EGS SO32 - Management of Spontaneous Oesophageal Perforations in the era of Endo-Vacuum Therapy- Preliminary Results of a Single-Institution Study

Abstract Background Spontaneous Oesophageal Perforation (SOP) is a rare gastro-intestinal surgical emergency with devastating morbidity and mortality. Given the rarity of the entity, there is no up-to-date evidence on outcomes in the context of centralized esophagogastric services neither consensus guidelines nor standardized treatment algorithms on how these should be optimally managed. Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy (EVT) has emerged as safe and effective option particularly in cases where major invasive surgery would otherwise be deferred. Herein, we sought to explore the effectiveness, patient benefit and related morbidity/mortality by exploring the strategy outcomes in SOPs prior to and during periods where EVT was available. Method A single-centre retrospective cohort study incorporating all consecutive patients (N=72) presented or transferred to our tertiary oesophagogastric unit for SOP management between 01/01/2009-31/12/2023 was undertaken. Patients with anastomotic leak post-surgery or perforation secondary to malignancy, iatrogenic, traumatic or food bolus were excluded. Primary study-outcomes were treatment type including non-operative, EVT after 01/01/2018 or other endoscopic therapy, surgical operation including laparotomy, thoracotomy, primary defect repair or over a T-tube, disconnection with oesophagostomy, stenting or other interventional radiology procedures and their rate of success or failure. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, 90-day complications requiring re-intervention or re-admission, 30-, 90-day, 1-year mortality. Results In 2009-2017 pre-EVT period, 25/72 patients were managed a) 18/25 surgically with thoracotomy and T-tube, b) non-surgical 7/25, four were palliated. 30-day, 90-day mortality were 4/25 and 2/25, 90-day morbidity Clavien-Dindo >IIIa 14/25 (56%), 90-day reintervention 8/25 (32%), median LOS 27 days. In 2018-2023 EVT period , 47/72 patients were treated with a) laparotomy, left thoracotomy, defect repair over t-tube, chest drainage in 18/47, b) non-surgical 15/47, c) endoscopy 6/47, d) EVT in 14/47. 30-day mortality was 6/47, 90-day mortality 2/47, 90-day morbidity Clavien-Dindo >IIIa 32/47 (68%), 90-day reintervention 26/47 (55.3%), median LOS 34 days. 1-year mortality was 5/25 and 3/47 respectively. Conclusion EVT therapy appears to be a feasible additional treatment modality in the management of spontaneous oesophageal perforations. Optimal patient selection, therapeutic endoscopic expertise, knowledge of the technique, multidisciplinary approach and team collaboration are essentials for favourable outcomes. Of note, management of oesophageal perforations in a dedicated UGI centre is directly related to patient outcomes and is recommended as soon as such a diagnosis is confirmed.