Colonoscopic full-thickness resection of the colon in a porcine model as a prelude to endoscopic surgery of difficult colon polyps: a novel technique (with videos).

BACKGROUND

Colonoscopic full-thickness resection (CFTR) of the colon may obviate the need for surgical resection of benign lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To develop an animal model for CFTR of the colon followed by endoscopic suture closure with through-the-endoscope devices.

DESIGN

Pilot study.

SETTING

University medical center.

ANIMALS: Twenty pigs.

INTERVENTIONS: A 2-cm circular area was resected on the antimesenteric side of the colon (phase 1, n = 10) and on the mesenteric side (phase 2, n = 10) by using an insulated tip knife cut followed by the use of a grasping forceps and a snare to resect and retrieve the specimen. The tissue apposition system was used to close the defect.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Resection and closure times were recorded. The animals were euthanized at 2 weeks and examined for peritonitis, adhesions, wound healing, and T-tag injury to adjacent viscera.

RESULTS

The CFTR was successful in all 20 attempts. The median resection time was 6 minutes (range 2.5-35 minutes). Suture closure was successful in 19 animals. It took a median time of 41 minutes (range 21-125 minutes) and 4 sutures to close the defect. Eighteen animals survived without clinical signs of distress; there was a well-healed scar without peritonitis or distant adhesions on necropsy at 2 weeks. One animal failed to thrive, and necropsy revealed mild peritonitis, small abscesses, distant adhesions, and a 2-mm hole at the suture site. Two of the 132 T-tags were inserted in the adjacent viscera.

LIMITATIONS: Colon resection in the proximal colon was not studied.

CONCLUSIONS

In this animal model, CFTR of the colon followed by suture closure can be accomplished successfully by using through-the-endoscope devices.