hemicolectomy. The definitive histological examination showed no residual tumour foci or LN metastases.The mean follow-up was 6.3 ± 4.2 mo. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Ours is a single-centre pilot study. The number of patients collected is small. The selected patients were all patients without LN metastasis; therefore, it is not possible to validate the sentinel node technique.

Research conclusions

Our study is the first to analyze the utility of intraoperative OSNA assay in sentinel node and nodal basin assessment in patients with early-stage gastrointestinal cancer undergoing the NEWS procedure. NEWS is a feasible and safe technique for organ-sparing surgery in selected patients. Additionally, implementing the NEWS association with the intraoperative study with OSNA will allow for more precise staging.

Research perspectives

OSNA and ICG near-infrared lymphangiography could be used to develop customized surgery and lymphadenectomy in patients with early cancers. Prospective multicenter studies with large populations of patient cohorts are needed to provide definitive conclusions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank the colleagues of the Department of Surgery and Histopathology of the "San Giuseppe Moscati" Hospital of National Importance and High Specialty for carefully reading and revising the manuscript.