Trial of a novel endoscopic tattooing biopsy forceps on animal model

AIM: To tattoo gastric mucosa with a novel medical device which could be used to monitor and follow-up gastric mucosal lesions. METHODS: Combining endoscopic biopsy with sclerotherapy injection, we designed a new device that could perform biopsy and injection simultaneously. We performed endoscopies on a pig by using a novel endoscope tattoo biopsy forceps for 15 mo. At the same time, we used two-step method combining sclerotherapy injection needle with endoscopic biopsy. The acuity, inflammation and duration of endoscopy were compared between two methods. RESULTS: Compared with the old two-step method, although the inflammation induced by our new device was similar, the duration of procedure was markedly decreased and the acuity of tattooing was better than the old two-step method. All characteristics of the novel device complied with national safety guidelines. Follow-up gastroscopy after 15 mo showed the stained site with injection of 1: 100 0.5 mL of India ink was still markedly visible with little inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic tattooing biopsy forceps can be widely used in monitoring precancerous lesions. Its safety and effectiveness has been established in animals. (C) 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.