The pocket-creation method (PCM) is a newly developed strategy for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, its superiority over the conventional method (CM) has not been established. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PCM-ESD compared with CM-ESD for superficial colorectal neoplasms (SCNs).

Literature searches were conducted using the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, and a meta-analysis was performed. The primary outcome was the R0 resection rate, and the secondary outcomes were the en bloc resection rate, dissection speed, procedure time, and adverse event rate.

Five studies (2 randomized controlled trials and 3 retrospective studies) with 1481 patients were included in our meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that PCM-ESD achieved a higher R0 resection rate (93.5% vs 78.1%; odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-8.9; I² = 58%), a higher en bloc resection rate (99.8% vs 92.8%; OR, 9.9; 95% CI, 2.7-36.2; I² = 0), a shorter procedure time (minutes) (mean difference [MD], −11.5; 95% CI, −19.9 to −3.1; I² = 72%), a faster dissection speed (mm²/min) (MD, 3.6; 95% CI, 2.8-4.5; I² = 0), and a lower overall adverse event rate (4.4% vs 6.6%; OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3-1.0; I² = 0) compared with CM-ESD.

This meta-analysis showed that PCM-ESD improves the efficacy and safety compared with CM-ESD for superficial colorectal neoplasms.