OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical value of narrow band imaging (NBI) and iodine staining for margin determination of early esophageal cancer during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

METHODSClinical data of 87 patients with early esophageal cancers undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were assigned to NBI group and iodine staining group according to the staining method before ESD operation. Clinicopathological features, esophageal spasm ratio, operation time, en bloc resection rate, complications, local recurrence, and distant metastases were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were 37 patients in NBI group while 50 patients in iodine staining group. Location and size of the lesions between two groups were not significantly different. The ratio of moderate-severe esophageal spasm in NBI group was significantly lower as compared to iodine staining group [10.8%(4/37) vs. 32.0%(16/50), P<0.05]. The average operation time in NBI group was significantly shorter than that in iodine staining group [(42.2±19.5) min vs. (53.3±30.9) min, P<0.05). All the tumors were resected in an en bloc fashion and the R0 resection rate was 100%. Perforations in 2 patients and delayed bleeding in 1 patient were successfully treated by endoscopic methods. Esophageal strictures occurred in 3 patients of NBI group and 4 patients of iodine staining group, who were treated by endoscopic dilation and retrievable stents. During mean 13.2 months (range 4 to 20 months) follow-up periods, local recurrence occurred in 2 patients of NBI group and 2 patients of iodine staining group. These patients received ESD or other surgery.

CONCLUSIONCompared with iodine staining, using NBI for margin determination of early esophageal cancer during ESD is more convenient and fast because of distinctly lower degree of esophageal spasm.