Abstract
Abstract Background Post-surgical complications such as leaks are the source of considerable morbidity and mortality. Success of conservative interventions is highly variable. Recurrence after surgical repair is also not uncommon. Our aim was to develop novel endoscopic strategies to maximize negative intracavitary pressure to manage leaks in cases where conventional management either failed or were not feasible. Methods We have used transluminal locking loop drains with low intermittent suction in the management of non-healing leaks in various areas. An example presented here illustrates this concept where a 68-year-old male patient underwent paraesophageal hernia repair with Nissen fundoplication. Patient presented 3 weeks later with fistula leading to a 13 cm meditational abscess. Patient developed right hemiparesis requiring tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Post-tPA patient developed hemoptysis and hematemesis requiring emergency intubation. The defect in the esophagus was 6–8 mm. Endoscopic repair with stitching or clipping would have left a large undrained cavity with a potential to expand. Endoscopic repair with transcutaneous drain placement was challenging due to recent tPA and a difficult location. Moreover there was potential to develop esophago- pleural- broncho- cutaneous fistula. Endoscopic vacuum therapy was felt to be a suboptimal choice. Patient was high-risk surgical candidate as it would have required radical surgery in the setting of tPA.Upper endoscopy was performed and the cavity was debrided. No direct communication with bronchopulmonary tree noted. A transnasal guidewire assisted 16 Fr, 60 cm locking loop drain was placed and connected to low intermittent suction that was switched to bulb based suction. Results The output from naso-cavity drain decreased nearly 100 cc per day in the first 5 days and the size reduced by 30, 50 and 80% by day 5, 9 and 12 respectively. Near complete elimination of the cavity was observed on day 15. Esophagogram showed complete resolution of the leak and computerized tomography revealed no residual cavity Conclusion Developing transluminal endoscopic strategies to maximize negative intracavitary pressure helps expedite the healing of resistant postsurgical leaks. This technique avoids the need for frequent drain changes that remains a challenge for vacuum therapy. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
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