Experiences with endoscopic full-thickness resection of complex colorectal lesions

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (eFTR) is a minimally invasive resection technique that allows definite diagnosis and treatment for complex colorectal lesions unsuitable to conventional endoscopic resection. With the advantage of enabling a transmural resection, eFTR offers an alternative to radical surgery. Since the introduction of the full-thickness resection device in 2015, a nationwide prospective registry of consecutive eFTR procedures for all indications was initiated in the Netherlands, aiming to monitor patient outcomes and increase further knowledge on its clinical applicability and safety. Data show that eFTR is clinically feasible and relatively safe for complex colorectal lesions. Furthermore, eFTR is gaining interest as a diagnostic and therapeutic treatment option for T1 colorectal cancer.