Role of endoscopic stents and selective minimal access drainage in oesophageal leaks: feasibility and outcome

The Use of Esophageal Stents in the Management of Postoperative Fistulas-Current Status, Clinical Outcomes and Perspectives-Review

Esophageal fistula remains one of the main postoperative complications, with the treatment often requiring the use of stents. This article reviews the updates on the use of endoscopic stents for the treatment of postoperative esophageal leakage in terms of indications, types of stents used, efficiency, specific complications and perspectives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the PubMed and MEDLINE databases for the keywords postoperative esophageal anastomotic leak and postoperative esophageal anastomotic leak stent, and retrieved relevant papers published until December 2022.

RESULTS

The endoscopic discovery of the fistula is usually followed by the insertion of a fully covered esophageal stent. It has an efficiency of more than 60% in closing the fistula, and the failure is related to the delayed application of the method, a situation more suitable for endo vac therapy. The most common complication is migration, but life-threatening complications have also been described. The combination of the advantages of endoscopic stents and vacuum therapy is probably found in the emerging VACstent procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the competing approaches give promising results, this method has a well-defined place in the treatment of esophageal fistulas, and it is probably necessary to refine the indications for each individual procedure.

Critical Appraisal of the Impact of Oesophageal Stents in the Management of Oesophageal Anastomotic Leaks and Benign Oesophageal Perforations: An Updated Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic placement of oesophageal stents may be used in benign oesophageal perforation and oesophageal anastomotic leakage to control sepsis and reduce mortality and morbidity by avoiding thoracotomy. This updated systematic review aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of oesophageal stents in these two scenarios.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of all published studies reporting use of metallic and plastic stents in the management of post-operative anastomotic leaks, spontaneous and iatrogenic oesophageal perforations were identified. Primary outcomes were technical (deploying ≥ 1 stent to occlude site of leakage with no evidence of leakage of contrast within 24-48 h) and clinical success (complete healing of perforation or leakage by placement of single or multiple stents irrespective of whether the stent was left in situ or was removed). Secondary outcomes were stent migration, perforation and erosion, and mortality rates. Subgroup analysis was performed for plastic versus metallic stents and anastomotic leaks versus perforations separately.

RESULTS

A total of 66 studies (n = 1752 patients) were included. Technical and clinical success rates were 96% and 87%, respectively. Plastic stents had significantly higher migration rates (24% vs 16%, p = 0.001) and repositioning (11% vs 3%, p < 0.001) and lower technical success (91% vs 95%, p = 0.032) than metallic stents. In patients with anastomotic leaks, plastic stents were associated with higher stent migration (26% vs 15%, p = 0.034), perforation (2% vs 0%, p = 0.013), repositioning (10% vs 0%, p < 0.001), and lower technical success (95% vs 100%, p = p = 0.002). In patients with perforations only, plastic stents were associated with significantly lower technical success (85% vs 99%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Covered metallic oesophageal stents appear to be more effective than plastic stents in the management of oesophageal perforation and anastomotic leakage. However, quality of evidence of generally poor and high-quality randomised trial is needed to further evaluate best management option for oesophageal perforation and anastomotic leakage.

Endoluminal Vacuum Therapy: How I Do It

Perforations and leaks of the gastrointestinal tract are difficult to manage and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, endoscopic approaches have been applied with varying degrees of success. Most recently, the use of endoluminal vacuum therapy has been used with high success rates in decreasing both morbidity and mortality. Under an IRB-approved prospective registry that we started in July 2013, we have been using endoluminal vacuum therapy to treat a variety of leaks throughout the GI tract. The procedure uses an endosponge connected to a nasogastric tube that is endoscopically guided into a fistula cavity in order to facilitate healing, obtain source control, and aid in reperfusion of the adjacent tissue with debridement. Endoluminal vacuum therapy has been used on all patients in the registry. Overall success rate for healing the leak or fistula is 95% in the esophagus, 83% in the stomach, 100% in the small bowel, and 60% of colorectal cases. The purpose of this report is to review the history of endoluminal wound vacuum therapy, identify appropriate patient selection criteria, and highlight "pearls" of the procedure. This article is written in the context of our own clinical experience, with a primary focus on a "How I Do It" technical description.

Endoscopic treatment of the fistulas after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the use of endoscopic self-expandable metallic prostheses in the treatment of fistulas from sleeve gastrectomy and Roux en y gastric bypass.

METHODS

all patients were treated with fully coated auto-expandable metallic prostheses and were submitted to laparoscopic or CT-guided drainage, except for those with intracavitary drains. After 6-8 weeks the prosthesis was removed and if the fistula was still open a new prostheses were positioned and kept for the same period.

RESULTS

the endoscopic treatment was successful in 25 (86.21%) patients. The main complication was the migration of the prosthesis in seven patients. Other complications included prosthesis intolerance, gastrointestinal bleeding and adhesions. The treatment failed in four patients (13.7%) one of which died (3.4%).

CONCLUSION

endoscopic treatment with fully coated self-expandable prosthesis was effective in treating most patients with fistula after sleeve gastrectomy and roux en y gastric bypass.

Novel esophageal stent for treatment of cervical anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Dedicated stents for treatment of cervical anastomotic leakage are currently unavailable. In this study, we aimed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of using custom-designed stents for treatment of cervical anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy.

METHODS

The stents were designed according to the location and size of the leakage and the residual esophageal length as determined by esophagography in each case. It had a cup-shaped upper end and a globular lower end and a total height of 60-85 mm. The diameter of the upper cup-shaped part was 24-26 mm and the length 20-25 mm. The cup part and the stent main body were connected at a right angle. Data from cervical anastomotic leakage patients treated with these stents were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Data from a total of 27 patients with cervical anastomotic leakage were retrospectively analyzed. The custom-designed esophageal covered stents were placed successfully at the first attempt in 24 cases (88.9%). The total operative time was 5-15 min. The stents were removed 7 days to 3 months after leakage healing. Follow-up showed no leakage recurrence; three patients had anastomosis scar strictures. Fifteen patients died (median survival 13.4 months) and nine survived.

CONCLUSION

Placement of the novel esophageal covered stent is a minimally invasive, efficacious treatment option for the patients with cervical anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy.

Fully covered metal stents for the treatment of leaks after gastric and esophageal surgery

OBJECTIVE

The use of fully covered metal stents (FCMS) for the treatment of benign conditions is increasing. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of FCMS in the management of post-operative leaks after gastric or esophageal surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During a three year period (2011-2013), patients who underwent a surgery related with esophageal or gastric cancer and developed a postoperative anastomotic leak treated with FCMS were prospectively included.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were included (11 men, 3 women), with median age of 65 years. Placement of at least one stent was achieved in 13 patients (93% of cases), with initial closure of the leak in 12 of these 13 cases (92.3%). A final success (after removal of the stent) could be demonstrated in 9 cases (69.2%, intention to treat analysis); stent failed only in one case (7.7%) and there were 3 patients (23.1%) not evaluated because death before stent retrieval (not related with the endoscopic procedure). One stent were used in 9 cases (69.2%), and two in 4 (30.8%). Migration was observed in two cases (15.3%). There were no major complications related with the use of stents. There were no complications related with retrieval.

CONCLUSIONS

The placement of FCMS to achieve the leak closure after esophageal or gastric surgery is an effective and probably safe alternative feasible with minor risks.

Effect of Early Use of Covered Self-Expandable Endoscopic Stent on the Treatment of Postoperative Stapler Line Leaks

BACKGROUND

Postoperative leaks are a dreaded complication after bariatric surgery (BS). Its treatment is based on nutritional support and sepsis control by antibiotics, collections drainage and/or prosthesis, and/or surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to report our experience with coated self-expandable endoscopic stents (SEES) for leaks treatment.

SETTING

This study was performed in a University Hospital, (censored).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of our BS database from January 2007 to December 2013. All patients with leak after BS treated with SEES were included.

RESULTS

We identified 29 patients; 17 (59%) were women, with median age of 37 (19-65) years, and preoperative body mass index of 40 (28.7-56-6) kg/m(2). Nineteen (65.5%) patients had a sleeve gastrectomy and 10 (34.5%) a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. All patients had a leak in the stapler line. Median time from surgery to leak diagnosis was 7 (1-51) days, and SEES were installed 8 (0-104) days after diagnosis. Twenty-one (72%) patients also had abdominal exploration. Median length of SEES use was 60 (1-299) days. Patients who had SEES as primary treatment (with or without simultaneous reoperation) had a shorter leak closure time (50 [6-112] vs 109 [60-352] days; p = 0.008). Twenty-eight (96.5%) patients successfully achieved leak closure with SEES. There were 16 migrations in 10 (34%) patients, 1 (3%) stent fracture, 1 opening of the blind end of alimentary limb (3%), and 5 patients (17%) required a second stent due to leak persistence.

CONCLUSIONS

SEES is a feasible, safe, and effective management of post BS leaks, although patients may also require prosthesis revision and abdominal exploration. Primary SEES placement is associated with a shorter leak resolution time.

Covered stents in cervical anastomoses following esophagectomy

INTRODUCTION

Anastomotic complications after esophagectomy are relatively frequent. The off-label use of self-expanding covered metal stents has been shown to be an effective initial treatment for leaks, but there is a paucity of literature regarding their use in cervical esophagogastric anastomoses. We reviewed our outcomes with anastomotic stenting after esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastric reconstruction.

METHODS

All stents placed across cervical anastomoses following esophagectomy from 2004 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Indications for surgery and stent placement were collected. For patients with serial stents, each stent event was evaluated separately and as part of its series. Success was defined as resolution of indicated anastomotic problem for at least 90 days. Complications were defined as development of stent-related problems.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients had a total of 63 stents placed (16 % prophylactic, 38 % leak, 46 % stricture). Sixty percent of patients had successful resolution of their initial anastomotic problem; 67 % required more than one stent. Strictures and leaks healed in 27 and 70 % of patients, respectively, at a median of 55.5 days. Stent-related complications occurred in 78 % of patients. Complications (per stent event) included 62 % migration, 11 % clinically significant tissue overgrowth, 8 % minor erosion (ulcers), and 8 % major erosion. Stents placed for stricture were more likely to result in complications, especially migration (76.7 vs. 48.5 %, p = 0.02). Preoperative chemoradiation was a significant risk factor for erosion (22.5 vs. 4.3 %, p = 0.05), but not for overall complications. Patients with major erosions had longer stent duration compared to those without (92 vs. 36 days, p = 0.14).

DISCUSSION

Although stents are effective at controlling post-esophagectomy anastomotic leaks, they are not effective for treating strictures. Stents have high complication rates, but most are minor. Chemoradiation is a risk factor for stent erosion. Caution should be used when stent duration exceeds 2-3 months due to the risk of erosion.