Two-session endoscopic purse-string suture to close a huge esophagojejunal anastomosis thoracic cavity fistula

Endoscopic purse-string suture and naso-jejunal tube feeding for duodenal cutaneous fistula and gastric cutaneous fistula

BACKGROUND

The Endoscopic Purse-string Suture (EPSS) technique has gained attention for its potential in closing large defects following gastrointestinal procedures. However, its application in fistula closure is not as widely reported. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EPSS and naso-jejunal tube feeding in the closure of duodenal cutaneous fistulas and gastric cutaneous fistulas.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study, conducted from September 2020 to September 2023 at Tongji University in Shanghai, China, examined the outcomes of EPPS and nasojejunal feeding for patients with gastric and duodenal cutaneous fistulas (n = 10). Demographic data, fistula characteristics, procedure technique and outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

In this study, the average size of a fistula opening was 7.9 ± 4.6 mm. The operations took an average of 25.8 ± 5.6 min. Patients typically needed naso-jejunal tube feeding for a median of 14.0 days, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 7.7-19.0 days. The median duration of hospital stay post-operation was 16.5 days, with an IQR of 7.0-25.0 days. Nine patients were successful in their initial fistula closure using the EPSS technique. The other patient underwent a second EPSS and, ultimately, all patients experienced complete healing and fully recovered. There were no major adverse events reported.

CONCLUSIONS

EPSS and naso-jejunal tube feeding are a safe and effective treatment option for duodenal and gastric cutaneous fistulas. Larger, prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and establish the long-term safety and efficacy of this approach.

The three-tube method via precise interventional placement for esophagojejunal anastomotic fistula after gastrectomy: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage is a serious complication after total gastrectomy. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of transnasal placement of drainage catheter, jejunal decompression tube, and jejunal nutrition tube under fluoroscopy for treatment of esophagojejunal anastomotic fistula after gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients.

METHODS

This is retrospective review of patients with esophagojejunal anastomotic fistula treated with transnasal placement of abscess drainage catheter, decompression tube, and jejunal nutrition tube under fluoroscopy. Fistula healing time, patient survival, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status before and after treatment were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients were included in the study. Insertion of the transnasal abscess drainage catheter, decompression tube, and jejunal nutrition tube was successful on the first attempt in all patients, while 35 patients received transnasal abscess drainage, 13 received percutaneous abscess drainage, and 16 received transnasal drainage plus percutaneous abscess drainage. Immediately after placement of the tube, the mean volume of drainage was 180 mL (range, 10-850 mL); the amount steadily decreased from then on. The clinical success rate was 84.3% (54/64). Median time to fistula healing was 58 days (range, 7-357 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Transnasal insertion of transnasal abscess drainage catheter, jejunal decompression tube, and jejunal nutrition tube under fluoroscopy appears to be a simple, minimally invasive, effective, and safe method for treating esophagojejunal anastomotic fistula after gastrectomy.