Successful endoscopic management of postoperative GI fistula with fibrin glue injection: Report of two cases

Outcomes of gastrointestinal defect closure with an over-the-scope clip system in a multicenter experience: An analysis of a successful suction method

AIM

To demonstrate the clinical outcomes of a multicenter experience and to suggest guidelines for choosing a suction method.

METHODS

This retrospective study at 5 medical centers involved 58 consecutive patients undergoing over-the-scope clips (OTSCs) placement. The overall rates of technical success (TSR), clinical success (CSR), complications, and procedure time were analyzed as major outcomes. Subsequently, 56 patients, excluding two cases that used the Anchor device, were divided into two groups: 14 cases of simple suction (SS-group) and 42 cases using the Twin Grasper (TG-group). Secondary evaluation was performed to clarify the predictors of OTSC success.

RESULTS

The TSR, CSR, complication rate, and median procedure time were 89.7%, 84.5%, 1.8%, and 8 (range 1-36) min, respectively, demonstrating good outcomes. However, significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the mean procedure time (5.9 min vs 14.1 min). The CSR of the SS- and TG-groups among cases with a maximum defect size ≤ 10 mm and immediate or acute refractory bleeding was 100%, which suggests that SS is a better method than TG in terms of time efficacy. The CSR in the SS-group (78.6%), despite the technical success of the SS method (TSR, 100%), tended to decrease due to delayed leakage compared to that in the TG-group (TSR, CSR; 88.1%), indicating that TG may be desirable for leaks and fistulae with defects of the entire layer.

CONCLUSION

OTSC system is a safe and effective therapeutic option for gastrointestinal defects. Individualized selection of the suction method based on particular clinical conditions may contribute to the improvement of OTSC success.

The Clinical Utility of Over-the-Scope Clip for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Defects

BACKGROUND

The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) is a novel endoscopic tool that enables non-surgical management of gastrointestinal (GI) defects. The aim of this study was to report our experience with OTSC for patients with GI defects.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained IRB-approved institutional database was queried for all patients treated with OTSC from 2012 to 2015. Primary outcome was the clinical success of the OTSC for the individual indication. Secondary outcome was the number of additional procedures needed following OTSC.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients were treated with OTSC: upper GI (UGI) 30 and lower GI (LGI) 21. GI leak (n = 24; UGI = 12, LGI = 12) and fistulae (n = 17; UGI = 8, LGI = 9) were the most common indications. Overall success rate for the treatment of leaks was 59 % [UGI 66 % vs. LGI 33 % (p = 0.1)]. A lower success rate (35 %) was noted for fistulae [UGI 62 % vs. LGI 0 % (p = 0.001)]. Success rates for UGI perforation, bleeding, and stent anchoring indications were 75, 75, and 50 %, respectively. Additional endoscopic or surgical interventions following OTSC were indicated in 68.6 % of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

OTSC appears to have additional value in treating UGI defects. However, lower success rates for LGI defects were noted, specifically for fistulae. Most patients require an additional endoscopic or surgical procedure after one OTSC application.

Over-the-Scope Clip (OTSC) System for Sleeve Gastrectomy Leaks

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently being widely accepted for its role in the treatment of morbid obesity. Staple-line leakage is one of the most reported complications found in 0.5-7 % of the population, in which the Over-the-Scope Clip (OTSC) (Ovesco Endoscopy, Tübingen, Germany), a novel device, is employed. We present our experience with this system in LSG leaks.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients with LSG leakage was performed, and these patients were treated with the OTSC system. Efficiency was defined as complete oral nutrition without any evidence of additional leakage.

RESULTS

Overall, 26 patients underwent endoscopic OTSC treatment. The median age was 39 years (range 26-60), and 12 were male patients (46.15 %). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 42.89 kg/m(2), and 10 patients (38.46 %) came from a revisional bariatric procedure (SRVG or LAGB). Twenty-two patients (84.61 %) had upper staple-line leaks (near the GEJ), and the remaining 4 (15.38 %) had lower antral leaks. Number of endoscopy sessions ranged from 2 to 7 (median 3). There were five failures: 2 of them had an antral leak, and the remaining 3 had an upper staple-line leak. Twenty-one (80.76 %) leaks were successfully treated within 32 days' median time till complete oral nutrition was attained (range 14-70).

CONCLUSIONS

The success rate was high with the OTSC system, and it is concluded to be a safe and effective treatment for LSG leaks.

International multicenter experience with an over-the-scope clipping device for endoscopic management of GI defects (with video)

BACKGROUND

The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) provides more durable and full-thickness closure as compared with standard clips. Only case reports and small case series have reported on outcomes of OTSC closure of GI defects.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a large, multicenter experience with OTSCs for the management of GI defects. Secondary goals were to determine success rate by type of defect and type of therapy and to determine predictors of treatment outcomes.

DESIGN

Multicenter, retrospective study.

SETTING

Multiple, international, academic centers.

PATIENTS

Consecutive patients who underwent attempted OTSC placement for GI defects, either as a primary or as a rescue therapy.

INTERVENTIONS

OTSC placement to attempt closure of GI defects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Long-term success of the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 188 patients (108 fistulae, 48 perforations, 32 leaks) were included. Long-term success was achieved in 60.2% of patients during a median follow-up of 146 days. Rate of successful closure of perforations (90%) and leaks (73.3%) was significantly higher than that of fistulae (42.9%) (P < .05). Long-term success was significantly higher when OTSCs were applied as primary therapy (primary 69.1% vs rescue 46.9%; P = .004). On multivariate analysis, patients who had OTSC placement for perforations and leaks had significantly higher long-term success compared with those who had fistulae (OR 51.4 and 8.36, respectively).

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective design and multiple operators with variable expertise with the OTSC device.

CONCLUSION

OTSC is safe and effective therapy for closure of GI defects. Clinical success is best achieved in patients undergoing closure of perforations or leaks when OTSC is used for primary or rescue therapy. Type of defect is the best predictor of successful long-term closure.

Fibrin glue with gentamicin as an alternative to conventional surgery in experimental treatment of duodenal fistula in rats

Duodenal fistula is a significant ongoing surgical problem. Minimal invasive treatment might be an alternative to conventional open surgery. This study aimed to investigate whether addition of gentamicin to fibrin adhesive can augment current surgical methods. Having established a fistula, the defect was closed using the following: simple suturing, suturing covered with fibrin sealant only, or suturing with fibrin sealant mixed with gentamicin. Bursting pressure and macroscopic and microscopic examination were evaluated on the second and sixth day after surgery. The study demonstrated there was no significant difference in overall outcome between the 3 groups. However, on macroscopic examination, the mixture of antibiotic and fibrin adhesive decreased formation of adhesions and abscesses. Microscopically, there was decreased inflammation, improved granulation, and earlier onset of fibrin filament deposition, possibly leading to enhanced wound healing. The addition of gentamicin to fibrin sealant can be a useful adjunct to standard surgical closure in duodenal fistula management.

Radiographic and endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of enterocutaneous fistulas

The management of enterocutaneous fistulas continues to be a challenging postoperative complication. Understanding the anatomy of the fistula optimizes its evaluation and management. Diagnostic radiology has always played an important role in this task. The use of plain radiography with contrasted studies and fistulograms is well documented in the earliest investigations of fistulas and they continue to be helpful techniques. The imaging techniques have evolved rapidly over the past 15 years with the introduction of cross-sectional imaging, ultrasound and endoscopy. The purpose of this chapter is to review both the diagnostic and therapeutic roles of fistulograms, small bowel follow-through, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and endoscopy in the setting of acquired enterocutaneous fistulas.

Endoscopic treatment of postgastrectomy duodenal fistula with an over-the-scope clip

Bleeding peptic ulcer is a life threatening condition with high mortality rate but often treatable by endoscopy. Surgical indications in case of gastroduodenal ulcers are confined to endoscopic and radiological failures in bleeding control. Duodenal fistula (DF) is a rare complication of gastric resection and even if a rare event it may be a life threatening condition. Surgical and medical options could not solve the DF. Herein we report a case of an old patient underwent emergency gastrectomy for ulcer's bleeding who developed DF associated to sepsis, malnutrition and, hydro-electrolyte disorders not responding to surgical and medical attempts. We demonstrated, for the first time, the efficacy of over the scope clips (OTSC®) in the treatment of postoperative duodenal fistulas not responding to surgical and medical treatment in high risk patient.

Successful endoscopic therapy of postoperative duodenal fistula by lipiodol injection: a new therapeutic approach

Postoperative upper gastrointestinal fistulas or anastomotic leaks with peritonitis are rare but serious clinical conditions. Due to severe fluid and electrolyte imbalance and risk of development of sepsis implementation of efficient and timely management is crucial. Various endoscopic interventions have been performed to date for postoperative upper gastrointestinal fistulas. We herein describe a new therapeutical approach involving lipiodol injection, which we performed to treat a patient who had unsuccessfully undergone surgery for a posttraumatic duodenal fistula. The fistula was then successfully managed by endoscopic lipiodol injection. We present this case due to its interesting nature of a postsurgical duodenal fistula without evident fistula tract, and a successful therapy by a new approach, lipiodol injection. We conclude that this new method offers an option for patients with high operation risk or for those with failed surgery, and this new method may decrease morbidity, mortality and the time required for the closure of duodenal fistulas.

Endoscopic fibrin glue injection for closure of pancreatocutaneous fistula following transgastric endoscopic necrosectomy

Transgastric endoscopic necrosectomy has been recently introduced as the effective and alternative management of infected pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic abscess. However, up to 40% of patients who undergo endoscopic necrosectomy may need an additional percutaneous approach for subsequent peripancreatic fluid collection or non-resolution of pancreatic necrosis. This percutaneous approach may lead to persistent pancreatocutaneous fistula, which remains a serious problem and usually requires prolonged hospitalization, or even open-abdominal surgery. We describe the first case of pancreatocutaneous fistula and concomitant abdominal wall defect following transgastric endoscopic necrosectomy and percutaneous drainage, which were endoscopically closed with fibrin glue injection via the necrotic cavity.

Percutaneous transhepatic duodenal diversion for the management of duodenal fistulae

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the success of the nonoperative management of persistent duodenal fistulae (DF) with percutaneous transhepatic duodenal diversion (PTDD).

METHODS

Retrospective chart review identified six patients with DF managed by PTDD from 2006 to 2007. Patient outcomes and complications were assessed.

RESULTS

The etiology of DF included pancreatic surgery (three patients), gastrectomy (two patients), and Crohn's disease (one patient). PTDD was performed by interventional radiology at a median time of 37 days after fistula recognition. After PTDD, fistula drainage decreased from 775 cc/day (range 200 to 2,525 cc/day) to <50 cc/day at a median of 8 days. Patients were discharged 32 days (median) after PTDD. One patient with Crohn's disease required definitive surgical treatment. Of the remaining five patients, the PTDD tube was capped at 27 days (median) after placement and was removed on an outpatient basis at 79 days (median) after placement. There was no mortality, no fistula recurrence, or complications associated with PTDD placement.

CONCLUSIONS

We present an algorithm for the nonoperative management of persistent postoperative DF. In this limited series, PTDD was highly effective at definitively treating DF, especially in the acute setting. PTDD should be considered by surgeons facing the management of postoperative DF.

[Tissue adhesive treatment of persistent recto-cutaneous fistula following Hartmann procedure]

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous fistulas from the rectal stump after Hartmann procedure are not rare. Rarely do they require operative intervention, but they may result in prolonged skin care during hospitalization.

PURPOSE

of study: To describe the use of fibrin glue in the treatment of rectocutaneous fistulas occurring after Hartmann procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

Ten patients underwent irrigation of the fistulous tract followed by fibrin glue injection. The glue was reconstituted using the usual two syringe admixture technique; the tract was catheterized as far as the rectal stump, and the glue was injected as the catheter was withdrawn to skin level.

RESULTS

No complications were noted and the discharge from seven out of ten fistulas dried up completely.

CONCLUSION

Biologic glue occlusion of rectocutaneous fistulas simplified local care and decreased hospital stay.