Safety and efficacy of endoscopic vacuum therapy for the treatment of perforations and anastomotic leaks of the upper gastrointestinal tract. / Eficacia y seguridad de la terapia de vacío endoscópica para el tratamiento de perforaciones y dehiscencias anastomóticas del tracto digestivo superior.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) in the management of perforations and anastomotic leaks of the upper gastrointestinal tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study which included patients who underwent EVT due to any upper gastrointestinal defect between April 2017 and February 2019 in three Spanish Hospitals. To this end, we used the only medical device approved to date for endoscopic use (Eso-SPONGEr; B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany). RESULTS: 11 patients were referred for EVT of an anastomotic leak after esophagectomy (n=7), gastrectomy (n=2), esophageal perforation secondary to endoscopic Zenker's septomiotomy (n=1) and Boerhaave syndrome (n=1). The median size of the cavity was 8×3cm. The median delay between surgery and EVT was 7 days. The median of EVT duration was 28 days. The median number of sponges used was 7 and the mean period replacement was 3.7 days. In 10 cases (91%), the defect was successfully closed. In 9 cases (82%) clinical resolution of the septic condition was achieved. 5 patients presented some adverse event: 3 anastomotic strictures, 1 retropharyngeal pain and 1 case of new-onset pneumonia. The median hospital stay from the start of EVT was 45 days. 1 patient died owing to septic complications secondary to the anastomotic leak. CONCLUSION: EVT was successful in over 90% of perforations and anastomotic leaks of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, this is a safe therapy with only mild adverse events associated.

Manejo de un sangrado por úlcera posligadura de várices esofágicas mediante prótesis metálica autoexpandible: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Management of a Bleeding Ulcer by Post-esophageal Ligation of Varices with Self Expanding metal Stents: Case Report and Literature Review

Los inicios del manejo del sangrado variceal con compresión directa datan de 1930 por Westphal y colaboradores. Después, en 1950, se desarrolló el balón de Sengstaken-Blakemore, definido por Panes y colaboradores como la primera línea de terapia; en 1980, a nivel de várices esofágicas y en várices gástricas, se empleaba el balón de Linton-Nachlass (1, 2). Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente con cirrosis hepática por hepatitis C, Child B, con várices esofágicas, a las cuales se les realizó ligadura en dos ocasiones por sangrado y en la segunda ocasión por inminencia de ruptura, esta última llevada a cabo dos semanas antes del evento. El paciente muestra un cuadro clínico compatible con hemorragia de vías digestivas altas masiva, con evidencia endoscópica de úlcera esofágica sangrante que no mejora con terlipresina, ni escleroterapia con adrenalina, ni compresión local con balón de acalasia. En consecuencia, como terapia de rescate se decide colocar un stent esofágico metálico autoexpandible parcialmente recubierto (por no contar con totalmente recubierto en el momento), con control parcial del sangrado. Es recomendable el uso del stent como terapia de rescate para el sangrado por várices esofágicas refractarias. Debe emplearse el diseñado especialmente para esta indicación (SX-Ella Danis), como un puente para poder estabilizar al paciente y realizar una terapia definitiva como la TIPS, tal cual como se procedió en un nuestro paciente.

Early treatment of bleeding varices with direct compression dates from the work by Westphal et al. in 1930. Later in 1950, Sengstaken-Blakemore developed their balloon which Panes and collaborators defined as the first line of therapy for esophageal varices in 1980 while they used the Linton-Nachlass balloon for gastric varices (1, 2). This study presents the clinical case of a patient with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C, (Child B) with esophageal varices which were ligated on two different occasions because of bleeding. On the second occasion a rupture was imminent and ligation occurred two weeks prior to the event. The patient presented a clinical picture compatible with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding with endoscopic evidence of a bleeding esophageal ulcer that did not improve with terlipressin, sclerotherapy with adrenaline, or balloon dilatation. Consequently, it was to use a partially covered self-expanding metal esophageal stent for salvage therapy since a completely covered stent was not available at that time. Stenting achieved partial control of bleeding. We recommend the use of stenting with a stent specifically designed for this indication (SX-Ella Danis) as salvage therapy for refractory bleeding from esophageal varices. The stent can be used as a bridge to stabilize the patient in order to perform TIPS as the definitive treatment, as in the case of our patient.

Reporte de caso: fístula traqueoesofágica e insuficiencia respiratoria tardía post stent metálico autoexpandible en esófago. Tratamiento con stent traqueal de Dumon / Case report: Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Respiratory Failure After the Placement of an Esophageal Metallic stent. Treatment Using a Dumon Stent

En los últimos años se ha presentado un gran avance tecnológico en el tratamiento endoscópico de pacientes con carcinoma inoperable, lo que permitió mejorar ostensiblemente la calidad de vida de muchos pacientes. Sin embargo, también se han observado nuevos síndromes clínicos relacionados con la utilización de estos recursos, por ejemplo, los stent esofágicos son una herramienta muy valiosa en el tratamiento paliativo de pacientes con carcinoma esofágico, pero infortunadamente no están exentos de complicaciones, sobre todo los nuevos dispositivos metálicos autoexpandibles. Las fuerzas radiales generadas por estos, frecuentemente producen compresión extrínseca traqueal e insuficiencia respiratoria. Presentamos un caso de insuficiencia respiratoria y hemoptisis secundarias a la colocación de un stent esofágico autoexpandible y el tratamiento de esta complicación con un stent de Dumon.

We have seen major technological advances in the endoscopic treatment of patients with inoperable cancer in the past years. This situation has allowed improve the quality of life of many patients, but we have also seen new clinical syndromes associated with the use of these resources. For example, esophagic stents are invaluable tools in the palliative treatment of patients with esophageal cancer, but unfortunately these are not free of complications, especially the new self-expandable metallic stents. Metallic stents produce enormous radial forces and these devices may develop extrinsic tracheal compression with progressive respiratory failure. We present a case of respiratory distress and hemoptysis secondary to the placement of a self-expanding esophageal stent and treatment of this complication with Dumon stent.

Reporte de caso: fístula traqueoesofágica e insuficiencia respiratoria tardía post stent metálico autoexpandible en esófago. Tratamiento con stent traqueal de Dumon

En los últimos años se ha presentado un gran avance tecnológico en el tratamiento endoscópico de pacientes con carcinoma inoperable, lo que permitió mejorar ostensiblemente la calidad de vida de muchos pacientes. Sin embargo, también se han observado nuevos síndromes clínicos relacionados con la utilización de estos recursos, por ejemplo, los stent esofágicos son una herramienta muy valiosa en el tratamiento paliativo de pacientes con carcinoma esofágico, pero infortunadamente no están exentos de complicaciones, sobre todo los nuevos dispositivos metálicos autoexpandibles. Las fuerzas radiales generadas por estos, frecuentemente producen compresión extrínseca traqueal e insuficiencia respiratoria. Presentamos un caso de insuficiencia respiratoria y hemoptisis secundarias a la colocación de un stent esofágico autoexpandible y el tratamiento de esta complicación con un stent de Dumon.(AU)

We have seen major technological advances in the endoscopic treatment of patients with inoperable cancer in the past years. This situation has allowed improve the quality of life of many patients, but we have also seen new clinical syndromes associated with the use of these resources. For example, esophagic stents are invaluable tools in the palliative treatment of patients with esophageal cancer, but unfortunately these are not free of complications, especially the new self-expandable metallic stents. Metallic stents produce enormous radial forces and these devices may develop extrinsic tracheal compression with progressive respiratory failure. We present a case of respiratory distress and hemoptysis secondary to the placement of a self-expanding esophageal stent and treatment of this complication with Dumon stent.(AU)