A Novel Retractable Robotic Device for Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

• Published in: Gut and liver Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 677 - 685
• Main Authors: Sang Hyun Kim, Chanwoo Kim, Bora Keum, Junghyun Im, Seonghyeon Won, Byung Gon Kim, Kyungnam Kim, Taebin Kwon, Daehie Hong, Han Jo Jeon, Hyuk Soon Choi, Eun Sun Kim, Yoon Tae Jeen, Hoon Jai Chun, Joo Ha Hwang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 30.07.2024
• Subjects: Colon; Endoscopic submucosal dissection; Robotics
• ISSN: 1976-2283

Background/Aims: Appropriate tissue tension and clear visibility of the dissection area using traction are essential for effective and safe endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). In this study, we developed a retractable robot-assisted traction device and evaluated its performance in colorectal ESD. Methods: An experienced endoscopist performed ESD 18 times on an ex vivo porcine colon using the robot and 18 times using the conventional method. The outcome measures were procedure time, dissection speed, procedure-related adverse events, and blind dissection rate. Results: Thirty-six colonic lesions were resected from ex vivo porcine colon samples. The total procedure time was significantly shorter in robot-assisted ESD (RESD) than in conventional ESD (CESD) (20.1±4.1 minutes vs 34.3±8.3 minutes, p<0.05). The submucosal dissection speed was significantly faster in the RESD group than in the CESD group (36.8±9.2 mm 2 /min vs 18.1±4.7 mm 2 /min, p<0.05). The blind dissection rate was also significantly lower in the RESD group (12.8%±3.4% vs 35.1%±3.9%, p<0.05). In an in vivo porcine feasibility study, the robotic device was attached to a colonoscope and successfully inserted into the proximal colon without damaging the colonic wall, and ESD was successfully performed. Conclusions: The dissection speed and safety profile improved significantly with the retractable RESD. Thus, our robotic device has the potential to provide simple, effective, and safe multidirectional traction during colonic ESD. (Gut Liver 2024;18:677-685)