Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ligation-assisted endoscopic dissection (ED-L) technique for the removal of gastric tumors originating from muscularis propria.Methods A total of 33 patients with gastric tumors originating from muscularis propria less than 10 mm were treated with ED-L procedures.The tumor was ligated by elastic bands.Endoscopic dissection was performed until the tumor was partially or completely dissected from muscularis propria by using Hook knife and/or IT-knife.The wound was closed with metallic clips and medical adhesive.The patients were followed up 1 week,1 month,3 months,6 months and 12 months thereafter with endoscopy,respectively.Results Of the 33 gastric tumors,there were 25 partial dissections and 8 complete dissections.All of the tumors sloughed completely.Pathological diagnoses of all the patients were acquired.No complications like perforation occurred except for one self-limiting and non-life-threatening hemorrhage.There was no recurrent case during the 3-18 months of follow-up period.Conclusion ED-L is a safe,effective and relatively simple technique for excision of small gastrointestinal tumors originating from muscularis propria,providing a histopathological diagnosis as well.