Diving, lifting, and horizontal dissection followed by loop-clip traction (DLH+T) can facilitate mucosal flap creation during colorectal ESD

Background Colorectal ESD is difficult because of the poor maneuverability and difficulty of mucosal flap creation. Diving, Lifting and Horizontal (DLH) dissection technique and loop-clip traction are two different methods to facilitate mucosal trimming and adequate mucosal flap creation. We combined the advantages of these two techniques (DLH+T) in our daily practice colorectal ESD since July 2020. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of DLH+T dissection compared with the conventional dissection. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical using DLH+T dissection compared with the conventional dissection since January 2018 at a single tertiary care institution. Postoperative short-term outcomes were investigated after the procedure including mucosal flap creation time, dissection time, dissection speed, en bloc resection rate, and perioperative complications. Results 28 lesions were in DLH+T dissection group and 39 lesions in the conventional dissection group. The outcomes including en bloc resection rate, dissection speed, and complication between the two groups were similar. The mean mucosal flap creation time ( p = 0.035) and the mean dissection speed ( p = 0.041) of the DLH+T dissection group was significantly shorter and faster. Conclusion DLH dissection followed by loop-clip traction (DLH+T) technique is a useful technique for safe, efficient, and adequate mucosal flap creation, which can increase the dissection speed and may prevent complication, especially in biopsy-related submucosal fibrosis.