Endoscopic submucosal dissection -- initial experience from India: a case series of five patients.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an established modality of treatment of mucosal and submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although the technique is established in the eastern countries, currently there are no reports of this technique from India. We present here our initial experience of 5 patients with mucosal or SMTs at various locations in the GI tract treated by ESD. The criteria for patient selection, technical challenges encountered during the procedure and future directions for ESD development in India are discussed.