Published online Aug 10, 2016. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v8.i15.517
Peer-review started: March 27, 2016
First decision: May 13, 2016
Revised: June 23, 2016
Accepted: July 11, 2016
Article in press: July 13, 2016
Published online: August 10, 2016
Processing time: 131 Days and 16.8 Hours
AIM: To systematically review the medical literature in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).
METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, Ovid, CINAHL, and Cochrane for studies reporting on the clinical efficacy and safety profile of gastric ESD.
RESULTS: Twenty-nine thousand five hundred and six tumors in 27155 patients (31% female) who underwent gastric ESD between 1999 and 2014 were included in this study. R0 resection rate was 90% (95%CI: 87%-92%) with significant between-study heterogeneity (P < 0.001) which was partly explained by difference in region (P = 0.02) and sample size (P = 0.04). Endoscopic en bloc and curative resection rates were 94% (95%CI: 93%-96%) and 86% (95%CI: 83%-89%) respectively. The rate of immediate and delayed perforation rates were 2.7% (95%CI: 2.1%-3.3%) and 0.39% (95%CI: 0.06%-2.4%) respectively while rates of immediate and delayed major bleeding were 2.9% (95%CI: 1.3-6.6) and 3.6% (95%CI: 3.1%-4.3%). After an average follow-up of about 30 mo post-operative, the rate of tumor recurrence was 0.02% (95%CI: 0.001-1.4) among those with R0 resection and 7.7% (95%CI: 3.6%-16%) among those without R0 resection. Overall, irrespective of the resection status, recurrence rate was 0.75% (95%CI: 0.42%-1.3%).
CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis, the largest and most comprehensive assessment of gastric ESD till date, showed that gastric ESD is safe and effective for gastric tumors and warrants consideration as first line therapy when an expert operator is available.
Core tip: Our meta-analysis, the largest and most comprehensive assessment of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to date, showed that gastric ESD is safe and effective for gastric tumors when an expert operator is available. The most compelling evidence is from Asian countries and we recommend the consideration of the procedure as first line therapy in Western countries.