Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) for duodenal leakage - novel repair technique using open-pore film (OFD) and polyurethane-foam drainages (OPD).

Background and study aims Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) is used to close transmural defects in the rectum and esophagus. Very few reports have described ENPT to manage duodenal defects. This study was designed to demonstrate ENPT in a population of 11 patients with transmural duodenal leakages. Patients and methods The method of ENPT was adapted for duodenal use. Open-pore polyurethane-foam or a thin, open-pore double-layered film was wrapped around the distal end of a gastroduodenal tube. First, this open-pore element was placed on the inner wound in the duodenum with endoscopy. Second, continuous negative pressure of -125 mmHg was applied with an electronic pump. Drains were changed after 2 to 7 days. Results Eleven patients were treated with duodenal leaks. Eight defects occurred after operative closure of perforated duodenal ulcers, papillectomy or stricturoplasty, one anastomotic leakage after Billroth - 1 distal gastric resection, one iatrogenic perforation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and one by a surgical drain. Median duration of therapy was 11 days (range 7 - 24 days). Complete healing of defects was achieved in all patients. Conclusion ENPT is an innovative endoscopic alternative for treatment of transmural duodenal defects.

Open-pore film drainage (OFD): a new multipurpose tool for endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT).

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) has been developed to treat gastrointestinal leakages. Up to now, ENPT has usually been performed with open-pore polyurethane foam drains (OPD). A big disadvantage of the OPDs is their large diameter. We have developed a new, small-bore open-pore film drainage (OFD). Herein we report our first experience in a case series of 16 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: OFD is constructed with a drainage tube and a very thin double-layered open-pore drainage film (Suprasorb CNP, Drainage Film, Lohmann & Rauscher International, Germany). The distal end of the tube is wrapped with only one layer of film. OFD is placed into the gastrointestinal leakage site with common endoscopic techniques. The tube is connected to an electronic vacuum device and continuous negative pressure of -125 mmHg applied. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2016, 16 patients were treated with the new OFD device. In 10 patients, transmural intestinal defects (4 esophageal, 4 rectum/colon, 1 duodenal, 1 pancreatic cyst) were closed with ENPT in median time of 12 days (range 3 - 34 days). Five of the 10 patients were treated solely with OFD devices. In five patients ENPT started with ODP and changed to OFD when the cavity was shrunken to a channel with a small opening. In four patients postoperative gastric reflux was eliminated for 5 to 16 days. CONCLUSIONS: Small-bore OFD opens up promising new treatment options within ENPT. OFD can be used in endoscopic closure management of intestinal leakages in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Gastric reflux can be eliminated in an active manner. OFD can be inserted nasally. OFD may be an adequate substitute for OPD, especially when placement of the larger OPD is difficult.

Iatrogenic perforation of esophagus successfully treated with Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy (EVT).

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy (EVT) has been reported as a novel treatment option for esophageal leakage. We present our results in the treatment of iatrogenic perforation with EVT in a case series of 10 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An open pore polyurethane drainage was placed either intracavitary through the perforation defect or intraluminal covering the defect zone. Application of vacuum suction with an electronic device (continuous negative pressure, -125 mmHg) resulted in defect closure and internal drainage. RESULTS: Esophageal perforations were located from the cricopharyngeus (4/10) to the esophagogastric junction (2/10). EVT was feasible in all patients. Eight patients were treated with intraluminal EVT, one with intracavitary EVT, and one with both types of treatments. All perforations (100 %) were healed in within a median of (3 - 7) days. No stenosis occurred, no complications were observed, and no additional operative treatment was necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that intraluminal EVT will play an important role in endoscopic management of esophageal perforation.

Endoscopic vacuum therapy of anastomotic leakage and iatrogenic perforation in the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: The management of anastomotic leakage and iatrogenic esophageal perforation has shifted over recent decades from aggressive surgery to conservative and, recently, endoscopic therapy alternatives. The authors present their results for endoscopic vacuum therapy used to treat both entities. METHODS: In the authors' institution, 17 cases of anastomotic leakage and 7 cases of iatrogenic perforation due to interventional endoscopy or rigid panendoscopy with either intraluminal or intracavitary endoscopic vacuum therapy were treated. RESULTS: In 23 of 24 cases, the endoscopic treatment was successful. The median duration of therapy was 11 days (range, 4-46 days). All 7 cases of iatrogenic perforation and 16 of 17 anastomotic leakage cases were cured after a median therapy duration of 5 and 12 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic vacuum therapy is applicable for a wide range of esophageal defects. In the authors' experience, it has seemed to be the best choice for iatrogenic perforations and has been a potent supplement in the management of anastomotic leakages.

Endoscopic vacuum sponge therapy for esophageal defects.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic insufficiency in esophageal anastomosis and esophageal defects of other etiology are very severe complications. For anastomotic insufficiency in the rectum, endoscopic vacuum therapy has already been used successfully. The authors used vacuum therapy for anastomotic defects and other lesions of the esophagus. METHODS: Between November 2006 and September 2009, 10 patients (5 men and 5 women, ages 46-82 years) were treated with endoscopic vacuum sponge therapy for anastomotic insufficiency secondary to esophagectomy or gastrectomy (n = 5), iatrogenic esophageal perforation (n = 2), esophageal wall necrosis (n = 1), Boerhaave's syndrome (n = 1), and perforation of esophageal cancer (n = 1). RESULTS: After one to seven changes of the sponge at intervals of 2-7 days and a mean therapy duration of 12 days, the defects were healed in all the surviving patients. During treatment, the patients were fed via an intestinal tube or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), or enterally past the sponge. One patient died of intercurrent severe colitis. In three cases, a revision laparotomy was necessary at the beginning of treatment. No postinterventional stricture or functional relevant scar formation was observed during a follow-up period of 10-380 days after termination of the vacuum therapy. CONCLUSION: Esophageal anastomotic insufficiency and esophageal wall defects of other causes can be treated successfully with endoscopic vacuum sponge therapy.