From start, the endoloop was developed as detachable snares, designed to mechanically ligate the stalks of large pedunculated polyps during polypectomy. And the primary purpose was to reduce the risk of post-polypectomy bleeding, especially in polyps with thick, vascular stalks. Placing an endoloop tightly around the base of the polyp stalk before snare resection, which acts as a prophylactic tourniquet, compressing blood vessels and minimizing bleeding during and after the procedure.
With the development of technology, the role of endoloops is way more than simple ligation. Below is now more uses of ENDOLOOP in endoscopic treatment:
* Polypectomy: Endoloops are now routinely used in combination with polypectomy snares to remove large colorectal polyps, especially those >20 mm. They ensure a clear stalk margin and improved procedural safety.
* Hemostasis: In GI bleeding management, endoloops offer a mechanical hemostasis option alongside hemoclips and thermal methods, particularly for lesions like Dieulafoy's or bleeding varices.
* Closure of iatrogenic perforations: Recent techniques integrate endoloops with endoclips to close mucosal and full-thickness defects after advanced procedures like ESD or EFTR, offering a reproducible and cost-effective alternative to OTSC or suturing systems.
* in complex anatomy: When combined with single- or dual-channel endoscopes, endoloops can be deployed in anatomically difficult regions such as the sigmoid colon or gastric cardia.
Today's endoloop devices are typically single-use, preloaded, and compatible with standard working channels, making them user-friendly and widely adaptable in both screening and therapeutic endoscopy settings. Clinical studies have shown high technical success rates and low complication rates when used by trained endoscopists.
While endoloops began as a niche solution for safe polypectomy, they have evolved into essential tools in modern GI endoscopy, offering reliable mechanical control in a range of therapeutic scenarios.
