Endoscopic fibrin sealing of gastrocutaneous fistulas after sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

Background and Aim: Gastrocutaneous fistulas (GCF) are uncommon complications accounting for 0.5–3.9% of gastric operations. When their management is not effective, the mortality rate is high. This study reports the conservative treatment of GCF in morbidly obese patients who underwent biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Methods: Ninety‐six morbidly obese patients were treated in our department with biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (Marceau technique) and, in six of them, a high‐output GCF developed. A general protocol was applied to all patients presenting a GCF. Everyone was treated by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and somatostatin for at least 7 days after the appearance of the leak. If the leak continued, then fibrin glue was used as a tissue adhesive. Endoscopic application of the sealant was accomplished under direct vision via a double‐lumen catheter passed through a forward‐viewing gastroscope. Results: All patients were treated successfully with conservative treatment (either solely with TPN and somatostatin, or with endoscopic fibrin sealing sessions). No evidence of fistula was observed at gastroscopy 3 and 24 months after therapy. Conclusion: The conservative treatment of GCF following biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is highly effective. All patients should enter a protocol that includes TPN and somatostatin. When the GCF persist, endoscopic sealing glue should be considered before operation because it is simple, safe, effective and, in some cases, life‐saving. Therefore, conservative treatment should be employed as a therapeutic option in GCF developing after bariatric surgery.     

Endoscopic treatment of bronchus stump fistulae following pneumonectomy with fibrin sealant in domestic pigs

Occlusion of the transected bronchus after pneumonectomy was achieved by transthoracic fibrin sealing in 14 domestic pigs. In 9 additional animals standardized bronchus stump fistulae could also be closed with fibrin sealant which was applied through a flexible bronchoscope. An average of 1 ml of fibrin sealant containing 500 units of thrombin and 3500 units of Aprotinin was necessary to achieve bronchial closure and to prevent early dissolution of the sealant. Endoscopic closure of a bronchus fistula by fibrin plug was successfully employed in one clinical case.     

Combined endoscopic cautery and clip closure of chronic gastrocutaneous fistulas

BACKGROUND: Chronic gastrocutaneous fistula with intermittent drainage is a common outcome after removing long-standing gastrostomy tubes. The standard treatment is surgery with laparotomy and excision of the fistula tract. This study describes the results of an endoscopic closure technique by using a combination of electrocautery and metal clips. METHODS: Three patients with gastrocutaneous fistulas (duration 3 months to 3 years) after gastrostomy tube removal were treated endoscopically by electrocautery of the tract and application of metal clips. OBSERVATIONS: Treatment resulted in complete fistula closure in two patients and partial closure in a third patient. CONCLUSIONS: Combined endoscopic therapy with electrocautery and clipping may be an alternative to surgical closure of chronic gastrocutaneous fistulas.     

Endoscopic fibrin sealant closure of duodenal perforation after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Traditionally, perivaterian duodenal perforation can be managed conservatively or surgically. If a large volume of leakage results in fluid collection in the retroperitoneum, surgery may be necessary. Our case met the surgical indication for perivaterian duodenal perforation after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation. The patient developed a retroperitoneal abscess after the procedures, and a perivaterian perforation was suggested on computed tomography (CT). CT-guided abscess drainage was performed immediately. We unsuccessfully attempted to close the perforation with hemoclips initially. Subsequently, we used fibrin sealant (Tisseel) injection to occlude the perforation. Fibrin sealant injections have been previously used during endoscopy for wound closure and fistula repair. Based on our report, fibrin sealant injection can be considered as an alternative method for the treatment of ERCP-related type II perforations.     

Repair of fistulas-in-ano using fibrin adhesive

PURPOSE: Fibrin adhesive has been successfully used to treat fistulas-in-ano, but long-term data have been lacking. We report the results of our 18-month study examining the repair of fistulas-in-ano using autologous and commercial fibrin adhesive. METHODS: A 79-patient, prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial was performed in which fibrin adhesive was used to repair fistulas-in-ano. Twenty-six patients were treated with autologous fibrin tissue adhesive made from their own blood, and 53 patients were treated with commercial fibrin sealant. In the operating room the patient underwent an examination under anesthesia, with an attempt to identify the primary and secondary fistula tract openings. The fistula tract was then curetted. Fibrin adhesive was injected into the secondary fistula tract opening until adhesive was seen coming from the primary opening. A petroleum jelly gauze was then applied over both the primary and secondary openings, and the patient was sent home. Follow-up visits occurred one week, one month, three months, and one year later. RESULTS: Fourteen of 26 (54 percent) patients treated with autologous fibrin tissue adhesive made from their own blood had complete closure of their fistulas after a one-year follow-up, whereas 34 of 53 (64 percent) patients treated with commercial fibrin sealant had closure of their fistulas. Most treatment failures occurred within the first 3 months, but late failures were seen as far as 11 months postoperative. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin tissue adhesive offers a unique mode of managing fistulas-in-ano, which is surgically less invasive, but recurrences up to one year later are being seen. Longer follow-up and further research is recommended for improvement.     

Comparative efficacy of different doses of fibrin sealant to reduce bleeding after total knee arthroplasty

In recent years, the application of fibrin sealant has been shown to be efficacious in the management of intraoperative and postoperative hemostasis. We designed a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of two different dosages of fibrin sealant (5 and 10 ml) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, as compared with the untreated control group. A total of 90 patients entered the study, randomly assigned to one of the three groups: treatment with 5 ml fibrin sealant (30 patients), with 10 ml fibrin sealant (30 patients) or no treatment (30 patients). A statistically significant difference in the mean reduction of hemoglobin concentrations was found on the first postoperative day in the treated groups as compared with the controls: 5 ml fibrin sealant (2.6 mg/dl) and 10 ml fibrin sealant (2.5 mg/dl) vs. controls (3.7 mg/dl) (P = 0.024). The mean number of blood transfusions was significantly lower in the treated groups: 5 ml (0.5) and 10 ml (0.3) of fibrin sealant vs. controls (1) (P = 0.0019). Functional recovery was also better in the treated groups: on the seventh day, the joint ROM (range of motion) was statistically superior in the 5 ml group (96.5°) and 10 ml group (98.8°) as compared with the controls (75.5°) (P < 0.0001). This study supports the efficacy of administering fibrin sealant in the perioperative management of bleeding after total knee arthroplasty and shows that a 5 ml dosage yields a comparable outcome to the 10 ml dosage previously reported in the literature.     

Prevention of pocket related complications with fibrin sealant in patients undergoing pacemaker implantation who are receiving anticoagulant treatment.

AIM: The aim of our study was to establish the efficiency of fibrin sealant in the prevention of pocket related complications in patients undergoing pacemaker implantation who are receiving anticoagulant treatment. METHODS: The study was performed on 40 and 41 patients prospectively randomized into treatment and control groups who underwent pacemaker implantation procedure between January 2002 and July 2004 at the Pacemaker Center - Clinical Centre Nis, Serbia. Both groups of patients were receiving anticoagulant treatment with either heparin or warfarin. Surgical procedures between the groups differed only in the application of fibrin sealant prior to wound closure in the treatment group. RESULTS: In the treatment group, there were no pocket related complications while in the control group six patients (14.63%) had minor haematomas that required no treatment. Four patients (9.76%) had significant haematomas (two patients were treated conservatively while the other two needed reintervention). The INR in the treatment group was 2.76+/-0.85 and in the control group 2.65+/-0.79 (P=ns). In the follow-up period (2-27 months) no late complications were registered in either group. CONCLUSION: Fibrin sealant is an effective haemostatic agent. The results obtained in our study show that the administration of fibrin sealant in patients receiving anticoagulant treatment eliminates postoperative haematomas after pacemaker implantation.     

Efficacy of endoscopic filling with polyglycolic acid sheets and fibrin glue for anastomotic leak after esophageal cancer surgery: identification of an optimal technique

Background

Anastomotic leak is a potentially life-threatening complication following esophageal cancer surgery. In this study, we aimed to clarify the efficacy of endoscopic filling with polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets and fibrin glue for anastomotic leak after esophageal cancer surgery.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic filling with PGA sheets and fibrin glue for anastomotic leak after esophageal cancer surgery between August 2014 and January 2020 were included in the study, with its efficacy retrospectively reviewed. We performed endoscopic filling using two methods: (1) filling the fistula with PGA sheets, followed by the application of a fibrinogen and thrombin solution (conventional method) and (2) filling the fistula with PGA sheets pre-soaked in a fibrinogen solution, followed by the application of a thrombin solution (pre-soak method).

Results

A total of 14 patients underwent endoscopic filling procedures within the study period. The endoscopic filling procedures were successfully performed in all cases and no adverse events associated with the procedures were observed. Fistula closure was obtained in 10 (71%) cases. In the 10 successful cases, the median number of procedures was 1 (range 1–3) and the median time from the first procedure to oral intake was 7.5 days (range 4–36 days). The success rate of the pre-soak method was significantly higher than that of the conventional method (90% vs. 25%, P?=?0.041).

Conclusions

Endoscopic filling with PGA sheets and fibrin glue is a safe and effective treatment for the closure of an anastomotic leak. The pre-soak method can achieve successful endoscopic filling.

     

Autologous Fibrin Glue in Treatment of Fistula in Ano

Aim: This study was done to assess the efficacy and advantage of fibrin glue therapy in anal fistulae in comparison to conventional treatment. Patients and Method: The results of treatment of anal fistula by autologous fibrin tissue adhesive in 30 patients were compared with those obtained by conventional surgery in another 30 patients. All patients in both procedures had preoperative mechanical bowel preparations and preoperative intravenous antibiotic. The two groups were matched for age, sex, fistula type and follow-up duration. Results: The non-invasive fibrin glue application was extremely satisfactory in 24 patients out of 30 patients (80%), two healed after another attempt, three showed no postoperative improvement and one patient developed intersphincteric abscess (morbidity 3.3%) Median hospital stay was 1.5 days, while patients' discomfort was minimal. There was no postoperative impairment of anal sphincter function and there was no recurrence. In the group undergoing laying open operations, recurrence occurred in five patients, median hospital stay was 3.1 days, and strong analgesia was needed. Continence disorder occurred in four patients, one patient remained incontinent only for flatus, in two patients minimal soiling persists for more than three months follow-up. Conclusion In conclusion, the above data showed that fibrin glue application in anal fistula is a simple, easy, safe, and effective procedure, although longer follow-up and bigger series are needed.     

Effect of implanting fibrin sealant with ropivacaine on pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AIM: To investigate the safety and efficacy of implanting fibrin sealant with sustained-release ropivacaine in the gallbladder bed for pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: Sixty patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status was Ⅰ or Ⅱ and underwent LC) were randomly divided into three equal groups: group A (implantation of fibrin sealant in the gallbladder bed), group B (implantation of fibrin sealant carrying ropivacaine in the gallbladder bed), and group C (normal saline in the gallbladder bed). Postoperative pain was evaluated, and pain relief was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) scoring. RESULTS: The findings showed that 81.7% of patients had visceral pain, 50% experienced parietal, and 26.7% reported shoulder pain after LC. Visceral pain was significantly less in group B patients than in the other groups ( P < 0.05), and only one patient in this group experienced shoulder pain. The mean VAS score in group B patients was lower than that in the other groups. CONCLUSION: Visceral pain is prominent after LC and can be effectively controlled by implanting fibrin sealant combined with ropivacaine in the gallbladder bed.     

Over-the-scope clip to close a gastrocutaneous fistula after esophagectomy

Over-the-scope clip(OTSC) system is becoming a new reliable technique which is available for the endoscopic closure of fistulas, bleeding, perforations and so on. We describe the case of a patient with a nonhealing gastrocutaneous fistula after esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma which was successfully closed using an OTSC system. This is the first report of the use of OTSC to treat a nonhealing gastrocutaneous fistula successfully after esophagectomy. We believe our experience will give such patients an ideal way to cure the fistula without suffering too much and also explore new application of OTSC.     

Weight gain after bariatric surgery as a result of a large gastric stoma: endotherapy with sodium morrhuate may prevent the need for surgical revision

BACKGROUND: Obesity affects more than 30% of the U.S. population and is associated with the development of life-threatening complications. Numerous therapeutic approaches to the problem have been advocated, including low-calorie diets, anoretic drugs, behavior modifications, and exercise therapy. The only treatment proven to be effective in the long-term management of morbid obesity is surgical intervention. Complications of bariatric surgery include stomal stenosis and/or ulcer and stomal dilation (secondary to overeating). The latter complication can result in a gain of previously lost weight. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of endoscopic injection by using a sclerosant (sodium morrhuate) to induce stomal stenosis in patients who present with stomal dilatation complicated by weight gain. DESIGN: Bariatric patients with a large gastric stoma were treated with sodium morrhuate stomal injection. Diameters of the stoma were followed at repeat endoscopy. Weight loss at scheduled clinic visits were compared with pretherapy weights. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight patients (10 men, 18 women; age range, 27-58 years), after bariatric surgery with GI bypass, were referred with weight gain after initial weight loss. Weight gain was believed to be the result of a large gastric stoma. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment included injection of sodium morrhuate (1-2 mL circumferentially) surrounding the stoma. A total of 1 to 3 injection sessions were performed in an attempt to achieve a stoma diameter of 1.2 cm or smaller. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Treatment success was defined as a decrease of stoma size to or=75% of the weight the patient gained after establishing a steady state post bariatric surgery weight. RESULTS: A total of 2.3 injection sessions were performed. Successful endotherapy was achieved in 18 of 28 patients (64%). One patient developed symptoms of stomal stenosis, which required 2 separate balloon dilating sessions. No other complications were encountered. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective case series. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic injection of sodium morrhuate surrounding the dilated gastric stoma complicating bariatric surgery appears to be a successful, less-invasive therapeutic alternative to surgical revision.     

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency after bariatric surgery

BackgroundExocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a known complication of upper gastrointestinal surgery and has recently been associated with bariatric surgery. Our objectives were to determine the incidence of EPI in patients who underwent bariatric surgery and to identify the type of bariatric procedure most associated with EPI.MethodsThis retrospective cohort analysis included patients age ≥18 years who underwent bariatric surgery at Mayo Clinic between 2010 and 2020. Patients with a history of other gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary resection, revision of bariatric surgery, EPI prior to surgery, and surgery greater than >10 years earlier were excluded from the study. Characteristics were compared between two groups based on type of bariatric surgery including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or gastric sleeve (GS). Characteristics were also analyzed between patients with RYGB who developed post-operative steatorrhea and those who did not.ResultsOf 150 patients, 126 underwent RYGB while 24 patients had GS. Thirty-one (20.6%) patients developed post-operative steatorrhea and 14 (9.3%) were diagnosed with EPI. Mean pancreatic elastase level was 287 ± 156 mcg/g and fecal fat level 31 ± 22 g/d. There was a significantly higher proportion of post-operative steatorrhea in patients who underwent RYGB compared to gastric sleeve surgery (p = 0.029).ConclusionThe incidence of EPI after bariatric surgery in our cohort was 9.3%. Overall, patients who underwent RYGB had higher rates of EPI (10.3%) than those who had GS (4.2%). Clinicians should be aware of EPI as a cause for steatorrhea in patients who underwent bariatric surgery and consider treatment with enzyme replacement therapy.     

A pilot study of the effects of Vivostat patient-derived fibrin sealant in reducing blood loss in primary hip arthroplasty.

A pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of Vivostat patient-derived fibrin sealant in reducing blood loss in patients who underwent primary hip arthroplasty. Eighty adult patients undergoing elective surgery were randomized to receive either Vivostat sealant or control (no additional hemostatic treatment). Patients allocated Vivostat sealant donated 120 mL of blood, which was then processed perioperatively to produce a fibrin sealant that was applied to the bleeding wound surfaces just before closure. Transfusion requirements, blood loss during surgery, drain volumes, and daily hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were measured. Hospitalization times, adverse events, and postoperative wound complications were also monitored. Blood loss during surgery and wound drainage volume was lower in the Vivostat group than in the control group, although the differences were not significantly different. Transfusion requirements (median, 270 mL of packed red blood cells) and hospitalization times (both median 7 days) were the same for both groups. No adverse events related to the use of Vivostat occurred. There were indications of a possible reduction in the incidence of postoperative wound oozing (15% vs 25%) and hematomas (6% vs 11%) with the use of Vivostat compared with the control group, although differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, in this pilot study, use of Vivostat patient-derived fibrin in hip arthroplasty was not associated with a significant reduction in blood loss. Further studies, with larger numbers of patients, may be warranted to investigate a possible benefit of Vivostat in reducing postoperative wound complications.     

Closure of a nonhealing gastrocutaneous fistula using argon plasma coagulation and endoscopic hemoclips

A case in which a gastrocutaneous fistula developed after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement is presented. The fistula was first managed conservatively, then was closed by argon plasma coagulation and hemoclip placement. The patient was observed and was discharged once the gastrocutaneous fistula closed.     

Endoscopic placement of fibrin sealant as a treatment for a long-standing Boerhaave''s fistula

A 64-year-old man suffered a spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome) after an episode of severe retching. He underwent attempted primary repair of the esophageal defect, but unfortunately the repair failed with the development of a persistent esophago-bronchial fistula resistant to extended conservative management. Three hundred and nineteen days after the initial rupture, the fistula was successfully treated with endoscopic placement of fibrin glue. We believe this to be the first reported case of fibrin sealant being used in the treatment of a long-standing fistula resulting from Boerhaave's syndrome.     

Treatment of therapy-refractive ulcera cruris of various origins with autologous keratinocytes in fibrin sealant

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the effects of cultivated, subconfluent, autologous keratinocytes in fibrin sealant (BioSeed-S) on the healing of therapy-refractive chronic wounds. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Open observational study in 60 patients with chronic leg ulcers and impaired wound healing of various origins. After whole-skin excision and cultivation of the autologous keratinocytes, the suspended cells were applied to the preconditioned wound in fibrin sealant. Wound epithelization and wound size were recorded at defined times. RESULTS: Fifty-two of the 60 participating patients could be evaluated. After 6 weeks, 29 ulcers (55.8%) were healed. The mean epithelization increased between the 8th and 42nd postoperative day from 23% to 62.5%. In 50.0% of the patients, global assessment of the wound showed a high degree of epithelization or healing after 42 days. In 32.6% of treated patients, improvement was observed, while no healing tendency was to be found in 17.4%. CONCLUSION: The present observational study indicates that the transplantation of autologous keratinocytes suspended in fibrin sealant could be of advantage in the treatment of refractive leg ulcers.     

Treatment of post-prostatectomy rectourethral fistula with fibrin sealant (Quixil™) injection: a novel application

Rectourethral fistulas in adults is a rare but potentially devastating postoperative condition requiring complex and demanding surgery. Fibrin glue treatment has been used with some success in anal and rectovaginal fistulas, and in the case we present here this indication has been extended to a postoperative rectourethral fistula following radical prostatectomy. For the first time, to our knowledge, a fibrin sealant (Quixil) was injected into the fistula tract, and a rectal mucosal flap was used to close the internal opening. The fistula healed in few weeks, and the patient is symptom free after 1 year of follow-up.     

Treatment of Fistulas-in-Ano With Fibrin Sealant in Combination With Intra-adhesive Antibiotics and/or Surgical Closure of the Internal Fistula Opening

PURPOSE The treatment of fistulas-in-ano with fibrin sealant injection has been moderately successful. Failures can be caused by persistent infection within the tract or early expulsion of the clot. In an attempt to improve the success rate, we examined three modifications of the sealant procedure: the addition of cefoxitin to the sealant, surgical closure of the primary opening, or both.METHODS A prospective, randomized, clinical trial was performed in which patients were treated with Tisseel-VH ^® fibrin sealant according to previously published procedures. In addition, patients were randomized to receive intra-adhesive cefoxitin, surgical closure of the primary opening, or both modifications. Cefoxitin, 100 mg, was added to the sealant for patients randomized to receive intra-adhesive antibiotics. For the appropriate patients, the primary fistula opening was closed with a 3-0 absorbable suture. If fistulas failed to heal, patients were offered a single retreatment with sealant.RESULTS Twenty-four patients were treated in the cefoxitin arm, 25 in the closure arm, and 26 in the combined arm. Median duration of fistulas was 12 months. Patients were followed for a mean of 27 months postoperatively. There was no postoperative incontinence or complications related to the sealant itself. Initial healing rates were 21 percent in the cefoxitin arm, 40 percent in the closure arm, and 31 percent in the combined arm (P = 0.35). One of five patients in the cefoxitin arm, one of seven patients in the closure arm, and one of six patients in the combined arm were successfully retreated; final healing rates were 25, 44, and 35 percent respectively (P = 0.38).CONCLUSIONS Treatment of fistula-in-ano with fibrin sealant with closure of the internal opening was somewhat more successful than sealant with cefoxitin or the combination, however this did not achieve statistical significance. None of the three modifications were more successful than historic controls at our institution treated with sealant alone. Therefore, the addition of intra-adhesive cefoxitin, closure of the internal opening, or both are not recommended modifications of the fibrin sealant procedure.Support by Baxter Healthcare.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Dallas, Texas, May 8 to 13, 2004.