A large anastomotic leakage after esophageal surgery treated with endoluminal vacuum-assisted closure: a case report

J Surg Case Rep. 2020 Apr 24;2020(4):rjaa071. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjaa071. eCollection 2020 Apr.

Abstract

The treatment of anastomotic post-esophagectomy leaks and fistula is challenging. Endoluminal vacuum-assisted closure (EVAC) is an emerging technique that employs negative pressure wound therapy to treat anastomotic leaks endoscopically. Esosponge is specifically designed for esophageal EVAC therapy. We report on a 49-year-old woman who underwent a totally mini-invasive Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and developed a giant postoperative leak with a complex pleural collection, but she was not fit for surgical re-intervention. The patient healed almost completely after 14 exchange sessions of Esosponge over 35 days.

Keywords: Esosponge; esophageal leak; esophagectomy; vacuum therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports