Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is a novel endoscopic technique for removing complex colorectal lesions. The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population poses unique challenges for endoscopic resection due to an increased prevalence of fibrotic, nonlifting lesions and higher recurrence rates compared with the general population. This case series reports on the successful use of EFTR in 5 patients with IBD who had challenging colonic polyps, including fibrotic and nonlifting lesions. Technical success was achieved in all cases without any postoperative complications. Follow-up surveillance revealed no residual lesions or recurrence, and histopathological analysis confirmed full-thickness resection in all samples. This is one of the first case series suggesting that EFTR is a promising, safe, and effective alternative to surgery for managing complex colorectal polyps in patients with IBD.
Keywords: colorectal lesions; endoscopic full-thickness resection; inflammatory bowel disease; minimally invasive surgery; recurrence.
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American College of Gastroenterology.