Usually, people associate endoscopy solely with diagnosis - detecting pathologies and directing treatment. However, the capabilities of this procedure go far beyond that.

Not long ago, surgical intervention was the only treatment option not just for early-stage cancer but also for large benign formations in the gastrointestinal tract. However, with the advancement of modern technologies, endoscopic removal of such formations has become possible.

At present, endoscopic removal of neoplasms is performed using methods such as EMR and ESD.

EMR (Endoscopic Mucosal Resection) is the optimal method for removing polyps ranging in size from 10 to 20 mm in one piece. The essence of the procedure lies in capturing and removing the formation with a special electro-surgical loop. Prior to the removal of the formation, we inject sterile fluid underneath it to lift and facilitate its capture. After capturing the growth, it is removed using electric current or without it, and the mucosal defect is closed with clips if necessary.

ESD (Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection) is a preferred method for removing lesions in the gastrointestinal tract with a diameter of over 20 mm (the size of the tumor is practically unlimited). This method involves three main stages: injecting fluid underneath the lesion to lift it, cutting around the tumor within the mucous membrane perimeter, and dissecting the submucosal layer to subsequently remove the lesion as a single block. The dissection of the submucosal layer and its separation from the organ wall are performed using a specialized endoscopic knife. Unlike resection, ESD utilizes several specialized knives instead of just one loop for cutting.

Now let's talk about the advantages of flexible endoscopic surgery:

• It allows preserving the maximum size of the organ and doing so with minimal invasiveness.

•The rehabilitation period is significantly shortened (bed rest for about a day after the operation, quick return to a normal lifestyle).

• There are no postoperative scars.

• The risk of adhesion formation is minimal compared to open surgeries.

We believe you'll be amazed at how much can be achieved through endoscopy! It is a modern technology that helps treat patients with the least possible negative consequences.

We thank Sergey Yanovsky, врача-эндоскописта РКМЦ, an endoscopist at RCMC, for preparing the material, and Tatiana Maevskaya, an endoscopist and head of the Endoscopy Department at RCMC, for providing the photo materials.