Vacuum Therapy Research Articles

392. PLANNING IS THE KEY—ESOPHAGECTOMY WITH COLONIC INTERPOSITION FOLLOWING: WHIPPLE’S, LEFT LOWER LOBECTOMY, RIGHT PLEURECTOMY AND COLONIC SURGERY

Abstract Link to Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wpr3s097g50oadl/Colonic%20interposition%20%28ISDE%20SUBMISSION%29.mp4?dl=0. Description of Video: We report our learnings from a complex surgical case of Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with colonic conduit in a patient who had undergone multiple previous abdominal and thoracic operations. This seventy-two-year-old man was found to have an esophageal adenocarcinoma (T4N0M0) in the distal esophagus with a significant surgical background: Whipple’s procedure for pancreatic cancer; Left lower lobectomy for lung cancer; Right pneumonectomy for recurrent pneumothoraces and a defunctioning stoma for chemotherapy associated anal fistula. To our knowledge, no such case of colonic interposition for esophagectomy has been reported in the literature for a patient with such extensive surgical history. This presented significant surgical and anaesthetic challenges which are explored in the video. Principally the need for extensive planning to anticipate risk and modify procedural steps to account for these accordingly. For example, the operation began with a right thoracotomy, given the possibility that dense adhesions from previous surgery could obstruct safe dissection and subsequently the procedure could be aborted before any critical steps were made. Additionally, we consider the importance of involving other surgical specialities to aid with safe dissection and delineation of anatomy. Each of the key operative steps are described and paired with real-time video footage. Post-operatively we describe how the risk of anastomotic leak given a high-risk anastomosis may be reduced through pre-emptive Endoluminal Vacuum therapy. We also discuss the importance of recognising and managing feculent aspiration pneumonia which is common following this surgery. Discussion of this case and our operative approach would serve to highlight how surgery remains a feasible option for patients despite complex anatomy and surgical history; provided risks are anticipated and appropriately managed.

319. A SUCCESSFUL CASE OF VACUUM-STENT TREATMENT FOR ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY WITH COMPLICATED POST-SURGICAL COURSE

Abstract Background Anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy is associated with severe morbidity. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has gained a greater role in endoscopic treatment of these defects and is most often applied using endoscopically placed vacuum-sponges. Recently, the vacuum-stent was introduced as a new device to apply EVT, combining the benefits of negative pressure wound therapy and an intraluminal stent, while allowing for oral intake of a soft diet. Methods This video describes a patient with anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy with complicated post-surgical course, successfully treated with a vacuum-stent, including the technical aspects of the technique. First, a guidewire was placed and the vacuum-stent was advanced over the guidewire and introduced into the esophagus. The vacuum-stent was placed over the defect and deployed using the distal release system. Lastly, the vacuum-stent was connected to a vacuum pump, which was set to a pressure of -125 mmHg on the day of placement and -75 mmHg from the second day on. Generally, the vacuum-stent was removed after 7 days. If the defect persisted, another vacuum-stent was placed. Case/Results: A 65-year-old female had undergone a minimally invasive esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction and intrathoracic anastomosis. Post-surgically, the patient had dysphagia due to an elongated gastric conduit, only improving after stent placement. However, this caused a stent-induced broncho-esophageal fistula and was no definite treatment. Therefore, she underwent surgery to close the fistula with a bovine patch and gastric conduit re-construction. A prophylactic vacuum-sponge was placed, but 8 days post-surgery, endoscopy showed a dislocated sponge and dehiscence of the complete anastomosis. A vacuum-stent was placed. After 3 vacuum-stents in 20 days, the defect had closed endoscopically, which was confirmed by CT-scan with oral contrast. Conclusions The vacuum-stent seems to be a safe and possibly organ-saving treatment option for anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy. Link to video: https://we.tl/t-eOVEhUiwge

330. PRE-EMPTIVE ENDOLUMINAL VACUUM THERAPY WITH A SURGICAL DRAIN FOR REDUCTION OF ANASTOMOTIC LEAK RATE FOLLOWING MINIMALLY INVASIVE ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract Background Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) is an effective treatment for anastomotic leak (AL) following esophagectomy. A novel application of EVT is to utilise its effect to improve microcirculation and granulation at the anastomosis pre-emptively to reduce the risk of AL. We describe a unique method of positioning a fenestrated surgical drain with applied vacuum suction at the level of the anastomosis following minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), with the aim of reducing AL rate and postoperative morbidity. Methods A retrospective cohort comparison was performed on consecutive MIEs from 2019 to 2023. All operations were performed by experienced esophagogastric surgeons at a tertiary centre in the UK. Included patients were all adults undergoing MIE for esophageal cancer. Patients who underwent pre-emptive EVT (pEVT) with surgical drain following MIE were compared with a control group who underwent MIE alone. All patients followed the same enhanced recovery protocol with pEVT removed two to five days post-operatively. The primary outcome assessed was AL, secondary outcomes included: length of stay (LOS), readmission to Intensive care, complications (Clavien-Dindo) and 90-day mortality with minimum 90-days follow-up. Results 72 patients were included, 25 patients underwent MIE with pEVT compared with 47 in the control. The AL rate in the pEVT group was 8% compared with 21.3% in the control (RRR 62%, p = 0.13). All ALs following pEVT were managed successfully with EVT alone. There was a reduced risk of aspiration pneumonia (RR:0.37, p = 0.22) and readmission to ICU (RR:0.24, p = 0.049) following pEVT. There was 0%, 90-day mortality in both groups and no significant difference in median LOS (7 vs 9 days, p = 0.72 (pEVT vs Control)). However, a higher risk of stricturing following pEVT was noted (RR:3.76, p = 0.04). Conclusion Our data suggests pEVT with a surgical drain may be a safe and effective method of reducing AL rate following MIE. Additionally, it confers the benefit of being an effective treatment for AL should this complication arise. There was significant increase in benign stricturing requiring dilatation following pEVT, however, this may be attributable to other operative factors. Our results support the need for further prospective studies such as a randomised controlled trial.

Long-term follow-up of a cohort with post sleeve gastrectomy leaks: results of endoscopic treatment and salvage surgery.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most performed bariatric procedure worldwide. The most challenging postoperative complication is gastric leak. The objectives of this study are to examine the efficacy and morbidity of different therapeutic strategies addressing leakage, and the long-term outcomes of a cohort of LSG leaks. A retrospective review of patients treated for LSG leaks between September 2014 and January 2023 at our high-volume bariatric surgery center was performed. The charts of 37 patients (29 women and 8 men) were reviewed, with a mean age of 43years and a median follow-up of 24months. The mean preoperative body mass index was 45.1kg/m2. Overall, 30/37 (81%) patients were successfully treated with endoscopic management, and 7/37 (19%) ultimately underwent salvage surgery. If the leak was diagnosed earlier than 6weeks, endoscopic treatment had a 97% success rate. The median number of endoscopic procedures was 2 per patient, and included internal pigtails, stents, septoplasty, endoluminal vacuum therapy and over-the-scope clips. Complications included stent-related ulcers (10), esophageal stenosis requiring endoscopic dilatations (4), stent migrations (2) and kinking requiring repositioning (1), and internal pigtail migration (3). Revisional surgery consisted of proximal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y esophago-jejunal anastomosis, Roux-en-Y fistulo-jejunostomy or classic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass proximal to the gastric stricture. In 62% of the cases, the axis/caliber of the LSG was abnormal. Beyond 4 attempts, endoscopy was unsuccessful. The success rate of endoscopic management dropped to 25% when treatment was initiated more than 45days after the index surgery. Purely endoscopic management was successful in 81% of cases; with 97% success rate if diagnosis earlier than 6weeks. After four failed endoscopic procedures, a surgical approach should be considered. Delayed diagnosis appears to be a significant risk factor for failure of endoscopic treatment.

Outcome after stent and endoscopic vacuum therapy-based treatment for postemetic esophageal rupture

Objectives Extent of surgical repair of spontaneous esophageal effort rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) has gradually decreased by the emergence of minimal invasive treatment based on endoscopic stent sealing of the perforation. However, for this diagnosis, use of endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is still in its beginning. We present our results after 7-years with both stent and/or EVT-based treatment. Materials and methods 17 consecutive patients with Boerhaave syndrome from June 2015 to May 2022 were retrospectively registered in a database. The perforation was sealed by stent and/or EVT, and gastric effluent was drained transthoracically by a chest tube or pigtail catheter. Eight out of 14 patients responded to questions on fatigue and dysphagia (Ogilvie’s score). Results Seventeen patients aged median 67 years (range 34–88), had a primary hospital stay of 38 days (7–68). Ninety-day mortality was 6% (n = 1). Perforations were sealed with stent (n = 10), EVT (n = 3) or stent and EVT (n = 4). One patient (6%) needed laparoscopic lavage and transhiatal drainage. Eight patients (47%) were re-stented due to persistent leakage (n = 4) and stent migration (n = 4). Fifteen patients (88%) had complications, including multi-organ failure (n = 9), pleural empyema (n = 8) and esophageal stricture (n = 3). The perforations healed. After 35.5 months (range 2–62) fourteen patients were alive. Eight that responded had no dysphagia and total fatigue score comparable to an age-matched reference population. Conclusion Mortality rate was low after initial stent and EVT-based treatment of Boerhaave syndrome, combined with adequate transthoracic drainage of gastric effluent. Patients required repeated minimal invasive procedures, but with no apparent negative effect on functional outcome.

Safety and feasibility of percutaneous needle tunneling with platelet-rich plasma injections for Peyronie's disease in the outpatient setting: a pilot study.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the combined simultaneous percutaneous needle tunneling coupled with injection of platelet-rich plasma in the outpatient department for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. This prospective, non-randomized, cohort and preliminary study included patients who underwent this procedure from November 2020 to July 2022. The main outcome was an improvement in penile curvature. Fifty-four patients were enrolled and underwent 6 sessions under local anesthesia followed by vacuum therapy for the treatment of Peyronie's disease in our outpatient unit. The amendment of the curvature angle was significant with a median correction percentage of -44.40% interquartile range (-66.70 to (-39.70)), [p-value = 0.001, 95% CI (-29.76 to (-18.02)), paired Student's t-test]. The median pre-treatment curvature angle was 45° (40-75), and the median post-treatment was 30° (20-40). The median score for pain during the procedure was 3 (0-4.25) according to a 10-point visual analogic scale. After two hours, 20.37% of patients still had pain but none required any pain medication. 50% of patients had a minor hematoma and 75.93% patients reported penile ecchymosis. A single patient reported an injection site skin infection. In our experience percutaneous needle tunneling with platelet-rich plasma injections for Peyronie's disease in the outpatient setting is a safe, effective, and feasible treatment of penile deformity for PD.

Intestinal Obstruction for Anisakiasis: Surgical and Physical Therapy Treatment

Anisakiasis, a zoonotic disease that can lead to small intestine obstruction, has seen a significant rise in Spain. The country has become the first in Europe with an annual incidence of 8000 cases, primarily due to the popularity of consuming exotic dishes of undercooked or raw fish and the impact of climate change. The clinical presentation of anisakiasis can mimic symptoms of acute appendicitis or intestinal obstruction, leading to potential misdiagnosis. This case report describes a 37-year-old patient with no significant medical history who presented abdominal distension and intense pain in the right lower quadrant. The patient underwent surgery and received physiotherapy treatment, including therapeutic exercises and pulsed-pressure myofascial vacuum therapy, to facilitate functional recovery. The increasing incidence of anisakiasis in Spain underscores the need to consider it in the differential diagnosis of digestive diseases, given the high consumption of poorly prepared or raw fish in the region.

Endoluminal wound vacuum therapy for gastrointestinal leaks: current state and future directions

Endoluminal wound vacuum therapy for gastrointestinal leaks: current state and future directions

Vacuum-therapy in the complex treatment of gunshot wounds: current aspects and prospects (review)

Abstract. Nowadays an effective treatment of gunshot wounds is an extremely urgent problem of the health care system. Ballistic injuries occupy a leading position in the structure of combat wounds. Moreover, they are associated with purulent-infectious complications, disability, which causes a long-time healing and rehabilitation of the patients. The vacuum-therapy method is used in clinical practice for reducing the frequency and severity of complications and cuttingthe wound process’s stages duration. At the same time, there is no consensus in the scientific community regarding the feasibility of vacuum therapy application for this type of injuries. The aim of our study was to analyze scientific literature data regarding the feasibility of vacuum therapy using in the complex treatment of gunshot wounds. Materials and methods. Open sources of scientific literature were processed, in particular, but not exclusively, the results of clinical studies, data from several studies to summarize and analyze information aboutvacuum therapy effect on cytological, biochemical, hematological, morphological and other parameters in patients with gunshot wounds. Results and discussion. The data of studied papers indicate that the vacuum-associated therapy method’sapplication allows almost two times accelerationof granulation tissue formation, more effective wound cleaning from necrotic tissues and microbial contamination, thereby significantly reducing of healing period duration. The mechanisms of these effects realization are multifactorial and include reduction of edema and exudate amount, normalization of local blood flow, change of local expression of growth factors related to angiogenesis, etc. Conclusions. Based on the data presented in the scientific literature, it is possible to conclude that vacuum therapy has a significant positive effect on the course of the wound process, compared to traditional schemes for gunshot wounds therapy, which reduced the frequency of complications and allowed to cut convalescence period in patients with gunshot wounds.

Indigenous technique to develop sponge for endo vaccum therapy in post-operative anastomotic leak: A case report.

Oesophageal anastomotic leaks are serious complications with high mortality (20-50%)1 especially in the post-operative setting of malignant disease. They occur in 5-30% of cases,1 usually presenting with severe mediastinal sepsis. Revision surgery has been replaced by the use of endoscopic stents, clips, glue and vacuum therapy. The latter is the simplest and least liable to further complication. As an endo sponge was not commercially available, we introduced a self-made bed-side endo sponge, with evident success.

Endoscopic vacuum therapy versus self-expandable metal stent for treatment of anastomotic leaks < 30mm following oncologic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy: a matched case-control study.

Management of anastomotic leaks after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy remains a challenge. Although intracavitary endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has shown great efficacy for large dehiscences, the optimal management of smaller leaks has not been standardized. This study aims to compare EVT versus self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) in the treatment of leaks < 30mm in size, due to the lack of current data on this topic. Patients undergoing EVT (cases) or SEMS (controls) between May 2017 and July 2022 for anastomotic leaks < 3cm following oncologic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy were enrolled. Controls were matched in a 1:1 ratio based on age (± 3years), BMI (± 3kg/m2) and leak size (± 4mm). Cases (n = 22) and controls (n = 22) showed no difference in baseline characteristics and leak size, as per matching at enrollment. No differences were detected between the two groups in terms of time from surgery to endoscopic treatment (p = 0.11) or total number of procedures per patient (p = 0.05). Remarkably, the two groups showed comparable results in terms of leaks resolution (90.9% vs. 72.7%, p = 0.11). The number of procedures per patient was not significant between the two cohorts (p = 0.05). The most frequent complication in the SEMS group was migration (15.3% of procedures). EVT and SEMS seem to have similar efficacy outcomes in the treatment of anastomotic defects < 30mm after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. However, larger studies are needed to corroborate these findings.

Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Anastomotic Leaks: How to Deal with the Challenges (with Video).

Anastomotic leaks after gastrointestinal surgery have an important impact on surgical outcomes because of the high morbidity and mortality rates. Multiple treatment options exist requiring an individualized patient-tailored treatment plan after multidisciplinary discussion. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is a novel treatment option that is nowadays recognized as an effective and useful endoscopic approach to treat leaks or perforations in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. EVT has a very good safety profile. However, it is a time-consuming endeavour requiring engagement from the endoscopist and understanding from the patient. To the unexperienced, the EVT technique may be prone to several hurdles which may deter endoscopists from using it and depriving patients from a potentially life-saving therapeutic option. The current review highlights the possible difficulties of the EVT procedure and aims to provide some practical solutions to facilitate its use in daily clinical practice. Personal tips and tricks are shared to overcome the pre-, intra- and post-procedural hurdles. An instructive video of the procedure helps to illustrate the technique of EVT.

Applications of endoscopic vacuum therapy in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is an increasingly popular treatment option for wall defects in the upper gastrointestinal tract. After its initial description for the treatment of anastomotic leaks after esophageal and gastric surgery, it was also implemented for a wide range of defects, including acute perforations, duodenal lesions, and postbariatric complications. Apart from the initially proposed handmade sponge inserted using the "piggyback" technique, further devices were used, such as the commercially available EsoSponge and VAC-Stent as well as open-pore film drainage. The reported pressure settings and intervals between the subsequent endoscopic procedures vary greatly, but all available evidence highlights the efficacy of EVT, with high success rates and low morbidity and mortality, so that in many centers it is considered to be a first-line treatment, especially for anastomotic leaks.

Comparison of long-term quality of life outcomes between endoscopic vacuum therapy and other treatments for upper gastrointestinal leaks.

While endoscopic vacuum assisted closure (EVAC) therapy is a validated treatment for gastrointestinal leaks, its impact on long-term quality of life (QoL) is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of successful EVAC management on long-term QoL outcomes. An institutional review board approved prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed to identify patients undergoing treatment for gastrointestinal leaks between June 2012 and July 2022. The Short-Form 36 (SF-36) survey was used to assess QoL. Patients were contacted by telephone and sent the survey electronically. QoL outcomes between patients who underwent successful EVAC therapy and those who required conventional treatment (CT) were analyzed and compared. A total of 44 patients (17 EVAC; 27 CT) completed the survey and were included in our analysis. All included patients had foregut leaks with sleeve gastrectomy being the most common sentinel operation (n = 20). The mean time from the sentinel operation was 3.8years and 4.8years for the EVAC and CT groups, respectively. When evaluating long-term QoL, the EVAC group scored higher in all QoL domains when compared to the CT group with physical functioning (87.3 vs 69.3, p = 0.04), role limitations due to physical health (84.1 vs 45.7, p = 0.02), energy/fatigue (60.0 vs 40.9, p = 0.04), and social functioning (86.2 vs 64.1, p = 0.04) reaching statistical significance. Overall, patients who achieved organ preservation via successful EVAC therapy scored higher in all domains with role limitations due to physical health (p = 0.04) being statistically significant. In a multivariable regression analysis, increased age and a history of prior abdominal surgery at the time of the sentinel operation were patient characteristics that negatively impacted QoL outcomes. Patients with gastrointestinal leaks successfully managed by EVAC therapy have better long-term QoL outcomes when compared to patients undergoing other treatments.

EE470 Cost-Effectiveness Assessment of Vacuum Therapy (SPONGE DEVICE) for Treatment of Anastomotic Fistula from Colorectal Surgery

The literature demonstrated that 13% of patients who have done colorectal surgery could develop anatomic fistula and evolution to the definitive stoma due to the present analysis to expose the economic benefits of sponge device using vacuum therapy in anastomotic fistula versus conventional treatment or re-operation.

A233 Endoluminal vacuum (EVAC) therapy as a salvage procedure for difficult anastomotic leak post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

A233 Endoluminal vacuum (EVAC) therapy as a salvage procedure for difficult anastomotic leak post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Successful Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy for Esophageal Anastomotic Leak in an Infant

Successful Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy for Esophageal Anastomotic Leak in an Infant

EFFECT OF A COMPLEX ACTION OF OZONETHERAPY COMBINED WITH AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET-RICH PLASMA APPLICATION ON THE CHARACTER OF MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHANGES OF THE TISSUE MACROPHAGES IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT SYNDROME

Summary. Objective: to study the character of ultrastructural changes in the tissue macrophages under the effect of a complex of auxiliary factors promoting reparative process activation in the wound including ozonetherapy, local application of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and vacuum therapy.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The patients examined were divided into three groups. The first group included 23 (32,85%) patients who were treated by means of regional ozone therapy. The second group included 23 (32,85%) patients treated by means of local PRP therapy. The control group included 24 (34,28%) patients who during the postoperative period received a complex of therapeutic measures according to the generally accepted method.&#x0D; Results. Stimulation of the macrophage functional activity under ozone effect with destructive changes found in the cells without necrotizing damage was found tobe explained by apoptosis mechanism involvement as a positive factor in the regulation of local homeostasis on completion of inflammatory (exudative) phase of the wound process.&#x0D; Conclusions. A complex of such auxiliary therapeutic measures confirm more determined level of the reparative process activation on the level of the tissue macrophages in both groups examined (№ 1 and №2) in comparison with the control one.&#x0D; Prospects of further research. The results obtained confirm and determine further necessity to carry out search in novations in the treatmen to diabetic foot syndrome using the factors of physical and biological effect directed to the activation of the wound reparative process.

Comments on "Tube-in-tube endoscopic vacuum therapy for the closure of upper gastrointestinal fistulas, leaks, and perforations".

See also: Tube-in-tube endoscopic vacuum therapy for the closure of upper gastrointestinal fistulas, leaks, and perforations Endoscopy 2022; 54(10): 980-986DOI: 10.1055/a-1774-4630 See also: Reply to Dioscoridi et al.Endoscopy 2023; 55(06): 587-587DOI: 10.1055/a-2021-0117

Endoscopic vacuum therapy for treatment of spontaneous and iatrogenic upper gastrointestinal defects.

Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) can heal a variety of defects within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract via applying negative pressure, which reduces the defect size, aspirates the infected fluid, and promotes granulation tissue. Here we present our experience with EVT as it relates to both spontaneous and iatrogenic upper GI tract perforations, leaks, and fistulas. This retrospective study was conducted at four large hospital centers. All patients who underwent EVT between June 2018 and March 2021 were included. Data on multiple variables were collected, including demographics, defect size and location, number and intervals of EVT exchanges, technical success, and hospital length of stay. Student t-test and the chi-squared test were used to analyze the data. Twenty patients underwent EVT. The most common defect cause was spontaneous esophageal perforation (50%). The most common defect location was the distal esophagus (55%). The success rate was 80%. Seven patients were treated with EVT as the primary closure method. The mean number of exchanges was five with a mean interval of 4.3 days between exchanges. The mean length of hospital stay was 55.8 days. EVT is a safe and effective initial management option for esophageal leaks and perforations.