Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

What Is Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection?

As an organ-sparing procedure, endoscopic submucosal dissection can help you avoid having portions of your esophagus surgically removed (esophagus resection).

Our physicians use endoscopic submucosal dissection to remove large areas of dysplasia (up to 9 centimeters), or damaged cells, from the inner lining of your esophagus (mucosa). This procedure works by injecting small amounts of fluid into the areas of dysplasia, then slowly and carefully removing diseased tissue (dissection).

This technically complex procedure requires a team approach to bring about the best possible outcomes. Working alongside experts from the Esophagus Center, our team includes:

• Talented endoscopists (physicians who specialize in endoscopy, a nonsurgical procedure used to examine the digestive tract) with advanced training in the structures and functioning of the esophagus
• Experts from The Network for Translational Research in Optical Imaging whose research includes novel imaging techniques for Barrett's esophagus

Our team carries out your procedure with a level of precision that few centers can match:

• We are one of just a few centers in the country using confocal microscopy. This special microscope, along with additional tools developed by Stanford researchers, creates high-resolution, 3-D images to measure the size and depth of your dysplasia at the molecular level.
• Our endoscopists are nationally renowned minimally invasive surgery experts with years of experience in high-risk procedures. They meticulously carry out your procedure, removing large areas of dysplasia in one piece while protecting healthy tissue.