Endoscopy management of sleeve gastrectomy stenosis: what we learned from 202 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Gastric sleeve stenosis (GSS) is described in 1%-4% of patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of endoscopy in the management of stenosis after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy using a standardized approach according to the characteristic of stenosis. SETTING: Retrospective, observational, single-center study on patients referred from several bariatric surgery departments to an endoscopic referral center. METHODS: We enrolled 202 patients. All patients underwent endoscopy in a fluoroscopy setting, and a systematic classification of the type, site, and length of the GSS was performed. According to the characteristics of the stenosis, patients underwent pneumatic dilatation or placement of a self-expandable metal stent or a lumen-apposed metal stent. Failure of endoscopic treatment was considered an indication for redo surgery, whereas patients with partial or complete response were followed up for 2 years. In the event of a recurrence, a different endoscopic approach was used. RESULTS: We found inflammatory strictures in 4.5% of patients, pure narrowing in 11%, and functional stenosis in 84.5%. Stenosis was in the upper tract of the stomach in 53 patients, whereas medium and distal stenosis was detected in 138 and 11 patients, respectively, and short stenosis in 194 patients. A total of 126 patients underwent pneumatic dilatation, 8 self-expandable metal stent placement, 64 lumen-apposed metal stent positioning, and 36 combined therapy. The overall rate of endoscopy success was 69%. CONCLUSION: GSS should be considered to be a chronic disease, and the endoscopic approach seems to be the most successful treatment, with a prolonged positive outcome of 69%. Characteristics of the stenosis should guide the most suitable endoscopic approach.

Endoscopic Management of Bariatric Surgery Complications According to a Standardized Algorithm.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopy is effective in management of bariatric surgery (BS) adverse events (AEs) but a comprehensive evaluation of long-term results is lacking. Our aim is to assess the effectiveness of a standardized algorithm for the treatment of BS-AE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1020 consecutive patients treated in our center from 2012 to 2020, collecting data on demographics, type of BS, complications, and endoscopic treatment. Clinical success (CS) was evaluated considering referral delay, healing time, surgery, and complications type. Logistic regression was performed to identify variables of CS. RESULTS: In the study period, we treated 339 fistulae (33.2%), 324 leaks (31.8%), 198 post-sleeve gastrectomy twist/stenosis (19.4%), 95 post-RYGB stenosis (9.3 %), 37 collections (3.6%), 15 LAGB migrations (1.5%), 7 weight regains (0.7%), and 2 hemorrhages (0.2%). Main endoscopic treatments were as follows: pigtail-stent positioning under endoscopic view for both leaks (CS 86.1%) and fistulas (CS 77.2%), or under EUS-guidance for collections (CS 88.2%); dilations and/or stent positioning for sleeve twist/stenosis (CS 80.6%) and bypass stenosis (CS 81.5%). After a median (IQR) follow-up of 18.5 months (4.29-38.68), complications rate was 1.9%. We found a 1% increased risk of redo-surgery every 10 days of delay to the first endoscopic treatment. Endoscopically treated patients had a more frequent regular diet compared to re-operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of BS-AEs following a standardized algorithm is safe and effective. Early endoscopic treatment is associated with an increased CS rate.

Endoscopic internal drainage for the management of leak, fistula, and collection after sleeve gastrectomy: our experience in 617 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy plays a pivotal role in the management of adverse events (AE) following bariatric surgery. Leaks, fistulae, and post-operative collection after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) may occur in up to 10% of cases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic internal drainage (EID) for the management of leak, fistula, and collection following SG. SETTING: Retrospective, observational, single center study on patients referred from several bariatric surgery departments to an endoscopic referral center. METHODS: EID was used as first-line treatment for the management of leaks, fistulae, and collections. Leaks and fistulae were treated with double pigtail stent (DPS) deployment in order to guarantee internal drainage and second intention cavity obliteration. Collections were treated with endoscropic ultrasound (EUS)-guided deployment of DPS or lumen apposing metal stents. RESULTS: A total of 617 patients (83.3% female; mean age, 43.1 yr) were enrolled in the study for leak (n = 300, 48.6%), fistula (n = 285, 46.2%), and collection (n = 32, 5.2%). Median follow-up was 19.5 months. Overall clinical success was 84.7% whereas 15.3% of cases required revisional surgery after EID failure. Clinical success according to type of AE was 89.5%, 78.5%, and 90% for leak, fistula, and collection, respectively. A total of 10 of 547 (1.8%) presented a recurrence during follow-up. A total of 28 (4.5%) AE related to the endoscopic treatment occurred. At univariate logistic regression predictors of failure were: fistula (OR 2.012), combined endoscopic approach (OR 2.319), need for emergency surgery (OR 1.755), and previous endoscopic treatment (OR 4.818). CONCLUSION: Early EID for the management of leak, fistula, and post-operative collection after SG seems a safe and effective first-line approach with good long-term results.

Endoscopic Drainage of Intra-Abdominal Collection after Bariatric Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic intra-abdominal collection after bariatric surgery occurs in up to 5% of cases. Surgical, percutaneous, or endoscopic drainage are the feasible approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this video, we show the case report of a 50-year-old woman who underwent to gastric omega bypass on a previous sleeve gastrectomy. After 3 weeks, she presented a well-organized liquid collection just behind the longitudinal staple line of the gastric pouch. No passage of contrast from the gastrointestinal tract to the collection was highlighted. Endoscopic ultrasound drainage approach failed due to tightness of the gastric pouch. Therefore, direct endoscopic drainage was successfully performed using CT scan images as guidance and according to fluoroscopic visualization of the staple line. RESULTS: The patient fully recovered, and she was discharged 48 h after endoscopy with complete normalization of inflammatory markers (CRP and leukocytosis). Upper GI endoscopy has been scheduled in 3 months in order to plan the removal of the stents. CONCLUSIONS: We managed such surgical complication creating a fistula between the gastric remnant and the collection achieving an internal drainage of the intra-abdominal fluid collection. The concept of internally drain any fluid collection with endoscopically delivered double pigtails plastic stents is gaining momentum and has been demonstrated effective in the management of leak following bariatric and upper GI surgery too.

Pneumatic dilation for functional helix stenosis after sleeve gastrectomy: long-term follow-up (with videos).

BACKGROUND: A large number of patients who undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy present with surgical complications. Stenosis, in particular, occurs in .7%-4% of cases. OBJECTIVES: To report our experience, results, and long-term follow-up after pneumatic dilation of late functional helix stenosis after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. SETTING: Multicenter study led by an endoscopic tertiary referral center. METHODS: Thirty-five patients were dilated initially at 30 mm. Thirteen out of 35 patients underwent a second dilation up to 35 mm. Only 8 patients underwent a third pneumatic dilation up to 40 mm. The stricture was localized in the mid-body of the sleeve in 32 patients overall; 3 had narrowing adjacent to the cardia. Eleven twists formed an acute angle between the 2 segments of the stomach, whereas 24 angles were obtuse. Seven out of 35 patients presented with persistent dilated pouch above the twist. Two patients were lost to follow-up. Overall outcome at an average follow-up of 15.5 months after primary surgery (range 7-49 mo) was as follows: 12 clinical failures and 1 technical failure (40%) and 60% (20 out of 33) clinical success. CONCLUSION: Pneumatic dilation of late functional helix stricture is an effective technique for treatment of dysphagia in the majority of patients treated. Complete helix stricture, defined in function of the angle within twist, as well as the presence of a persistently dilated gastric pouch above the kinking, seems to be correlated with higher failure rates.