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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Jul 16, 2013; 5(7): 340-345
Published online Jul 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i7.340
Published online Jul 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i7.340
Successful treatment of cervical esophageal leakage by endoscopic-vacuum assisted closure therapy
Henrike Lenzen, Ahmed A Negm, Thomas J Erichsen, Michael P Manns, Tim O Lankisch, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Jochen Wedemeyer, Department of Internal Medicine, Robert Koch Hospital Gehrden, 30989 Gehrden, Germany
Author contributions: Lenzen H and Lankisch TO wrote the paper; Wedemeyer J and Lankisch TO designed the study; Lenzen H, Negm AA, Erichsen TJ, Manns MP and Wedemeyer J performed the research and analyzed the data.
Supported by The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft in the framework of the “Open Access Publishing” Program
Correspondence to: Tim O Lankisch, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. lankisch.tim@mh-hannover.de
Telephone: +49-511-5322406 Fax: +49-511-5323351
Received: March 21, 2013
Revised: May 14, 2013
Accepted: June 1, 2013
Published online: July 16, 2013
Revised: May 14, 2013
Accepted: June 1, 2013
Published online: July 16, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Traditional methods to treat cervical esophageal leakage close to the upper esophageal sphincter are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The newly developed method of endoscopic-vacuum assisted closure (E-VAC) therapy using polyurethane sponges has been demonstrated as efficacious for treating gastrointestinal tract leakages. We applied E-VAC therapy to three patients with post-operative cervical leakage and achieved complete closure in all, without any procedure-related complications. The E-VAC therapy was well tolerated by patients with cervical esophageal leakage, and its application in this patient population may contribute to a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality.