OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term outcomes and complication management of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection(STER) for esophageal submucosal tumors (SMTs) originating from the muscularis propria(MP) layer.

METHODSClinical data of 48 patients with esophageal SMTs from MP layer undergoing STER in the Department of Gastroenterology, the First People's Hospital of Xiangshan, Zhejiang, and the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai between September 2013 and August 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinicopathological features, complication management, and short-term outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTSAll the patients underwent STER successfully. The complete resection rate was 100%. The mean maximum diameter of the lesions was (22.9±12.1) mm (range 9.0-60.0 mm), and the mean operation time 41.8 min (range 15.0-140.0 min). Intraoperative mucosal injury occurred in 5 patients (10.4%), which was successfully clipped, pneumoperitoneum in 2 patients (4.2%) and subcutaneous emphysema in 3 patients(6.3%), which were successfully controlled with conservative treatments. Five patients (10.4%) had postoperative severe chest pain. Seven patients (14.6%) developed fever, among them, 5 were managed by conservative therapy, and 2 were submucosal tunnel infection, who were successfully treated after reclosing the ruptured tunnel entry with clips. All the removed tumors had tumor-free resection margins. The average length of postoperative hospital stay was 2.4 days (range 1-13 days). Local recurrence and distant metastasis did not occur during mean 6.8 months (range 2-12 months) follow up.

CONCLUSIONSSTER appears to be a safe and effective option for esophageal SMTs originating from MP layer. Common complications related to STER often can be successfully controlled with conservative treatments.