Jodie L. Deters

Endoscopic full-thickness biopsy of the gastric wall with defect closure by using an endoscopic suturing device: survival porcine study

BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of several common gastric motility diseases and functional GI disorders remains essentially unexplained. Gastric wall biopsies that include the muscularis propria to evaluate the enteric nervous system, interstitial cells of Cajal, and immune cells can provide important insights for our understanding of the etiology of these disorders. OBJECTIVES To determine the technical feasibility, reproducibility, and safety of performing a full-thickness gastric biopsy (FTGB) by using a submucosal endoscopy with mucosal flap (SEMF) technique; the technical feasibility, reproducibility, and safety of tissue closure by using an endoscopic suturing device; the ability to identify myenteric ganglia in resected specimens; and the long-term safety. DESIGN Single center, preclinical survival study. SETTING Animal research laboratory, developmental endoscopy unit. SUBJECTS Twelve domestic pigs. INTERVENTIONS Animals underwent an SEMF procedure with gastric muscularis propria resection. The resultant offset mucosal entry site was closed by using an endoscopic suturing device. Animals were kept alive for 2 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS The technical feasibility, reproducibility, and safety of the procedure; the clinical course of the animals; the histological and immunochemical evaluation of the resected specimen to determine whether myenteric ganglia were present in the sample. RESULTS FTGB was performed by using the SEMF technique in all 12 animals. The offset mucosal entry site was successfully closed by using the suturing device in all animals. The mean resected tissue specimen size was 11 mm. Mean total procedure time was 61 minutes with 2 to 4 interrupted sutures placed per animal. Histology showed muscularis propria and serosa, confirming full-thickness resections in all animals. Myenteric ganglia were visualized in 11 of 12 animals. The clinical course was uneventful. Repeat endoscopy and necropsy at 2 weeks showed absence of ulceration at both the mucosal entry sites and overlying the more distal muscularis propria resection sites. There was complete healing of the serosa in all animals with minimal single-band adhesions in 5 of 12 animals. Retained sutures were present in 10 of 12 animals. LIMITATIONS Animal experiment. CONCLUSIONS FTGB by using the SEMF technique and an endoscopic suturing device is technically feasible, reproducible, and safe. Larger tissue specimens will allow improved analysis of multiple cell types.

In Vivo Full-Thickness Endoluminal Gastroplication Using Tissue Anchors in a Live Pig Model

In Vivo Full-Thickness Endoluminal Gastroplication Using Tissue Anchors in a Live Pig Model Jose G. De la Mora, Elizabeth Rajan, David Rea, Thomas C. Smyrk, Lori J. Herman, Jodie L. Deters, Mary A. Knipschield, Christopher J. Gostout Background: Long-term success of gastric wall apposition performed by flexible endoscopy is dependent on fold permanence. Prior work by our group demonstrated that only full-thickness folds with serosal apposition are durable. Aim: To study feasibility of different tissue anchors to create a full thickness inverted fold and the durability of each single fold plication. Material & Methods: Four 35-45 Kg female pigs were used. Under anesthesia a midline abdominal incision was performed. A 5-cm incision parallel to the greater curvature of the stomach was made. The posterior wall was exposed and longitudinal folds were created by indenting the wall from the serosal side (inverted fold) 1.5 cm in height and 5 cm long. Anchors were deployed to traverse the inverted gastric wall, including apposing serosal surfaces within the fold. Anchors were 1 cm apart with 3-4 of the same type used per fold. 4-6 folds were made in each pig. Four types of paired anchors joined with suture (prolene 2-0) were used: T-bar (T); polypropylene mesh pledget (TM); plastic star-shaped buttons (S) and a self-expanding nitinol basket (B). Suture (vicryl 2-0) for incision closure was used to control for tissue reaction. Follow-up endoscopy was done at 15, 30 and 60 days. Two pigs were sacrificed each at 30 and 60 days. Macroscopic description of the folds was done and samples of the folds sent for histology. Results: Day 15: all folds were still present endoscopically. Day 30: S and B folds were unchanged, TM folds were reduced in height, and T folds had flattened. Day 60: only S & B folds remained. Histologically, all B folds included the muscle layer (30 & 60 day specimens) and one developed serosal fusion (30-day specimen). Only one S fold included the muscle layer with serosal fusion at 60 days. Conclusions: The durability of endoluminally placed full thickness inverted folds remains a challenge. Serosal apposition remains requisite for fold permanence. The use of tissue anchors such as the S and B designs may help achieve greater durability for endoscopic gastric remodeling by tissue apposition. Abstracts