Abstract: | Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), namely strip biopsy, to eradicate gastric mucosal lesions requires certain special techniques, including submucosal injection of appropriate agents. This experimental study using dogs was conducted to compare, with regard to the degree of duration of mucosal elevation and subsequent histologic changes of the gastric wall, three injection materials; physiological saline, hypertonic saline with epinephrine (HSE) and 10% soybean oil. The duration of mucosal elevation which should be sufficient for the EMR procedure did not differ between the three agents. The post-injection histologic changes included vessel dilatation in the peri-muscularis mucosae, dilatation of the lymphatic channels and vessel congestion. These changes appeared in all injection material groups, and the vessel congestion was found to be more conspicuous in the HSE group. All EMRs in this series were performed by single snare cutting, which was also evaluated. The margin of the stripped material was well limited to the submucosal layer in all cases, but the depth of the ulcers formed varied. The healing process of the ulcer for the first 4 weeks was delayed in the soybean oil group. Although there were few cases of perforation in this experiment and some subjects had adhesion between the gastric serosa and adjacent organs, the single snare method could be applicable for clinical use by skilled hands. |