Figure 1.

Study protocol. An intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone (500 mg/day) was initiated on the day after ESD and was continued for 3 consecutive days. On postoperative day (POD) 7, an endoscopy was performed, and the patient was discharged from the hospital. Endoscopy was also performed on PODs 14, 28, and 56 and in the event of dysphagia. Patients who were found to have stricture by endoscopy were required to undergo weekly EBD until the stricture was resolved. ESD: endoscopic submucosal dissection; EGD: esophagogastroduodenoscopy; EBD: endoscopic balloon dilatation; mPSL: methylprednisolone; div: drip intravenous infusion.