332. NO NEED FOR A SPONGE! ENDOLUMINAL VACUUM THERAPY WITH A SIMPLE FENESTRATED SURGICAL DRAIN FOR MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN OESOPHAGEAL PERFORATIONS

Abstract

Abstract Background Conventional endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) uses a sponge and can be an effective technique for management of benign esophageal perforations. We describe a unique method of positioning a simple fenestrated surgical drain with applied vacuum suction at or through the site of perforation. We aimed to see whether this was a safe and effective management approach for benign esophageal perforations whilst reducing the frequency and need for general anaesthetic (GA) based endoscopic exchanges. Methods A retrospective case-series was performed on consecutive patients with benign esophageal perforations from 2019 to 2023 at a tertiary hospital in the United Kingdom. Included patients had undergone initial management of benign esophageal perforation with EVT and fenestrated surgical drain. The drain was either placed in an intraluminal or intracavitary position depending on the size of perforation. Primary outcome assessed was complete epithelialisation of the fistulous orifice with EVT. Secondary outcomes included: 90-day mortality, Length of Stay (LOS), re-operation, complications, percentage of EVT procedures under GA, duration of EVT and interval between endoscopic exchanges. Results Seven patients met inclusion criteria (median age: 66 (23–79) years). In four instances aetiology of perforation was iatrogenic from gastroscopic procedures with remaining cases due to Boerhaave’s syndrome, foreign body ingestion and benign ulceration. Six patients achieved full healing of perforation with EVT, with one patient requiring oesophageal stenting. There was 0%, 90-day mortality and two patients underwent re-operation for thoracic drainage procedures. Median LOS was 22 days and mean duration of EVT was 14 days. Patients underwent on average 2.6 gastroscopies during admission, 75% of which were performed without GA. The mean interval between EVT repositioning/exchange was 8 days. Conclusion EVT with a surgical drain achieved complete healing in all but one case of benign esophageal perforation. In contrast to EVT with sponge it can be performed without GA and with a longer duration between drain exchanges and gastroscopies. Additionally, as the same drain can be used for the duration of therapy it may reduce material cost. Further studies should perform prospective and direct comparisons with alternative EVT strategies for benign esophageal perforations.