The indications for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) vary in clinical practice. To establish colorectal ESD as a standard treatment, standard indications are essential. For establishing standard indications for colorectal ESD, we surveyed the preferences and criteria of endoscopists for colorectal ESD in their practices.

A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to 27 members of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy/ESD group. The indications of endoscopists for selecting ESD as a treatment for colorectal tumors ≥2 cm in diameter were surveyed.

On the basis of the preprocedural assessment of histology, adenoma with high-grade dysplasia, mucosal cancer, and shallow submucosa invasive cancer were included in the indication for ESD. Based on gross morphology, laterally spreading tumor (LST) granular nodular mixed type, LST-nongranular (LST-NG) flat elevated type, and LST-NG pseudodepressed type were included. On the basis of the pit pattern by Kudo classification, types III, IV, and V-I were included. Based on the narrow band imaging pattern by Sano classification, types II and III-a were included. Other lesions, such as sporadic localized tumors in chronic inflammation and local residual early carcinoma after endoscopic resection, were also included in the indication for ESD.

The indications of Korean endoscopists for colorectal ESD are broader than those in recent guidelines, and tend to include more benign-looking tumors. To find the appropriate indications for colorectal ESD, systematic data collection and analysis are required to reach a consensus in a timely manner.