A new endoscopic breakthrough at UT Health San Antonio is changing how colorectal lesions are treated. The center’s Advanced Interventional Gastroenterology Program has begun offering endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) — a minimally invasive procedure that removes large or early-stage colorectal lesions without surgery.
Led by Dr. Matheus Franco, the first patient treated achieved a fully curative resection and went home the next day. Unlike traditional surgery, ESD allows complete lesion removal through a flexible scope, preserving bowel function and reducing recovery time.