Endoscopic Suturing, an Essential Enabling Technology for New NOTES Interventions

How to close mucosal incisions?

This article provides an overview of the techniques for closure of the mucosal entry point following advanced procedures in the third space. The outbreak of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has significantly impacted the treatment of various benign and malignant conditions. Reliable and secure closure of the mucosal entrance is essential for avoiding serious adverse events. Although small defects are typically closed using through-the-scope clips (TTSCs) or over-the-scope clips (OTSCs), challenges may occur with larger or transmural defects. Alternative methods, such as specialised stitches and full-thickness suturing systems, have been developed to address these challenges with promising results. Each method has its own pros and cons, and the choice of closure technique depends on various factors such as anatomical location, endoscopist expertise, costs, and clinical context. By understanding the technical specifications of each closure device, endoscopists can make decisions that enhance patient outcomes and minimise the risk of complications associated with the approximation of defect edges. Continued research is essential to optimise the evolution of newer closure devices and techniques for advancing NOTES.

Safety and efficacy of a novel suturing device for closure of large defects after endoscopic submucosal dissection (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic suturing enables full closure of large defects after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, its use is limited by the need for a double-channel endoscope. A novel closure system, the OverStitch Sx (Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, Tex, USA), compatible with any single-channel endoscope, was introduced to address these shortcomings. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of OverStitch Sx for the closure of large defects after ESD.

METHODS

This is a prospective single-center feasibility study of patients who underwent closure of large defects after ESD using the OverStitch Sx system. Main outcomes of the study are technical and clinical success, same-day discharge rate, and adverse event rate.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were enrolled. The mean diameter of included lesions was 5.38 ± 2.52 cm. The defect occupied ≥50% of the lumen circumference in 70% of the cases. En-bloc resection, R0 resection, and curative resection were achieved in 97%, 87.5%, and 78.8% of patients, respectively. Technical success and clinical success were seen in 93.9% and 90.9% of the cases, respectively. Same-day hospital discharge was achieved in 77.4% of patients. Total adverse event rate was 35.7%, including delayed bleeding in 1 patient after rectal ESD that was managed conservatively, self-resolving rectal pain in 7 patients, rectal stricture requiring dilation in 1 patient, and temporary dysphagia in 1 patient. No immediate or delayed perforation was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

OverStitch Sx enabled safe and effective closure of large defects after ESD. Future trials are needed to determine its superiority over OverStitch for the closure of defects in challenging locations. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04361227.).

A pilot human study on newly designed closure clips in endoscopic closure of giant gastrointestinal perforation using a continuous closing method

BACKGROUND

A large gastrointestinal perforation is a serious and even life-threatening clinical condition. Current endoscopic techniques for closing large gastrointestinal perforation have limitations. Building upon our recent findings in a porcine model, this pilot human study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of a novel endoscopic technique using newly designed closure clips for closure of giant gastrointestinal perforation.

METHODS

A total of 18 patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and developed giant gastrointestinal perforation > 2 cm in diameter were enrolled in this study. The newly designed closure clips, consisting of a sewing clip and knotter, were applied in endoscopic closure of the gastrointestinal perforations using a continuous suturing method. The safety, feasibility, and effectiveness were subsequently assessed in these patients.

RESULTS

Endoscopic closure of the giant perforation was achieved in all patients. In evaluation of safety and effectiveness of this technique with the new closure clips and the continuous suturing method, no obvious intraoperative complications (e.g., bleeding, abdominal infection) occurred in the studied patients. Furthermore, on 1-month follow-up gastric endoscopy, all the patients showed complete closure of the gastrointestinal perforations, and no clinical signs of specific abnormalities or symptoms were observed.

CONCLUSION

This novel technique has been shown to be safe, effective, and feasible for the treatment of giant gastrointestinal perforation.

The Use of the Overstitch to Close Endoscopic Resection Defects

Endoscopic resection of luminal gastrointestinal neoplasia offers a minimally invasive, lower risk alternative that can be successful in the appropriate setting. Bleeding and perforation can occur with endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. Defect closure with conventional endoclips or modified technique using endoloops can decrease the risk of adverse events. The Overstitch (Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, TX) endoscopic suturing device is designed for tissue apposition and thus can effectively close a large resection defect. Herein we describe our technique. Our and other groups' initial experience with suturing for closure of the resection defect demonstrates high procedural success rates and safety.

The Development of the Overstitch System and Its Potentials

Endoscopic suturing device for flexible endoscopy was conceptualized by Apollo Group in collaboration with Olympus Optical Ltd. The first modification of suturing device for flexible endoscopy (Eagle Claw) was manufactured by Olympus engineers and extensively used by members of Apollo Group in numerous bench-top experiments on isolated pig stomachs and in live porcine model. The suturing system for flexible endoscopy in humans (Overstitch) was cleared for general clinical use in the United States in 2008. The latest model is compatible with more than 20 single-channel flexible endoscopes with diameters ranging from 8.8 mm to 9.8 mm made by major endoscope manufacturers.

Endoscopic closure after intraluminal surgery

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is established as a curative endoscopic method for gastrointestinal epithelial neoplasms with a high possibility of complete en bloc resection; however, postoperative adverse events of bleeding and delayed perforation remain. To prevent or minimize them, several techniques for endoscopic mucosal closure have been introduced, such as using endoscopic clips, combined use of hemoclips and supplement devices, and specially designed endoscopic suturing devices. Furthermore, endoscopic full-thickness suturing technique for gastrointestinal wall defect has been developed based on the concept in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery and endoscopic full-thickness resection. Several closure techniques, including over-the-scope clip, threaded bars inserted in a hollow needle, stitches or staplers, and a curved needle and thread are reported. Secure closure of the iatrogenic defect may further expand the range of therapeutic endoscopy. Accumulation of evidence for the efficacy of endoscopic closure and establishment of these techniques are desired.

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with a snake-mechanism using a movable pulley

BACKGROUND

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery is an emerging technique. We aimed to develop an advanced surgical robot mechanism for natural orifice surgery.

METHODS

We propose the active-controlled overtube-type platform with multiple channels for an endoscopic camera and surgical tools. To make such a platform, we suggest an advanced snake mechanism comprising movable pulleys to make a snake mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom and high operating force.

RESULTS

The stiffness and maneuverability of the active-controlled platform appeared satisfactory. Using prototypes and ex vivo experiments, we confirmed that the mechanism was suitable for a snake-like robotic platform for natural orifice surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The suggested snake mechanism using movable pulleys has the advantages of stiffness and maneuverability. This new mechanism can be an alternative platform for natural orifice surgery.

Percutaneous transgastric endoscopic tube ileostomy in a porcine survival model

AIM

To introduce natural orifice transgastric endoscopic surgery (NOTES) tube ileostomy using pelvis-directed submucosal tunneling endoscopic gastrostomy and endoscopic tube ileostomy.

METHODS

Six live pigs (three each in the non-survival and survival groups) were used. A double-channeled therapeutic endoscope was introduced perorally into the stomach. A gastrostomy was made using a 2-cm transversal mucosal incision following the creation of a 5-cm longitudinal pelvis-directed submucosal tunnel. The pneumoperitoneum was established via the endoscope. In the initial three operations of the series, a laparoscope was transumbilically inserted for guiding the tunnel direction, intraperitoneal spatial orientation and distal ileum identification. Endoscopic tube ileostomy was conducted by adopting an introducer method and using a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Catheter Kit equipped with the Loop Fixture. The distal tip of the 15 Fr catheter was placed toward the proximal limb of the ileum to optimize intestinal content drainage. Finally, the tunnel entrance of the gastrostomy was closed using nylon endoloops with the aid of a twin grasper. The gross and histopathological integrity of gastrostomy closure and the abdominal wall-ileum stoma tract formation were assessed 1 wk after the operation.

RESULTS

Transgastric endoscopic tube ileostomy was successful in all six pigs, without major bleeding. The mean operating time was 71 min (range: 60-110 min). There were no intraoperative complications or hemodynamic instability. The post-mortem, which was conducted 1-wk postoperatively, showed complete healing of the gastrostomy and adequate stoma tract formation of ileostomy.

CONCLUSION

Transgastric endoscopic tube ileostomy is technically feasible and reproducible in an animal model, and this technique is worthy of further improvement.