Successful endoscopic management of gastrointestinal leakages after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

Non-stenting treatment versus endoscopic stent placement in staple line leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

PURPOSE

Presentation of results of non-stenting treatment versus endoscopic stenting placement in gastric staple leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

METHODS

Between January 2007 and August 2020, 1371 eligible patients underwent LSG. After gastric leak detection, patients were classified into treatment groups A (endoscopic stent placement) and B (non-stenting management). Overall hospital stay, the time to complete gastric leak resolution and the incidence of further operative management constituted the main outcome measures. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and linear regression tests as needed.

RESULTS

A total of 27 patients (19 F/8 M, median age: 44.8 years (range: 36-58) with median preoperative BMI: 43.5 kg/m² (range: 37.0-48.7)) presented with gastric staple line leak (1.9%) - mean detection day 5.8 postop (range: 1-12). Eight patients enrolled in group A and 19 patients in group B. The mean hospital stay for group A was 41.2 days (range: 24-60) versus 15 days (range: 12-18) for group B (p < 0.001). Complete leakage resolution was observed at mean 42.4 days (range 25-60) for group A and 34.5 days (range: 28-40) for group B patients, (p = 0.025). Only 2 group A patients accomplished complete leak resolution without additional intervention. Five group A patients (62.5%) versus 4 group B patients (21.1%) needed operative intervention during the treatment course (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative, non-stenting treatment of staple line leaks after LSG is feasible and is associated with superior results in terms of hospital say and leak resolution in comparison to endoscopic stenting.

Incidence and Efficacy of Stent Placement in Leak Management After Bariatric Surgery: An MBSAQIP Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rates of use and efficacy of stent placement for postoperative leak following bariatric surgery.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Endoscopically placed stents can successfully treat anastomotic and staple line leaks after bariatric surgery. However, the extent to which stents are used in the management of bariatric complications and rates of reoperation remain unknown.

METHODS

Data from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program participant use files were analyzed for patients who experienced anastomotic or staple line leaks after bariatric surgery, and then evaluated for use of an endoscopically placed stent. Patient and procedure-level data were compared between those who underwent stent placement versus those who required reoperation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare outcomes between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 354,865 bariatric cases were captured in 2015 to 2016. One thousand one hundred thirty patients (0.3%) required intervention for a leak, of whom 275 (24%) were treated with an endoscopically placed stent. One hundred seven (39%) of the patients who received stents required reoperation as part of their care pathway. Patient characteristics were statistically similar when comparing leaks managed with stents to those treated with reoperation alone. Those treated with stents, however, had a higher likelihood of readmission (odds ratio 2.59, 95% confidence interval -1.59 to 4.20).

CONCLUSION

Placement of stents for management of leaks after bariatric surgery is common throughout the United States. The use of stents can be effective; however, it does not prevent reoperation and is associated with an increased likelihood of readmission. Both technique and resource utilization should be considered when choosing a management pathway for leaks.

Endoscopic management of leaks and fistulas after bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Endoscopic techniques have become the first-line therapy in bariatric surgery-related complications such as leaks and fistulas. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of self-expandable stents, clipping, and tissue sealants in closing of post-bariatric surgery leak/fistula.

Methods

A systematic literature search of the Medline/Scopus databases was performed to identify full-text articles published up to February 2019 on the use of self-expandable stents, clipping, or tissue sealants as primary endoscopic strategies used for leak/fistula closure. Meta-analysis of studies reporting stents was performed with the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Data concerning the efficacy of self-expanding stents in the treatment of leaks/fistulas after bariatric surgery were extracted from 40 studies (493 patients). The overall proportion of successful leak/fistula closure was 92% (95% CI, 90–95%). The overall proportion of stent migration was 23% (95% CI, 19–28%). Seventeen papers (98 patients) reported the use of clipping: the over-the-scope clips (OTSC) system was used in 85 patients with a successful closure rate of 67.1% and a few complications (migration, stenosis, tear). The successful fistula/leak closure using other than OTSC types was achieved in 69.2% of patients. In 10 case series (63 patients), fibrin glue alone was used with a 92.8–100% success rate of fistula closure that usually required repeated sessions at scheduled intervals. The complications of fibrin glue applications were reported in only one study and included pain and fever in 12.5% of patients.

Conclusions

Endoscopic techniques are effective for management of post-bariatric leaks and fistulas in properly selected patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00464-020-07471-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Efficacy of the OTSC System in the treatment of GI bleeding and wall defects: a PMCF meta-analysis

Since its market launch in 2007, the endoscopic OTSC clipping system has been the object of intensive clinical research. These data were systematically collected for post-market clinical follow-up (PMCF). The aim of the study was the systematic review of the efficacy and safety of the OTSC System. The PMCF database was systematically searched for clinical data on OTSC therapy of GI hemorrhage (H), acute leaks/perforations (AL) and chronic leaks/fistulae (CL). Major outcomes were successful clip application and durable hemostasis/closure of defects. Comprehensive pooled success proportions were established by meta-analytical methods. Four-hundred-fifty-seven publications were reviewed. Fifty-eight articles comprising 1868 patients fulfilled criteria to be included in the analysis. These consisted of retrospective analyses, prospective observational trials, one randomized-controlled trial (STING) and one quasi-controlled study (FLETRock). The pooled proportion analysis revealed high overall proportions of technical success: H - mean 93.0% [95%CI 90.2-95.4], AL-mean 89.7% [95%CI 85.9-92.9] and CL-mean 83.8% [95%CI 76.9-89.7]. Pooled durable clinical success proportions were: H-mean 87.5% [95%CI 80.5-93.2], AL-mean 81.4% [95%CI 77.0-85.3] and CL-mean 63.0% [95%CI 53.0-72.3]. By pooling all clinical data gained, we conclude that OTSC application in GI hemorrhage and closure of GI lesions is safe and effective in real clinical use.

A Specifically Designed Stent for Anastomotic Leaks after Bariatric Surgery: Experiences in a Tertiary Referral Hospital

BACKGROUND

The management of anastomotic leakage after either laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LGBP) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) remains a burden. Various options are available for the treatment of these leaks. A newer and less invasive option for the treatment of leaks is the use of endoluminal stents. The main drawback for this treatment is stent migration. The current study describes the outcome of a new, specifically designed stent for the treatment of anastomotic leaks after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

For this retrospective observational study, the medical charts of patients undergoing bariatric surgery between October 1, 2010 and July 1, 2013 were reviewed. All patients with anastomotic leakage, treated with the bariatric Hanarostent, were included.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were included out of a total of 1702 bariatric patients in the described period. Seven had a leakage after LSG, five after LGBP. An average of 2.4 endoscopic procedures and 1.25 stents were used per patient. Successful treatment was seen in nine out of 12 patients (75 %). Most common complication was dislocation or migration of the stent, occurring in eight patients (66.7 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The ECBB Hanarostent®, which was specifically designed for post bariatric leakages, shows equal but not favorable success rates in this small series compared to previous reports on other types of stenting techniques. Despite the stent design, the complication rate is not reduced and the main future goal should be to target the high stent migration rate.

Novel treatments for complications after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery has been considered one of best treatments for obesity. As every surgical procedure—and any medical intervention, it is not exempt of complications, among which leaks, strictures, acute hemorrhages and fistulae highlight. Leaks are more common in the gastro-jejunal anastomosis (GJA) in the case of Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), while in Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) they locate in the stapler line. Stenosis can be seen in the gastro-jejunostomy in the RYGB and in the gastric tube in case of the LSG. For each of these complications, many innovative solutions have been developed, including new surgical devices. In spite of promising good results, evidence regarding utility and safeness of these technologies is still scarce. Self-expandable endoscopic stents have been used to treat leaks, with an overall success rate of 80–90 % and a migration rate of 15–35 %. The bear trap-like over-the-scope (Ovesco) clips have been used to treat GI hemorrhages, leaks and even fistulae, with a 70–80 % success rate, although more endoscopic sessions may be needed. Overstitch, an endosurgical suture devices, have been used to treat leaks, fistulae and perforations. Overall, technical success achievement approaches to 90 %, while clinical success ranges from 80 to 90 %, except for leaks closure, where a lower success rate has been observed. Despite of all of these advances, early diagnosis and treatment remains the main strategy to achieve success. In summary, novel therapies for complication management can be very useful, though further studies with larger series are still needed in order to confirm their efficacy and safeness.

Endoluminal vacuum therapy for gastrojejunal anastomotic leaks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a pilot study in a swine model

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) consistently produces the most sustainable weight loss among common interventions for morbid obesity. Anastomotic leaks at the gastrojejunal (GJ) connection result in severe morbidity. We apply endoluminal negative pressure vacuum devices (EVD) to heal anastomotic leaks in a swine model.

METHODS

RYGB was performed in 10 pigs (3 control, 7 experimental). GJ anastomoses were fashioned, and a 2-cm defect was made across the staple line. In controls, the defects remained open. In experimental pigs, the EVD was placed across the defect and kept at continuous 50 mmHg suction. All pigs were euthanized on postoperative day seven unless they displayed signs of peritonitis or sepsis. Fluoroscopy and necropsy were performed to assess a persistent leak, and tissue specimens were sent to histology to evaluate for degree of inflammation and ischemia.

RESULTS

All three control pigs' GJ anastomoses demonstrated evidence of a persistent leak. All seven experimental pigs with the EVD in place showed evidence that their leak had sealed at time of fluoroscopy (p value 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoluminal vacuum therapy is well tolerated in a swine model. GJ anastomotic leaks were consistently sealed with our device in place compared to controls. This therapy shows promise as a method to address GJ leaks in the bariatric population, and thus, we believe additional evaluation is warranted.

Presentation and surgical management of leaks after mini-gastric bypass for morbid obesity

BACKGROUND

Few data exist about the characteristics and management of enteric leaks after mini-gastric bypass (MGB).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to describe the incidence, presentation, and surgical management of enteric leaks in patients who underwent laparoscopic MGB for morbid obesity.

SETTING

Private practice.

METHODS

An 8-year, 9-month retrospective chart review was performed on patients who had enteric leak requiring reoperation after MGB at a single institution.

RESULTS

Thirty-five of 2321 patients were included. Ninety-seven percent had symptoms. Arterial hypertension and heavy smoking were predicting factors of leaks occurrence post-MGB (P<.01). Enteric leak was diagnosed by systematic upper gastrointestinal series in 4 pts (11.4%) and by computed tomography with oral water soluble contrast in 4 of 31 pts (13%). In the other 27 patients, diagnosis of the leak was made intraoperatively. Eleven patients (32%) had leak arising from the gastric stapler line (type 1), 4 (11%) from the gastrojejunal anastomosis (type 2), and 20 (57%) from undetermined origin. The most common presentation was intra-abdominal abscess in type 1 and leaks of undetermined origin and generalized peritonitis in type 2. One third of the patients who underwent reoperation developed well-drained chronic fistula into the irrigation-drainage system, with complete healing in all patients without any further procedure. The mean hospital stay was 19 days with no mortality reported.

CONCLUSION

Enteric leak leading to intra-abdominal sepsis post-MGB is rare (1.5%) An operative aggressive management based on clinical symptoms is the treatment of choice allowing no postoperative leak-related mortality and complete healing.