Stretching Causes Extensive Changes of Gastric Submucosa: Is It Acceptable to Define 500 micrometer as the Safe Margin?.
- Author:
Sanghoon PARK
1
;
Hoon Jai CHUN
;
Yong Dae KWON
;
Bora KEUM
;
Yeon Seok SEO
;
Yong Sik KIM
;
Yoon Tae JEEN
;
Soon Ho UM
;
Chang Duck KIM
;
Ho Sang RYU
;
Ji Hye LEE
;
Yang seok CHAE
Author Information
1. Institute of Digestive Disease and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. drchunhj@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Stomach neoplasms;
Gastric mucosa;
Gastroscopy;
Submucosa;
Stretching
- MeSH:
Cardia;
Gastric Mucosa;
Gastroscopy;
Humans;
Lymphatic Metastasis;
Stomach;
Stomach Neoplasms
- From:Gut and Liver
2008;2(3):199-204
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection can cure early gastric cancer. The risk of lymphatic metastasis is related to the depth of submucosal invasion by the mucosal malignancy, with a resection depth of 500 micrometer generally accepted as a safe cut-off. However, excessive thinning induced by stretching of the resected tissue sometimes preventing a precise diagnosis. We studied the effects of stretching on different layers and sites of gastric tissue. METHODS: Porcine stomachs were cut into 2.0x2.0 cm pieces, and pieces from body were stretched to 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 cm. Pieces from the cardia, body, and antrum were also stretched to 3.0 cm. The thickness of each layer was measured and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Whole gastric wall and submucosal layers showed gradual thinning, with stretching to 3.5 cm tearing the tissues and resulting in imperfect extension. The submucosa was thinner in body tissue than in cardia and antrum tissues. Stretching to 3.0 cm induced a consistent decrease in submucosal thickness (30-70%). The change in thickness varied widely between individual samples. CONCLUSIONS: A resection margin of 500 micrometer might be insufficient for the complete removal of malignancy. Moreover, the thickness of the submucosal layer differs with the gastric site and between individuals. Future studies are needed to confirm the findings in human tissue.