<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the
efficacy of over-the-scope
clip (OTSC) in the
treatment of gastrointestinal
fistula.</p><p><b>
METHODS</b>Clinical data of 12 gastrointestinal
fistula patients, including 3 internal
fistula and 9
external fistula treated with OTSC in our institute from March 2015 to May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. OTSC was performed when
pus was drained thoroughly and
intra-abdominal infection around gastrointestinal
fistula was controlled, and each
patient received one
clip to close
fistula.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 6
female and 6
male patients with mean age of (50.1±12.6) years. The successful rate of endoscopic closure was 100% without
complications including
bleeding and
intestinal obstruction during and after OTSC
treatment. According to comprehensive evaluation, including
drainage without digestive
juices, no
recurrence of
intra-abdominal infection, no overflow of contrast medium during
digestive tract radiography, and CT examination without
intra-abdominal abscess, clinical gastrointestinal
fistula closure was 91.7%(11/12). There was no
recurrence of gastrointestinal
fistula during 3 months of follow-up in 11
patients. In the remaining 1 case, the
gastric fistula after laparoscopic sleeve
gastrectomy recurred one week after OTSC
treatment because of
intra-abdominal infection surrounding
fistula, and was cured by
surgery finally.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The endoscopic closure
treatment of OTSC for gastrointestinal
fistula is successful and effective, and control of
intra-abdominal infection around
fistula with adequate
drainage is the key point.</p>