Background: A second-look endoscopy is routinely performed after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in many institutions, although the need is questionable. Additional hemostatic procedures might be necessary for the post-ESD ulcer with a high risk of bleeding. We investigated the predictive factors for post-ESD ulcers with a high risk of bleeding.
Methods: Second-look endoscopy was performed on the day following ESD. The post-ESD ulcers were categorized into two risk groups according to the Forrest classification: high-risk ulcer stigma (type I and IIa) and low-risk ulcer stigma. We analyzed the risk factors associated with high-risk ulcer stigma and late delayed bleeding.
Results: During the study period, 616 ESD procedures were performed. Second-look endoscopy revealed that the incidence of high-risk ulcer stigma post-ESD was 15.1%. Early and late delayed bleeding rates were 3.7 and 1.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that submucosal fibrosis and nausea were significantly related to high-risk ulcer stigma after ESD. Multivariate analysis revealed that surface erosion, location of the lesion, and high-risk ulcer stigma identified by second-look endoscopy were significantly associated with late delayed bleeding.
Conclusions: The effective use of selective second-look endoscopy will help limit unnecessary procedures. Submucosal fibrosis and nausea were risk factors associated with high-risk ulcer stigma after ESD.