Endoscopy 2011; 43: E170
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1256273
Unusual cases and technical notes

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The esophagus as a working channel: successful closure of a large Mallory–Weiss tear with clips and an endoloop

H.  Ivekovic1 , N.  Rustemovic1 , T.  Brkic1 , M.  Opacic1 , R.  Pulanic1 , R.  Ostojic1 , B.  Vucelic1
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zagreb, Croatia
Weitere Informationen

H. IvekovicMD 

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University Hospital Zagreb

Kispaticeva 12
Zagreb 10000
Croatia

Fax: +385-1-2388200

eMail: hrvoje.ivekovic@gmail.com

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
11. Mai 2011 (online)

Inhaltsübersicht

A 56-year-old man with alcoholic liver disease presented to our unit with a 1-day history of hematemesis. On admission, his blood pressure was 100/60 mmHg and pulse rate 102 beats/minute. The initial hematocrit was 29 %. Urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed a large esophageal tear at the cardia, measuring 15 × 10 mm ([Fig. 1]). A diagnosis of Mallory–Weiss tear was made.

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Fig. 1 A large esophageal tear at the cardia, seen at the index esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Placement of the clips seemed insufficient because of the large diameter and length of the tear. In order to bring together the edges of the tear, an endoloop (Endo-Loop MAJ 254; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was inserted in the esophagus by the endoscope (Olympus EVIS EXERA II GIF-H180) in a freehand manner. After the endoloop snare was correctly placed around the tear, the snare was anchored with four clips (Quickclip; Olympus) at the margins of the tear ([Fig. 2 a]).

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Fig. 2 An endoloop snare a anchored at the margins of the tear, and b tightened.

The loop was then tightened to close the defect ([Fig. 2 b]). The clinical course of the patient was uneventful, and follow-up EGD performed 4 weeks later revealed complete healing of the tear with formation of scar tissue ([Fig. 3]).

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Fig. 3 Scar formation noticed at the follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Application of clips and an endoloop in the esophagus has been described as a method for closure of large mucosal defects after endoscopic mucosal resection [1], and of esophagomediastinal fistulas [2]. The closure was completed with a single-channel endoscope in a sequential two-step maneuver: first, clips were deployed at the margins of the defect, followed by looping and tightening of the clips with the endoloop. A total of three patients were reported, with a 100 % technical success.

In our case, the esophagus served as a second working channel, allowing us to apply both accessories simultaneously with a favorable outcome. Further studies will be required to prove the feasibility of this approach.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AO_2AI

Competing interests: None

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References

  • 1 Pouw R. “Tulip bundle technique” a novel technique for closing perforations caused by endoscopic resection, by placement of clips and approximation with endoloops. The DAVE Project 2010. Available from: http://daveproject.org/ViewFilms.cfm?Film_id=915 Accessed: 4 January 2011
  • 2 Luigiano C, Ferrara F, Polifemo A M et al. Endoscopic closure of esophageal fistula using a novel “clips and loop” method.  Endoscopy. 2009;  41 E249-E450

H. IvekovicMD 

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University Hospital Zagreb

Kispaticeva 12
Zagreb 10000
Croatia

Fax: +385-1-2388200

eMail: hrvoje.ivekovic@gmail.com

#

References

  • 1 Pouw R. “Tulip bundle technique” a novel technique for closing perforations caused by endoscopic resection, by placement of clips and approximation with endoloops. The DAVE Project 2010. Available from: http://daveproject.org/ViewFilms.cfm?Film_id=915 Accessed: 4 January 2011
  • 2 Luigiano C, Ferrara F, Polifemo A M et al. Endoscopic closure of esophageal fistula using a novel “clips and loop” method.  Endoscopy. 2009;  41 E249-E450

H. IvekovicMD 

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University Hospital Zagreb

Kispaticeva 12
Zagreb 10000
Croatia

Fax: +385-1-2388200

eMail: hrvoje.ivekovic@gmail.com

Zoom Image

Fig. 1 A large esophageal tear at the cardia, seen at the index esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Zoom Image
Zoom Image

Fig. 2 An endoloop snare a anchored at the margins of the tear, and b tightened.

Zoom Image

Fig. 3 Scar formation noticed at the follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).