Endoscopic Treatment of Postgastrectomy Duodenal Fistula With an Over-the-Scope Clip

Abstract

Bleeding peptic ulcer is a life threatening condition with high mortality rate but often treatable by endoscopy. Surgical indications in case of gastroduodenal ulcers are confined to endoscopic and radiological failures in bleeding control. Duodenal fistula (DF) is a rare complication of gastric resection and even if a rare event it may be a life threatening condition. Surgical and medical options could not solve the DF. Herein we report a case of an old patient underwent emergency gastrectomy for ulcer's bleeding who developed DF associated to sepsis, malnutrition and, hydro-electrolyte disorders not responding to surgical and medical attempts. We demonstrated, for the first time, the efficacy of over the scope clips (OTSC®) in the treatment of postoperative duodenal fistulas not responding to surgical and medical treatment in high risk patient.