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.

Delayed endoluminal vacuum therapy for rectal anastomotic leaks after rectal resection in a swine model: a new treatment option.

Anastomotic leaks are a dreaded surgical complication following colorectal operations. Creation of a temporary proximal diverting ileostomy is used in high-risk anastomoses, however, additional surgical risk is accumulated with its creation and reversal. Endoluminal vacuum therapy has been shown to seal anastomotic defects in the prophylactic setting in a pig model and we hypothesized it could be utilized in a delayed fashion to rescue subjects with an active anastomotic leak. Yorkshire pigs underwent rectal resection, intentional leak confirmed by fluoroscopy, and endoluminal vacuum therapy device placement to low continuous suction. Following treatment, a contrast enema and necropsy was performed for gross and histopathology. Pigs underwent 2 (or 5) days of free intraperitoneal leak prior to device placement and 5 (or 7) subsequent days of endoluminal vacuum therapy. Six of seven early-treated pigs sealed their anastomotic defect, while two of the four treated pigs in this extended group sealed the defect. Endoluminal vacuum therapy is feasible and well tolerated in a pig model, and it has been shown to seal a significant number of freely leaking anastomoses in the early period (86%). This technology warrants further study as it may provide a noninvasive means to treatment of anastomotic leaks.

Radiographic predictability of hiatal hernia prior to gastric band surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hiatal hernia (HH) is closely associated with morbid obesity. There is controversy over the need for preoperative imaging before laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement. The aim of this study is to determine the predictive value of preoperatively diagnosing HH with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series imaging. METHODS: A retrospective review of a single surgeon's experience with laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placements was performed. All patients received a preoperative UGI series. The decision to perform an HH repair at the time of gastric banding was based on intraoperative findings. Each patient's UGI study was compared with the operative report. Patients' outpatient records were also reviewed for subjective reflux symptoms or use of antireflux medications. RESULTS: Of 146 patients, 63 (43%) had intraoperative findings consistent with an HH and underwent repair. Of these, only 32 (50%) had a preoperative UGI study that showed an HH (positive predictive value, 50%). Of the 83 patients who did not have an intraoperative HH, only 51 (61%) had a congruent UGI (negative predictive value, 62%). No correlation was found between patient-reported symptoms and either radiologic or intraoperative findings. CONCLUSIONS: UGI series have poor positive and negative predictive values in preoperatively diagnosing HH. In addition, subjective patient symptoms and the need for antireflux medication did not correlate with either radiologic or intraoperative findings of HH. Our results suggest that direct operative diagnosis is a more accurate method of detecting HH.

Healing of complicated gastric leaks in bariatric patients using endoscopic clips.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopists have used clipping devices to successfully close acute, iatrogenic perforations throughout the gastrointestinal tract. We applied this technology to our bariatric patients, who tend to present with a more delayed anastomotic leak, to determine whether these leaks and fistulae would also heal with endoclip application. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a small series of 2 clinically stable bariatric patients who presented with postoperative anastomotic leaks who met criteria for non-operative therapy. The first underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and presented postoperatively with a leak at her gastrojejunal anastomosis. The location was not amenable to stent placement; therefore, 2 endoclips were placed. The leak was sealed by fluoroscopic examination 14 d later. The second had a reversal of a previous gastric bypass, creating a new gastrogastric anastomosis. A leak was found at this new connection postoperatively. After failure of a stent to seal the leak, 8 endoclips were used. This patient also had successful closure of her leak on fluoroscopy 14 d postprocedure. DISCUSSION: Anastomotic leaks after bariatric surgery can incur severe morbidity, cost, and detriment to patients' quality of life. Unstable patients require operative intervention. Stable patients are candidates for more-conservative measures. Endoscopic stents have been successful in closing gastric leaks, though some are not anatomically amenable to stent placement, and stents also have the potential to migrate distally. We demonstrate 2 cases of successful closure of leaks in bariatric patients by using endoclips and suggest that this be considered an option in appropriate cases.