Laparoscopic Local Resection through Subserosal Dissection with Endoscopic Air-Insufflation for Submucosal Tumors Located Near the Esophagogastric Junction.

Purpose: A novel resection method, namely, laparoscopic local resection through subserosal dissection with endoscopic air-insuff lation (LRSDEA) was used for submucosal tumors located near the esophagogastric junction (SMT-EGJ) to avoid major gastric resection.
Methods: A total of 9 cases underwent LRSDEA. We sequentially performed: laparoscopic dissections around EGJ, subserosal dissections around SMTs using laparoscopic electrocautery and ultrasonic shears, and finally, enucleation of SMTs. During these procedures, intraoperative endoscopic tumor localization, as well as endoscopic air-insufflation allowed for safe resection. These procedures are shown in the supplementary video clip. The clinicopathological characteristics and surgical results were analyzed.
Results: All laparoscopic procedures were successfully performed without requiring a major gastrectomy. The mean operation time was 126.1 minutes, and estimated blood loss was 12.0 ml. There were no postoperative complications. Pathological diagnoses were 6 leiomyomas, 2 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and 1 gastric duplication.
Conclusion: LRSDEA is an effective and safe treatment option for SMT-EGJ, as major resection of the stomach is avoided.

INTRODUCTION

The main procedure for the treatment of a localized gastric submucosal tumor (SMT) is complete surgical resection.[1] Laparoscopic gastric surgery is performed globally, and therefore, laparoscopic local resection is the main procedure for the treatment of various types of gastric SMTs, such as leiomyomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), and even malignant GISTs.[2] These tumors rarely involve lymph node metastasis, and are thus suitable for laparoscopic local resection requiring excision with a negative resection margin.[3] Moreover, the development of various laparoscopic stapling devices and surgical techniques has made laparoscopic wedge resection an attractive alternative to conventional gastrectomies.[4] , such as subtotal or total gastrectomy, is generally only performed if the tumor is giant, highly malignant, or if the functioning of the EGJ or the pylorus is compromised.

Currently, ablation of SMTs for which local resection is sufficient is performed by using various laparo -endoscopic surgical methods, including conventional wedge resection using a linear stapler, laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS), modified LECS, transgastric resection, intragastric resection, and endoscopic full-thickness resection. These methods have been reported for the resection of submucosal tumors located near the esophagogastric junction (SMT-EGJ), and have certain advantages with regard to the preservation of the gastric inlet.[5-11] Nevertheless, SMT-EGJ still poses challenges for gastric surgeons due to the high risk of stenosis, deformity in the gastric inlet, and even leakage at the resected site. In particular, SMT-EGJ with endophytic growth patterns are difficult to localize using laparoscopy, as this would require relatively large resection of the normal gastric wall, and is often associated with postoperative complications such as ref lux, dysphagia, nausea, and vomiting.

In this technical report we have introduced a safe and effective technique for the resection of endophytic SMT-EGJ. Laparoscopic local resection via subserosal dissection with endoscopic air-insufflation (LRSDEA) is a new surgical method which could avoid major resection of the stomach, and thus preserve the anatomical structure of the EGJ.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients and data collection

Between 2014 and 2018, 9 patients with SMT-EGJ underwent LRSDEA in our medical center. All patients underwent a preoperative assessment, which included a history taking, physical examination, laboratory blood test, chest X-ray, electrocardiography, and pulmonary function test for general anesthesia. A preoperative esophago-gastroscopy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan were essential for all patients, whose results were reviewed and assessed by an experienced radiologist and gastroenterologist for the malignancy potential of the tumors.

Signs of gastric SMTs suggesting that resection was necessary were: a tumor larger than 2 cm, an increase in tumor size through serial endoscopic surveillance, and the presence of symptoms associated SMTs. Tumors that are smaller than 2 cm and have high-risk features on endoscopy and EUS, such as irregular borders, ulceration, and heterogeneity, should be removed surgically. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Task Force Report suggested that laparoscopic resection is a reasonably safe and feasible procedure.[12] In the case of SMTEGJ, proximal gastrectomy was preferred for tumors of 5 cm or more, as well as those suspected of having a strong malignant potential during the preoperative examinations, particularly the esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), EUS, and CT scan. SMTs exhibiting exophytic growth using diagnostic laparoscopy were resected using either conventional wedge resection, or the LECS method. In the case of endophytic dominant type SMTs, which were barely visible via laparoscopy outside the stomach, the tumors were removed using LRSDEA. Cases where the tumor center was located 2 cm above or 5 cm below the EGJ were defined as SMT-EGJ.

All data were reviewed retrospectively, including information on patient demographics, diagnostic workup, operative and pathological findings, postoperative hospital care, and follow-up surveillance.

The LRSDEA procedure was performed once consent was obtained, and the method was thoroughly explained. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board before the initiation of this review (2019-10-036-003).

Surgical procedure of LRSDEA

Laparoscopic surgery was performed under general endotracheal anesthesia. The operator and laparoscopist stood on the right of the patient, and first assistant on the left. A 12 mm sized trocar was inserted into the infraumbilical region using the open method, and a carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum was established at an intra-abdominal pressure of 10~12 mmHg. Additionally, a 12 mm and two 5 mm sized trocars were inserted into the upper quadrants; the positions of which differ among the patients, depending on tumor location. The abdominal cavity was fully examined to identify any ascites or intraperitoneal metastases. The liver was retracted by a suture, which was passed through the mid pars condensa of the lesser omentum and the falciform ligament.

After laparoscopic dissection around the lesser curvature and abdominal EGJ area (Fig. 1A), the location of the SMT-EGJ was identified (Fig. 1B). This was achieved using intraoperative endoscopy (IOE), performed by the endoscopic assistant. This technique has been especially useful for the detection of endophytic type SMTs. All endoscopic procedures were performed once endoscopic bowel clamping of the proximal part of jejunum was ensured, so as to prevent unnecessary inf lation of the small intestine during surgery. Using laparoscopic monopolar electrocautery and ultrasonic shears, SMT enucleation began with cautious subserosal dissection (Fig. 1C). Once an incision had been made, luminal air-insufflation via IOE was performed by the endoscopist. The SMT was enucleated along the submucosal plane (with caution of bowel perforation) using a laparoscopic electrocautery and coagulating device (Fig. 1D), and laparoscopic sutures were performed on any mucosal injury sustained during the proce-dure. After tumor enucleation, the seromuscular layer was sealed with an absorbable suture material using an interrupted suture technique for reinforcement (Fig. 1E). The abdominal esophagus was mobilized during dissection, while preserving the left anterior and right posterior vagus nerves. In cases requiring extensive exfoliation of the entire EGJ, fundoplication was performed to prevent ref lux after surgery. IOE was performed once more to identify air leakage, bleeding at the resection site, or gastric inlet patency (Fig. 1F). The operative field was irrigated with saline, and a peritoneal drain was placed within the intra-abdominal cavity as a precautionary measure. The specimen was removed using a retrieval plastic bag through the infraumbilical trocar site, and the abdominal wall incisions were closed by layer. These procedures are shown in Fig. 1 and the supplementary video clip.

Fig. 1

Steps of Laparoscopic local resection through subserosal dissection with endoscopic air-insufflation (LRSDEA) for gastric submucosal tumors located near the esophagogastric junction (SMT-EGJ); (A) tumor was done by laparoscopic dissection around esophagogastric junction, (B) tumor popped out and identify of submucosal tumor (SMT), (C) subserosal layer was dissected using laparoscopic monopolar electrocautery, (D) SMT was enucleated, (E) seromuscular suture, and (F) intraoperative endoscopic check for resection site.

Postoperative hospital care and follow-up evaluation

All patients were allowed sips of water 1 day after surgery. An upper gastrointestinal series using water soluble gastrografin was performed on the second postoperative day (or before resuming a diet), and the body f luid levels in the surgical drain, such as amylase, lipase and total bilirubin, were analyzed. On the third postoperative day, a semi-f luid diet was permitted, and on day 4, a soft blended diet was allowed; here the drain tube was removed unless otherwise specified. Most patients were discharged 6 or 7 days after surgery.

All patients underwent an outpatient follow-up examination 1 month after discharge, where we addressed any symptom reported by the patient, including abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, ref lux, or vomiting, in addition to the follow-up tests. A postoperative recurrence test was annually performed using follow-up endoscopy and CT scans.

RESULTS

The demographic information and clinical characteristics of the patients is summarized in Table 1. There were 4 male and 5 female patients, with a mean age of 47 years (aged between 37~58 years). The patients were physically classified according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists scoring-system, which indicates a patient’s health status before surgery; each patient received a score of 2. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.7 kg/ m2 (range: 18.5~30.1 kg/m2). SMTs were identified at the EGJ of 7 patients, the cardia of another patient, and the lower esophagus of the final patient. Five of the tumors exhibited endophytic growth patterns, whereas the other 4 exhibited both endophytic and exophytic growth. Final pathology revealed 6 leiomyomas, 2 GIST, and 1 gastric duplication. The average size of the resected tumor was 3.5 cm (range: 1.2~7.2 cm). A clear resection margin was obtained, and R0 resection was confirmed for each of the resected tumors.

Table 1

Patients’ demographics and clinicopathologic characteristics

Case	Gender	Age (yr)	ASA	BMI (kg/m²)	Location	Gross pattern	Pathology	Tumor size (cm)
1	Female	44	2	20.7	Cardia	Endophytic	GIST	1.2
2	Male	37	2	23.9	EGJ involved	Both	Gastric duplication	3.5
3	female	44	2	30.1	egj Involved	both	leiomyoma	2.2
4	Male	58	2	25.3	EGJ involved	Both	GIST	3.0
5	Male	38	2	26.1	EGJ involved	Both	Leiomyoma	3.0
6	Male	45	2	23.9	Lower esophagus	Endophytic	Leiomyoma	2.0
7	Female	44	2	18.5	EGJ involved	Endophytic	Leiomyoma	4.0
8	Female	56	2	26.8	EGJ involved	Endophytic	Leiomyoma	5.0
9	Female	57	2	26.8	EGJ involved	Endophytic	Leiomyoma	7.2

ASA = American society of anesthesiologist score; BMI = body mass index; EGJ = esophago-gastric junction; GIST = gastrointestinal stromal tumor; Both = endophytic and exophytic type submucosal tumor.

All procedures of LRSDEA were successfully performed without converting to major gastric resection or open conversion, and no intraoperative complications developed; there were no postoperative mortalities. The mean operation time was 126.1±22.0 min (range: 95~260 min), and average blood loss was 12.5±3.2 ml. While no rupture or spillage of the tumor occurred during surgery, mucosal perforation occurred in 1 case during tumor resection; this was resolved using primary suture. Nissen (case 6) and Toupet (case 9) fundoplication procedures were performed in 2 cases during the LRSDEA to prevent gastro-esophageal ref lux.

Postoperative care allowed patients to begin drinking sips of water 1 day after surgery. On average, patients began to consume a soft blended diet 3.6±0.2 days (range: 3~5 days) post-operation. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 6.8±0.6 days (range: 5~11 days). During the 1-month follow-up, only 1 patient reported experiencing discomfort; the ref lux symptoms were successfully treated with a proton pump inhibitor within 2 weeks. There was no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis indicated by the CT scan or the EGD during the follow-up period, which averaged 15.8±12.9 months (range: 12~33 months) (Table 2).

Table 2

Operative and surgical outcomes

Variable	Value
Operation time (minutes, range)	126.1±22.0 (95~260)
Intra-operative event	1[†]
Fundoplication	2
Open conversion	0
Intraoperative blood loss (ml)	12±3.2
Sips of water start (day)	1
Diet start (SBD, day)	3.6±0.2 (range, 3~5)
Hospital stay (day)	6.8±0.6 (range, 5~11)
Postoperative complication	0
Follow-up period (months)	15.8±12.9 (range, 12~33)
Local recurrence	0

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation or number. †Mucosal perforation during mass enucleation.

DISCUSSION

The mainstay of treatment for gastric SMTs is complete surgical resection. Local resection of SMT-EGJ is especially difficult due to its high risk for surgical complications, such as gastric deformity, obstruction after surgery, or stenosis. Minimizing the unnecessary ablation of normal stomach tissue is imperative for the prevention of these complications. In this technical report, we introduced a successful new method for the safe resection of SMT-EGJ. This method, LRSDEA, is particularly advantageous for SMTs displaying an endophytic growth pattern.

Various methods have been proposed for the complete surgical resection of SMT-EGJ, with many laparoscopic techniques being developed as a result. Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) involves seromuscular resection by laparoscopy, using endoscopic dissection between the mucosal and submucosal layers. This makes efficient resection possible independent of tumor location (e.g., at the EGJ or pyloric ring.[6,13] Tagaya and Choi have reported that intragastric wedge resection, performed by inserting laparoscopic trocars into the stomach, was useful for endoluminal SMT-EGJ resection.[11,14] Song et al.[7] and Xu et al.[8] have suggested a transgastric approach as an alternative method for treating endophytic tumors. The technique, which has a safe resection margin, allows identification of the tumor location using laparoscopy, while preserving the normal gastric wall. Kwon et al.[10] have described endoscopic and laparoscopic full-thickness resection, with laparoscopic two-layer suturing for SMT-EGJ. Suturing of the seromuscular layer has the advantage of preserving the mucosal layer, as well as maintaining the diameter. However, these techniques pose certain limitations; while endoscopic submucosal dissection requires a certain level of skill, there is the additional risk of intraperitoneal tumor dissemination, as well as gastric juice contamination of the abdominal cavity due to opening of the gastric wall. Furthermore, unnecessary gastric injury to normal tissue could increase the likelihood of gastric volume reduction, functional deterioration, stenosis, and leakage.

Through the application of LRSDEA, these disadvantages could be overcome by enabling more precise target detection by endoscopy, and avoiding both normal gastric wall injury and gastrectomy. Results indicate that there were no intraor postoperative surgical complications, and follow-up data indicated that most patients did not experience symptoms of ref lux, abdominal discomfort, or difficulty swallowing.

IOE is considered an important tool in surgical planning, as our technique, LRSDEA, makes active use of the method. Additionally, IOE has proven a useful adjunct to gastric surgery. Precise endoscopic localization of the tumor during surgery has helped to maintain the correct margin of resection throughout the laparoscopic gastrectomy.[15] Moreover, IOE offers an additional advantage, by combining this leak-check with a visual inspection of the mucosal surfaces, and the anastomosis itself. This provides an opportunity to diagnose and treat staple-line hemorrhage, as well as to verify the adequacy of the resection.[16] This is easily accomplished via endoscopy to overcome the difficulty of detecting the tumor from the serosal side. Endoscopic air-insuff lation during subserosal dissection has the advantage of causing a visual separation the normal gastric tissue and the tumor, allowing for easy identification in the laparoscopic field of view. Finally, using IOE, we were able to evaluate postresection complications such as passage disturbance, stenosis, stricture, bleeding, or air leakage of the EGJ. It thus serves as an effective mode for the prevention of gastric inlet stenosis.

A fundoplication was performed on the 2 patients displaying a possible risk for ref lux either due to damage of the antireflux mechanism (case 9) or uncontrolled gastroesophageal ref lux symptoms (case 6). Two patients were taking antiref lux drugs such as proton pump inhibitor because they complained of severe symptoms of ref lux on preoperative surgery. During LRSDEA, excessive exfoliation around EGJ is required for the removal of the tumor, a process which could lead to the destruction of the intrinsic musculature of the distal esophagus, the sling fibers of the gastric cardia, and the crura of the diaphragm that comprise the lower esophageal sphincter. Each of the aforementioned complications have the potential to cause serious ref lux after surgery; thus, for the safe application of LRSDEA, additional antiref lux surgery such as fundoplication may be required. This would depend on both the patient’s preoperative ref lux symptoms, as well as the degree of lower esophageal sphincter damage. Two patients were taking antiref lux drugs such as proton pump inhibitor because they complained of severe symptoms of ref lux on preoperative surgery. And then, all patients did not complain of ref lux symptoms or needed medication after surgery.

The most important objective during resectable primary GIST excision is maintaining a free resection margin without tumor rupture.[17] The disadvantage of LRSDEA is that the tumor is constantly handled during the enucleation process, posing a risk for either injury or rupture of the tumor. This procedure should therefore not be performed if preoperative CT scans, EGD, or EUS tests suggest malignant GISTs larger than 5 cm; accurate preoperative examinations and interpretation by radiologic and endoscopic experts are therefore essential. In our report, no tumor damage was sustained during surgery. Our final pathological analyses identified 7 benign tumors such as leiomyomas or duplication cysts, and 2 GISTs. Based on NIH criteria, the GISTs were identified as very low-risk, as they were smaller than 3 cm and exhibited no more than 5 mitoses/50 high-power fields.[18]

There are several recommendations for the safe performance of LRSDEA; whenever a laparoscopic subtumoral dissection is performed, meticulous handling of the SMT is prerequisite for the prevention of tumor damage. In addition, it is recommended that rather than holding the tumor directly, the soft tissue surrounding the tumor should be gently grasped. Avoiding damage to the tumor or normal mucosa by electrocautery or energy device is another important technical tip. Confirmation of tumor after subserosal layer dissection and subsequent endoscopic airinsuff lation after detachment of surrounding muscle layer could enable easy enucleation, as the tumor visibly protrudes. Endoscopic air-insuff lation after tying up the gastric body with surgical nylon tape may additionally be beneficial for securing vision around the EGJ, as this could prevent distal stomach dilatation. It should be noted that endoscopic air injection should not be excessively used to prevent mucosal layer injury; if mucosal injury does occur during the tumor enucleation process, the surgeon should detect and repair immediately. In our report, 1 injury was sustained and a subsequent a repair was performed.

The most important advantage of LRSDEA for SMT-EGJ is the maintenance of a normal EGJ without major gastric resection, such as total or proximal gastrectomy. Many gastric surgeons are hesitant toward the excision of SMT-EGJ due to the possibility of EGJ malfunction. This method would henceforth serve as a strategic tool, especially for the treatment SMT-EGJ displaying endophytic growth patterns. Nevertheless, several limitations should be considered. First, careful dissection around the tumor is a complex procedure that, in addition to being time-consuming, requires both experience and specialized laparoscopic skill. Second, the procedure cannot be performed on large, irregular tumors with a high probability for malignancy.

In summary, LRSDEA appears to be a useful and safe procedure for the resection of SMT-EGJ with low malignancy, and an endophytic growth pattern. Furthermore, it may be used as the main surgical technique with the added advantage of avoiding major gastric surgeries such as a proximal or total gastrectomy.