REVIEW   

Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica 2018 March;64(1):75-83

DOI: 10.23736/S1121-421X.17.02439-4

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Performance of the over-the-scope clip system in the endoscopic closure of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations and post-surgical leaks and fistulas

Giuseppe IABICHINO ¹, Leonardo H. EUSEBI ², Maria A. PALAMARA ¹, Monica ARENA ¹, Rinaldo PELLICANO ³, Pierluigi CONSOLO ⁴, Sharmila FAGOONEE ⁵, Loretta AMATO ¹, Enrico OPOCHER ⁶, Matteo BARABINO ⁶, Carmelo LUIGIANO ¹ ✉

¹ Unit of Digestive Endoscopy, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy; ² Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; ³ Department of Gastro-Hepatology, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy; ⁴ Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Hospital “G. Martino”, Messina, Italy; ⁵ Institute for Biostructures and Bioimages CNR c/o Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; ⁶ Unit of Hepatobilyopancreatic and Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

The increased invasiveness of endoscopic procedures and complex surgical interventions has resulted in an increased number of gastrointestinal iatrogenic defects, such as perforations, leak and fistulas. The conventional treatment for these gastrointestinal defects is surgery, with considerable risks especially in emergency situations and in patients with comorbidities. The Ovesco over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system (Ovesco Endoscopy AG, Tübingen, Germany) and more recently, the Padlock Clip™ (Aponos Medical, Kingston, NH, USA) have shown promising results in the treatment of gastrointestinal defects. Several case reports and case series have demonstrated the efficacy of the OTSC system for the closure of full-thickness defects. Clinical success is best achieved in patients undergoing closure of a perforation or a leak. Closure of fistulas remains a clinical challenge since fibrosis or necrotic and inflamed tissue surrounding lesions may cause clip failure. Over-the-scope clips are a less invasive endoscopic option for managing patients with gastrointestinal defects before a more invasive surgical approach is attempted. Moreover, a failed attempt of OTSC deployment does not preclude subsequent surgical treatment.

KEY WORDS: Iatrogenic disease - Endoscopy, gastrointestinal - Fistula