Open Access
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2021; 09(10): E1520-E1523
DOI: 10.1055/a-1517-4405
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Multi-layer endoscopic suturing: a novel method of gastric fistula closure

Manol Jovani
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
,
Linda Zhang
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
,
Yuting Huang
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
,
Vivek Kumbhari
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
2   Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Florida, United States
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Background and study aims Current endoscopic methods of treating gastric fistulas are either too complex or have high rates of recurrence. We aimed to provide a novel endoscopic method for robust fistula closure.

Patients and methods This was a single-center, retrospective study of five patients who underwent multi-layer endoscopic suturing for closing of a chronic fistula (> 4 weeks). Devitalization of the fistula tract was achieved with argon plasma coagulation, followed by endoscopic suturing of the fistula. Then, endoscopic suturing of the gastric wall surrounding the fistula was performed, creating an overlay of healthy gastric mucosa around the fistula.

Results Technical success (fistula closure on the day of the procedure) was achieved in all five patients, with no complications. After a median follow up of 5 months (range 2–23 months), there was a 100 % clinical success rate (no fistula recurrence).

Conclusions Our single-operator method of multi-layer endoscopic suturing provides a robust fistula closure with minimal to no risk of recurrence. In light of limitations of current fistula closure methods, further investigations are warranted to better define long-term outcomes with it compared to alternative methods.



Publication History

Received: 05 February 2021

Accepted: 04 May 2021

Article published online:
16 September 2021

© 2021. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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