Background and aims: Radical endoscopic excision of Barrett’s epithelium
performing 4 – 6 endoscopic resections during the same endoscopic session
results in complete Barrett’s eradication but has a high stricture rate
(40 – 80 %). Therefore radiofrequency ablation is preferred after endoscopic
mucosal resection (EMR) of visible nodules. We investigated the clinical outcome
of non-radical, stepwise endoscopic mucosal resection with a maximum of two
endoscopic resections per endoscopic session.
Methods: We analysed our prospectively maintained database of patients
undergoing esophageal EMR for early neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus from 2009
to 2014. EMR was performed using a maximum of two band ligation mucosectomies
per endoscopic session; thereafter, follow-up was 3-monthly and EMR was repeated
as required for Barrett’s eradication.
Results: In total, 118 patients underwent staging EMR for early Barrett’s
neoplasia. Subsequently, 27 patients underwent surgery/chemotherapy due to deep
submucosal or more advanced tumor stages or were managed conservatively. The
remaining 91 patients with high grade dysplasia (48), intramucosal (38) or
submucosal cancer (5) in the resected nodule underwent further endoscopic
therapy with a mean follow-up of 24 months. Remission of dysplasia/neoplasia was
achieved in 95.6 % after 12 months treatment. Stepwise endoscopic Barrett’s
resection resulted in complete Barrett’s eradication in 36/91 patients (39.6 %)
in a mean of four sessions; 40/91 patients (44.0 %) had a short circumferential
Barrett’s segment (< 3 cm). In this group, repeated EMR achieved complete
Barrett’s excision in 85.0 %. One patient developed a stricture (1.1 %), one a
delayed bleeding, and there were no perforations.
Conclusion: In patients with a short Barrett’s segment, non-radical
endoscopic Barrett’s resection at the time of scheduled endoscopy follow-up
allows complete Barrett’s eradication with very low stricture
rate.