The effect of short-term proton pump inhibitor plus anti-ulcer drug on the healing of endoscopic submucosal dissection-derived artificial ulcer: A randomized controlled trial

Background/Aims: Artificial ulcers remain a major complication after Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The development of more effective treatment regimen for this ulcer is required than the use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) alone. Methodology: Patients with ESD-derived artificial ulcers were randomly assigned to two groups: a group of patients who received rabeprazole 20 mg daily for 8 weeks (PPI group) and a group of patients who received a combination of rebamipide 300 mg daily for 8 weeks and rabeprazole 20mg dairy for the first 4 weeks (reb+PPI group). The area reduction ratio and healing status of ulcers were evaluated endoscopically on postoperative 7, 28 and 56 days. Results: The overall ulcer area reduction ratio was higher in the reb+PPI group than in the PPI group, especially at an early stage. The ratio of progression to the H1 stage in the reb+PPI group was significantly higher than that in the PPI group, especially at an early stage. Conclusions: Treatment with 8 weeks of rebamipide plus the first 4 weeks of PPI demonstrated a reduction ratio of artificial ulcers superior to that with 8 weeks of PPI mono-therapy. This combination treatment is, therefore, one of the candidate treatment strategies against ESD-derived artificial ulcers.