PS02.028: RESULTS OF ENDOSCOPIC VACCUM-ASSISTED CLOSURE THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE LEAKAGE AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract

Abstract Background Postoperative leakage after esophagectomy is associated with significant life-threatening complications. Recently, endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (E-VAC) has been introduced and successfully used as a new treatment option. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the E-VAC for the management of postoperative leakage. Methods A total of 22 patients were treated with either intraluminal or intracavitary E-VAC therapy for the management of postoperative leakage from May 2012 to April 2018. The location of leakage was intrathoracic in 17 patients, and cervical in 5. The size of defects was small (< 1 cm) in 8 patients, moderate (1∼2 cm) in 6, and large (> 2 cm) in 5. Outcomes of E-VAC therapy were analyzed retrospectively. Results Complete closure of postoperative leakage was achieved in 19 of 22 patients. The location and size of defects did not affect the success of VAC therapy (all P < 0.05, respectively). The median duration of E-VAC application was 14 days (range 2∼103), and a median of 3 E-VAC systems (range, 1∼14) were used. In 19 patients who were successfully treated with E-VAC, oral feeding was possible on median 15 days after the first day of treatment. There was no mortality related with postoperative leakage. Conclusion E-VAC might be a well-tolerated and effective therapeutic option for the treatment of various postoperative leakage after esophagectomy. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.