Advanced Endoscopic Resection Techniques in Cirrhosis—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Outcomes

Background/Aims: While safety and effectiveness of advanced endoscopic resection techniques such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been well established in general population, data regarding their utility in patients with cirrhosis is limited. Methods: We searched multiple databases from inception through July 2021 to identify studies that reported on outcomes of EMR and/or ESD in patients with cirrhosis. Meta-analysis was performed to determine pooled rates of immediate and delayed bleeding, perforation, death as well as rates of successful en bloc and R0 resection. Pooled relative risk (RR) was calculated for each outcome between patients with and without cirrhosis. Results: Ten studies with a total of 3244 patients were included in the final analysis. Pooled rates of immediate & delayed bleeding, perforation, and death during EMR and/or ESD in patients with cirrhosis were 9.5% (CI 4.0–21.1), 6.6% (CI 4.2–10.3), 2.1% (CI 1.1–3.9) and 0.6% (CI 0.2–1.7), respectively. Pooled rates of successful en bloc and R0 resection were 93% (CI 85.9–96.7) and 90.8% (CI 86.5–93.8), respectively. While incidence of immediate bleeding was higher in patients with cirrhosis, there was no statistically significant difference in any of the other outcomes between the patient groups. Conclusions: Our study shows that performing EMR and ESD for gastrointestinal lesions in patients with cirrhosis is both safe and effective. The risks of procedural complications parallel those reported in general population.