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DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1257040
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
New endoscopic suturing device for closure of chronic gastrocutaneous fistula in an immunocompromised patient
S. V. KantsevoyMD, PhD
Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Diseases
Mercy
Medical Center
Suite 718, POB 7th floor
301 St Paul
Place
Baltimore
Maryland 21202
USA
Fax: 410-659-1162
Email: skan51@hotmail.com
Publication History
Publication Date:
24 January 2012 (online)
A 46-year-old man with AIDS received a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube in October 2009. His condition improved, and the PEG tube was removed in May 2010. Afterwards, the patient developed a persistent gastrocutaneous fistula at the site of the previous PEG. Multiple attempts to close the fistula with endoscopic clips, gastropexy, and an over-the-scope clip (Ovesco Endoscopy AG, Tübingen, Germany) failed.
Upper endoscopy revealed a gastrocutaneous fistula 5 mm in diameter.
The fistula tract was treated with argon plasma coagulation ([Fig. 1]), (ERBE Elektromedizin, Tübingen, Germany). Three stitches were then made with an Overstitch endoscopic suturing device (Apollo Endosurgery Inc., Austin, Texas, USA), completely closing the fistula ([Fig. 2 a, b]; [Videos 1 3]).
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/endoscopy/2011S02/thumbnails/123cl1.jpg)
![Zoom Image](/products/assets/desktop/css/img/icon-figure-zoom.png)
Fig. 1 The fistula track is treated with argon plasma coagulation.
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/endoscopy/2011S02/thumbnails/123cl2.jpg)
![Zoom Image](/products/assets/desktop/css/img/icon-figure-zoom.png)
Fig. 2 a The Overstitch suturing device is introduced into the stomach. b Final view of the gastric wall after suturing is completed.
Quality:
Quality:
Quality:
The leakage stopped after the procedure, and repeat endoscopy demonstrated good closure of the fistula ([Fig. 3]).
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/endoscopy/2011S02/thumbnails/123cl3.jpg)
![Zoom Image](/products/assets/desktop/css/img/icon-figure-zoom.png)
Fig. 3 Follow-up endoscopy demonstrating complete closure of the gastric fistula.
Management of patients with persistent gastrocutaneous fistulas can be very difficult, especially in debilitated, immunocompromised patients. Multiple devices and techniques have been used in the past with only limited success [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].
Our patient was not a good surgical candidate because of his underlying illness. In this situation we decided to use the newly developed Overstitch suturing device. The Overstitch is frontloaded to a double-channel endoscope and then introduced into the stomach. The device utilizes a needle with an attached suture, which can be reloaded into the suturing device inside the stomach an unlimited number of times. It also uses intracorporeal knot cinching without the need to remove the suturing device from the stomach. The Overstitch device allows tissue defects of various sizes to be closed with continuous or separate sutures. The tightness of the suture is regulated by the physician performing the procedure.
In conclusion, this is the first report of successful clinical use of the new Overstitch endoscopic suturing device in Europe. Overstitch is simple to assemble, easy to work with, and can potentially be used for a variety of procedures requiring suturing inside the gastrointestinal tract.
#Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge Apollo Endosurgery Inc (Austin, Texas, USA) for providing the Overstitch suturing device free of charge for treatment of this patient. The authors would also like to thank the W.I.D.E.R. institute (Barcelona, Spain) for arranging the necessary collaboration to perform this case study.
Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AO_2AI
Competing interests: Dr. Kantsevoy is a share holder of Apollo Endosurgery Inc.
#References
- 1 Conio M, Blanchi S, Repici A et al. Use of an over-the-scope clip for endoscopic sealing of a gastric fistula after sleeve gastrectomy. Endoscopy. 2010; 42 71-72
- 2 Alberti-Flor J J. Percutaneous-endoscopic suturing of gastrocutaneous fistula: report of 2 cases. Gastrointest Endosc. 2002; 56 751-753
- 3 Eskaros S, Ghevariya V, Krishnaiah M et al. Percutaneous endoscopic suturing: an effective treatment for gastrocutaneous fistula. Gastrointest Endosc. 2009; 70 768-771
- 4 von Renteln D, Denzer U W, Schachschal G et al. Endoscopic closure of GI fistulae by using an over-the-scope clip (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc. 2010; 72 1289-1296
- 5 Albert J G, Friedrich-Rust M, Woeste G et al. Benefit of a clipping device in use in intestinal bleeding and intestinal leakage. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011; 74 389-397
S. V. KantsevoyMD, PhD
Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Diseases
Mercy
Medical Center
Suite 718, POB 7th floor
301 St Paul
Place
Baltimore
Maryland 21202
USA
Fax: 410-659-1162
Email: skan51@hotmail.com
References
- 1 Conio M, Blanchi S, Repici A et al. Use of an over-the-scope clip for endoscopic sealing of a gastric fistula after sleeve gastrectomy. Endoscopy. 2010; 42 71-72
- 2 Alberti-Flor J J. Percutaneous-endoscopic suturing of gastrocutaneous fistula: report of 2 cases. Gastrointest Endosc. 2002; 56 751-753
- 3 Eskaros S, Ghevariya V, Krishnaiah M et al. Percutaneous endoscopic suturing: an effective treatment for gastrocutaneous fistula. Gastrointest Endosc. 2009; 70 768-771
- 4 von Renteln D, Denzer U W, Schachschal G et al. Endoscopic closure of GI fistulae by using an over-the-scope clip (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc. 2010; 72 1289-1296
- 5 Albert J G, Friedrich-Rust M, Woeste G et al. Benefit of a clipping device in use in intestinal bleeding and intestinal leakage. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011; 74 389-397
S. V. KantsevoyMD, PhD
Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Diseases
Mercy
Medical Center
Suite 718, POB 7th floor
301 St Paul
Place
Baltimore
Maryland 21202
USA
Fax: 410-659-1162
Email: skan51@hotmail.com
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/endoscopy/2011S02/thumbnails/123cl1.jpg)
![Zoom Image](/products/assets/desktop/css/img/icon-figure-zoom.png)
Fig. 1 The fistula track is treated with argon plasma coagulation.
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/endoscopy/2011S02/thumbnails/123cl2.jpg)
![Zoom Image](/products/assets/desktop/css/img/icon-figure-zoom.png)
Fig. 2 a The Overstitch suturing device is introduced into the stomach. b Final view of the gastric wall after suturing is completed.
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/endoscopy/2011S02/thumbnails/123cl3.jpg)
![Zoom Image](/products/assets/desktop/css/img/icon-figure-zoom.png)
Fig. 3 Follow-up endoscopy demonstrating complete closure of the gastric fistula.