High Joule heat as a risk factor for post-endoscopic submucosal dissection electrocoagulation syndrome: A multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Thermal damage may lead to inflammation of the peeled mucosal surface during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

AIM

To determine the effect of Joule heat on the onset of post-ESD electrocoagulation syndrome (PECS).

METHODS

In this prospective study, PECS was characterized by in-hospital fever (white blood cell count: ≥ 10000 μ/L or body temperature ≥ 37.5 °C) and abdominal pain (visual analog scale score ≥ 30 mm during hospitalization or increased by ≥ 20 mm from baseline at admission). High Joule heat was defined as 15390 J. Between April 2020 and April 2024, 209 patients underwent colorectal ESD; those with intraoperative perforation or penetration were excluded. The remaining 202 patients were divided into the PECS and non-PECS groups.

RESULTS

PECS occurred in 30 (14.9%) patients. Multivariate analysis revealed high Joule heat as an independent factor associated with PECS (odds ratio = 7.96; 95% confidence interval: 2.91-21.8, < 0.01). The procedure time and presence of lesions in the right colon were not associated with PECS.

CONCLUSION

Accumulated thermal damage on the peeled mucosal surface should be considered during PECS onset. This thermal damage is likely a major component of the mechanism underlying PECS.