Endoscopic internal drainage by double pigtail stents in the management of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy leaks

Management of Gastric Leak after Sleeve Gastrectomy: A 13-year Experience in a Tertiary Referral Center

INTRODUCTION

The main complication of sleeve gastrectomy remains fistula formation. Studies have mainly focused on the endoscopic management of fistulas, and surgery is reserved for cases of hemodynamic instability or treatment failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management of gastric leak after sleeve gastrectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients managed for gastric leaks after sleeve gastrectomy in our center. Healing was defined as resumed oral intake without inflammatory syndrome or the presence of drainage material.

RESULTS

From 2009 to 2022, 43 patients were managed in our center for gastric leak after sleeve gastrectomy. Among them, 21 patients were referred from other centers. In 86% of cases, the gastric leak developed within the first 15 days. It was located at the proximal staple line in 84% of cases. Associated stenosis or twisting was observed in 18% of cases. Surgical treatment alone was used in 32% of patients, while 59% received combined management. Only 3 patients (6.8%) were managed exclusively by endoscopy. The overall healing rate was 91%, with a median healing time of 89 days.

CONCLUSION

The management of gastric leaks after sleeve gastrectomy depends on their location and clinical presentation and should not be limited to a solely endoscopic or surgical approach. Our study demonstrates that surgical intervention alone may be sufficient in 30% of cases. However, for most patients, a multidisciplinary approach in a referral center is recommended.

Endoscopic management of complications after sleeve gastrectomy: a narrative review

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most widely performed bariatric procedure globally due to its technical simplicity and proven efficacy. However, complications following SG, including bleeding, leakage, fistulas, stenosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hiatal hernia (HH), remain a significant concern. Endoscopic interventions have emerged as valuable minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgical approaches for managing these complications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the endoscopic management strategies available for addressing the various complications encountered after SG, emphasizing their critical role in optimizing patient outcomes.

New Endoscopic Devices and Techniques for the Management of Post-Sleeve Gastrectomy Fistula and Gastric Band Migration

Post-sleeve gastrectomy fistulas are a rare but possibly severe life-threatening complication. Besides early reoperation and drainage, endoscopy is the main treatment option. According to the clinical setting, endoscopic treatment options comprise stent or clip placement. New endoscopic therapies have recently gained attention, including endoscopic vacuum therapy, VacStent therapy, endoscopic internal drainage with pigtail stents, endoscopic suturing and stem cell injection. In this narrative review, we shed light on recent literature, developments, indications and contraindications of these treatments. Intragastric gastric band migration is a rare complication after gastric band positioning. Reoperation can sometimes be difficult, especially when a gastric band has already migrated far into the stomach. Endoscopic retrieval can be a valid, non-invasive therapeutic solution. We reviewed the current literature on this matter.

Endoscopic Management of Post-Sleeve Gastrectomy Complications

Obesity is associated with several chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and malignancy. Bariatric surgery, most commonly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, is an effective treatment modality for obesity and can improve associated comorbidities. Over the last 20 years, there has been an increase in the rate of bariatric surgeries associated with the growing obesity epidemic. Sleeve gastrectomy is the most widely performed bariatric surgery currently, and while it serves as a durable option for some patients, it is important to note that several complications, including sleeve leak, stenosis, chronic fistula, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, may occur. Endoscopic methods to manage post-sleeve gastrectomy complications are often considered due to the risks associated with a reoperation, and endoscopy plays a significant role in the diagnosis and management of post-sleeve gastrectomy complications. We perform a detailed review of the current endoscopic management of post-sleeve gastrectomy complications.

Endoscopic Intervention for Anastomotic Leakage After Gastrectomy

Anastomotic leaks and fistulas are significant complications of gastric surgery that potentially lead to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. Surgical intervention is reserved for cases with severe symptoms or hemodynamic instability; however, surgery carries a higher risk of complications. With advancements in endoscopic treatment options, endoscopic approaches have emerged as the primary choice for managing these complications. Endoscopic clipping is a traditional method comprising 2 main categories: through-the-scope clips and over-the-scope clips. Through-the-scope clips are user friendly and adaptable to various clinical scenarios, whereas over-the-scope clips can close larger defects. Another promising approach is endoscopic stent insertion, which has shown a high success rate for leak closure, although vigilant monitoring is required to monitor stent migration. Infection control is essential in post-surgical leakage cases, and endoscopic internal drainage provides a relatively safe and noninvasive means to manage fluids, contributing to infection control and wound healing promotion. Endoscopic suturing offers full-thickness wound closure, but requires additional training and endoscopic versatility. As a promising tool, endoscopic vacuum therapy potentially surpasses stent therapy by draining inflammatory materials and closing defects. Furthermore, the use of tissue sealants, such as fibrin glue and cyanoacrylate, has been reported to be effective in selected situations. The choice of endoscopic device should be tailored to individual cases and specific patient conditions, with careful consideration of the nature of the defect. Further extensive studies involving larger patient populations are required to provide more robust evidence on the efficacy of endoscopic approach in managing post-gastric anastomotic leaks.

Endoscopic Management of Postoperative Esophageal and Upper GI Defects-A Narrative Review

Anastomotic defects are deleterious complications after either oncologic or bariatric surgery, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Besides surgical revision in early stages or instable patients, endoscopic treatment has become the mainstay. To date, many options for endoscopic treatment in this setting exist, including fully covered metal stent placement, endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT), endoscopic internal drainage with pigtail placement (EID), leak closure with through the scope or over the scope clips, endoluminal suturing, fibrin glue sealing and a combination of all these techniques. Current evidence is mostly based on retrospective single and multicenter studies. No guidelines exist in this important field. Treatment options have to be chosen upon each case individually, taking into account clinical and anatomic criteria, such as timing, size, infectious wound complications and hemodynamic stability. Local expertise and availability of treatment devices need to be taken into account whenever choosing a treatment strategy. This review aimed to present current treatment options in terms of effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages in order to guide the clinician for his decision making. Additionally, we aimed to provide a treatment algorithm.

Diagnosis and Management of Postoperative Complications After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has demonstrated excellent outcomes in terms of weight loss and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities as a single procedure. It has gained rapidly increasing popularity among bariatric surgeons and patients over the last two decades. This is due to its relative ease of use and less frequent morbidities related to the procedure. Even though the overall complication rate after SG is reported to be lower than conventional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion, it still affects 1-10% of the patients undergoing SG, which is not negligible. Early postoperative complications that can occur within 30 days after SG include hemorrhage, leakage, sleeve stenosis, and reflux. Thromboembolic events are rare but can occur after surgery. Here, we review the incidence, diagnosis, and management of these early postoperative complications.

Personalized Health Care Technology in Managing Postoperative Gastrointestinal Surgery Complications: Proof of Concept Study

Background: Advances in three-dimensional (3D) printing technology have allowed the development of customized medical devices. Endoscopic internal drainage (EID) is a novel method to facilitate drainage of an abscess cavity into the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract by placing a double pigtail biliary stent through the fistula opening, originally designed for biliary drainage. They are available in manufacture-determined sizes and shapes. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of 3D printing personalized internal drainage stents for the treatment of leaks following gastrointestinal surgery over a sequential period. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients who underwent gastrointestinal anastomotic surgery complicated by postoperative leaks and underwent serial EID for treatment. Computerized Tomography scans were reviewed over a period of time, abscess cavity dimensions and characterizations were evaluated, and 3D reconstructions were obtained. The stents were designed, their shape and size were customized to the unique dimensions of the abscess and lumen of the patient. Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technique was used to produce the stents. Results: A total of 8 stents were produced, representing 3 patients. These stents corresponded to 2 or 3 stents per patients. Each patient underwent several endoscopic treatments, before resolution of leak. Conclusions: Customized stents may improve drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses after gastrointestinal surgery, if based on unique anatomy. This proof-of-concept study is a real-world application of personalized health care, which introduces the novel description of customizable 3D printed stents to manage complications following gastrointestinal surgery and may advance therapy for this complex clinical condition. Research Ethics Committees (REC) number is A-2021-012.

Nutritional Support and Duration of Drainage Recommendations for Endoscopic Internal Drainage: Review of the Literature and Initial Experience

INTRODUCTION

Anastomotic leaks following foregut surgery pose a difficult scenario for surgeons. While definitive surgical options are more invasive and may result in diversion requiring subsequent surgeries, endoscopic management of these leaks has been shown to work as an alternative platform for management. An evolving option is endoscopic internal drainage. We have reviewed our experience using endoscopic internal drainage and report our outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An institution review board approved prospectively gathered database was used to identify all patients undergoing endoscopic internal drainage following esophageal and gastric leaks. Patient demographics, sentinel operation causing the leak, and outcomes of therapy were collected. The rate of healing and complications with the drainage catheter in place were the primary endpoints.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were identified (5 male, 11 female) that underwent endoscopic internal drainage with a mean age of 48 and mean BMI of 30.8. Overall success rate was 69% (11/16), where 4 patients required a definitive surgery, and one healed with endoluminal vacuum therapy. Of the 4 failures, 1 patient required esophagojejunostomy, 2 patients required a fistulojejunostomy, and one required a partial gastrectomy. A total of 12 patients (75%) had a prior endoscopic procedure that was unsuccessful. The mean duration of drainage catheter in place was 48 days. While the catheter was in place, 4 patients were allowed minimal PO intake in conjunction with total parenteral nutrition or tube feeds. The rest of the patients were strict NPO with other means of nutrition. There were no complications with the drainage catheters and no deaths.

CONCLUSION

Leaks following esophagogastric surgery are difficult to manage; however, endoscopic internal drainage has been shown to be effective. Duration of the technique should be around 6 to 8 weeks with nutritional support guided by the comfort of the managing clinician.

Vacuum Therapy and Internal Drainage as the First-Line Endoscopic Treatment for Post-Bariatric Leaks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction

Several endoscopic methods can be employed to manage post-bariatric leaks. However, endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) and endoscopic internal drainage (EID) are relatively new methods, and studies regarding these methods are scarce. We performed a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of EVT and EID.

Methods

Databases were searched for eligible studies. The clinical success of leak closure was the primary outcome of interest. A proportional meta-analysis was performed for pooling the primary outcome using a fixed-effects model. A meta-analysis or descriptive analysis of other outcomes was performed based on the data availability.

Results

Data from 3 EVT and 10 EID studies (n = 279) were used for evidence synthesis. The leak closure rates (95% confidence interval [CI]) of EVT and EID were 85.2% (75.1%-95.4%) and 91.6% (88.1%-95.2%), respectively. The corresponding mean treatment durations (95% CI) were 28 (2.4-53.6) and 78.4 (50.1-106.7) days, respectively. However, data about other outcomes were extremely limited; thus, a pooled analysis could not be performed.

Conclusions

Both EVT and EID were effective when used as the first-line treatment for post-bariatric leaks. However, larger studies must be conducted to compare the efficacy of the 2 interventions.

Endoscopic internal drainage using transmural double-pigtail stents in leaks following upper gastrointestinal tract surgery

INTRODUCTION

different endoscopic procedures have been proposed for the management of surgical leaks. Endoscopic internal drainage using trans-fistulary double-pigtail plastic stents has emerged as an alternative strategy, especially in fistulae presenting after laparoscopic gastric sleeve.

METHODS

a retrospective case series was performed at a single tertiary care center including all upper gastrointestinal post-surgical leaks primarily managed with endoscopic trans-fistulary insertion of double-pigtail plastic stents. Clinical success was defined as the absence of extravasation of oral radiographic contrast and radiological resolution of the collection with adequate oral intake Results: nine patients were included, six (66.6 %) females with a median age of 52.6 years (IQR 47-60). Five cases presented after laparoscopic gastric sleeve, two cases after distal esophagectomies, one after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and another one after a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Fistulae measured < 10 mm in five patients (55.6 %) and 10-20 mm in four patients (44.4 %). Six were early leaks. Technical and clinical success was achieved in nine (100 %) and seven (77.8 %) cases, respectively. Seven (77.8 %) patients required ≤ 3 endoscopic procedures. The median hospital stay after the first endoscopic procedure was 12 days (IQR 6.5-17.5 days), while the overall median time until leak healing was 118.5 days (IQR 84.5-170). One patient with a post-esophagectomy intrathoracic leak developed an esophageal-tracheal fistula 37 days after stent deployment.

CONCLUSIONS

our results support the use of endoscopic internal drainage in postsurgical abdominal leaks, regardless of the type of surgery. Although only two patients with intrathoracic dehiscence were included.

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.

A Gastrobronchial Fistula Secondary to Endoscopic Internal Drainage of a Post-Sleeve Gastrectomy Fluid Collection

A 44-year-old woman underwent sleeve gastrectomy, which was complicated by a leak. She was treated with two sessions of endoscopic internal drainage using plastic double-pigtail stents. Her clinical evolution was favorable, but four months after the initial stent placement, she became symptomatic, and a gastrobronchial fistula with the proximal end of the stents invading the diaphragm was diagnosed. She was treated with antibiotics, plastic stents were removed, and a partially covered metallic esophageal stent was placed. Eleven weeks later, the esophageal stent was removed with no evidence of fistula. Inappropriate stent size, position, stenting duration, and persistence of low-grade inflammation could explain the patient's symptoms and provide a mechanism for gradual muscle rupture and fistula formation. Although endoscopic internal drainage is usually safe and effective for the management of post-laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy leaks, close clinical and radiological follow-up is mandatory.

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.

Laparoscopic revision to total gastrectomy or fistulo-jejunostomy as a definitive surgical procedure for chronic gastric fistula after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Staple-line leaks (SLL) after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are a rare but serious complication requiring radiologic and endoscopic interventions with varying degrees of success. When failed, a chronic gastrocutaneous fistula forms with decreasing chances of closure with time. Definitive surgical management of chronic SLL after SG include laparoscopic revision to total/subtotal gastrectomy (LTG/LSTG) or a fistulo-jejunostomy (LRYFJ), both with Roux-en-Y reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES

Comparison of SG revisions to LTG/LSTG versus LRYFJ as a definitive treatment for chronic SLL.

SETTING

High-volume bariatric unit.

METHODS

Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified 17 patients with chronic gastric fistula after SG that were revised to either LTG/LSTG or LRYFJ between September 2011 and May 2020. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, quality of life, and laboratory values for both options were compared.

RESULTS

Of the 17 conversions, 8 were revised to LTG/LSTG and 9 to LRYFJ. Mean age and body mass index at revision were 36.85 years (range, 21-66 yr) and 29 kg/m² (range, 21-36 kg/m²), respectively. Average preoperative endoscopic attempts was 5 (range, 1-16). The overall average operation time of revision was 183 minutes (range, 130-275 min) with no significant difference between either conversion options. Mean follow-up time was 46.5 months (range, 1-81 mo) and was available for 10 patients (58.8%). Food intolerance was significantly better after revision to LRYFJ (n = 6/6, 100% versus n = 1/5, 20%, P < .05). There were no significant differences between revisional procedures and laboratory abnormalities.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic revision to LRYFJ is a safe and feasible treatment for chronic SLL.