The recent development of the Overstitch System (Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, TX)2 enabled full-thickness suturing with a suturing thread. To obtain the operative field, the lifting method or the mechanical

counter traction device3 have been reported; however, it was very difficult to obtain sufficiently the operative field at certain areas of the stomach, such as in the retroflexed view. We report a newly developed countertraction and full-thickness suturing device for the flexible endoscope. Flexible endoscopic treatments rely on insufflation with air to expand the digestive lumen. However, if the gastrointestinal tract is perforated, insufflated air flows into the peritoneum and the gastrointestinal MK0683 price tract can collapse rapidly. To obtain an operative field without insufflation, we MAPK Inhibitor Library high throughput developed the balloon arm-mechanical countertraction system (BA-MCTS; Figure 1A). Even for difficult lesions that needed to be retroflexed, the BA-MCTS can obtain a sufficient operative field, enabling full-thickness resection and suturing at any area of the stomach. The 1BA-MCTS is

equipped with a single-sided, expanding balloon arm, and 2BA-MCTS with 2 single-sided, expanding balloon arms. The full-thickness suturing device and 2 balloons are located at the apices of an equilateral triangle and allow an en face approach to the perforation site. The 2 balloons can be expanded independently ( Figure 1B, C). The double-armed bar suturing system (DBSS) has been developed, making it more economical, structurally simple, and safe ( Figure 1D). The DBSS has a very tiny connector with an absorbable suture thread woven into it on both sides of the end of the first arm. A second arm is equipped with a needle that can be inserted into the gastric wall and connected mafosfamide to the connector of first arm. An interrupted suture of 4-mm bite and 4-mm pitch can be performed safely and easily. As smaller suturing device, the mini double armed bar suturing system (mini-DBSS) was developed for the final stages of suturing. As suturing and ligation proceed, the resected opening

becomes smaller and retraction of the first arm from outside the gastric wall into the lumen becomes difficult. In these situations, the mini-DBSS is useful ( Figure 1D). The ligation device was developed to be simpler and smaller. The 5-mm ligation device attaches to the penetrating needle ( Figure 1E). To allow the suture thread to be cut even when drooping, a hook cutter was designed ( Figure 1F). Video 1 shows an ex vivo experiment performed using a resected porcine stomach. A 30-mm perforation was made (Figure 2A), and the reliability of full-thickness suturing was examined without BA-MCTS and with the 1BA-MCTS or 2BA-MCTS. At the final stage of suturing, we demonstrate suturing of a narrow perforation site with the mini-DBSS.