Multipurpose use of the over-the-scope-clip system(“Bear claw”) in the gastrointestinal tract:Swiss experience in a tertiary center

AIM:To evaluate the outcome of over-the-scope-clip system(OTSC)for endoscopic treatment of various indications in daily clinical practice in Switzerland.METHODS:This prospective,consecutive case series was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from September 2010 to January 2014.Indications for OTSC application were fistulae,anastomotic leakage,perforation,unroofed submucosal lesion for biopsy,refractory bleeding,and stent fixation in the gastrointestinal(GI)tract.Primary technical success was defined as the adequate deployment of the OTSC on the target lesion.Clinical success was defined as resolution of the problem;for instance,no requirement for surgery or further endoscopic intervention.In cases of recurrence,retreatment of a lesion with a second intervention was possible.Complications were classified into those related to sedation,endoscopy,or deployment of the clip.RESULTS:A total of 28 OTSC system applications werecarried out in 21 patients[median age 64 years(range42-85),33%females].The main indications were fistulae(52%),mostly after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube removal,and anastomotic leakage after GI surgery(29%).Further indications were unroofed submucosal lesions after biopsy,upper gastrointestinal bleeding,or esophageal stent fixation.The OTSC treatments were applied either in the upper(48%)or lower(52%)GI tract.The mean lesion size was 8 mm(range:2-20 mm).Primary technical success and clinical success rates were 85%and 67%,respectively.In53%of cases,the suction method was used without accessories(e.g.,twin grasper or tissue anchor).No endoscopy-related or OTSC-related complications were observed.CONCLUSION:OTSC is a useful tool for endoscopic closure of various GI lesions,including fistulae and leakages.Future randomized prospective multicenter trials are warranted.

Endoscopic dilation of complete oesophageal obstructionswith a combined antegrade-retrograde rendezvoustechnique

AIM: To investigate the combined antegraderetrograde endoscopic rendezvous technique for complete oesophageal obstruction and the swallowing outcome.METHODS: This single-centre case series includes consecutive patients who were unable to swallow due to complete oesophageal obstruction and underwent combined antegrade-retrograde endoscopic dilation(CARD) within the last 10 years. The patients' demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, endoscopic therapy, adverse events, and outcomes were obtained retrospectively. Technical success was defined as effective restoration of oesophageal patency. Swallowing success was defined as either percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)-tube independency and/or relevant improvement of oral food intake, as assessed by the functional oral intake scale(FOIS)(≥ level 3).RESULTS: The cohort consisted of six patients [five males; mean age 71 years(range, 54-74)]. All but one patient had undergone radiotherapy for head and neck or oesophageal cancer. Technical success was achieved in five out of six patients. After discharge, repeated dilations were performed in all five patients. During follow-up(median 27 mo, range, 2-115), three patients remained PEG-tube dependent. Three of four patients achieved relevant improvement of swallowing(two patients: FOIS 6, one patient: FOIS 7). One patient developed mediastinal emphysema following CARD, without a need for surgery.CONCLUSION: The CARD technique is safe and a viable alternative to high-risk blind antegrade dilation in patients with complete proximal oesophageal obstruction. Although only half of the patients remained PEG-tube independent, the majority improved their ability to swallow.

First report of colonoscopic closure of a gastrocolocutaneous PEG migration with over-the-scope-clip-system

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) is a common practice for long-term nutrition of patients who are unable to take oral food. We report of an 85-year old man with a history of recurrent larynx carcinoma and hemicolectomy many years ago due to unknown reason. Laryngectomy was indicated. Preoperatively a PEG was inserted endoscopically after an abdominal ultrasonography without abnormal findings. Few months after PEG insertion, the patient was evaluated for diarrhea and insufficient feeding without signs of infection or peritonism. An upper endoscopy and computed tomography scan confirmed a buried bumper syndrome with migration of the PEG tube into the colon as a rare complication. He underwent successful colonoscopic removal of the internal bumper and closure of the colonic orifice of the fistula with the over-the-scope-clip system(OTSC). OTSC is an endoscopic device for treatment of bleeding, perforation, leak and fistula in the gastrointestinal tract. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of OTSC for colonoscopic closure of a gastrocolocutaneous fistula due to a buried bumper syndrome with transcolonic PEG tube migration.