Recent advances and current challenges in endoscopic resection with the full-thickness resection device

Abstract

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) has emerged as a viable technique in the management of mucosal and subepithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) not amenable to conventional therapeutic approaches. While various devices and techniques have been described for EFTR, a single, combined full-thickness resection and closure device (full-thickness resection device, FTRD system, Ovesco Endoscopy AG, Tuebingen, Germany) has become commercially available in recent years. Initially, the FTRD system was limited to use in the colorectum only. Recently, a modified version of the FTRD has been released for EFTR in the upper GIT as well. This review provides a broad summary of the FTRD, highlighting recent advances and current challenges.

Keywords: Endoscopic full-thickness resection; Full-thickness resection device; Colorectal neoplasm; Subepithelial lesions; Scarred non-lifting polyps

Core Tip: Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is an emerging technique for tissue resection of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) not amenable to conventional resection approaches. The novel full-thickness resection device (FTRD) is a combined full-thickness resection and closure device that allows for EFTR of lesions in the GIT. EFTR with FTRD is feasible, safe, and efficacious and should be considered as a viable option for resection of select lesions in the lower and upper GIT.