Clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasia in close proximity to esophageal varices: a multicenter international experience

Background There are limited data on the feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal neoplasia (SEN) located at or adjacent to esophageal varices. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of ESD in these patients. Methods This multicenter retrospective study included cirrhotic patients with a history of esophageal varices with SEN located at or adjacent to the esophageal varices who underwent ESD. Results 23 patients with SEN (median lesion size 30 mm; 16 squamous cell neoplasia and seven Barrett’s esophagus-related neoplasia) were included. The majority were Child–Pugh B (57 %) and had small esophageal varices (87 %). En bloc, R0, and curative resections were achieved in 22 (96 %), 21 (91 %), and 19 (83 %) of patients, respectively. Severe intraprocedural bleeding (n = 1) and delayed bleeding (n = 1) were successfully treated endoscopically. No delayed perforation, hepatic decompensation, or deaths were observed. During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 36 (22–55) months, one case of local recurrence occurred after noncurative resection. Conclusion ESD is feasible and effective for SEN located at or adjacent to esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients. Albeit, the majority of the esophageal varices in our study were small in size, when expertise is available, ESD should be considered as a viable option for such patients.