OGC SO27 - Management of oesophageal defects with Microtech VAC stents (MVS): A single centre case series

Abstract Background Oesophageal defects following cancer resection, dilatation or Boerhaave’s syndrome are increasingly managed with endoscopic approaches. Surgical management is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Pigtails stents (PS), oesophageal stents and negative pressure therapy (eso-sponge) have all been described with variation in efficacy. Microtech VAC stents (MVS) have emerged as a means of providing an oesophageal luminal stent and negative pressure to the mediastinum. Method Between June 2023 to June 2024, 19 MVS have been used in four patients with transmural oesophageal defects. Two patients had anastomotic leak (one was a quaternary referral) following Ivor Lewis Oesophagectomy. One patient had a perforation from a dilatation of a gastro-jejunostomy anastomotic stricture post-gastric bypass at another centre, then admitted as an emergency. One patient had Boerhaave’s syndrome. Results Four patients were treated with MVS. In two patients, one post dilatation perforation and one with Boerhaave’s, one MVS was sufficient to resolve the mucosal defect after seven and 11 days respectively. The other two patients with anastomotic leak required seven and 10 MVS respectively. In these patients MVS and antibiotics controlled mediastinitis, but did not completely resolve the mucosal defect. For chronic leak management MVS were exchanged for PS to enable ambulatory care. No complications with MVS changes within seven days. One patient had ingrowth of mucosa into the MVS after 11 days, but was successfully removed. Conclusion MVS therapy has been demonstrated to be safe and feasible in the management of oesophago-gastric perforations in a UK centre. Exchange of VS every 5-7 days does have additional burden to a busy endoscopy unit. No adverse events were observed.